Planning a future mule deer hunt

WITUfan · Jul 30, 2011

I wonder if any of you guys would help point me in the right direction. I am really knew to western hunting. I have been doing some research and seem to get more confused the more I read. I don't think G & F stats really give me a full picture. For example, success could be high, but all the bucks taken could be young forkhorns. Likewise, there is a good deal of information out there regarding areas that produce tremendous trophies. I am sure many of you share my opinion that a monster mule deer is the most impressive critter around. Like most hunters, I would love to get one some day. However, the realistic part of me knows that would take a combination of time, skill and luck that I lack.

With that said, what I am looking for is a quality hunt to truly experience chasing mule deer. I am looking for more of a representative sample. By that, I mean a nice 4x4 or similar that is mature enough to exhibit the classic mule deer look. He doesn't need to be huge or even what most folks would think of as a "trophy." More importantly, I want to experience beautiful country and some solitude. I would like a situation where I would see lots of game and with a little luck and my willingness to work, be able to find a decent buck.

I do not have horses, but am willing to hike. I have other hunts planned for the next couple of falls, so I have some time to plan, accrue necessary preference points, etc. I am looking for a DIY public lands situation. I don't expect anyone to say, "go to such and so mountain in such and so unit." I just need to know where I should start getting preference points and some areas to start looking.

Any advice is appreciated.

azbiggame · Jul 30, 2011

most will agree,that Nevada is a "Must Apply" for the avid Mule Deer Hunter.Applications due in mid April,with several other "Options" for a chance to draw a deer tag for a N.R.Good Luck ... Bruce & SilverGrand

shedhead · Jul 30, 2011

LAST EDITED ON Jul-30-11 AT 07:02PM (MST)[p]there are a lot of easy to draw regions (1-5 points) in wyoming maybe put in a little searching and it is easy to find the best regions for a couple years down the road and good opportunity at a real good mature buck. pm sent

never_satisfied · Jul 30, 2011

When you compare all the states by the cost of tags,how easy it is to draw,the amount of game you can see,the success rate,and etc
I would have to say Wyoming your best bet

gb22 · Jul 30, 2011

If you want to PM me, I'll talk to you on the phone and......

BUT, the facts are that almost everywhere has what you described. We have hundreds (or thousands) of unsold OTC tags every year. Those tags would enable you to hunt in the "most adventurous" areas in the lower 48....scenery, physically challenging, wild (wolves, bears & lions) and all the rest. Sure some places are more apt to have a big deer than others but I can guarantee you there are at least 100 deer of the size and quality you described within a 15-mile radius of my house. The same would be true if I went 50 miles in almost any direction and then made the same statement.

It is ALSO very true that mule deer are not the "dumb cousins" as they have so long been labeled....just look around after the hunt; you'll be shocked how many 4x4 deer there are.

Decide whether you want to hunt the desert, alpine, steep canyons...decide what style of adventure you want and then go HUNT. The deer ARE there....BIG ones are there. The "representative 4x4" you described is CERTAINLY THERE. If you're new at this, you're going to greatly underestimate the quarry....and probably underestimate the physical demands of our hunts.

Good luck!

Within the shadows, go quietly.

fatrooster · Jul 30, 2011

Definitely do not forget Colorado. fatrooster.

hubba_3 · Jul 31, 2011

I can't decide which state is the best, so I just put in for all of them haha. But since I'm from NV, I gotta go with NV. There are a lot of tags out there that most people think suck. I drew a tag this year that is considered "not that great of a unit" but I found a huge buck. It's all about scouting and finding the bucks your looking for. There are big bucks in every unit, it's just all about the time you put in to finding them

That's my 2 cents lol...

))))--------------->
Bowhunting

Follow my hunts at: http://www.nvbowhunting.blogspot.com

WITUfan · Aug 1, 2011

gb22,

Thanks for the info. If you would like to PM your phone number and what time of day would be a good time for me to give you a ring, I will do so. I appreciate the offer to talk. I think talking to someone with experience would be a big help.

I would PM you this, but I haven't figured all of the features of this site out yet.