Sharing my Montana 2019 trip

[UP North Farmer]

Since we are shelter in place in northern Michigan, the cows are fed and there is snow still on the ground, this is a good time to share some pictures of my trip last fall. I was able to draw a MT big game combo 2019 tag. I also was able to hunt with some great fellows and gain some life long friends. I was able to take my first mule deer with my first deer rifle (and my favorite). I was able to also get my first antelope on this trip. I saw elk, smelled elk, found elk sign, but wasn't able to take one. My wife took care of 90 cow/calf pairs and four kids while I was gone for 21 days. I hunted alone and with friends. It was an awesome trip, really an experience of a lifetime. I hunted deer with a M70 in .30-06, antelope with a M70 in .257 Roberts, and elk with a newer M70 in .338 WM. The antelope came from SE Montana, the mule deer from NE Montana, and hunted elk south of Livingston, SW of Dillon, and north of Townsend. So here are some of the pictures.

Camping on the Powder River.



Why are all of the cool antelope on private, next to the road?



My first antelope.



Not a monster, but really enjoyed the hunt and the meat. Got him cut up and cooled off right away.



I like how he hooks out.



In search of mule deer.

 

[mdeerjunkie]

Very nice.

 

[UP North Farmer]

I wanted to shoot the first mule deer I saw. My buddy revoked my decision making abilities. Small mule deer look like monster white tails. Ha ha.




First buck in camp, shot by a friend.



The buck I was "allowed" to pursue. He cam in and bedded in the bottom of a coulee. It was 15 degrees and a 30 mph wind. He came in with 3 does. I tried to loop way around and put the sneak on him. It was over a mile around. But he decided to leave with his does while I was on the move. However, my buddy saw where he went. So we went and started peeking over ridges into drainages and found him. Its been a while since I have had buck fever, but wow, I got it. He was broadside on a hillside at 200 yds and I missed the first shot (shooting into the wind). The wind was blowing so hard I don't think he even hear the rifle. The second shot i got into a better position and calmed myself down to a moderately calm level and got the shot well placed. He went 20 yards and flipped over backwards down the hill. What an awesome experience. Writing this doesn't do it much justice.







First mule deer and a prairie buck to boot.

 

[UP North Farmer]

My mule deer and my buddies. He got his a day after mine within a half mile of mine. He and his dad were able to hunt together that day. My tag is with the meat in the cooler.



Unfortunately didn't connect with an elk. Always seemed to be a day or two or even an hour behind them. Saw a lot of great country, mule deer, and places that only God could have created.



Break time, truly regretting how much crap was in my pack. But needed it if I got an elk or had to stay out from camp cutting up an elk.







Glassing in the Pioneer Mountains.




Big Belts viewed from block management.

 

[mdunc8]

Tough to beat that. Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Nick87]

Some good pictures and write up! Thanks for posting this!

 

[fishing4sanity]

Congratulations on your first pronghorn and mule deer! Thanks for sharing those photos, looks like you really enjoyed your hunt and got the full experience out of your Montana adventure.

 

[UP North Farmer]

Full rut mule deer along the Yellowstone River. Could of hit him with a nerf gun.





Seems like all of the elk I found were already on private. They were spilling out of Yellowstone. My timing was off.



Found this guy coming down the mountain from elk hunting. Got within 20 yds with a camera. He was stinky and in full rut.



What an awesome trip. Words can't describe it. First hunt to Montana was 100% successful!

 

[mdeerjunkie]

Congrats!

 

[Deleted member 20812]

Great pictures!

 

[Walkathon]

Thanks for sharing! Sounds like you had a great trip.

 

[Nameless Range]

Heck yeah. Looks like a fantastic trip in some amazing country. Thanks for sharing!

 

[LCH]

That's great! Looks like a fantastic time, and sounds like you've got a pretty solid support system there at home.

 

[Yooper906]

Awesome!! Looks like a great time!

 

[Deleted member 16014]

Great write up!

 

[PNWGator]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience!

 

[marshman]

Great post story and pics, looks like you had the time of your life on this hunt!

 

[homers]

Thanks for sharing and the great pics

 

[Jape]

Great adventure and awesome that you could enjoy that much time in the woods.

 

[JEL]

Sounds and looks like and awesome trip made possible by and awesome wife and family. Thanks for sharing.