Mule Deer, Moose, Elk Hunting in Montana

The thrill of the hunt comes when searching out your favorite big game species in the West Yellowstone area, whether it is moose, bear, deer or the elusive mountain goat.

The West Yellowstone region provides some wonderful habitat for a wide array of big game animals.

Deer and Elk

Whitetail deer, mule deer and elk are commonly found in grassland areas in lower elevations. Elk also inhabit forestlands at a variety of elevations.

Whitetail deer typically weigh between 130 to 220 pounds but some have come in at more than 350 pounds. Mule deer, on the other hand, weigh between 125 to 330 pounds and elk come in at 500 pounds for a cow elk and 700 pounds for a bull.

Seasons for hunting deer and elk are generally from September 15th to the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For archers, the season starts the first Saturday in September to September 14th.

Antelope

Antelope favor grassland and brushy areas and often graze in agricultural areas.

The antelope is the fastest land mammal in the world, sprinting as fast as 60 mph and keeping sustained speeds of 30 mph for miles. No other land mammal can keep up over a long distance. Their eyesight is exceptional, picking up movement as far as three miles away.

Antelope season opens on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend and extends to the second Sunday in November.

Moose

Moose tend to frequent thick undergrowth and marshy areas.

They are the largest of all deer species and recognizable by their huge antlers, which can spread up to 6 feet. They can run up to 35 mph over short distances and can maintain a steady 20 mph for longer distances.

Hunting season for moose is from September 15th through the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Bison

Bison inhabit mostly grassy plains and valleys.

There are over 400,00 bison in North America now, so they are no longer an endangered species. They are known for their huge head and massive hump. They can reach a height of more than 5 feet and a length of 9 feet, weighing up to 2,500 pounds.

Bison hunting takes place between 15 November and 15 February.

Bighorn sheep

You’ll find bighorn sheep above the timberline in the wilderness areas, feeding on grasses.

Bighorn weigh in at between 115 and 280 pounds. They live 10 to 15 years. When they engage in head-to-head combat with their own species, the bouts are known to last longer than 24 hours. During summer, they visit waterholes about every three days.

Bighorn sheep can be hunted from September 15th to the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Check the district in which you are hunting as some dates vary.

Mountain goat

Mountain goats, like bighorn sheep, inhabit the wilderness regions above timberline.

They are surefooted and can leap almost 12 feet in one bound. The pads on each toe provide them with a good grip.

Mountain goat hunting takes place from September 15th to the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Check the district in which you are hunting as some dates vary.

Black Bear

The black bear is the second largest land mammal, topped only by the moose. The males average a weight of about 300 pounds and the females 170 pounds.

Hunting black bear has an open season from September 15th to the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Mountain lions

Mountain lions are recognized first by their strong hisses and growls as well as their terrifying scream. They normally measure between two to two-and-a-half feet at the shoulders and weigh anywhere from 75 to 120 pounds. They will be somewhere between five to nine feet long from head to tail.

Hunting the mountain lion can be done in the fall for 37 days prior to the Sunday after Thanksgiving and in the winter/spring season from December 1st to April 14th.