Elk/deer combo help

eatmorepbj · Mar 19, 2013

Every year I apply and never get a Az or New Mexico tag. So this year after I get turned down I will buy a left over Montana combo tag. Can some one point me to a reputable guide as I non resident and cant go alone or can you point me to areas to look in to. Id like a good chance at a 170 buck. Thank you.

kickerbuck · Mar 20, 2013

Hey PBJ,

Just a quick reponse to your ?. If you are looking to book a Mule Deer hunt in Montana I would suggest Channel Outfitters! The owner knows as much about Mule Deer hunting as anyone I know personally. This is a Buck I got in 2006 with them just thought you might enjoy a pic also.

Booking a hunt is a serious thing and you should always do as much research as possible on the Outfitter and expectations!

PM me if you need any more info.

Good Luck,
Dean

Stubaby · Mar 20, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-20-13 AT 10:52PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-20-13 AT 10:51?PM (MST)

Not sure what the channel guys charge but if I wanted a big deer I'd call these guys. www.thelodgeatdiamondcross.com

You will pass up deer better than 170 all day with them.

If I'm paying a guide he better find me a better buck than 170. Get off the roads and hunt hard and 170 shouldn't be unrealistic OYOA style.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

7thgenmt · Mar 22, 2013

"You will pass up deer better than 170 all day with them" LMAO

Stubaby · Mar 23, 2013

Hey the mm troll is back. The only thing worth a "lmao" should be everybody reading your posts. Yes. What said is true. My friend hunted with them last year. In 5 days of hunting he saw over 35 bucks 170 or bigger. That's what meant by all day long. They get over $6k for a mule deer hunt for a reason.

Why don't you help the person who is posting the thread rather than post stupid comments and making the "good guys" want to leave this site all together?

He wanted to know of a good guide do I gave him one. Doubt there is a better chunk of property in the state for quality and quantity.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

Randy11 · Mar 23, 2013

You know what's going on with their whitetail Stubaby? They want $7000 for a hunt and I can only find a picture of one decent buck on their site. Something doesn't add up.

Stubaby · Mar 23, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-23-13 AT 01:05PM (MST)[p]They have really nice whiteys. I've never hunted there but I've seen pics of 150-180 whiteys that come off thier place.

I'm not sure they really advertise as most of thier business is repeat from back east and Texas.

That place is almost 180,000 acres. It's owned by mars candy bars.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

dragonshed · Mar 23, 2013

6000-7000 grand is alot of cash for a hunt, damn. I know the area pretty well, passing up 170 bucks all day might be a stretch, but you defintley can go into that hunt with the mindset of passing up 170 bucks because there are enough 180s around that you might get a crack at one if you spend enough time there. It all depends on what type of hunt you want for your money. If you are just concerned about getting the oppurtunity to shoot a 170 type buck than I would agree hunting with the diamond cross would accomplish that. But for 6 grand you would have to carry me around on a litter and hand feed me grapes while I hunt.

Stubaby · Mar 23, 2013

I hear you dragonshed. They should pick you up at the airport and hand you the toga. The guy who posted wanted a guide with a good solid chance at 170+. If you can't get one there then you can't hit the broadside of a mule deer at 200 yards and it's a "u" problem.

Mostly rich guys from out of state to whom $6k is nothing. And for them it's a bargain.

To each their own. My ship hasn't come in yet, so I'm forced to scour the areas in eastern Montana that are green, blue, or orangey-yellow on the blm maps and find my squeaker bucks DIY style. : )

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

dragonshed · Mar 23, 2013

Stubaby got a question for you. Even if you came into a windfall of cash, would you pay for a mule deer hunt? When you've done diy your whole life would you find satisfaction when someone else finds them for you and holds your hand while you pull the trigger? Or would it be a joy to have someone more knowledgeable about the are than yourself help you and to just lay back and relax?

Seen alot of nice bucks on the daimondcross, also seen alot of slow cruisin rigs with guys never gettin out of the truck as well, I think having a hunt with them is mainly a drive and spot hunt. To each his own, that's the beauty of hunting.

