I am looking for information as I plan an upcoming mule deer hunt. Date to be determined. I am looking for mature bucks and a good time, not neccasarily a record booker.

I am very interested in Montana region 6 and 7, specifically the Missouri Breaks area. Wondering if there are regional tags or if one has to apply for a specific unit? I have never applied for Montana before and am a novice regarding how their draw/tag system works.

I am interested in the breaks, becuase i have always wanted to see the area and it also appears to have a large amount of public ground to hunt on. I am also interested in bighorn sheep, and would love to see some in the breaks at the same time.

I am also starting to look at Idaho for muleys as well. My understanding is some outstanding muleys there and that they have NO point system. I also have a father who would like nothing else than to hunt a wolf before he leaves the earth, and from what I hear, Idaho has a LOT of wolves running around.

Any information one can share about muleys in the Missouri Breaks or deer/wolves in Idaho would be greatly appreciated by this rookie researcher. Thanks

Thought I heard the breaks area was devastated last couple years. Idaho has a lot of wolves but there not that easy to hunt. Wish I could help more.

There are a lot of wolves in Idaho for sure, but they aren't easy to hunt. Wolf tags are kinda inexpensive though. Good luck to you and your dad.

If your dad is in good shape,there are some big deer in the breaks,but they will not come easy.Tags in Montana are $565.00.

I grew up in (and still live) in Montana's region 6 - I've also hunted the south side of the Missouri Breaks for Pronghorn.

It's a great place for deer, with beautiful scenery. I can put you in touch with Block Management areas that do have true potential. As for landowners, all you gotta do is knock on the door, and they will generally treat you with the same respect that you treat them.

Side note: thank GOD I am a Montanan - 16$ for a deer tag - either sex, either species.

quote:

Originally posted by 257 Roberts:
I am looking for information as I plan an upcoming mule deer hunt. Date to be determined. I am looking for mature bucks and a good time, not neccasarily a record booker.

I am very interested in Montana region 6 and 7, specifically the Missouri Breaks area. Wondering if there are regional tags or if one has to apply for a specific unit? I have never applied for Montana before and am a novice regarding how their draw/tag system works.

I am interested in the breaks, becuase i have always wanted to see the area and it also appears to have a large amount of public ground to hunt on. I am also interested in bighorn sheep, and would love to see some in the breaks at the same time.

I am also starting to look at Idaho for muleys as well. My understanding is some outstanding muleys there and that they have NO point system. I also have a father who would like nothing else than to hunt a wolf before he leaves the earth, and from what I hear, Idaho has a LOT of wolves running around.

Any information one can share about muleys in the Missouri Breaks or deer/wolves in Idaho would be greatly appreciated by this rookie researcher. Thanks

I live in MT and just finished 3 weeks of elk/deer hunting in the southern breaks this fall and the mule deer population is still down quite a bit. With the recent winterkill, I view that country as elk country (permit only rifle hunting but now with 250 bull tags and 750 cow tags it gets heavy hunting pressure) now although I did find a burned pocket with good mule deer density and quite a few bucks.

If you are interested in a MT mule deer hunt I would direct you instead to southeastern MT as you will see far more deer in much easier to access country. The breaks country is tough to hunt and has limited access and a lot of break your neck nasty, steep stuff. You could actually kill a buck in the breaks and have it fall in an area where you couldn't even retrieve it! Add in rain/snow and it can be treacherous beyond comprehension.

I would also recommend that you plan your hunt for the week of Veteran's day. Earlier the bucks just aren't out and moving like they are during the rut. Also pay attention to the moon as I've been in areas full of deer during the rut and they will go nearly nocturnal.

BLM and Block Management areas further south will likely yield better hunting. Don't be afraid to move around as the most important factor for quality hunting is to find a way to get away from the hunting pressure as that is what the game does!!

The "breaks" country is tough going and I found few good mulie bucks the week that I hunted. I own a small pc. of land right on the Musselshell south of the CMR, I hunted a long week, passed on some so so mulies and took the only WT buck that I saw. Again, I hunted all week long, hunted hard, and saw few good mulies. You had better be in shape to hunt the Breaks as there is lots of up and down and up and down. Good luck. MTG