I didn't make it down to Area 700 this morning in Montana. Weather was kind of lousy up here and I didn't want to drive 500 miles and fight snow or mud for a day ... I'll try to get down later in the week or next .. And do it properly ... Hopefully in delightful fall weather ...

COLD! Upper teens lower 20's. From the traffic around here, I would assume the weather hasn't deterred too many. I have friends that were successful north of Harlem, MT (Region 6) and one near Jordan (he has a secret place).

I noticed more camper trailers parked than last year. Lots of boys from Washington and Minnesota drew tags this year. I even saw my first California antelope hunter.

According to friends with FWP and my own observations, the antelope population is down probably 25%. Hence less tags issued, statewide.

It's supposed to warm up toward Wed/Thurs. Be prepared for possible mud.

Thanks, MThuntr .... my sister in law from far away is showing up this weekend .. so might be a good time to vamoose for a while .. Perhaps wait a few extra days to dry up and for some of the traffic to diminish ...

Things are drying nicely. Low 30's and lots of sun today. No major chances of snow with nice temps in the low 30's to 40's.

Local traffic would suggest most are going home today.

quote:

Originally posted by MThuntr:
I even saw my first California antelope hunter.

I've been there, found a very nice coulee on BLM land...

Sunday morning was was absolutley great hunting weather. The temps in the teens kept the ground hard, driving was easy, walking was even better. No wind. I saw more good bucks on BLM land than in previous 3 years. At 8:43 shot a good 14" buck with high prongs and heavy mass. Had 3 more shooters in range after I shot mine. One was bigger than mine. About noon it started to snow lightly. All goats seemed to disappear. Snow stopped a couple hours before sun up Monday. Only accumilated about 1-1.5". My hunting buddy shot a decent 13" Monday morning. We skinned and quartered our goats monday afternoon. It warmed up enough to melt most of the snow but in the afternoon it started to get windy. It was very windy Monday all night and Tue morning. We packed up our camp Tue morning and headed out by 8:30 am. We had a little drizzle/freezing drizzle on the way out but it was still cold enough to keep the ground firm. To me it seemed the buck population was up from previous years but the does/fawns down. I also thought the number of hunters on the BLM land was up.

Greg