eastern Montana winterkill?

wjt · Aug 13, 2005

Trying to plan eastern Montana hunt. Any info on winterkill and summer rain. Looking anywhere from Broadus up to Jordan. I am from NC, but fell in love with mulie hunting several years ago. Taking my son this year. In past years noticed big difference in antler growth depending on summer rains. Will hunt mostly block management. Thanks for any info

NeMont · Aug 13, 2005

Winter Kill was nearly zero. In addition there was adequate spring rains, especially around Broadus. I was just through there on the 31 st of July and it was looking good.

The Jordan area has been baking until the current cool but the sweet clover grew and that usually means good to great antler growth.

Nemont

lostinOregon · Aug 13, 2005

I have friend who has a ranch in Broadus. They received more rain this spring than in the last 5 years. Grass is high, however it has been very hot. He tells me that antlergrowth has been very good and had a very mild winter. Looks like it should be a good season.

wjt · Aug 14, 2005

Thanks guys for the info. Have hunted Broadus area last year from Sonnette to Alzada to Powderville (block management/public). A few good tracts and a lot not so good. Noticed a lot more hunting pressure than 4 years ago, even way off the road. Saw a lot of bucks, but narrow. Considering trying Joran/Brusett area. Hate to do the miles and miles of scouting again, but hunting new areas is exciting/frustrating in itself. Just got a new "Badlands" pack and hope to put it to use. The 2 mile packout last year with my old frame pack was tough on an old flatlander. Good luck on your seasons.

wjt · Aug 14, 2005

Last years deer. Past him up twice as I wanted a 4x4 and he was 2 miles off road, but last day he looked better and better.

Gator · Aug 14, 2005

Sent ya a PM

Tally · Aug 15, 2005

Here's a buck I took in 2003 north of Jordan. Lots of feed and moisture that year too.

NeMont · Aug 15, 2005

Here is one, near Jordan, still on the hoof from a couple of weeks ago. Not huge but a decent 4x4. Saw a pig of buck buck couldn't get any photos yet.

wjt · Aug 15, 2005

Thanks guy for photos. I had already decided on the Jordon area and am trying to find a place to stay the 3rd week of Nov. Weather that time of year and a backpack tent is tough on a southern flatlander. Any leads on cabins, room at a ranch, or mobil home I could rent for a week. I found one on a ranch (blockmanagement) I plan to hunt, but the barn has heat and power but no water. I stink after a couple days hoofing it and would like to rinse off. I quess I could do the old arm pit wash cloth bath if i have to.

MTBullhunter70 · Aug 16, 2005

There's a couple of motels in Jordan you might want to try. Fellman's Motel (406) 557-2209 and the Garfield Motel (406) 557-6215. I know that a lot of hunters stay there, so you might want to call early.

I can tell you the area on the south side of the lake is as green as I've ever seen it. We've had above average rainfall all spring and summer. Been seeing a lot more smaller bucks than I did last year after the bad winter kill last winter. This year was so mild, I don't think there was any winterkill. Should be a good year.

PS. Lots of antelopes running around, too.