Unit 240 mule deer mentor

MTbackwoods · Apr 6, 2022

I’ve lived near 240 most of my life and I have a new interest in getting back into the thick and nasty in pursuit of some muley bucks. I’m buying and reading books on mule deer behavior, etc. But hands on teaching seems to always work best. Just wondering if there’s anybody out there interested in bestowing some knowledge on mule deer in general as well as any area specific data and information. To clarify, I AM NOT ASKING FOR YOUR HONEY HOLES. I am only interested in the knowledge and experience. I want to earn my first big muley

SS! · Apr 6, 2022

Montana…big muley….you’re a dreamer! Good luck!

MTbackwoods · Apr 6, 2022

Big muleys got killed by the truck load all over the state just a couple years ago. They’re out there to be found. And I don’t mean 190+. Just a good, mature buck

SS! · Apr 6, 2022

MTbackwoods said:
Big muleys got killed by the truck load all over the state just a couple years ago. They’re out there to be found. And I don’t mean 190+. Just a good, mature buck

?

antlerradar · Apr 6, 2022

There is no reason to get back in the thick and nasty with a rut hunt. That buck that lived there all summer is just as likely to be looking for love near a road or in some ranchers alfalfa field as he is to be back in the tough stuff.

MTbackwoods · Apr 6, 2022

antlerradar said:
There is no reason to get back in the thick and nasty with a rut hunt. That buck that lived there all summer is just as likely to be looking for love near a road or in some ranchers alfalfa field as he is to be back in the tough stuff.

I want the challenge. Plus the unit I will be hunting had some changes made for this year. The unit became smaller and the season ends mid November rather than late November. So no peak rut activity there while in season

SS! said:
?

Appreciate the ground shattering help

mtmuley · Apr 6, 2022

MTbackwoods said:
I want the challenge. Plus the unit I will be hunting had some changes made for this year. The unit became smaller and the season ends mid November rather than late November. So no peak rut activity there while in season

Appreciate the ground shattering help

It has always ended mid November. The biggest change is that it is now a general tag and not a draw unit, although it was unlimited. It's a damn tough unit to kill a big mule deer in. But, that may depend on your expectations of big. mtmuley

MTbackwoods · Apr 6, 2022

mtmuley said:
It has always ended mid November. The biggest change is that it is now a general tag and not a draw unit, although it was unlimited. It's a damn tough unit to kill a big mule deer in. But, that may depend on your expectations of big. mtmuley

I never paid that much attention to it before because I didn’t want to get locked into that unit with the permit. Now that it’s open to general, I wanna hit it up since I live 10 minutes from a trailhead that doesn’t get a lot of traffic. I know it’s a tough area but guys used to pull bruisers out of these drainages 10 years ago. Where are you located muley? I see you on just about every forum in existence lol. But my definition of big could be summed up with about 160+. But that depends on a lot of factors. Some days a good 140 would certainly do. I just want to kill mature deer and not the up-and-comers

mtmuley · Apr 6, 2022

Lightly used trailhead? Interesting. I'm on the East side of the Root. Hunted 240 for a long time. I'm on this forum and one other these days. Can't deal with the others. mtmuley

SS! · Apr 6, 2022

this is a weird thread. You know of drainages big bucks came out of 10 years ago? Well start hunting them. Trailhead that doesn’t get a lot of traffic? Perfect place to go. You keep mentioning score so you’re familiar with size of bucks. You have it all figured out. Get out there and hunt!

mtmuley · Apr 6, 2022

MTbackwoods, switch to pm's please. mtmuley

MTbackwoods · Apr 6, 2022

SS! said:
this is a weird thread. You know of drainages big bucks came out of 10 years ago? Well start hunting them. Trailhead that doesn’t get a lot of traffic? Perfect place to go. You keep mentioning score so you’re familiar with size of bucks. You have it all figured out. Get out there and hunt!

Those guys had the ability to spend 10+ days at camp up there and I do not. I have a toddler, a new born and am about to start construction on a house. Those drainages are also farther away from me and would like to remain closer to home in a more familiar area. I plan on going exactly where there is light traffic. That’s why I mentioned it. Gauging an animals size is only important once you’ve found them. If I can’t find them, judging them won’t be of much help to me. I am interested in learning why big bucks are where they are. In my specific area, what are they eating in July? September? November? Could I talk with a biologist? Sure. But I fear that conversation would go worse than this one. Hoped I’ve answered all your questions

SS! · Apr 6, 2022

MTbackwoods said:
Those guys had the ability to spend 10+ days at camp up there and I do not. I have a toddler, a new born and am about to start construction on a house. Those drainages are also farther away from me and would like to remain closer to home in a more familiar area. I plan on going exactly where there is light traffic. That’s why I mentioned it. Gauging an animals size is only important once you’ve found them. If I can’t find them, judging them won’t be of much help to me. I am interested in learning why big bucks are where they are. In my specific area, what are they eating in July? September? November? Could I talk with a biologist? Sure. But I fear that conversation would go worse than this one. Hoped I’ve answered all your questions

Ok so you want a mature buck without putting in the work? Got it.

