Mule deer are unique and ruggedly handsome, just like the Western landscape where most reside. According to recent statistics, 79,516 mule deer hunters did head out in 2022. Only 23% of the hunters managed to pack out a mule deer. Their hungry coyote’s land, where they reside, makes them a cunning adversary. The tumble and rough landscape will defeat you when the deer mule fails to get away.
It does not matter where you are hunting the mule deer; there are essential tips that will help ensure you have a successful hunting adventure. This article covers some of the most effective tips you can rely on.
Ensure you are Physically Fit
There is a close relationship between hunting and fitness. Fitness does play a role in hunting mule deer. It does not mean physical stamina guarantees you pin down a mule deer. Fitness will help you get far when notching the target. There are points where you will have to run, sprint.
Can you imagine climbing hills and terrains and jumping ditches and rivers? All those need a physically fit individual. It does not mean you must spend hours exercising or weight lifting in the gym. You should perform some leg strength workouts and cardio especially weighted stair climbing.
Use the Right Gear
The right gear plays an important part in a successful mule deer hunt. Ensure you have good binoculars and know how to use them well. Glassing a large mountain meadow can save you from hiking 7 miles. Binoculars ensure you save your legs and energy.
Invest in good boots. Most hunters prefer shopping for their hunting boots around Christmas. Having a pair of good socks will help make a difference in how well your boots fit. Get a good place to sleep. Perfect examples are RV, tent, and hotel. Most mule deer are in the mountains, where the weather changes momentarily. Having clothes that can keep you trying will enable you to hunt longer.
Ensure you Start with a Great Vintage Point
One of the hardest things any hunter encounters is spotting your target and following them without alerting them. To ensure a successful mule hunt, ensure you have an excellent vintage point. Get a spot where you can easily glass different locations at a go. Having more location options will increase the chance of spotting the mule deer.
Ensure you always pay close attention to the sun and wind direction and have a route in case a deer comes along and you need to adjust. Nothing frustrates a hunter more than waiting for long hours to spot a deer only to lose it due to lack of a proper movement route.
Track the Big Bucks
When hunting in desert terrain with sandy and loose soil, tracking is the only sure way to lay eyes on the bucks. You must be in good shape and ready to take long walks.
You will ride, drive or hike for some time before dawn. Immediately you stop a big buck and track him at dawn. When you have a hunting partner, one should track it while the other watches from a vintage point. You will catch up with it after some time. Ensure you are ready for a fierce encounter. If you fail to hunt it down, note the escape route and try again the following day. Mule deer will always escape the same way; ensure your partner covers a funnel along its escape route.
Ensure you Hunt the Right Unit
Some units will never produce big bucks, no matter how hard you hunt. Some units have a healthy deer population with an excellent duck-to-doe ratio. However, most of them lack genetics, the essential ingredient. According to most research findings, one should study the record books by the county to know where the best units are for successful hunting.
Know the Rifle Range
It is important you know how far your rifle can shoot. Practicing with your bow or rifle will help you know the rifle range. To hit your target, you must shoot calmly under pressure and accurately. Ensure you practice shooting off the pack at different positions.
You should go to a gun range when it is not hot since it takes less time between the rifle shots to cool down. This will help in ensuring accuracy in your shooting. Ensure you can hold your gun in position to increase your shot’s accuracy.
Identify a Good Mule Deer Habitat
Mule deer reside in different locations. In certain regions, they live in the open while seeking shelter in low-shade spots to protect themselves from the sun. In other regions, they live in peaks and ridgeways. They will always need shelter, water, and food regardless of where they stay.
When you hunt in an area that lacks easy access to water, the chances are high that your mule deer hunting will not be successful. Mule deer never move around that much. Spotting them will be quite difficult. Identifying a good habitat for them is important to successful hunting.
Hunt Entire Day
One way to increase the chances of hunting mule deer is by spending more time hunting. You should be out in the terrain before sunrise and consider staying out, provided you can still have a clear view through the binoculars.
According to research findings, mature bucks are always active at dawn, mid-day, and dusk. If you are not scouting or glassing throughout the day, you will have less chance of spotting or bagging the deer.
Conclusion
Mule deer hunting is a great challenge to both the mind and body. Bucks love blowing stalks, climbing to alpine levels, and losing track of the bucks. Despite hunting the mature mule deer being the most complex adventure, it is the most rewarding when you land. Mule deer have strong survival instincts, live in any habitat, and are always on the move. Follow the above tips and hunt hard, and you can be sure of landing more bucks.