Stubaby · Mar 23, 2013

No. If I had the cash I would buy maybe buy some landowner vouchers in Colorado or some tags in Utah that are CWMU type. Maybe go the show and get a manti rifle or muzzy elk tag. I'm still going by myself and my homies to get it done, though. Unless I'm going to AK after moose or sheep I'm guiding myself.

I've had the chance to drive back home with a very respectable animal in the back of the truck either killed by me or my close friends more than once in fully blown OYOA, DIY style. There is no substitute for it as far as feeling of accomplishment. It would be nice to hunt areas that are managed better where more mature animals are around though.

So yes if I could I would pay to have an LE type tag now and then to help the agonizing wait of building points, or pay for some acces once in a while. However, nothing beats finding a nice animal on public land with a general tag and bringing it home.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

mtmuley · Mar 23, 2013

Can't speak for Stubaby, but I'd never pay for a hunt. Just apply, apply and apply, then do it myself. mtmuley

SPAZ · Mar 23, 2013

"In 5 days of hunting he saw over 35 bucks 170 or bigger."

Sure he did. I'm familiar with the area, the type and numbers of deer, and what a legit 170 looks like. I'm gonna have to call BS as well.

"YOU'RE NOT WORTHY"

Stubaby · Mar 23, 2013

I'll be sure to call my buddy who makes more in 3 months than we do combined in a year that nonya and greenhorn disagree. Im sure he cares.

I'm not talkin king mountain or the bock mgnmt down by morehead.

If you are familiar with the area than you know how many animals you can pack on to 8-9 pivot lines when the entire area surrounding the alfalfa fields all belongs to you. I've driven the TR road from the Dam to birney many times coming home from Sheridan and it's nothing to see 500 deer in one evening. Not year round but in early September when everything is all dried up those fields are litteraly full of deer. Once those does start going into heat then every buck with a nose is headed thier way a month later.

Lots of crabby bucks, some big 3x4s, but like I said if you want a 170 class deer and have the mulla, theres not many places that have more deer per square foot than them.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

7thgenmt · Mar 23, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-23-13 AT 06:31PM (MST)[p]There is NOWHERE in MT where you re going to pass up 170 bucks all day on a general tag.Stubby you havnt even killed a 170 buck and I know you have never passed one up,I doubt you have ever seen one on public land judging by the never ending string of young bucks you and your crew kill.I dont know who you think you are fooling,or quite possibly you being a youngun may be the one getting fooled.If you got a crack at a 170 buck in MT on a general tag you better take it,it may be the only chance you ever get,DIY or guided.NO outfitter in MT is going to promise you a buck of that caliber,they may promise the opportunity but dont show up here thinking its going to be a given.Dont waste your money on outfitters,buy a tag spend time out in the field and find a decent buck,that decent 4x you get will mean so much more than one you shoot of of some outfitters leased hay field I promise you. BTW SPAZ this one is going to go down in history.

mtmuley · Mar 23, 2013

You should check out the farm deer in the Bitteroot some time. mtmuley

7thgenmt · Mar 23, 2013

Public ground?General tag?

mtmuley · Mar 23, 2013

7th, I was commenting on the deer density comment by Stubaby. Not general tag and mostly not public, but I bet I can find almost 500 deer any given evening around here. Kinda getting out of hand. mtmuley

SPAZ · Mar 23, 2013

>I'll be sure to call my
>buddy who makes more in
>3 months than we do
>combined in a year that
>nonya and greenhorn disagree.
>Im sure he cares.
>
>I'm not talkin king mountain or
>the bock mgnmt down by
>morehead.
>
>If you are familiar with the
>area than you know how
>many animals you can pack
>on to 8-9 pivot lines
>when the entire area surrounding
>the alfalfa fields all belongs
>to you. I've driven the
>TR road from the Dam
>to birney many times coming
>home from Sheridan and it's
>nothing to see 500 deer
>in one evening. Not
>year round but in early
>September when everything is all
>dried up those fields are
>litteraly full of deer.
>Once those does start going
>into heat then every buck
>with a nose is headed
>thier way a month later.
>
>
>Lots of crabby bucks, some big
>3x4s, but like I said
>if you want a 170
>class deer and have the
>mulla, theres not many places
>that have more deer per
>square foot than them.
>
>"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

