Tips for new Mulie hunter

[DonVathome]

I have elk hunted a lot and ran into mule deer, and I am reading Mike Long & Eastmans books on mule deer.

I was just looking for some tips for mule deer hunting I might now know.

Things like glassing the shade behind trees for deer. Stuff like that, stuff that does not pertain to whitetails & elk (since I am used to hunting them).

I have a WY region "H" tag and this is my very first mule deer hunt. Any info is good since I apply for other states and will eventually draw.

I will be back packing in and plan to glass then spot and stalk.

I am looking for any decent buck.

Are does and bucks separate the last week of Sept? Meaning if I find some does & small bucks in a basin does that mean there is a good chance there might be a good buck so I should keep looking or if I do not spot one move on?

Thanks,

DonV Ohio

 

[Bman9900]

My advice, get as high as you can, with as much country as you can see before light and glass into the morning. Hopefully, you can spot and bed some nice deer to make a move on later in the day. Do the same in the evening and if you see a nice buck before dark - note where he was at and then glass that general area again at first light. In addition to Mike Eastman's book I would also pick up and read Public Land Mulies by David Long. In that book he covers glassing techniques, spot and stalk, deer behavior, etc. You won't be disappointed. Good luck and prepare to have a great time on your hunt!

 

[huntfish714]

Well my favorite tip is north facing rim rock. Last year I was archery hunting the rut hunt here in idaho and I was glassing the flat and briefly over the rim rock, never saw anything. A buddy the next weekend said that they were everywhere and I asked him where, My problem was I wasn't focusing enough on the rim rock, EVERY NORTH FACING pile of rocks or Rim rock had at least 3 muleys there in the two feet of shade, that day I walked up to a descent buck in the peak heat of the day while he was sleeping and arrowed him. Rim Rock country is now my favorite. As for you questions from my hunting experience here in Idaho the bucks really don't start rounding up the does until mid to late October and rut in November but usually you can find a couple of forkies or small 3 pointers with a mamma herd. Also, from my experience here if you see some small bucks and you are 100% sure they are alone or with some does and there are NO big boys hanging around and using him as a decoy go to the next ridge and glass and so on. If you get up on a ridge and it looks almost to good to be true (green thickets maby some sage maby a little creek running down the side a few sapplings pretty steep etc etc) then I'd stay up there glassing for the rest of the day and find a good shooting spot you can work your way down to quietly in the event you do see a nice one. Like I said this is just my knowldedge from a few areas in Idaho and it all depends on the location you are hunting such as in some parts of Arizona the muleys dont rut until Jan some times early Feb apposed to November in ID. Good luck and hope this helps!!! any more questions just post.

 

[DonVathome]

These are exactly the kind of tips I am looking for thanks! Adding it to my notes.

 

[DonVathome]

I did think of something, everyone says glass in evening to find a buck then look for him at first light. For elk I am very aggressive (unless the wind is bad) I tend to go after a bull I want when spotted.

Why not try for the deer seen in the evening if there is enough time? Granted he is moving but if I can get there I would think I might try?

Why not go after a buck spotted in the evening? Falling thermals (ruins coming in from above)? Not enough time? Just curious.

 

[txhunter58]

Evening decisions would depend on several things:

Weapon: With a bow, you might not have time, with a rifle, you might

Timing: The best time to see these guys is truely at last light, with 5-10 minutes of shooting light left. Then it is better to back out and not rush it.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

 

[sageadvice]

If you're glassing properly, you may spot your buck at a mile or more away and he may not "come out" until minutes before dark...

Also bedded bucks will stand up and/or move slightly at any time during the day...

"H" is huge steep country, especially in the high country. Getting around should be a slow process. Hunt Slow, glass a lot. Don't be in any big hurry to see what's over the ridge or in the next draw. Check them out, yes, but don't cruise right thru great country to do so. Hunt slow!

Joey

 

[YukonDall]

DON......I HUNTED THE HOBACK (GRIZZ. RIDGE) IN 2007 LATE SEPT.......AND THE BUCKS WERE WITH THE GIRLS IN GOOD NUMBERS. THE WALL HANGERS WERE STILL SOLO @ THAT TIME.........YD.

 

[Bman9900]

Joey is right. Hunting slow and deliberate is the way to hunt the high country. Hunting these high basins later in the season can be tricky, especially there has been some early season pressure. Hunting a basin too aggressively or haphazardly can mess a good thing up for days - especially if there is a big boy or two in there. Some people think hunting hard means covering a lot of miles, and sometimes this is true, but at other times hunting hard may mean taking your time, diligently glassing, and then seizing upon good opportunities when they present themselves. Good luck.

 

[DonVathome]

More great info!

Another question, first if you notice another hunter in your drainage do you leave? Lets say he is 1 mile away and not stumbling around spooking everything would you leave so you are not "crowding" him or simply because he is there? I would think in "H" it is going to be hard to avoid other hunters.

I figure if he is, for example, on the opposite side of the basin, a solid 2-3 hour hike away, and he is being carefull, then stay and look for a buck?

 

[YukonDall]

A 2-3 HOUR HIKE AWAY IS NOT CROWDING HIM AT ALL.....COULD WORK TO THE ADVANTAGE OF BOTH OF YOU. ALL THE BASINS I HUNTED WERE HUGH BASINS.....WHEN I HUNTED ON TOP I COULD LOOK DOWN AND SEE LARGE NUMBERS OF DEER THAT WERE 4-5 HOURS AWAY ON FOOT....GUYS WITH HORSES HAD A BIG ADVANTAGE.........YD.

 

[powellpounder]

Hunt slow and be patient.