i am going to montana thanksgiving week this year and am planning on hunting the custer national forest in unit 704. im just kind of wondering what kind of weather to expect and what the terrain is like there, and how the deer herds are doing in that area. im hoping the rut will be full swing by then so ill have a good chance at a decent buck and this will be my first time going to montana and i cant wait. i have lots of experience with glassing and all that so i think ill be alright.
mule deer unit 704
- Thread starter badnewskruse
- Start date
Seen it 20 below to rather mild that time of year near Ashland. Terrain there, where I hunted, was moderate. Population was poor to fair, but that was a few years ago, probably better now with the milder winters. It does get pounded pretty good. The rut should be going, but sometimes is starting to tail off by then, seems to vary year to year.
Not sure what a decent MD buck to you, but if I saw a 21" 3x3 or better there on day one I'd probably shoot. Bigger bucks are in there, but unless the area has snapped back real fast, they are tough to come by your first hunt there. There are some good WT's in there too, my buddy, a local, saw one in there two years ago that was huge, I saw about a 145" WT in there last time I hunted it 3 or so years ago. You'll have a blast, I got the forest service map, it helped quite a bit.
Not sure what a decent MD buck to you, but if I saw a 21" 3x3 or better there on day one I'd probably shoot. Bigger bucks are in there, but unless the area has snapped back real fast, they are tough to come by your first hunt there. There are some good WT's in there too, my buddy, a local, saw one in there two years ago that was huge, I saw about a 145" WT in there last time I hunted it 3 or so years ago. You'll have a blast, I got the forest service map, it helped quite a bit.
i would hope to shoot at least a 135" muley but i guess we will see how it goes. i wouldnt be against shooting a nice whitetail either if i came across one! thanks for your input!!
joens
Member
Last year that week it was getting to 0 at night and not above 20 or 30 in the day but that was the first week of zero during hunting season. and had not really had snow yet . the previous year it was roughly the same temp that week but had been having snow falling most every week of hunting season that year the first big storm came opening weekend. You will have fun don't count on weather above freezing though it is possible and like Tim said it could be well below 0. If you are good at glassing don't overlook the burned areas around there
I get sick of everyone complaining about to many $$,lack of size,etc.Mostly friends and on other sites.I guess it is good as that leaves tags for those of us that enjoy Montana.
Montana is one of my favorite hunts of the year-people in general are great,landowners have been extremely nice,beautiful country,as many animals or more then almost any other hunt,long season,and as long as you set your expectations right you are in for a great trip.
Depending on the area a gps with a hunt X map chip is a great investment!
We have hunted early and late in the season and both are a lot of fun.Make sure and take you cold weather gear just in case
YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST!
Montana is one of my favorite hunts of the year-people in general are great,landowners have been extremely nice,beautiful country,as many animals or more then almost any other hunt,long season,and as long as you set your expectations right you are in for a great trip.
Depending on the area a gps with a hunt X map chip is a great investment!
We have hunted early and late in the season and both are a lot of fun.Make sure and take you cold weather gear just in case
YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST!
Shooter
Active Member
It is spendy and the quality does suck. But I always have a blast hunting MT.I get sick of everyone complaining about to many $$,lack of size,etc.Mostly friends and on other sites.I guess it is good as that leaves tags for those of us that enjoy Montana.
Montana is one of my favorite hunts of the year-people in general are great,landowners have been extremely nice,beautiful country,as many animals or more then almost any other hunt,long season,and as long as you set your expectations right you are in for a great trip.
Depending on the area a gps with a hunt X map chip is a great investment!
We have hunted early and late in the season and both are a lot of fun.Make sure and take you cold weather gear just in case
YOU WILL HAVE A BLAST!
hoshour
Veteran member
I hunted there a couple years ago and saw a lot of bucks but they were almost all young. Left without having seen anything over 150. There was a lot of company, but not terrible, mostly road hunters.
The best buck I saw was in the back of another pickup. I had just gotten back to the road at midday from hiking back a couple miles when I walked up to a guy driving slowly down the road. The buck was heavy but not real tall and about ear width. I asked him where he shot it. He said, Over there," and pointed to my truck. Apparently, he had been road hunting and spotted this buck chasing does across the field. He stopped his truck next to mine and made a 150-yard shot. As far as I know, he might have used my hood for a rest.
The best buck I saw was in the back of another pickup. I had just gotten back to the road at midday from hiking back a couple miles when I walked up to a guy driving slowly down the road. The buck was heavy but not real tall and about ear width. I asked him where he shot it. He said, Over there," and pointed to my truck. Apparently, he had been road hunting and spotted this buck chasing does across the field. He stopped his truck next to mine and made a 150-yard shot. As far as I know, he might have used my hood for a rest.