How are the deer populations and public hunting opportunities in this region?

That is a HUGE area and very varied as most regions in Montana are. You need to narrow your question down to a couple of districts (i.e. 329,319,301 etc.) You have asked an almost impossible question to obtain info of any value. Not trying to be a jerk but I grew up in Great Falls and graduated college in Bozeman.

Ok, thanks. Since I know nothing about the individual districts, I'm not sure I can be more specific. Maybe I can rephrase it this way: if you were going to hunt deer in Region 3, which districts have the highest densities of deer and public hunting areas with in those districts?

http://fwp.mt.gov/regions/r3/  
 http://fwp.mt.gov/export/sites/FwpPublic/hunting/hunterAccess/blockman/region3/  
Most likely you have already found this Montana fish wildlife and parks info.

 
 

I went down to this area a couple of years ago on two different short weekend hunts. I saw more people than i am use to seeing when I go hunting. the area i was in was more open and you could see further.  We also got to see some animals - Elk, which is what we were looking for. We did some hiking and covered some ground.

You may be able to see which of the districts offer the most doe permits that are offered to residents as additional drawings.
Here is link that has a few of the region 3 districts listed.  this might be where they have those larger deer numbers you are asking about.
(i guess the one link i tried wasn't a link- just pdf- but you can get to it from mt fwp site)
Here is a link with the districts.  You can click on them and more info pops up like permit numbers and success number.
  http://fwp.mt.gov/gis/maps/huntPlanner/?species=deer  
I have very little knowledge of region 3. Big beautiful country.  Hope this helps a little.

Thank, Pinky! Beautiful pics!

Yep. It's a big area and it's been a while since I've hunted it so I'm not sure I would be much help to you. There are definitely areas that are chock full of deer. Other areas are better for elk. I suggest checking out the FWP website and looking at success data for different districts.  If you have any ties or access to private land, you will be golden. Good luck!

Tom

I live in Region 3 and hunt other regions.      There is a higher density of hunters in this region compared to others.

Mule deer hunting with a stickbow is very difficult.   The densities are very low and they are forest dwellers that really wander.   There is some good alfalfa feed hunting, but that takes private landowner contacts.  

The whitetail hunting is superb but primarily a private land game.  It is very localized along the major cottonwood river bottoms.  

The elk hunting can be very good but the grizzly and wolf population is one of the highest in the state.   Also as stated before the two legged hunter population is also one the highest in the state.   We used to have some superb hunting right around the park, but the wolves have decimated our local herd.  They are clawing back, but we have but 10% of the elk we had 20 years ago.

Pm me if you have more specifics in mind.  

Jeff

Thanks, Jeff! Great info!

Sent you a PM, Longbow.
Thanks,

Dennis, you can contact me as well, if you need.  I live in Region 3, and grew up hunting here.  Let me know what you are focusing on, I'll try and help.

Thanks, Mark. Sent you a PM.

"I live in Region 3 and hunt other regions. [Smile] There is a higher density of hunters in this region compared to others.

Mule deer hunting with a stickbow is very difficult. The densities are very low and they are forest dwellers that really wander. There is some good alfalfa feed hunting, but that takes private landowner contacts.

The whitetail hunting is superb but primarily a private land game. It is very localized along the major cottonwood river bottoms.

The elk hunting can be very good but the grizzly and wolf population is one of the highest in the state. Also as stated before the two legged hunter population is also one the highest in the state. We used to have some superb hunting right around the park, but the wolves have decimated our local herd. They are clawing back, but we have but 10% of the elk we had 20 years ago.

Pm me if you have more specifics in mind.

Jeff"  

I concur with Jeff, I hunt elsewhere unless on private land.