In my quest to find better whitetail hunting than I have at home, I've found that the western states offer both large numbers of game as well as good quality animals. I'd like to hear about your experiances and outfitters with western whitetail hunts.

Take a look at Idaho.
The hunts in North Idaho are in November during the rut.
Tags are over the counter.
Light hunting pressure.
In years when there is a lot of snow you won't believe the number of large bucks in the river bottoms.
You really don't need an outfitter because it is mostly public land.
Check out the Clearwater drainages.
If you want an outfitter there are lots of good ones.

Yellowstone river in Montana
NW Wyoming try 7J Outfitters

Tom,
I live almost 60 mi. east of Centre County.Lots of deer, but pressured deer which have developed "smarts " from being hunted.

I have hunted whitetails in Montana and Wyoming with great success. Yes,I get away with mistakes on these deer that I wouldn't get away with back home, simply because these deer do not see the hunting pressure that Pa. deer do.....Montana is out because of the high-priced tag ($750) I have purchased this tag three times and coupled with the outfitters cost,etc. I could buy a herd of cattle instead !

Rukidnme,

I would love to try Idaho, however I would like to go with an outfitter the first time because I don't have time to go out and scout for a few days...Know of any good ones? Most of these western hunts run in the $2500 range it seems.

JeffP,

Would love to try 7J outfitters in Wyoming, I visit their stand each year at the Harrisburg Sportsmans show, however, $3250 is a little steep for a whitetail hunt, I could do Alberta for that much $$.......Thanks guys!....Big K

[ 07-04-2003, 20:25: Message edited by: Big K ]

Idaho or Western Montana river bottoms are good for big bucks. Hunt the last week of season. No guide is neccessary, and is probably a hinderance if you are an experienced whitetail hunter. Definitely less spooky than eastern deer. I will many times see up to two dozen bucks in a day at the late period. You can stand there and talk to them at thirty yards or less when they are rutting around here. Best tactic at this time, locate a doe in heat, and stay with her. With a little rattling and a hot doe, you will see lots of bucks, and the rattling won't spook the does. Just stay down wind, and don't move a lot.

[ 07-09-2003, 22:31: Message edited by: TomP ]

Tom,
Actually , I'm right below Shamokin. I live on Line Mountain.

Ric,

This ?..On public land?.....I've hunted the Broadus area riverbottoms quite a few times and have witnessed up to a dozen bucks pass my stand in two hours or so, but it was on private land. I would not expect to get this kind of hunting on public land anywhere....Could you point me somewhere in Idaho?.....Thanks guys!

No idea on specific Idaho locations. I'm sure the Panhandle woulf be good.

Yes, public and private land, both.

By the way, the whitetail hunting in N.W. Montana is mucho different than what you get in the Broadus area. Heavy timber with openings, for the most part.

Big K,

I'd also recommend Eastern Montana around the Yellowstone river. I hunted there last year and took a real nice buck.

The goose, duck and pheasant hunting is fantastic. I have never seen so many Canadian geese in my life. If you time it right you'd be able to deer and bird hunt.

Regards,
Dave

I worked with Jeff at 7-J two falls ago-good outfit-with some good leases.

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dog

Thanks for the replys guys!

David C.,
Did you go with an outfitter or do it on public land? I've seen the Yellowstone, reminds me of the Powder River where I've hunted deer. I usually hunt the thin strips of woods along the river and catch the deer on their way to alfalfa.

Mark,

I would love to hunt with 7J. It's just a little expensive for a whitetail hunt. Not that I can't afford it. Usually a trip to the Powder River country costs me around 4K by the time plane tickets, car rental, spending money,etc. is paid for. I hunted with Triple Creek Hunts down in Fort Laramie,Wy. a few years back and saw some awesome bucks.Shot a 153 BC with thirteen points...I like to go back but this guy takes VERY few hunters and is booked for the next three or four years... Top notch whitetail hunt...But like I said, 7J outfitters price of $3250 is just a little too salty.Triple Creek costed me about $2400.

Tom,
Shamokin Dam?? Now you are within about 15 miles..I'm right across the river.

Rick,
I've often thought about a western Montana trip..Is the deer density worth hunting? How do you hunt this country..Like Pa.- just sit in a stand?..In four days of hunting around Broadus , I usually see around 250 bucks in four days of hunting ( half mule deer/half whitetails. ). Mostly small ones, of course, but you get my drift...I just love riverbottoms.

Rick,
Is the deer density worth hunting?

Yes, the deer are on a high end of thier cycle, after a big die off a few years back from an extreme winter. I usually have 6-12 in my yard every evening.

How do you hunt this country..Like Pa.- just sit in a stand?..

A few people do, but the usual method for most around here seems to be still hunting. I will occasionally take a stand, but very seldom. I move very slow in the timber. Drive a stake next to me, and it will be a hundred yards ahead of me in half an hour.

In four days of hunting around Broadus , I usually see around 250 bucks in four days of hunting ( half mule deer/half whitetails. ). Mostly small ones, of course, but you get my drift...I just love riverbottoms

You probably won't see that many in that length of time here, I believe mainly because of the density of the growth. There are some good 170+ whitetails around here.

Big K,

I hunted with Yellowstone River Outtfitters out of Forsyth MT. I had a great time and I am considering going back in 2004. It all depends upon whether I decide to try for another Whitetail or head to Alaska for Black Bear.

One of the really nice things about this opperation is that you can deer hunt (Mulies or Whitetails) during the morning & evenings and birds (Pheasant and Geese) during the day.

Regards,
Dave

Try Whetstone Creek Outfitters

The license is a draw and is $500 and then the price for a 4 day hunt is $1500. Not much problem getting a 130" and most of the time no problem with getting a 140" +