I have to say that, other than the Eastern woodlot/farm field hunting I did growing up, hunting the plains of Eastern Montana has been my favorite hunting so far. Until my mother-in-law passed away last year, we often went and hunted on the cattle ranch she and my step-father-in-law ran out there. The open country is absolutely beautiful to me, although some folks think it's kind of desolate. I don't know whether or not we'll continue hunting there now that she's gone.
* * But the hunting we did there was very enjoyable. We hunted pronghorns mostly, along with some mule deer some years. I really like it because you walk a lot, you can see forever, and you see game a lot but it's not really easy. You can see them, but they can see YOU! It's a great challenge to find a good stalking route to get close enough to make a shot! And though the prairie is rugged and broken, it's not like humping up and down the timbered mountains where I live. I gotta be honest, I'm not one of these macho he-men who thrives on risking my life on icy, steep mountain logging roads and enjoys chugging up and down steep slopes all day. I hunt here because I live here, and in it's own way the hunting here is superb. There are certainly magnificent critters up here! *But I grew up where deer hunting was a gentle, enjoyable pasttime spent with family and friends, not such hard work.
* * *Hunting at my in-laws' ranch provided the thrill of hunting the great wide-open West and the cameraderie of hunting with family. Some of the best times I've ever had while hunting! And I love pronghorn meat!
* * *By the way, the longest shot I've made on game in this wide open country was *just over 200 yds, with a .308. * * * * * * *IDShooter



<!--EDIT|IDShooter|April 22 2002,09:15-->

Sounds great ID, I read an article years ago about mulie hunting in southeastern Colorado. *Can't remember the name of river nearby (Purgatory perhaps), but it sounded like a wonderful hunt. *Ever now and then I get kinda aggravated with busting through alder, salmonberry, willow, blueberry and devil's club thickets, not to mention dog hair spruce, but I just can't complain when I get above the timberline. *I'd really like to do some real plains hunting someday. *Closest thing we've got to is this liquified land in the muskeg and tundra that absolutely kills your legs and ankles. *Sometimes I wonder if about half of Alaska isn't just out there floating around.

IDShooter - &nbsp;where did you hunt in eastern Montana? Our ranch is located just north of Miles City. Every year we host about 200 hunter-days. My favorites are the guys who just want to get out and walk where they will not see another person and they're not real concerned if they kill anything or not.

Ya got that right!

If I want to eat meat, the grocery stores are open 24 hours a day...

When I go HUNTING I want to kick back, relax, and get away from the TV and phone! &nbsp;Walk a lot and enjoy the peace and quiet, sounds good to me! &nbsp;Could not care less if I fill a tag or not.

Get a critter, that's just a bonus.

Course that's easy for me to say, we have wild hogs up to our ears in Texas, and I shoot quite a lot of those (note 'shoot' not hunt). &nbsp;But deer hunting, if I get one or not, not a big deal.

Went to Colorado in 1995, did get a mulie, but still would have had a great time even if I had not.

Sunday Creek,
&nbsp; &nbsp; Their ranch is about 45 miles north of Forsyth. The closest actual town is Ingomar. Not too far from you if you're north of Miles City, relatively speaking! &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;IDShooter