HD 270 Deer Status

lvelk

Active Member
Messages
108
I was searching the archives, and found several posts infering that HD270 was "not what it used to be" for big Muley's. Has the quality in the unit declined or is it as good as ever? (The posts were from 2011)
 
Rampant poaching and what most felt were too many tags gave the deer in 270 a beating. I still see a few big deer coming out of there, but I don't think it's as easy as it used to be. An adjacent unit has sorta stole some thunder from 270 lately. mtmuley
 
I don't see how it'll ever get back to what it was 2004-2007. We'd go down in December back then to drive around and see dozens of 160+ bucks in a day, with a few 180+ thrown in. It was amazing.

The same drive now we'll see a third of the bucks, with maybe a handful over 160.

It's still a great tag, and where I'd head if I had the supertag, but no where near as good as it's reputation and draw odds make it seem.
 
You can thank the internet for the demise of the draw odds and buck quality in 270.
 
>You can thank the internet for
>the demise of the draw
>odds and buck quality in
>270.


Is that right nonya? The Internet caused every local yokel to pick up an unlimited tag for across the highway and notch it in 270? The Internet caused all the native brothers to drive down in September, shoot a buck, then sell the head in Missoula on the way back through? The Internet caused Fwp to completely lose their mind on mountain lion management and turn the entire region into a minimal tag trophy area?
 
I do think that the internet, magazines and TV drew more attention to the area. The area next door was virtually overlooked for years and since it has been mentioned in internet forums, mags and hunting shows, draw odds have plummeted. Obviously the would would have gotten out eventually, but I believe the internet sped things up. The other issues aren't the problem of the net, and are way more damaging to the deer population. With the area across the highway becoming draw only, and FWP supposedly addressing the "natives" and their impact, hopefully it will help. mtmuley
 
Was there much a time that 270 was a really good tag before it was "discovered" and the odds were down around 1%?

I wasn't as in tune with the situation in the early 2000's, but I don't remember it flying under the radar ever like the other unit you mention.
 
I have friends that have hunted it for over 30 years. The first big deer that came out of the area were taken by mostly local guys that had hunted there for years. As the deer recovered, and word spread, 270 became famous. So, yeah, for a few years you could say it was under the radar. Now, in the adjoining area, huge deer call the lowlands home. They are highly visible, and becoming a nuisance for farmers and ranchers. Most will grant access to archery hunters in the lowest areas and rifle hunters where safer. Nothing ever stays a secret it seems. mtmuley
 
I couldn't draw it even before the odds nosedived, let alone now.

I'd love either tag, but man the odds are a joke right now. Thing is there's nothing else worth applying for, so might as well keep applying.
 
Nobody but the locals knew it existed until net forums and tv hunting shows combined with B&C trophy watch and outfitter advertisements clued everyone in to the bucks coming out of there.If you cant believe these medias had an effect ont the draw odds and the number of poachers that show p there I guess you can stick to your theory,whatever that may be.Do us a favor and explain how these things didnt have an effect please.
 
I didn't say it didn't effect it. I was referring to you saying we can thank the Internet for the unit's demise, which just isn't true.
 
Most of the people who live and hunt around there say that poaching has had as big an effect on the area as anything else,poachers have the net too.
 

Click-a-Pic ... Details & Bigger Photos

Montana Hunting Guides & Outfitters

Bearpaw Outfitters

Mule deer, whitetail, antelope, buffalo, and prairie dogs on private ranch leases totaling about 100,000 acres.

Urge 2 Hunt

We focus on trophy elk, mule deer, whitetail and antelope and manage our ranches for top quality.

Vargo Hunting

Top quality bear, antelope and free range bison hunts on the Crow Indian Res. Turkey and cougar as well.

Back
Top Bottom