2007 Montana Trip

[Tom2008]

I just got back from Montana on Friday. I was there from the 9th to the 16th and I had a blast this year! I didn't see as many big bucks as I did last year, but a ton of bucks for sure. The week started off with a short 10 hour drive out there. The reason why I say short is because I slept the whole way ou there. We went to Fort Keogh for the first day and I loved it out there. It was a lot of walking, but that didn't matter to me much. The morning started off slow, but once we got to the top of the hills my Uncle spotted four Mulies about 700 yards out. We decided I should move in on them and see if I could set-up for a shot. I almost got within 100 yards, but my cousin and his friend did not see the deer and they were walking right to them with the wrong wind. They ended up spooking and going up a hill. After that we split up and me and my uncle had the sitting position. Right away we spotted a 2x2 Whitetail and I was searching for the doe, but could not see her. Later she jumped up and came out about 300 yards out. This is obviously way to long of a shot for a 30-30 so I was opted to pass. I went to my Uncle's side of the hill and he said a coyote jumped the doe from her bed. We look over to a field and there is the yote just snooping around looking for field mice. All of sudden he goes into a full out run towards the river bottom away from us. Then I see my cousin walking where the yote was heading. The coyote turns around I told my uncle "you know it looks like he is coming right for us". I was right to this coyote got within 50 yards and my Uncle said take a shot at him if he gets any closer. Well The yote got within 20 yards and I yelled "HEY!" at him, but he did not stop. I fired off a round and i missed behind him. I didn't lead him enough, but my uncle touched off another shot getting him in the back leg. Now the yote is running away from us. I touch off another shot and lead him in front of his head. After the shot all I see is the coyote tumbling. After all that excitement my cousin gets to the river bottom and pushes a few mule deer out within 100 yards. I didn't shoot because they were on the island side of the creek and I would have to swim to get out to them. Right after that I see the coyote walking under the fence line and cross the creek. I couldn't believe it! He was not down yet. He laid down on the other side of the creek and we stood there and looked at him and I swear he was dead. I ended finding a way to cross the creek, which was dissapointing I found out because I could of shot one of those Mule deer on the island, and go to where I seen him last and he was gone. We never found that coyote, but I'm sure he died. That night me and my unlce walked over some hills and seen a few mule deer, but no shots available.

The next day we went out to Haugens Ranch and gave it a shot. No luck there either, but we did see over 40 deer. That afternoon we went on to the state land above Doeden's Island. We set-up for an ambusch with my cousin pushing the deer and me and my uncle sitting. I get to my spot and right away I see some mule deer. I veify that there is 2 fawns and 2 does. my cousin was in my line of a shot so I had to wait. He pushed the deer over one hill so I got up and moved to the top of that one. I here my cousin shoot and I know a doe is down. I can see my cousin and right below him I see 2 fawns. I start searching for the other doe and suddenly I can see her. All I could see was the back of her head and he shoulder. I put the crosshairs on her shoulder and shot. The deer goes down right there and I head on over that way. Once I get over there my heart just sinks. I shot a fawn and my cousin shot the mom. She was laying within 10 feet of the dead doe. I couldn't believe it and was not to proud of this one, but I still gave a smile for the camera. My cousin told me that there were actually 5 fawns, 4 does, and 8 bucks. I had no idea all those other deer were there so I just figured that the one I shot at was the other doe. We all make mistakes I guess, but atleast I filled one of my tags. Monday was an extremly intense day. It started off with my grandpa hitting a doe that we know for sure was hit. She had to fawns with her and they stayed on top of a hill and didn't budge so she had to be close. Well we looked for 4 hours and never found this deer. We didn't find one spec of blood. It didn't make sense, but the deer could not be found. We grid searched the area climbed up where the fawns were laying and checked around up there and nothing. After that my uncle pushed the river bottom while I waited on the other side. Nothing came through so we started heading back. Just before we got to the turn I look over in the ditch and shout out "WHITETAILS!". I jump out of the truck with 30-30 in hand and 3 fawns and a massive doe jump up. I put the crosshairs on her head and pulled the trigger with a click following. I forgot about the safety! I flipped off and the doe actually stopped broadside and 75 yards and I quickly got on her and touched off a shot. She ducked down hard and I knew i made a good hit. We waited 10 minutes and went up to where she went in the dip in the field. She was down with 10 feet of the hit. I got a heart shot and he didn't have a chance. She dressed out at 130 lbs which is my biggest doe thus far. I'm definatley proud of this one. So I ended up being done on Monday so I carried my camera for the rest of the week. My Grandpa and Unlce tagged on Thursday afternoon on two really nice Mule Deer does. I was there personal guide for the hunt and it turned out great. I got my grandpa and huge 3 1/2 year old doe and my unlce got a first year doe with a ton of fat on her. She had more fat that my doe. We butchered on Thursday and left on Friday. All I can say is I can't wait for next year!

Fort Keogh

Mule Deer Fawn

Whitetail Doe

Deer

Misc. Pictures

[rhine16]

That is awesome man! Great story and nice pics. Congrats on the does!