Whether you’re hunting mule deer in Wyoming’s sagebrush hills, Colorado’s alpine peaks or chasing them during the last days of summer or the peak of the rut, some general tips and tricks can help you notch your tag on a bruiser buck in any state during any season.
Mule deer hunting draws hunters because it provides a fantastic Western experience at a moderate cost, especially compared to other Western big games. Even beginner hunters who complete adequate pre-hunt research should expect to see many mule deer.
Notably, mature mule deer bucks can be challenging to locate and harvest, so we are here to assist. Using our hunting experience and that of other experienced hunters will help you succeed in your hunts. Continue reading to learn what it takes to be a successful muley hunter.
Know Where to Go
Knowing where to go is essential while practising how to score mule deer. If this is your first trip out west, we recommend looking for a unit with many public lands nearby. Google Maps is an excellent tool for this as well as scouting. After you’ve completed your e-scouting and, if possible, boots-on-the-ground scouting.
You might ask the local biologist for their thoughts on your top three hunting areas. If you already have a location in mind, the biologist is much more likely to assist you than if you simply ask for the finest position with no investigation.
Know What Your Range Is
Knowing how far your rifle or bow can shoot is only half the battle. Knowing how far you can carry a mule deer is significantly more crucial. Working fit and practicing with your rifle or bow are both essential. We advocate cardio, particularly weighted stair climbing and leg-focused strength training. When it comes to shooting, you must be able to fire properly and calmly under pressure.
Pay Attention to The Weather
Nothing draws deer out into the open to forage like a chilly, cloudy, light rain day. If you see seasonal afternoon thundershowers in the forecast, put on your Rain Gear and get outside. Deer will move into more open places after a thunderstorm to eat on water-soaked plants while the sun is hidden behind clouds—plan on hunting all day if the weather is cool and cloudy.
Put the Stop on Them
Sometimes you won’t see a deer until you’ve already spooked it. Set up for the shot with a loud whistle or grunt. Curiosity can be a mule deer’s best friend. These deer will frequently halt and turn broadside to gaze back. Prepare to capitalize on that curiosity. This could be your best chance at a clean shot.
Don’t Give Up on Proven Spots
Don’t feel obligated to go somewhere else if your buddy shoots a deer in a good area. The assumption that the deer have been blown out of the region is frequently incorrect. Sure, they might be scarce for a day or two, perhaps just a few hours. However, if deer like a particular area, they will return.
Know their Senses
Mule deer are highly sensitive and might blow a stalk if they see, hear, or smell you. To avoid becoming winded, prioritize the wind above anything else. If you believe a deer has seen or heard you, come to a complete stop and do not proceed until the animal resumes normal behaviour. Simply remain motionless and wait it out.
Put Your Binoculars on a Tripod
Holding your binoculars is acceptable in some situations, such as when you’re on the move. However, you are not truly glassing until your binoculars are mounted on a tripod. With a steady rest, you can glass longer and see in much greater and better detail.
Hunt All-Day
Aside from finding suitable habitats and a good vantage point, hunting all day will increase your success rate. This entails arriving at the glassing spot before sunrise and remaining until you can no longer glass. The more time you can spend looking through binoculars or a spotting scope, the higher your chances of capturing an animal.
Slow Down
Your patience will be challenged once you’ve identified the ideal mule deer habitat and an excellent glassing site. Hours spent exploring hillsides, basins, shaded areas, and various nooks and crannies will strain your eyes and hope. Then, all of a sudden, you’ll notice a buck and go into “go mode.” This is when we begin to make mistakes and rush the opportunity.
Instead of rushing, pause and slow down the next time you find a buck. Look at what the buck is doing, where he’s going, and his demeanour before planning a stalk or getting ready for the shot.
- Work with the Landscape
The terrain will play mental games with you, and you will quickly lose sight of deer. When you spot a mule deer, look for landmarks that indicate its location. During the stalk, this becomes increasingly important. You can use these landmarks as a guide. The value of your reference points increases when you use a rangefinder to measure the distance between the animal and the landmarks.
Bottomline
Overall, mule deer hunting for mature bucks can be physically and mentally challenging. We enjoy following these bucks, but they exhaust us as we climb to alpine levels, blow stalks, and lose track of strong bucks. Though mature mule deer hunting is difficult, it can be one of the most rewarding animals to pursue. They can live in any environment, have excellent survival instincts, and are always on the move. If you hunt hard and follow these fundamental tips, you will catch more deer this fall than ever before.
