Thinking about planning a SE Montana rut hunt for next year. What kind of terrain or cover should I be looking for on maps hold mule deer this time of year. Any help is appreciated.
We have hunted the rut in SE MT twice and quickly came up with the saying that "mule deer are where you find them". Sometimes you'd swear they have burrows. They appear out of nowhere and can disappear when it looks like there is nowhere to go. We have found them in the pine hills, rolling open stuff, deep coulees in the flats and in the rough badlands stuff. The rugged badlands stuff had some of the biggest we've found probably since it is such a bitch to walk in. Up and down every 200 yds. You will see better quality on private by that time due to pressure. As far as what to look for e-scouting, well, they are where you find them. Be willing to go where others aren't or haven't.