| Bow hunting Mule Deer is far different than | | | | lead you though some rough terrain. |
| whitetail. Mule Deer inhabit a vastly larger area | | | | 5. Camouflage. Camouflage clothing is very |
| than white tail deer. Your shots will typically be | | | | important, I like Ghillie Suits or Prairie Ghost for |
| longer yardage and usually you will have to go to | | | | hunting in the badlands. |
| the deer rather than them coming to you. The | | | | 6. Scent eliminator. Play the wind as much as |
| most common method of archery hunting mule | | | | possible, but inevitably, the wind will swirl and roll |
| deer is the spot and stalk method. Below are 10 | | | | over those big ridges, it may be a west wind at |
| of the most important things to make your mule | | | | the top of the ridge, but as it rolls, it may be an |
| deer hunt successful. | | | | east wind down in the valley. For a few bucks |
| 1. Paper or GPS maps, especially topographical | | | | you can ensure a few more percentage points on |
| maps. Mule deer live in big wilderness areas like | | | | your chances. |
| the badlands of the Dakotas. Finding the North | | | | 7. Range finder. All the hard work you have done |
| and South facing slopes will help you to put | | | | stalking this big buck are for nothing if you can't |
| yourself in a position to spot Mule deer bedded | | | | place the shot. Judging range in the open terrain |
| down trying to keep cool or stay warm, | | | | that Mule deer inhabit can be exceptionally difficult, |
| depending on the weather. | | | | a range finder is a must. |
| 2. Spotting scope. Find a good place where you | | | | 8. Patience. It is common to find yourself in a |
| are not skylined and begin spotting. Make a mental | | | | position where you are within shooting range, but |
| grid and look over the entire visible landscape one | | | | without a good shot. Perhaps there is a yucca |
| scope width at a time. Make sure to stop the | | | | plant between you and the deer, or perhaps the |
| scope in each grid box. It is easy to miss a well | | | | deer is in a wash and you can only see his ears |
| camouflaged deer when you are moving at you | | | | and antlers. You may just need to wait for him to |
| are spotting. | | | | stand up and stretch his legs. Patience will pay off. |
| 3. A backpack with multiple pockets, a hydration | | | | 9. Good mechanical broadheads. They fly |
| bladder and quiet zippers. Once you spot your | | | | straighter and more predictably than fixed blade |
| trophy buck, you need to be ready to put on | | | | broadheads and they often have a greater cutting |
| some serious miles. Being able to comfortably | | | | diameter with less weight. |
| carry your gear including your bow and keep your | | | | 10. Headlamp. It is more likely that you will have |
| arms rested will make all the difference when its | | | | daylight to track your big buck after you release |
| time to take the shot. | | | | the arrow, but you may still be a long way from |
| 4. Good Hunting boots. Not only will you be | | | | camp when the sun goes down. |
| covering some distance but Mule deer are sure to | | | | |