MTbackwoods · Apr 6, 2022

SS! said:
Ok so you want a mature buck without putting in the work? Got it.

I don’t have the time or the crayons to explain myself to you any further. Besides, you’d likely eat the crayons

SS! · Apr 6, 2022

MTbackwoods said:
I don’t have the time or the crayons to explain myself to you any further. Besides, you’d likely eat the crayons

Are they name brand crayola crayons or an off brand?

MTbackwoods · Apr 6, 2022

SS! said:
Are they name brand crayola crayons or an off brand?

Off brand. I don’t make Crayola money

Rattling Z · Nov 12, 2023

MTbackwoods said:
I’ve lived near 240 most of my life and I have a new interest in getting back into the thick and nasty in pursuit of some muley bucks. I’m buying and reading books on mule deer behavior, etc. But hands on teaching seems to always work best. Just wondering if there’s anybody out there interested in bestowing some knowledge on mule deer in general as well as any area specific data and information. To clarify, I AM NOT ASKING FOR YOUR HONEY HOLES. I am only interested in the knowledge and experience. I want to earn my first big muley

Rattling Z · Nov 12, 2023

I worked my little Irish balls off to get this Muley. I lived 3-1/2 hours away from my hunting area I drew the tag and made it over there 3 times to scout and 2 times to hunt. I’m from Montana but never been to the Bitterroots. I didn’t see a single buck while scouting. If I got this tag again I probably wouldn’t even scout, I’d show up maybe 10 days before the season closed and hunt hard till I got one. The rut was a game changer for me. This is one of two mature bucks I saw the whole time I was there, I’m not sure what he will score but I’m proud as hell of him and he’s my best mule deer by far and taken in the Beautiful Bitterroot Mountains western Montana. On a side note, I’ve never seen so many grouse as hunting this area for my Mule Deer, saw lots of elk as well!

mtmuley · Nov 12, 2023

Why did you have to draw the tag if you live in Montana? Wilderness tag? mtmuley

Rattling Z · Nov 12, 2023

It was for area 240-50. I believe there’s an unlimited archery for that area but limited rifle season that closed Nov 11

SS! · Nov 12, 2023

Great buck thanks for sharing!

shotgunjim · Nov 13, 2023

Nice buck.
What kind of grouse?

Rattling Z · Nov 13, 2023

I saw blue and ruffled

mtmuley · Nov 13, 2023

Rattling Z said:
It was for area 240-50. I believe there’s an unlimited archery for that area but limited rifle season that closed Nov 11

That permit is only valid inside the Wilderness boundary. mtmuley

Rattling Z · Nov 13, 2023

mtmuley said:
Why did you have to draw the tag if you live in Montana? Wilderness tag? mtmuley

mtmuley said:
That permit is only valid inside the Wilderness boundary. mtmuley

Do you have to use your bonus points for the wilderness tag?!

mtmuley · Nov 13, 2023

Rattling Z said:
Do you have to use your bonus points for the wilderness tag?!

Why are you asking me? You drew the permit right? mtmuley

Rattling Z · Nov 15, 2023

Later jealous?

Betterluckythangood · Nov 15, 2023

Nice buck, thanks for posting and sharing some info

mtmuley · Nov 15, 2023

Rattling Z said:
Later jealous?

mtmuley

CornpopIshuntersRealdaddy · Mar 3, 2024

MTbackwoods said:
I’ve lived near 240 most of my life and I have a new interest in getting back into the thick and nasty in pursuit of some muley bucks. I’m buying and reading books on mule deer behavior, etc. But hands on teaching seems to always work best. Just wondering if there’s anybody out there interested in bestowing some knowledge on mule deer in general as well as any area specific data and information. To clarify, I AM NOT ASKING FOR YOUR HONEY HOLES. I am only interested in the knowledge and experience. I want to earn my first big muley

I practically live in 240 , did you ever get any tips ?