Mule Deer Tips & Tactics: A Guide to Finding and Hunting Giant Mule Deer

Imagine sitting on top of a high ridge above the timberline as the first rays of light awaken the lush alpine basin below you. You’ve grinded out 3000 ft in rocky elevation to get to your spike camp. You arrive at your elevated perch well before the first rays of light paint the sky. You have your glass set up and are anxiously waiting for dawn. As darkness gives way to light, you go to work behind the glass picking apart every inch of the basin. It doesn’t take long before you spot something that materializes into what you came for; a wide and high basket-racked buck sporting multiple extra points suddenly emerges from the dark timber—your heart races as you put a plan together to move into position. Few things match the excitement of seeing and hunting mule deer. Mule Deer are an icon of the west, and for good reason. It’s hard to match the majesty & elusiveness of giant mule deer, and I believe this is why so many hunters are drawn into the obsession of hunting these incredible animals. Whether you currently belong to the brotherhood of mule deer hunters or have the hankering to go on your first hunt, I’m certain you will find some useful information in this article that will improve your chances. While this is not a comprehensive article on hunting mule deer, I will cover what I believe to be the most important tips and tactics. If you want a comprehensive guide to hunting giant mule deer, I highly recommend the series of books written by my good friend David Long, an accomplished mule deer hunter.

A magnificent High-Country giant SKRE co-founder Travis Roundy harvested in Colorado. This buck lived in an extremely rugged and remote location which allowed him to grow to his full potential.

Hunt Where They Live 

I hate to begin with the obvious, but I can’t stress how often this is overlooked. Quit hunting units and areas that simply don’t hold or produce big deer. A little research goes a long way. Growing up, we had a family tradition of hunting the same unit and area every year. It was a 2-hour hike up a rugged canyon trail in the dark to a place we called the ledges. It is the "buckiest" looking canyon you can imagine; however, it was always void of big bucks. After getting married, I started to hunt more on my own. I tried some new areas, and it wasn't long before I saw more mature bucks. After hunting several units, I noticed a pattern. Some units simply did not produce big bucks no matter how hard I scouted or hunted. While many of these units maintained healthy populations of deer and even had great buck-to-doe ratios, they all seemed to be lacking the key ingredient: Genetics. The truth is most deer do not have the genetic makeup to grow big antlers. However, there are a few units in most western states that have good genetics. Consequently, most of those units are hard to draw units. Units like 44 in Colorado, Paunsaugunt in Utah, Kaibab and the strip units in Arizona, regions G& H in Wyoming, and the southwestern units in NV have incredible genetics but they are also very difficult to draw. If you want to hunt big bucks every year you had better have a lot of money or learn to hunt units with good genetics and better draw odds. These units exist, and with some research and scouting you can hunt big deer every year. A good place to start is the record books. The record books can help you

quickly identify units that are rich in big-buck genetics. Many hunting services can provide up-to-date information on what units are presently hot and which ones are not. The drawback is that all the current subscribers to those services are also privy to that same information so keep that in mind as you are narrowing your search. The small gold nuggets you are looking for are units you can draw every year or every 1-2 years, which consistently produce a few big bucks. I have been hunting units like this for the past 15 years and have put many good bucks on the wall. Finding and applying for these units is only half the battle. You need to put in the time scouting to find the "honey holes" within the units that consistently produce the top-end bucks. What better way to get in shape than to scout your unit from top to bottom? All but a couple of my biggest bucks have come from units you can draw with 0-2 points. There is a reason it only takes 0-2 points to draw a unit. Many of these easy-to-draw tags are archery or muzzleloader which comes with a lower success rate. These units also have fewer mature bucks, because of more tags and thus more hunters. However, in my experience, your best chance of hunting mule deer undisturbed is on archery hunts or early muzzleloader hunts. I have taken more big bucks in August and September than at any other time.

Hunt at the right time to improve your odds

Mule deer biology matters when it comes to selecting the season that will give you the best odds for success. It's biologically proven that mule deer bucks are less active during daylight hours in October than they are in August and early September. This is owing to the low levels of testosterone in the buck in October as opposed to August and especially in November when the rut kicks in and testosterone levels increase significantly. Bucks are dam near hibernating in October because they have almost no testosterone in their system. I'm not suggesting you can't take a big buck in October, but the odds aren't in your favor unless a freak snowstorm forces them to move early. Furthermore, archery equipment, and the archers using it, are so advanced that archers are killing a lot of the top-end deer. 

