Colorado mule deer behavior.

Sleeperls · Jan 23, 2019

Maybe as a white tail guy i might over analyze things but it has made me more successful. Looking to do the same with mule deer.

What articles did you like to read where you learned something? Books? Other websites besides here. I know people are protective of their best holes. Understandable.

I'm looking to learn what made you look there.

Are they food driven like whitetails, what are their bedding habits, what do they do when pressured etc.

I understand digital scouting. But data means nothing when you can't read it.

Thanks

littlebighorn · Jan 23, 2019

If you are looking for a book David Long's Public Land Mulies-The Bottom Line would not be a bad starting point.

kickerbuck · Jan 23, 2019

I would send Founder a personal message and pick his brain! He does as well as anyone ever has when it comes to finding big Mule Deer bucks.

hawkbill · Jan 23, 2019

Muley Crazy Videos, Kirt Darners Book

Blank · Jan 24, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jan-24-19 AT 11:37AM (MST)[p]First, and others may argue this, deer/elk/antelope are all the same and want the same basic things. Low pressure from humans, good security cover where they can rest, the right food at the right time of year, and necessary water.

When you start looking these can be in close proximity to people, but for some reason they don't go there. Sometimes it's just because the animals become nocturnal, and lay up all day and you just don't see them. Other times it's because its just too hard to get to them, by distance or on private land. Sometimes they are where we would never think to look, because like WT's they will walk for several miles to get the things they want. Learn where to intercept them in this case.

Like mentioned above David Long or Mike Eastman both have excellent books on hunting mulies. You won't learn much from magazines or stories, as they are entertainment and bragging rights, but if there are scenery shots or wide angle pics of the terrain and cover you should study these.

nontypical · Jan 25, 2019

Glass, glass, and glass some more.

Sleeperls · Jan 25, 2019

>Glass, glass, and glass some more.
>

I understand this as I do it for white tails too. I know where to look when it comes to them. I know what they need etc. Deer are deer they need the same things just different area and looking to cut down the time glassing In areas i don't need to be.

Thanks for the suggestions on the books will look into picking one of them up.

HIcountryman · Jan 26, 2019

I ve learned alot from books: the aforementioned David Long's Public Land Mulies, Mike Eastman's books, black-eyed Kirt Darner's, and I learned the most about mule deer behavior from Valerius Geist's Mule Deer Country. It is a library style book written by a wildlife biologist with a broad view of muley behavior and history which is very applicable to hunting.

Living in mule deer country and getting to watch deer while NOT hunting them has also been a great help to learning about them. Good luck in your quest in learning about the western kings!

bigmoose · Jan 26, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jan-26-19 AT 02:50PM (MST)[p]In addition to the books mentioned, you might check out Robby Denning's book "Hunting Big Mule Deer" also. All these books have been written by successful mule deer hunters and each will have their own perspective.

Every hunting season you miss is one you can not make up

jims · Jan 26, 2019

I'm sure some of the books likely cover this but things can change dramatically from one unit to the next and from one time in the year to the next.

Sleeperls · Jan 27, 2019

Thanks for all the replies.

Nothing beats boots on the ground experience. This I understand. As the last poster stated things change year to year. Even day to day.

Towelie · Jan 27, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Jan-27-19 AT 11:30AM (MST)[p]"Kirt Darners book"

LMAO!!!

I think Bessy has a copy for sale.

tworivers · Feb 2, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Feb-02-19 AT 10:58PM (MST)[p]Robby Denning plus one... mostly otc general tags... just get's it done. Walt Prothero, i think is his name?
Utah biologist/ professor at Weber state.

RIP Lil Bro' "Huntnfever"