Deer Hunting out west

[Schwanny]

I don't know if anybody can help me out, but a couple of buddies and myself would like to take a trip out to one of the western states. We would like to try Mule deer hunting and we would probably camp out. I don't know if I could afford a hunt at one of those lodges and I don't need to shoot a trophy class animal. I just want to go for the experience. Suggestions anybody? How do I search for something like this on the web?

[Cheetah]

Montana!

http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/planahunt/

http://fwp.mt.gov/lands/

edit: ok, ok. Montana is a big place and it's tough to find good land via the internet. I'd suggest you take a look at Fort Peck area, then work west down the reservoir if you want to get away from civilization. That's where I hunt with my dad.

[Steve Foss]

Schwanny, pay some attention to white-tails out there, too. In lots of western states, especially the "eastern" western states, there often are lots of white-tails in the riverbottoms and mulies in the uplands.

Could be a great combo hunt if seasons run concurrently. You should post this inquiry on the Montana and Colorado boards right here on FM, too. I know there are lots of monster white-tails in Montana and the western Dakotas, with great mule deer hunting there, too.

[snapcrackpop]

I had good luck at Rosebud Sioux res in SD.

I went for bow season (crawled to 30 yards on a doe and a bachelor group of 7 bucks), but if I had a gun I would have had 3-4 chances at mule deer bucks in 3 days.

[Schwanny]

I'd love to do a combo hunt. I will take a look at these areas and do some research. Thanks for the insight you guys offered. Hopefully I can make this a reality for next years hunt.

[Muddog]

As Cheetah said; Montana. Fort Peck area. But I would go just a little north to the Milk River. After hunting season last year they had a heard of White Tail that had over 2000 Deer. That was just one heard! Plus on Lonesome Dove they were heading to the Milk River. If you don't see deer you are blind. Last time I was there it was $90 for a doe permit over the counter. NO PARTY HUNTING! You have to shoot your deer.

[Steve Foss]

Schwanny, you're starting far enough out, so that's good. Last minute traveling hunts rarely pan out. Best of luck to you.

[RiverRunner]

Another option might be a combo hunt in Wyoming. The later of the two pronghorn seasons opens three days before the Mule deer season. Pronghorn is a good time and a "fairly easy" hunt if their is such a thing. You would already know the area and where the mule deer hang out. I've also hunted the SD Badlands which was really a good time. Got a really nice 9 point Whitetail, but very tough hunt for Whitetail not a lot of them, but all the bucks were nice deer. Saw quite a few nice mule deer. One tip would be get out to your hunting area either a couple weeks before or two days ahead of time. It's a little different hunting not as much sitting and a lot of Glassing and walking.

[DonBo]

I just returned from a guided hunt in Montana. We shot some nice mulies. I know some of the land we hunted was public. There is tons of state, federal, and BLM land in MT. Look at the areas north and east of Miles City. There are great maps available that show all the public land. Antelope season runs through mid November and would make a great combo hunt.

Good Luck!

[snowgoose]

As already mentioned a combo Mullie/antalope hunt in Wyoming is a lot of fun. Look into the Thunder Basin National Grass Lands and get a BLM map of the area. You can camp where ever you want. Thousands of acres to hunt and a chance at some pretty decent mullies.