The unit this buck came from is a consistent producer of big bucks and requires very few points to draw. As a result, it receives immense pressure from public land hunters, so the number of mature bucks is very low, but they are there as evidenced by this old mature buck. Also, note that I killed this buck at 11 yards but was very proficient out to 60 yards. Practice Matters

This means fewer big bucks are making it to October. If you are dead set on hunting with a rifle, look at some of the rut hunts in CO that can be drawn with very few points. The opportunities to hunt big bucks every year exist. With some research and scouting, you can nail down several units that will allow you to hunt big bucks more frequently. Believe me, there are more options than you might realize, but if you want to improve your odds pick up a bow or muzzleloader and become proficient with those weapons.

Accuracy Matters

Why is it we buy the most expensive gear, train all year long, use up that precious vacation time, and burn a ton of money on travel expenses only to botch the shot when the moment of truth arrives? I confess when I was younger, I was not a great shot, at least when it came to shooting at a live target. My problem was I let my emotions get the best of me when it came to shooting at live animals. Typically, shots were missed because I rushed the shot. In my early 20’s I began hunting with a muzzleloader which forced me into a one-shot mindset that encouraged me to temper my emotions and make the shot count. It wasn’t long before I was making every shot I needed to make. Taking the time to compose myself and rein in my excitement made me into a better shooter. I learned a very important technique on my journey to becoming a marksman. I learned to take the shot mentally before I made the shot physically. Regardless of your weapon, a considerable amount of time must be allocated to practicing with your weapon of choice, and if that weapon is a bow you need to practice three times as much as you would with a firearm. While backyard archery practice is effective, the best practice is in the field with varying angles and awkward range of motion shots at 3D targets. Grind out some cardio, and then take some shots to become accustomed to shooting with an elevated heart rate. Archery events like the Total Archery Challenge and Mountain Archery Fest will give you real-world experience on a mountain and will make you a more proficient shooter in many difficult shooting situations. There is a similar course for long-range shooters whose weapon of choice is a long-range rifle. Courses in long-range shooting are available but often these are expensive and not necessary if you do your research on long-range shooting and put in the time practicing. YouTube has a treasure trove of information on long-range shooting.

Remember how I said it’s hard to kill a buck in October? Hard yes, but impossible no. This buck was taken in late October in the warmest 

conditions. We found the buck heading to his bed at the very first rays of light. I killed him at just under 500 yards in his bed.

Muzzleloaders are also a great choice. I hunt states where muzzleloaders have primitive requirements like open or iron sites, with restrictions on the use of saboted bullets, or pelleted powder. This severely limits a hunter’s effective range. My effective range with this primitive setup is about 250 yards. I have never felt comfortable beyond that range, but with practice, I have become effective up to that range.

 I shot this buck above timberline at 229 yards with my iron-sight black

powder rifle. Practicing at that distance helped me to make the shot when the moment of truth arrived.

Regardless of weapon, when it comes to technique what works for one doesn't work for all. I can promise you a giant buck doesn’t give a darn about technique or shooting trends. There are a thousand ways to skin a cat, and accuracy can be achieved with varying techniques. For example, I like to hold my breath through a shot, yet some shooters will tell you this is a bad habit. My recommendation is to let your accuracy establish what is working and what is not.

Gear up for Success

If you don’t think having quality gear can determine success or failure, just ask the host of hunters forced to head home early due to gear failure, or not having the type of gear that is purpose-built to sustain life in the backcountry. Mule deer often reside in big dangerous country, and to sustain life while you are hunting these magnificent animals you will need to select gear that will help you stay warm, dry, sheltered, and hydrated with sufficient calories to help you go deeper into the backcountry for an extended stay. Years ago, I was helping a friend notch his tag on his first big buck. I had some solid prospects scouted out, and I liked our chances at locating a shooter. The next morning, we had a two-mile walk ahead of us in the dark. We awoke to some rain and cold temps. As we departed the truck, I noted that my friend appeared to be ill-equipped for the day’s hunt. He was wearing a lightweight parka and jeans. In contrast, I had on my SKRE layering system complete with Nebo rain gear.

When we reached the ridge, I quickly set up and began glassing. About 10 minutes into glassing, I heard a chattering noise behind me. It was my friend shivering uncontrollably as he struggled to glass for deer in the drainage below. It was painful to watch as he struggled to stay warm. After another 20 minutes, I could see that he was soaked and cold. I assured him if he could hold out, we could get him on a good buck, but it was evident he was too cold to endure the elements any longer. Minutes later he was headed back to the truck alone, cold and soaked completely through. I remained glassing the same basin for another 20 minutes and with no luck I gathered up my gear and headed over to an adjoining basin. By this time the rain had let up and animals began to get up and feed. As I reached the top of the burned-out ridge, I immediately heard deer running below me. I quickly scanned the ridge and located 3 bucks staring me down on the opposing ridge only 150 yards away. I immediately noticed the buck in the middle was a dandy and made a great shot before the bucks bolted over the ridge. I had very little time to size the buck up but upon walking up to him I realized I had collected a beautiful dark antlered 4x5.

