| Have you dreamed for years of backpack hunting | | | | Silvertips in 270, but each rifle shoots differently |
| mule deer miles from the nearest road? It has | | | | and you need to find the load the works. Once |
| been said that it's not the sheep hunt that is the | | | | you know where your rifle shoots on the bench, |
| greatest part of the adventure, it's where bighorn | | | | try using shooting sticks, prone position, over |
| sheep live. The same goes for true wilderness | | | | your pack and other positions you will encounter |
| mule deer hunts. Mule deer thrive in some of the | | | | in the field. You won't have a bench in your hunt |
| most beautiful, uninhabited areas in the world. Just | | | | and even if you're a great bench shooter, that |
| seeing these majestic creatures and the country | | | | doesn't make you a great shoot in a hunting |
| they live in is worth the effort to get to them. | | | | situation. You will also want to study up on angles |
| With that said, here is some advice to make your | | | | versus distances. Most shots at mule deer are up |
| first backcountry mule deer hunt a success. | | | | or downhill and hunters have a tendency to shoot |
| First and foremost, get in shape! I'm not talking | | | | over deer. Get out and practice some shots |
| about walking to your mailbox once a day or | | | | downhill and uphill. You'll be amazed at the |
| playing a game of basketball every weekend. To | | | | difference a steep angle makes. I also |
| truly enjoy your mule deer hunt, you want to be | | | | recommend you buy a laser rangefinder and use |
| in the best shape of your life. I understand, | | | | it at your practice sessions. It is also helpful to |
| depending on your age, that may not be possible, | | | | learn to judge mule deer in the field. The hunting |
| so if that's the case, shoot for the best shape | | | | video line by Mossback Outfitters titled Mulies |
| you've been in for the last five years. The big | | | | Gone Wild is an excellent tool for judging big |
| thing here is to do all you can. My workout is | | | | bucks. They give you the score after you have |
| jogging three to four times a week. I start out | | | | seen footage of the bucks on the hoof. |
| walking and jogging about three months before | | | | Third, buy the best gear you can afford. There |
| the trip and by the time trip arrives, my goal is to | | | | are some great products on the market today. |
| be able to jog for an hour straight. I find this | | | | Look for the lightest sturdiest material for your |
| easier than trying to give distances. If you can | | | | backpacking and clothing items. I will not go into |
| maintain a jogging pace for an hour, you should | | | | each item, but a few I recommend are: Lowa |
| be capable of climbing the mountains required for | | | | Sheephunter boots, an internal pack - I use a |
| backcountry mule deer hunting. I also jump rope, | | | | North Face pack, but there are lots on the |
| bike, hike, and walk with my loaded pack (around | | | | market, wool socks - I use Smartwool, and light |
| 50 lbs) in between. All of these are good to build | | | | packable rain gear - I use Frogg Toggs. If you are |
| the muscles you'll need on your hunt. | | | | hunting with an outfitter, ask him for a list to bring |
| Second, shoot your rifle. If you pay the money, | | | | and follow it. Buy the best optics you can afford! I |
| get in shape, but don't practice with your rifle, you | | | | personally use Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 because |
| aren't ready to go mule deer hunting. The best | | | | of their magnification and weight, but there are |
| case would be to shoot the rifle once a week at | | | | lots of quality optics on the market. I'll say it |
| ranges out to 300 yards. You need to know | | | | again, get the best you can afford. |
| where your rifle will shoot at the different ranges. | | | | Lastly, watch some great Hunting Videos on the |
| Start out at the range at 100 yards with a | | | | topic. These will get your blood pumping and get |
| steady mechanical rest. Test different types of | | | | you excited to make your trip of a lifetime. They |
| ammunition until you find what your gun likes and | | | | will help motivate you to get in shape and find |
| stick with it. I use Winchester 130 grain Ballistic | | | | that deer of a lifetime. |