It's a pretty safe bet to say your buddy doesn't make his living field judging mule deer.
"YOU'RE NOT WORTHY"

Stubaby · Mar 23, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-23-13 AT 09:03PM (MST)[p]Every thread gets out of hand when nonya comments. Apparently he can read nor comprehend what he reads. Every thread he joins in on turns into a pissin match.

I'd never pass up a 170 buck on public land with a general tag. I've only killed 2 bucks over 170 in my life. Every Muley ive ever killed was public land with a general tag.

I'd never pay a guide or outfitter for a mule deer hunt. However, if someone were to ask for a recommendation the above outfit would be it. Yes they are mostly agriculture mule deer that come and go from alfalfa fields every day. But it is fair chase just like all those Alberta and sask hunts you see all over. And yes in a weeks worth of "hunting" at diamond cross you will see 35 or so bucks 170 or bigger in a week and if you don't kill one over 180 you can't shoot worth a crap regardless of what greenhorn says.

Kind of like hunting the nbar for elk southeast of Lewistown. Seeing 400 head of elk with 30 being 340+ is no big deal. Just ask randy newberg and his buddy Bart. The mule deer on the diamond cross are as thick as the elk in the nbar.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

eatmorepbj · Mar 24, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-24-13 AT 07:43AM (MST)[p]What replies! Thanks. I change my own oil in my truck and I would never hire a guide but I have to. I live in Pa.and its hard just getting there for a week let alone being able to come there a couple of times prior to scout and prepare. Hell my wifes going to kill me for one week and money is tight and it costs alot just to get there just once. If I go my self theres a 90% chance Id be on an expensive sight seeing trip and never get a deer and be stressed the whole time. I dont know where Im going. Thats why I m trying to get the names of a couple reliable reasonably priced guides so once I do get there I can relax and enjoy my self and deal with Momma later!
PS I dont know if I should be looking at other states ?

mnmthunting · Mar 24, 2013

I've been public land hunting MT and WY for Mulies for 40 something years. I put in the time, but always get a mature buck. Once you get things figured out there are plenty of places on public land that you could find a 170 buck. You wouldn't want to pass him up though, unless it's opening day.

NO! for me I don't want a guide anywhere close to me.
But you know? I understand.

I looked at the gallery on the "lodgeatdiamond" site. The Mule Deer Bucks pictured are no doubt the biggest to be had on their property. NO monsters but good 160-180 class bucks.

I think most MD Bucks in MT have the ability to be 170 class bucks if. They are allowed to get to 6-8 years old. And a good source of food year around. AT Lodgeatdiamond it appears the deer have a controlled situation where the bucks can grow old with great year around nutrition.

I have no trouble believing You will have chances at 170 class bucks.

beech18 · Mar 24, 2013

I dont doubt theres big deer on this guys property in order for a guy to have a good hunt if booked at this place. I do question the scoring of these deer passing up that many 170 class deer. I live just north of there lil bit.

SPAZ · Mar 24, 2013

You should be able to plan on a 170 hunting the place mentioned, with the chance at something bigger. There's a number of places in MT where you can hunt with an outfitter and plan for a nice buck, 170-180 gross. You'll pay over 5K before it's all over with and odds are you'll be hunting within sight of your vehicle.

There is nowhere in MT (or anywhere that I know of) where you'll see dozens of legit 170+ bucks in a 5 days, and "pass" that many. In MT there are places that average in the 170 range on client kills, and those are the best places. You won't pass on many legit 170s, certainly not 35.

