MONTANA MULE DEER - Boone and Crockett Club
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EVERETT HEADLEY
B&C OFFICIAL MEASURER
Photos Courtesy of Author
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MONTANA
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Montana’s diverse landscapes provide
sportsmen opportunities unrivaled in
the Lower 48. Old-growth rainforests in
the northwest corner give way to arid
ponderosa pine parks, and eventually
the mountains draw into the northern
plains. This is what draws me away each
fall from my mountain home to eastern
Montana with its breaks and coulees that
hide mule deer. A casual drive down any
dusty road will reveal how strong the
herd is, but finding a mature buck will
require leaving the truck and putting
tracks in the soft dirt.
I have found eastern Montana mule deer hunting is
a game of strategy. It begins with immersing yourself
in a place where ancient hunters pursued the same quarry.
54 FA I R CH A S E | SU M M E R 202 1
The openness of the land
is deceptive. Deep draws
abound and split the hills.
I’ve made many such treks to the other side of my home
state. The most memorable of these trips was bringing my
father and uncle together. I had planned this trip for some
time, wanting to repay each of them for the love of all things
outdoors they had instilled in me. My uncle had taken care of
my aunt for many years and had not left her to take a hunting
trip. It had been 13 years since he had carried a
gun and 20 since he harvested his last buck. He
and my father had not hunted together for 38
years. They grew up in the era when you took
your rifle to school and hunted after school let
out, sometimes a bit earlier than that. It had
been too long, and a reunion was due.
I attempted to prepare them for the trip
by explaining that we would not have a prob-
lem finding deer and that they shouldn’t shoot
the first one. We had only crested the first
hill when my uncle spotted a 3x3 buck, excit-
edly exclaiming, “That’s the one.” Helping
him move into position, we peeked over to
see that the smaller buck had mingled with
a small group led by a dark-antlered 4x4. He
smoothly shouldered his rifle and made an
excellent shot.
My father was not to be outdone by his
older brother so quickly followed up a short
time later with his own buck, an older 3x4
which is a trait very common in this area I
hunted. Once he was steadied with a tripod,
we saw the buck bed down while a few small-
er bucks sparred and fed. The wind had
TOP: Everett's uncle with his 4x4 mule deer.
BOTTOM: After 38 years Everett (left) was able to
get his uncle (center) and father (right) together
for a Montana mule deer hunt.
FAIR CHASE | SUM M E R 2 02 1 55
picked up and bitterly cut at when it began to be replayed. Service sections. Some of
his bare hands. I tried to They commented on each oth- them are rather large with
coach him to wait for the old- er’s hunt as though it was one easy to find access points, but
er buck to stand back up and from decades ago. The satis- the gems will lie in smaller
not be “distracted” by these faction I felt came from know- pieces that are tucked away
young guys. The minutes grew ing that this was a day not and require a hike to open up.
until finally he stood allowing easily forgotten. Region 7 boasts the largest
my dad to place a bullet be- Those looking to pur- number of acres enrolled in
hind his shoulder. I helped sue mule deer bucks in Mon- the Block Management Pro-
both dress and load the bucks tana will find the journey gram. Private landowners
Everett's dad exercised patience into the truck. The memory filled with challenges that can allow public hunting, and
waiting for this buck to stand up of their double was still being be overcome with diligent there are some very produc-
to get a clear shot. formed between us all planning and re- tive Block Management Areas
search. Residents to find bucks. Those that ac-
enjoy over-the-count- cept reservations will fill up
er licenses with no quickly, often on the day they
need to draw a per- begin taking them. Putting
mit. Nonresidents time into meeting ranchers
will need to draw ei- and offering to help with fenc-
ther the deer combi- ing can still find you invita-
nation or big game tions to hunt.
combination license. Venturing into eastern
Recent years have Montana during the early
seen more appli- winter will likely come with
cants than available rain, and that means gumbo.
licenses and having The region is famous for cre-
preference points ating slick conditions that
has been necessary take first-timers by surprise
to draw. and get them stuck. A heavy
Narrowing frost melting off is enough to
down the vastness cause a truck with four-wheel
of Montana’s plains drive some frustration. It
will require some should be taken seriously and
effort. There are road conditions monitored.
abundant Bureau The openness of the
of Land Manage- land is deceptive. Deep draws
ment and Forest abound and split the hills.
Narrowing down the vastness of
Montana’s plains will require some effort.
56 FA I R CH A S E | SU M M E R 202 1
Large creek beds, most often However, sometimes
dry, act as highways that everything that needs to go
mule deer travel between right does, and you are re-
feeding and bedding areas. warded for your persistence.
Sagebrush and prairie grass This past year more people
is broken up by hardwoods were recreating outside, in-
lining these creeks. Utilizing cluding hunters. With the
these depressions in the oth- increased pressure, bucks
erwise flat terrain can help were particularly difficult to
you cut the distance unseen. locate. But as is true in every-
Once close enough, a hunter day life and hunting, every-
can ease himself or rifle over thing can change in a moment.
the edge with minimal pro- The last hill I inspected held
file. Longer distances are very around a dozen deer with
common, and hunters of what would be my personal
varying degrees of proficien- best mule deer buck. And with
cy will find a shot within their most hunts we all take, they
effective range. are over too soon.
I have found eastern Mule deer in Montana
Montana mule deer hunting have had some rough winters
is a game of strategy. It begins in recent memory, but they
with immersing yourself in a seem to be rebounding very
place where ancient hunters nicely. I am encouraged to see
pursued the same quarry. the age-class of bucks in-
High bluffs can be steep to creasing and hunters taking
summit but offer you the best higher quality bucks. Mon-
chance at glassing up deer. tana is managed as an oppor-
Spotting them is easy, but tunity state and mule deer
planning your advance is the can be hunted in the rut. This
real challenge in hunting mule certainly impacts the densi-
deer. Often the many eyes ty of bucks, but I continue to
from surrounding does or the have increasing success on
one deer that surprises you on the caliber of deer every fall.
your stalk in will leave you I look forward to the long
looking at the south end of a drive and the hope of finding
northbound buck. one more. n
Everett with his own mule deer taken on one of his many adventures in
diy checklist: Eastern Montana.
Montana Resident Deer License: $16
Non-resident: $614
Lodging: 10x10 Kodiak Canvas tent
Gear:
Mystery Ranch Metcalf Backpack
Browning X-bolt .300 WinMag with Vortex
Viper HST Scope
Nosler E-Tip 180gr bullet
Vortex Viper 10x42 Binoculars
If you have any DIY hunts you would
Vortex Viper Spotting Scope like to see featured in the column, please
email Justin Spring or Karlie Slayer for details.
Sitka Technical Clothing
Alaska Guide Creations Bear Cub Binocular Justin Spring - Justin@Boone-Crockett.org
Karlie Slayer - Karlie@Boone-Crockett.org
Harness
Cabela’s Meindl Perfekt Boots
FAIR CHASE | SUM M E R 2 02 1 57
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