Deer and antelope numbers in Montana are the worst I've seen in my entire life. Between the winter of 2010/2011 and the EHD outbreaks last year the populations are rather dismal. I honestly think the antelope season should be shut down in several areas of the state until they rebound. Deer are still around in isolated pockets, but certainly not like they used to be. Just a few years ago you could easily find a few hundred whitetail deer in the area around the ranch. Today you're lucky to find ten. They'll bounce back, but it will take time.

The area I hunted allows you to take a cow with a general license. Because I didn't draw a bull tag I was limited to cows only. Of course I only saw bulls...lots and lots of bulls. Here's a picture of five bulls that I could have had my pick of. The three on the left are 6-points and the two on the right are 5-points.

I really can't complain though because on my second to last day I connected on a dandy mule deer.