I quickly put in a call to my buddy, and he answered just as he was reaching the truck. At the news of my good fortune, and knowing that it should have been him, all he could say was you got to be kidding me. Consequently, I have had numerous hunters relate similar experiences where they were forced off the mountain early due to inferior gear. Whether it’s a tent, stove, rain gear, sleeping bag, or layering system, the time to test that gear is not on your hunt. Do yourself a favor and test all your gear well in advance of your hunt. It sucks to pack gear that fails you when it is needed the most. Your gear is your plan B, and having gear that does everything you ask of it every time will allow you to hunt with increased confidence, and that confidence will lead to success more often.

Mental Toughness

I don’t care how much time you spend in the gym, how many marathons you have run, or how much money you have spent on gear. It will do you little good if you are not mentally prepared to endure some hardships. Hunting mule deer is tough. Often it requires enduring long hikes, restless nights, inclement weather, and overall miserable conditions, and if you are a solo hunter there are periods of loneliness. The truth is, if you’re not willing to develop mental toughness you are not cut out for mule deer hunting, at least in the backcountry. I’m not a clinical psychologist but I know what I’m getting into well before I hit the trail head or take that long walk in the dark. The only tip I can offer here is to have realistic expectations. Hunting mule deer is not a race (well most of the time it’s not). Pace yourself or you’ll get burned out quickly.

Glassing. You can’t kill what you can’t see

I’m not going to spend a lot of time here because it has been covered in depth by many a seasoned mule deer hunter, however, to be a successful mule deer hunter you need to be proficient at glassing, and to do this you need to start with good glass. The European Glass is the best with brands like Swarovski, Zeiss, and Leica leading the charge on the best-in-class optic technology, superior glass, and rugged durability. The challenge with these brands is price. The average hunter might have to consider mortgaging his home, selling his firstborn, or auctioning his favorite appendage to the highest bidder to afford these suckers. With that said they are worth every penny. When you think their glass or advancements in technology can’t get any better, it does. Another high-quality option for a lot less money is Vortex. They make exceptional glass for the money, and they understand warranty and overall customer service better than anyone in this industry. The glassing technique is also important. When I’m scouting a new area, I’m looking for the best possible vantage point to glass from.

A great vantage point will allow you to cover a lot of country quickly and efficiently. Big bucks typically feed the first 30 minutes before sunrise and the last few minutes of light. That doesn’t give you a big window to find a buck. I have learned to cover areas immediately around me and ridge tops and timbered ridges first. I’m hoping to locate animals that may be close before they spot me. Prioritizing timbered fringes or ridge tops allows me to spot animals that may be close to disappearing into the timber or over a ridge. I like big glass and I cannot lie. I’m a big fan of 15x binos on a sturdy tripod. It’s hard to beat the Swarovski 15x56 or if money is not an option try the new 14x52 Swarovski Pures. Vortex also offers some solid high-power options.  I promise you will outglass every one of your buddies running 10X and will find animals you would otherwise not find with the 10X. My advice is to pack a smaller spotting scope and add this to your optics tool bag.

Conclusion

It has been said that if you fail to plan then you most assuredly plan to fail. Proper planning and preparation will lead to success. Having and managing realistic expectations will lead to success. The right kind of discipline will lead to success. There are a lot of things I did not cover in this article that warrant consideration like physical fitness. I’m not a gym rat or a marathon runner, however, I have managed to kill some good bucks in the backcountry over the last decade. Physical fitness is essential, however, there are much more qualified individuals who can provide plans that will get you in the best shape of your life. Find a plan that works best for you and stick with it. Whatever you do to get in shape, make sure there is an adequate amount of cardio and core exercises. My personal preference is hiking elevation with a pack on. I get cardio and core strength and I do it with a lot better views than inside a gym. 

I am forever enamored with mule deer hunting and as such I want to hunt every year. I’m not willing to sit on the sidelines waiting for the rare chance I draw a premium tag. Make no mistake, there are states where premium tags are my focus, however, I have states where opportunity hunts are my core focus. With proper planning and execution, you will put yourself in a position to succeed more often than not.