Montana big-game outfitter Remi Warren (montanaoutwest.com) didn’t have any clients last week, but he had a coveted mule deer tags for District 270, one of a handful of permit-only deer units in Montana. “I had heard a rumor of a big buck,” said Warren, “but you never know if you should take rumors seriously.” Still, he followed a hunch and hiked into the area anyway. He passed on several 170-class bucks the first day. The second day, Warren and hunting buddy Brett Hinkley found a gang of eight bucks, including a very heavy 4x4. “Once I saw him I knew I wasn’t hunting any other deer.”

As they were working in on the bachelor herd, the deer spooked and ran up a steep ridge. Warren decided to hook around so the wind was in his face, and sprinted up the back side of the ridge, hoping to intercept the bucks as they topped out. “I looked over and they were 130 yards below me, so I laid down and waited on them. An hour went by and they still hadn’t come over, so I stood up and spotted a little 3x4 under a small tree.” Because he couldn’t see the big buck, Warren skirted the ridge and spied the rest of the herd. No whopper among them. “I figured he must be with the little 3x4.”