Mule deer and white-tailed deer are the most widely distributed and abundant big game mammals in Montana. Although they evolved to live and thrive in broadly different environments, the two species are remarkably adaptive.
Does Montana have Blacktail deer?
Blacktail Range: Southwest Montana’s Blacktail Range
Smooth ridges and hilltops, etched out mostly by water erosion, creating narrow canyons show that these mountains have their character. Their name, Blacktail, is a common nickname for mule deer.
Does Montana have big mule deer?
Region 2—Estimated mule deer population (13,864)
Going against the norm, HDs 261, 262 and 270 provide some of the biggest mule deer in the state with a handful eclipsing the 200” mark taken every year.
Do whitetail deer live in Montana?
Whitetails are found in all portions of the state, but they tend to prefer the vegetated areas of coulees along rivers and streams and heavily forested areas of western Montana. Whitetails are what biologists call browsers.
How many mule deer are in Montana?
Montana mule deer herds are showing a small improvement in quality, but herds are stable to declining in most areas of the state. The 2021 state estimate was 293,950, which is down 34,363 from 2020. The 2021 mule deer population estimate is the lowest since 2014.
How many deer can you shoot in Montana?
General Deer License
Details: License is valid for one deer. Hunters may hold only one general deer license, which can be used for deer as indicated under the “General Deer License” heading on the deer and elk hunting regulations.
Are mule deer and blacktail the same?
The blacktail deer then split off a subspecies, the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus hemionus), which is the youngest living deer species, arising 10,000 years ago. So the blacktail and mule deer are the same species, but the mulie is a subspecies of the blacktail, and they are both close cousins to the whitetail.
How much is a mule deer tag in Montana?
Fees: Deadline/Availability: Over-the-Counter. Resident Cost: $10. Nonresident Cost: $10.
How much does a Montana mule deer hunt cost?
Archery Hunts
| Elk/Deer Combo or Elk – 6 Day Hunt | $4,750 |
|---|---|
| Mule Deer – 5 Day Hunt | $4,500 |
| Antelope – 3 Day Hunt | $2,400 |
| Big Horn Sheep – 6 Day Hunt | Call for Pricing |
What is a legal buck in Montana?
A buck or “antlered” (male deer) is defined as having antlers at least 4 inches in length. Anything less is considered an antlerless or doe (female) deer. However, if a buck has antlers less than 4 inches, then legally it’s a doe or is technically “antlerless.”
Does Montana have big deer?
A nice-sized whitetail buck jumps a fence in fall 2011 in a Missoula neighborhood. While record-sized bucks are on a steep increase nationwide, Montana lags far behind in their production.
What do deer eat in Montana?
Leaves, twigs, fruits, and berries of browse plants such as chokecherry, serviceberry, snowberry, and dogwood; some forbs during summer. Browse most important statewide, year-round; particularly so in winter. Graminoid use increases in spring, forb use in late spring and sometimes in fall.
Are there big whitetail in Montana?
MONTANA Whitetail Deer HUNTs
Whitetail deer are the most numerous and widespread of any big game animal. Here at Trophies West, we have numerous leases along the famed Yellowstone and Bighorn rivers of Montana. All of these properties hold good numbers of whitetail deer.
How much does a deer tag cost in Montana?
Fees: Resident: N/A. Nonresident: $554 (Big Game Combo (Deer & Elk) / $323 (Deer Combo)
Where is the best deer hunting in Montana?
- Hunting in Big Sky Country.
- Bitterroot Valley: Elk, Antelope, Deer, and More.
- Gallatin National Forest: Elk, Deer, Black Bear, and More.
- Yaak Valley: Deer, Elk, Mountain Lion, and More.
- Flathead National Forest: Elk, Deer, Bear, and Mountain Lion.
- Badger-Two Medicine Area: Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, & Upland Birds.
How many elk are in Montana?
The statewide elk objective is 92,138 animals. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks estimates there were 170,000 elk in Montana in 2020. Montana law requires that FWP manage elk populations in a way that reaches sustainable population objectives.
Can I hunt on my own land without a license in Montana?
Hunters must obtain landowner permission to hunt on all private land, which often can be obtained through simple courtesy and communication between the hunter and the landowner.
What Animals Can you hunt without a license in Montana?
Montana statute defines nongame wildlife as “any wild mammal, bird, amphibian, reptile, fish, mollusk, crustacean, or other animal not otherwise legally classified by statute or regulation of this state” (MCA 87-5-102 (6)).
Can you bait deer in Montana?
Baiting (MCA 87-6-401, CR)
It is unlawful for anyone to hunt or attempt to hunt by the aid of or with the use of any bait, salt lick, trap, snare or set gun.
Can mule deer and whitetail deer mate?
Whitetail bucks will breed with mule deer does, and the offspring usually retain the whitetail characteristics. Reverse mating — mule deer bucks to whitetail does — is rarer. So where the two species share a common range, the whitetail tends to dominate.
Can mule deer and elk breed?
Whitetails and mule deer sometimes crossbreed. Red deer and elk are near enough in lineage to produce fertile offspring—though only in captivity or when game-farm escapees are involved, since the Atlantic Ocean separates wild herds.