Having hunted a little and listened to so many guys talk about it for decades, is always funny how any adult deer with 4 points and a spread to it's ears is called (a 170 buck), and any bull elk with 6 points and all it's tines visible is a (300 bull). Oh wait.. make that a 340 bull.

Reality is scarce when guys talk about sizes of antlers and fish..

Here's another link for where you can show up and shoot pivot class deer. They don't pass up 35 170s here either, realistically. They avg 170 or so.

http://www.montanahuntingcompany.com/hunts/mule.html

"YOU'RE NOT WORTHY"

SPAZ · Mar 24, 2013

Something else, you can have a hell of a great hunt, with chances at something in that 170 or better range in a LOT of areas of MT without having to do a babysat pivot deer shoot. My 11 year old shot a nice buck last fall in the mountains of western MT. If it's all about checking off score and a number, get out the checkbook.

"YOU'RE NOT WORTHY"

7thgenmt · Mar 24, 2013

"Pivot Class"...perfect.Stubby it dont matter if I comment on your posts or not your still full of shiz.

mtmuley · Mar 24, 2013

Pivot class. That IS funny. I like to watch the guys hunt farm bucks in my area. They get all camoed up and sneak around, usually chasing off the deer. If they dressed up as a Mexican pipe changer, they could walk right up to them. We are getting quite a few big 190-200 class deer in our little urban interface areas though. mtmuley

SPAZ · Mar 24, 2013

I wish fewer non-residents would come to Montana to shoot tame deer during the rut. I mean, come on... doing something worth mentioning to your wife and kids when you go home.

This is what a kid's face looks like after pulling the trigger on a Montnaa mule deer hunt worth way more than 6grand, at a price tag of about $16 dollars. He'd have been happy with forked horn, but thankfully it wasn't.

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404761_4013366931543_303629740_n.jpg[.IMG]

"YOU'RE NOT WORTHY"

mtmuley · Mar 24, 2013

Agreed. The farm hunters have one Hell of a hunt story about their hog mule deer to tell. How can you feel good? My buddy drew our area last year and took a great mid 180 buck. Up in the mountains. It was awesome. Congrats to your son. mtmuley

eatmorepbj · Mar 24, 2013

Spaz, Nice picture. Thats what I was thinking of and I thought the whole state looks like that. I wish I could pull the kids out of school for that long and bring them. I didnt even know about the farm mulies. Thats why I asked. Id like a chance at a elk too on a combo hunt. But I cant do it myself. I live 2000 miles away and Ill be in a little rental car from the airport and Ill have all the gear that I can fit in one suit case. Unless some one says theyll put up with me for a week and take me hunting Ill need a guide. All the outfitter web sites look the same and this is all I can do to get refrences for now. I just need a few personal leads and then yoou still need to be careful.

mtmuley · Mar 24, 2013

pbj, Talk a buddy into the trip. Sounds kinda like you might have the nuts to do it DIY. mtmuley

Stubaby · Mar 24, 2013

LAST EDITED ON Mar-24-13 AT 08:32PM (MST)[p]Pbj, just rent a hotel room in Ashland, broadus, or colstrip for a week in mid November. Get some good maps and a good gps. Hit all the state, blm, and national Forrest chunks you can. Be thorough with your glassing.

Just get away from the truck and you will find a 145-230 muley. A 145 buck DIY is way cooler than a 185 buck off a pivot line any day.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

beech18 · Mar 24, 2013

Theres some good block management area's around that area as well that holds good potential. Signing in at Omar's little trailor, be worth checking into if you'll be around the Colstrip area.
For those who've done it, it can be a nasty wait esp if its a cold snowy night waiting outside for your turn.

dz · Mar 24, 2013

I agree with everyone telling you to go for it on your own. If you are not completely green you should be able to have a great time. Me and a friend came out in 2008 and had a blast. That reminds me the wind can really get with it. Here is some pictures from our hunt. We saw several good bucks that we didn't take any pictures of. I saw two bigger whitetails then the one I shot. I also shot a cow elk on the second to last day of our hunt.

We didn't have any help, just picked up some maps and went after them.

DZ