Sherm61: That is nothing new.
Our Mule Deer have been suffering terribly in SW Montana for decades now (way to many predators of all stripes - that ARE overpopulated!).
Back in the 1970's and early 1980's I would see 125 - 150 Mule Deer a day while Hunting one of my favorite areas - in this same area I have traveled through there many dozens of times in the last 20 years and have yet to see a SINGLE Mule Deer! As far as I know they are completely wiped out in this once thriving Mule Deer ecosystem?
The Elk meanwhile have learned to survive around large private ranches hereabouts. A late season will do NOTHING to increase the big game herds but it will increase a Hunters chance at a mature Bull or Buck - again weather assists and rut assists.
DHN: For those of us that are NOT just fair weather Hunters I think this year provides a better "chance" at harvesting a mature Bull or Buck due to the late closure.
Stay inside if you wish - I gotta get after'em.
Good luck to ya anyways.
Holdinto the wind
VarmintGuy
