| I grew up in Nevada and hunting Mule Deer was | | | | plan to bump him out of hiding, but he will almost |
| an annual event. I will try to relate to you what I | | | | always be there. If you come in on them very |
| have learned about hunting the, crafty old bucks. | | | | close they will sit tight hoping the threat will leave. |
| First let me say that Mule Deer can be found | | | | If you are a fair distance away when you bump |
| over the western half of the US, southwest | | | | the does, a lot of the time they will leave with, |
| Saskatchewan and some say they have been | | | | but behind, the does. |
| seen in Minnesota and Missouri. Mule Deer are | | | | If your are a bow hunter, spot and stalk hunting |
| very adaptable to most kinds of terrain. They can | | | | is possible but difficult. You will need quality optics, |
| be found at low elevations to above timberline. | | | | preferrable a spotting scope and binoculars. Scan |
| Some of the most arrid of lands don't provide | | | | the high ridges, brush pockets and rock |
| enough nutrition or water so these are, for the | | | | outcroppings. Once you locate a buck your |
| most part, devoid of Mule Deer. | | | | interested in, work your plan. You will need to use |
| They are called Mule Deer because of their very | | | | breaks in the terrain, gullies, brush, rocks what |
| large ears. They range in color from dark grey to | | | | ever is available to put on the stalk. It is best if |
| ash grey. Their rump has a large patch of white | | | | you can find your way around the buck and |
| and a white patch on the throat. The tail is white | | | | surprise him from the top. If your stalk is |
| but ends in a black tuft of hair. | | | | successful you will have your best shot |
| They have excellent binocular type vision, but | | | | opportunity. We all want a nice clean kill shot. If |
| seem to be unable to detect you if you stay | | | | your buck is running, wait until he stops or follow |
| motionless. | | | | a fair distance back and try the stalk again. |
| Their large ears give them extremely good | | | | Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. |
| hearing. | | | | Persistence pays |
| Mule Deer will forage in the valleys or fields but will | | | | If you are after a true trophy Mulie, try hunting |
| also feed on ridge tops. They will return to their | | | | above the timberline, but you need to be in |
| beds as do most animals. Once they have fed | | | | excellent physical shape to hunt the high |
| and watered they will bed on ridge slopes, next to | | | | elevations. Try to do some pre-season scouting. |
| rocky outcroppings, in small patches of timbered | | | | That will help get you in shape and also help you |
| or brushy areas. It seems the key to their | | | | learn the terrain. Look for heavily used trails. Get |
| selection of a bedding area is to have something | | | | a plan of attack. Trophy mulies need to water |
| to their back and up high enough to have a good | | | | too, so look for the source of water. You may |
| view of approaching predators. In Nevada, the | | | | be able to save a lot of climbing and you may |
| main predators are Mountain Lion and Coyotes. In | | | | also be able to set an ambush point. I can't say |
| other areas the predators would be Black Bear, | | | | enough about know where you are going to hunt, |
| Grizzly Bear, Wolves and of course man. They | | | | scout it and have a plan! Sure you might get lucky |
| seem to like bedding on the north sides of ridges | | | | and catch one out in the open, broadside and |
| and in the shade. This makes it more difficult to | | | | unaware you are there.....but don't count on it. |
| locate them. | | | | If you can't pre-season scout, get to where you |
| You will find bucks in bachelor groups until the | | | | are going to hunt a day or so early and scout it. |
| beginning of the rut, in Nevada it is generally late | | | | Knowing where they water, bed and travel is to |
| November, then they will break off from the | | | | your advantage. |
| groups and start gathering their harem of does. | | | | If your goal is to just harvest a buck...that can be |
| Keep in mind that pre-rut, if you see one buck | | | | a little easier. You can find them in lower |
| there are probably more to follow. If you are | | | | elevations, not quite as crafty and a little curious. |
| hunting during the rut then if you see a group of | | | | Those big trophy bucks didn't get big by |
| does there will almost always be a buck with | | | | accident...they learn to be suspicious, crafty and |
| them. If you bump a group of does stay still and | | | | out of the way. |
| be patient, the bucks will show themselves last. If | | | | At any rate, enjoy your hunt and may success |
| no buck appears then you may have to make a | | | | be with you. |