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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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Posted: July/23/2009 at 18:07 |
Hi guys, I've had the good fortune of drawing a private land tag for mule deer in Saco, Mt. I also drew an antalope tag for area 620-00 which is outside of Saco. Now the bad news... I have never hunted either and really could use your help and suggestions.
The hunt will take place the first week of november, I'll be shooting a .264mag using 129gr. hornady sst's, the rifle will be topped with a kahles 4-12X52cl.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions
Jeff Edited by lucytuma - July/23/2009 at 18:24 |
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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300S&W
Optics God Joined: January/27/2008 Location: Burlington,WV Status: Offline Points: 10592 |
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CONGRATS,Jeff!!!!!!!! Can't help ya much with info on hunting either species but I'm SURE you'll get what you need here.
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"I ain't got time to bleed!"
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hunterwingler
Optics Master Joined: April/03/2009 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 1420 |
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what kind of infor are u looking for? ive got some on mule deer hunting that might help ya.<
Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - July/23/2009 at 19:35 |
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I wasn't upset about the black cat crossing my path this morning but mouthing "your fu@#ed" as he passed was just rude.
If Guns kill people mine are all defective |
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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Just general information that a white tail hunter from Wisconsin might not think of or know.
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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3_tens
Optics Jedi Master Joined: January/08/2007 Location: Oklahoma Status: Offline Points: 7853 |
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My experience with Antelope is that sometimes they will walk right up to you. Probably not much help. Both of mine were short shots. Hope you have as good of luck. Congrats
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Folks ain't got a sense of humor no more. They don't laugh they just get sore.
Need to follow the rules. Just hard to determine which set of rules to follow Now the rules have changed again. |
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hunterwingler
Optics Master Joined: April/03/2009 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 1420 |
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well not to sure of the area your hunting, but its not much different than whitetail hunting. if wide open there find a high advantage point glass it over then put on stalk. don't about your cash flow but u might be better off find an outfitter to help u <
Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - July/23/2009 at 19:36 |
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I wasn't upset about the black cat crossing my path this morning but mouthing "your fu@#ed" as he passed was just rude.
If Guns kill people mine are all defective |
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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If at first you don't secede...try..try again.
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lucytuma
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: November/25/2007 Location: Wisconsin Status: Offline Points: 5389 |
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Muleys will be primary, goats secondary., thanks Cheap, i'll check that site out.
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"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not." - Thomas Jefferson
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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Just get Helo to fly you around until you spot the one you want.
Edited by Urimaginaryfrnd - July/23/2009 at 21:02 |
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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make sure you have a good pair of binos, antelope eyes are the equivalent of an 8x scope. be prepared for a long shot, although many people get a closer shot. if your hunting in eastern montana i think the grizzly bear thing wont be an issue. double check with helo to make sure.
mule deer are spooky so they can be a challenge to hunt as well. good luck and we want pictures when you get back! btw i think the .264 will do just fine for you, its my current go to caliber. Edited by pyro6999 - July/23/2009 at 20:56 |
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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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RONK
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: April/05/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3199 |
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Big mule deer bucks are one of the toughest North American animals to hunt. Do not underestimate anything about them. That's about all I can tell you. Antelope are FUN to hunt if you love wide open spaces and don't mind hiking a little. PLUS ten on Pyro's advice for good binocs. They are the most important item you can carry when hunting either of these species.
edited to add:
Your rifle/load/scope combination is simply perfect. Edited by RONK - July/23/2009 at 20:50 |
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Urimaginaryfrnd
MODERATOR Resident Redneck Joined: June/20/2005 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 14964 |
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Even a spotting scope with a tripod might be useful to glass the area then move up to them down wind. I would definately use camo and sent killer. I'd like to hear more about the .264 mag
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"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do". Bobby Paul Doherty Texas Ranger |
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pyro6999
Optics Retard OT TITAN Joined: December/22/2006 Location: North Dakota Status: Offline Points: 22034 |
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here is my .264
Edited by pyro6999 - July/27/2009 at 06:24 |
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They call me "Boots"
375H&H Mag: Yeah, it kills stuff "extra dead" 343 we will never forget God Bless Chris Ledoux "good ride cowboy" |
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Kickboxer
MODERATOR Moderator Joined: February/13/2008 Status: Offline Points: 23679 |
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WOW... congratulations!!!! Good hunting, good shooting...
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Opinion,untempered by fact,is ignorance.
There are some who do not fear death... for they are more afraid of not really living |
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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Only 2 hours from my home town. If I am still in Montana when you get here, we have to meet up. You gun will be perfect for your hunt. Shots on the muleys could range from 50 to 300 yards. Shouldn't be too hard to get closer. My average shot on mule deer is about 120 yards. Shots on the antelope will be between 200 to 300 yards, possibly farther. Keep in mind that you will be here near the end of antelope season, so they will be jumpy and hard to get close to. The plus is, it will only be the second week of rifle for deer. Hopefully the big boys will be moving for you, although you will be about a week and a half early for rut unless we have a good fall.
You want to shoot the antelope before they run. If you don't, you won't want to eat that meat. You are going to be in a great area for both deer and goats. And you might even see some big elk depending on what direction from saco you are hunting. Let me know if I can help in any way. |
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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helo18
Optics Jedi Knight Joined: December/02/2006 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 5620 |
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you will have plenty of open area, and probably going into the breaks a bit. For deer and antelope up here, you will not need an outfitter at all. Some mule deer come running if you slam the car door. The big boys take some more work, but you can do it no problem. |
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To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.
GEORGE WASHINGTON |
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Ed Connelly
Optics Retard God of no Chihuahua Joined: December/16/2007 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 24225 |
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Wear gloves while crawling.
Sounds like you got a long range rifle.
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RifleDude
MODERATOR EVIL OPPRESSOR Joined: October/13/2006 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 16337 |
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Congratulations, Jeff! Good luck on your hunt; I'm sure you'll have a great time! You're rifle is certainly up to the task!
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Ted
Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle. |
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Ed Connelly
Optics Retard God of no Chihuahua Joined: December/16/2007 Location: USA Status: Offline Points: 24225 |
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( what a hawg...........)
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jonoMT
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: November/13/2008 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 4853 |
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Jeff, I've hunted a little farther north (practically could spit into Canada) and about 180 miles west of there, but somewhat similar country. There's lots of folds in the land for muleys to hide in and what I've found is that you could get to the bottom of a coulee (typically a 200-300 ft. gully) with the wind blowing one way and turn into another coulee going off in another direction only to get the wind blowing the other way - wafting your scent towards any animal ahead. Seems they favor the area about a third of the way down from the top and any dense cover. Depending where you're at, that could be just scrub no higher than 15' and scattered. That time of year, the animals are almost the same color so lots of glassing with good optics is helpful for find them bedded down.
With deer, I've had good luck just spotting one, working way around out of sight and downwind, then getting close enough where if they've bedded down they'll flush and always seem to stop about 50-100 yards away. BOOM! But if they get spooked, forget about trying to follow one. They'll be three coulees over before you can climb out of the first one. I've only hunted antelope in south-central MT, but similar terrain. They can indeed see you from a long way off and move rapidly out of range. First one I ever shot I got within 25 yards. Otherwise, unless it's very windy, 200 yards is typical. Last year it was a 310 yard shot with a 10-15 mph cross-wind. The antelope may be wary by then and you probably will be too early for the rut. However, my guess is that area doesn't get too much hunting pressure. It's out there, even by Montana standards. Good luck this fall. |
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