| Have you dreamed of hunting for mule deer miles | | | | know how the hunting rifle shoots on the practice |
| away from the nearest road? Rumor has it that | | | | range, try using shooting sticks, prone position, |
| its not hunting sheep that is the greatest part of | | | | over your pack as well as other positions that |
| the trip, its where the bighorn sheep live. The | | | | you'll come across as you hunt in the field. You |
| same thing is true for true mule deer hunts. Mule | | | | won't be able to use a bench in the real hunt and |
| deer thrive in some of the more enticing, | | | | even if you are a good bench shooter, that |
| uninhabited places around the world. Just visiting | | | | doesn't automatically make you a great shooter in |
| these beautiful animals and the area they live is | | | | a hunting situation. You will also want to practice |
| worth the effort to get to them. We would like | | | | distances vs. angles. Generally shots at mule deer |
| to offer you some tips to help make your first | | | | are down or uphill and hunters tend to shoot over |
| mule deer hunt a great one. | | | | deer. Work on some shots downhill and uphill. You'll |
| First, and most importantly, you have got to get | | | | be surprised at the difference angles make. I also |
| yourself into shape! And I'm not just talking about | | | | suggest you get a laser rangefinder and use it |
| walking to the mailbox every day or playing | | | | during your practice sessions. It can also be helpful |
| basketball each weekend. In order to honestly | | | | as you learn to judge mule deer around the field. |
| enjoy your mule deer hunt, you want to be in the | | | | Videos by Mossback titled Mulies Gone Wild are a |
| greatest shape possible. Now, I realize, depending | | | | helpful tool for learning how to judge large bucks. |
| on your age, this may not be feasible, and if | | | | They tell you the score after you watch footage |
| that's the circumstance, shoot for the best shape | | | | of the bucks on the hoof. |
| you've been in during the past five years. The | | | | Third, buy the best hunting supplies you can. |
| biggest thing here is to do everything that you | | | | There are some good quality products available |
| can. My workout is taking a jog about three or | | | | today. Get the lightest, sturdiest material you can |
| four times every week. I start out by walking | | | | find for your backpacking and clothing items. I |
| and then jogging three months before I go, and | | | | don't want to go into detail with each item, but |
| when it's time for the trip, my intent is to be able | | | | some that I would recommend are: light packable |
| to jog for at least an hour. I've found this is | | | | rain gear I use Frogg Toggs, an internal pack I |
| better than trying to give a specified distance. If | | | | use a North Face pack, but there are several on |
| you can establish a jogging pace for at least an | | | | the market, wool socks I use Smartwool, and |
| hour, you should be ready to climb the mountains | | | | durable, stable, hiking boots - I use Lowa |
| required on the mule deer hunt. Besides jogging, I | | | | Sheephunter boots. If you are planning to hunt |
| also go hiking, jump rope, ride a bike, and walk | | | | with an outfitter, request a list of equipment to |
| with my 50 lb backpack . Any of these are good | | | | bring and follow what it says. Get the best optical |
| to build the muscles you will need on the mule | | | | equipment you can afford! I personally like |
| deer hunt. | | | | Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 on account of their |
| Second, practice shooting your gun. I recommend | | | | magnification and light weight, but there are many |
| shooting the rifle on a weekly basis at ranges out | | | | fine optics on the market. I'll say it once again, |
| to 300 yards. You'll want to know where your | | | | buy the best hunting supplies you can. |
| gun will shoot at different distances. Start at 100 | | | | Lastly, rent or buy some mule deer hunting |
| yards with a fixed mechanical rest. Test different | | | | videos. These will get your blood moving and get |
| types of ammo until you figure out what your | | | | you excited about finding a big muley. They'll get |
| particular gun prefers and stay with it. Personally, I | | | | you motivated to get yourself into shape during |
| prefer Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in | | | | the off season and find that deer you dream of |
| 270, but each hunting rifle shoots differently and | | | | after the season is open. |
| you need to find out what works. Once you | | | | |