Hunting Nebraska Sandhills

[Daubs]

Been hunting my uncle's ranch in the Sandhills of Nebraska for past three years. It's a mix of lakes, marshes, shelter-belts, draws, and true Sandhills. I see whitetails in near the lakes and low areas, and mule deer up in the hills.

Shot two white tails in lower areas near heavy cover. I'm wanting to get up in the hills and chase mule deer next year. From what I have read, it's suggested to find high ground, glass until you see them, then put the stalk on them. I'm cool with that.

Are there other thing's I'm missing? How do you narrow your search down when hunting mule deer? White tails seem to center around cover, but the muleys could be any where.

Suggestions?

 

[muleybeast]

I highly recommend getting up high, brush up so you don't stand out, and then glass until your eyes bleed. Scope out any edges as mule deer like to travel along edges as the move. Keep a close eye on any little brushy draw or cuts. Mule deer love to bed in tiny little draws and cuts, that no one would think to glass. Cover a lot of ground if you are not seeing anything. Good luck.

 

[Daubs]

>I highly recommend getting up high,
>brush up so you don't
>stand out, and then glass
>until your eyes bleed.
>Scope out any edges as
>mule deer like to travel
>along edges as the move.
> Keep a close eye
>on any little brushy draw
>or cuts. Mule deer
>love to bed in tiny
>little draws and cuts, that
>no one would think to
>glass. Cover a lot
>of ground if you are
>not seeing anything. Good
>luck.

Thanks for reply. There aren't many "edges" in the Sandhills (see pic). I did find a bed in a tiny bowl shaped cut on top of hill. But there is soooo much space to cover out there. It's daunting.

 

[Daubs]

 

[mntman]

Doesn't take much for a deer to be attracted to an area. Grass could be taller there in a small patch, a draw protecting it from the wind, anything that is slightly different. Think like you are fishing, look for something different no matter how small it may seem...

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"


Let me guess, you drive a 1 ton with oak trees for smoke stacks, 12" lift kit and 40" tires to pull a single place lawn mower trailer?

 

[Cornhusker]

That's where I live and hunt for the last 30+ years. I try to kill both a Whitetail and Muley in the same year and have for probably the last 20 years. Finished up with a Whitey Saturday. I prefer mule deer an I believe I know quite a bit about my area which is basically the same as what you are hunting.

You are correct in stating mule deer can be anywhere especially during the rut which coincides with the rifle season 16-24 this year. I have watched the same big buck change his location for 3 straight years. I have watched him throughout the summer farther in the hills as he drinks from stock tanks. Once cattle come out tanks go dry or freeze and deer move to water which in my area is the South Loup river or several small lakes now frozen. The bucks run in bachelor groups usually within a mile or two of the river. The rut which started the week before the season changes everything. I found the same buck Saturday and Sunday 4 miles apart chasing does hard.

You can PM me if you want to discuss anything if you'd like, since I spend the year among deer I get a fair understanding of the changes within the hills which are much different from what I have hunted in Wyoming,Colorado or Montana.

 

[Daubs]

Thanks Cornhusker. I actually found a thread you posted on and PM'ed you a little while ago. Interested to hear your suggestions. Thanks, D.

 

[Farms]

Find the food source and bedding areas. Catch them in between early and late in the day.

I differ than most I guess. During the middle of the day, I stay low and glass high. Spend lots of time behind the spotter cause most times all you will pick out is their white face. On windy days, glass the tops of the down wind side of the high hills. They will lay right below the top out of the wind.

Listen to Cornhusker, he can give you very good advice.

 

[Daubs]

LAST EDITED ON Nov-26-13 AT 08:42AM (MST)[p]Thanks Farms.

Yes, Cornhusker has PMed me, and shared great knowledge. All the feedback is very much appreciated!

I grew up in Omaha, and lived in north east Missouri for 15+ years. That is where I started deer hunting, and it's very different than the Sandhills. Heavy timber, no spotting-n-stalking, hunters in blaze-orange seemed to be everywhere...it was like a war zone. You basically stayed in your treestand whole day (bored me to death).

Hunting the Sandhills is a welcome relief. And the area holds special place for me, our family visited uncle's ranch every summer.

I've got a spotting scope and a good pack. I just need to refine my search, find the food, spend lots of time behind the glass, and do my thing. We spot-n-stalk turkeys in the spring, and it's a blast. I can think of no better way to hunt deer.

More later, D.