Mule deer hunt

[MObowhunter156]

Hey guys some of my friends and I are looking to hunt in region 7 this fall. We are hoping to get a mule deer tag and maybe a antelope tag. Is this something we would apply for at the same time or is the antelope drawing after the general deer tag? Any information you guys are willing to give out would be greatly appreciated. None of us have any mule deer experience we are looking to gain a little knowledge this year and hopefully continue coming out there for years to come.
Thanks for any input

 

[Tim McCoy]

Here you go. http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/

Deer draw deadline is usually mid-March, Antelope very early June. Several E. MT threads on the forum with good info. Make sure you learn about BMA's. Have fun.

 

[johnsd16]

You will be able to get deer tags. Pronghorn tags are much different draws due to low tag allocations after big winter kill that they are still recovering from according to what I remember hearing.

When I glanced at it last year, I want to say the pronghorn odds for region 7 were tough (compared to the basically OTC deer tag), there were 300 tags for 1700-1800 applicants. So <20% draw. We hunted region 7 last year for deer, and saw a lot of groups of pronghorn, but I can't say we saw ANY bucks, save maybe something in the 8" range. Was really weird. We have never hunted them before but I've seen lots, and it was like they all were shot out of the herds. Groups of animals were usually 20-60, this was mid November.

 

[joens]

Deer and Elk are on separate draws, last year the deadline for the nonresident deer license was march 16 and the Antelope was June 01
They are on separate applications. Deer and antelope season only overlaps by about 2 weeks.

 

[Tim McCoy]

You will be able to get deer tags. Pronghorn tags are much different draws due to low tag allocations after big winter kill that they are still recovering from according to what I remember hearing.

When I glanced at it last year, I want to say the pronghorn odds for region 7 were tough (compared to the basically OTC deer tag), there were 300 tags for 1700-1800 applicants. So <20% draw. We hunted region 7 last year for deer, and saw a lot of groups of pronghorn, but I can't say we saw ANY bucks, save maybe something in the 8" range. Was really weird. We have never hunted them before but I've seen lots, and it was like they all were shot out of the herds. Groups of animals were usually 20-60, this was mid November.

Odds are most would have dropped their horn sheaths by then. We were in SE in Mid Nov and watched a herd of about 150 for over a week, did not see but one with sheaths intact, but plenty of bucks.

 

[MObowhunter156]

Thanks guys for answering my question, sounds like it might be tough to get drawn for antelope maybe we will just focus on mule deer and not worry too much on the antelope. Ill just have to make a trip to Wyoming one year I hear that's really good antelope hunting.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Thanks guys for answering my question, sounds like it might be tough to get drawn for antelope maybe we will just focus on mule deer and not worry too much on the antelope. Ill just have to make a trip to Wyoming one year I hear that's really good antelope hunting.

Then you may want to buy Antelope points in WY for a few years so you can have a better choice of units when the time comes. Easy and affordable.

 

[MObowhunter156]

Then you may want to buy Antelope points in WY for a few years so you can have a better choice of units when the time comes. Easy and affordable.

I was actually going to ask that exact question if that's the way to go, to be able to hunt Wyoming in 5 years or so. I was curious to see your guys thoughts on that. Maybe Ill put a post in the Wyoming forum too and see what your all thoughts are. Thanks again

 

[johnsd16]

Odds are most would have dropped their horn sheaths by then. We were in SE in Mid Nov and watched a herd of about 150 for over a week, did not see but one with sheaths intact, but plenty of bucks.

Wow, I had NO clue that they dropped them that early. I guess I always thought Jan/Feb. I know nothing about PH though.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Wow, I had NO clue that they dropped them that early. I guess I always thought Jan/Feb. I know nothing about PH though.

I am sure a few drop at the end of Oct, but I am no expert. Others may have better info on when it begins in SE MT. What I have observed is you are rolling the dice by early Nov, as some drop then and most seem to have dropped by 11/15 - 20 most years.

 

[Againstthewind]

Yep I'll agree with Tim McCoy they are actually starting to grow back now. Those dates seem pretty close from what I have seen. The mature bucks have a big black cheek patch. Didn't see that mentioned, but that is one way to tell if they are bucks after the shedding. Young bucks have a small patch. I don't think bigger patch necessarily means bigger buck though. Oh no expert here either lol just happened on this one.

 

[MObowhunter156]

I think we'll wait and try and start getting preference points for Wyoming and do a hunt there in 4 or 5 years. That seems like it would be the best thing to do and then we can focus more on the mule deer hunt this fall and not worry about anything else.