Discover The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Montana

Montana is a state with lots of hunting game. However, to participate, you need the proper hunting licenses and permits. Some common animals you can hunt in Montana are black bears, deer, elk, goose, bison, moose, and sheep.

Whitetail deer live throughout Montana. They prefer living in highly vegetated areas near a water source, like a river or stream. Whitetail deer also live in the heavily forested part of Montana and use the cover to hide from prey. Still, whitetail deer are caught every year by eager hunters. Are you ready to find out how large these animals get? Follow along to discover the largest whitetail deer ever caught in Montana.

The Largest Whitetail Deer Ever Caught In Montana

The largest typical whitetail deer ever caught in Montana scored 199 3/8. Thomas H. Dellwo caught this impressive whitetail deer in 1974 in Missoula County and has held the record since. The second largest typical whitetail deer scored 199 2/8 and was caught in 1966. The largest nontypical whitetail deer was caught in Hill County by Frank A. Pleskac in 1968. It scored 252 1/8. Brett Johnson came close to beating the record in 1988 with a 251 whitetail deer.

About The Whitetail Deer

Whitetail deer are common medium-sized deer native to North, Central, and South America. However, they are common in other parts of the world. Whitetail deer have been introduced to New Zealand, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Finland, Serbia, and Germany. This deer species is especially common east of the Rocky Mountains, most of Mexico, and southwestern Arizona.

Size And Description

The most well-known aspect of the whitetail deer is their short white tails. Male whitetail deer also have beautiful antlers they regrow each year. Their antlers reveal their age and diet. The average size of a male whitetail deer across all species is 150 pounds, while females weigh about 100 pounds. The size and appearance of a whitetail deer depend on the region and subspecies. For example, whitetail deer from the Andes are larger than other species. They are about 37 to 87 inches long and 21 to 47 inches long. Whitetail deer from the Andes also have thick and woolly-looking fur.

There are smaller whitetail deer subspecies. For example, whitetail deer living in the tropics and the Florida Keys are a lot smaller than other deer. Females weigh as little as 55 pounds, however, the average weight is between 77 to 110 pounds.

Diet

Whitetail deer primarily eat legumes, shoots, cacti, and grasses. However, they can also eat acorns and fruit. Whitetail deer have multi-chambered stomachs that help them digest even the toughest of plants. For instance, whitetail deer can eat many plants and mushrooms that humans cannot. Scientists have observed whitetail deer effectively eating poison ivy with little to no negative symptoms. Although whitetail deer mainly eat plants, they eat large amounts. An adult whitetail deer eats 2,000 pounds of vegetable matter every year. Most whitetail deer live on the edges of forests or woods to take cover from predators and enjoy the natural vegetation.

Predators

Whitetail deer have a long list of predators. Jaguars, American alligators, wolves, and cougars frequently prey on adults. However, young whitetail deer are the most vulnerable. For instance, wolverines, bobcats, and bears hunt young whitetail deer, but they can sometimes take down larger adults. Whitetail deer, though, aren’t completely defenseless. They are fast and hide in the woods. Whitetail deer’s coats change with each season, which helps them camouflage with their environment.

Where Is Missoula County, Montana Located On A Map?

Missoula County is in the northwest region of the state and covers 2,600 square miles. The cities of Missoula and Lolo and the Lolo National Forest make up part of this county. Montana is located in the Mountain West region in the northwest of the United States. It shares a border with Idaho to the west, Wyoming to the south, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, and the following Canadian provinces to the North: Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Common Animals In Montana

Montana is no stranger to animals. The state is mountainous and hosts a wide variety of plant and animal species. Some of the most common and interesting animals in Montana are listed below.

American Black Bear

American black bears are native to North America and have small, rounded ears and thick black coats. They live throughout Montana but typically stay away from humans. However, as their homes are destroyed and land develops, American black bears travel to suburbs looking for food. American black bears are large creatures with big paws. Their rare feet are about 5.4 to 8.9 inches long. While American black bears aren’t the largest bears in the world, they are still heavy and powerful, weighing between 90 to 551 pounds.

Elk

Elk can also be found throughout the state and are large species in the deer family. You can find them throughout the world. Multiple subspecies vary in size and appearance depending on their range. They live in heavily forested areas and feed on grass and plants. Like whitetail deer, elk have antlers that they shed and regrow every year. They also have four-chambered stomachs and are primarily grazers. Elk eat about 20 pounds of vegetable matter every day.

Bison

Bison are also common in Montana. They are large animals sometimes reaching past 8 feet tall. There are only two surviving bison species, the North American bison and the European bison. The American bison is similar to cattle or true buffalos and have broad muscles and shaggy hair. They are gentle animals with few predators because of their massive size. A pack of grey wolves, however, can take down bison.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rebecca C. Photography/Shutterstock.com