I have a good friend that had never had the chance to hunt mule deer despite living out West all his life. About a year ago he mentioned that he would really like to get a mule deer buck someday. I told him I thought I could probably get him lined out on one. He lives in the heart of some great whitetail country, but he was good to hold out and not cut his tag on a whitey. You can shoot either a whitetail or a mule deer buck in Montana, but only one, not one of each. I told him that if wanted a decent chance at a mule deer it would be best to wait for the rut, which is about the third week of November. He was tempted a time or two by whitetail bucks around his own farm, but he held out and I'm glad he did. I will make a long story short. I found him a buck right off the bat first thing in the morning, and he made a spectacular 440 yard shot with his 30.06. We had it cut up (boned out) and packed out and back to the truck by 10:10am. Everything just fell into place. Love it when a plan comes together!




Loaded up and ready to head out.