"Successful Hunters " MULE DEER Style

[Ausable]

I successfully took this picture. Idaho elk hunting and I didn't have a mule eer tag. Didn't see any bucks, but could have shot at lots of does.
 

[Brian Krebs]

One thing to look for is lone pine trees. Especially yellow pines; pines that are limbless towards the ground. Bucks will actually hollow out an area over time under a big pine; or in the side of a gully; to presumably stay out of the sun.
 If they see you looking; they often will put their chins on the ground to be less visible; so check areas that provide shade closely.

[elk ninja]

Mule deer do like to bed with their backs up against something when possible, especially a nice cliff at the top of a ridge, the thermals carry scents up, they have a commanding view and feel very comfortable there.
Mike

[dan ferguson]

ksDan remember there backside is protected by there nose and there looking where they can,t smell, and elk ninga is right about cliffs or bluffs, I also had an old timer from my country tell me almost every large mulies they came across was bedded at the top of a wash out.

[Over&Under]

Good tips guys.

I have always found the nice bucks to be isolated in a small out of the way quakie pocket, or far end of small bench over looking open areas.

And they always seem to bed where there is an easy escape route, near a ditch, gully, wash, steep hillside, or other similar places.

Yes their noses are very good protection devices.

Jake

[Over&Under]

Forgot to mention

I have a buddy, who muzzloads hunts and has shot some very nice muly bucks.  His advise to me (mentioned before) was to walk from tree to tree, our aspens tend to grow very close to one another, and glass each time.

Seems to work for him.

[kadbow]

I've killed a couple decent bucks recently and my best advice is be lucky! (and be where there are some decent bucks)

 

 

[aao321]

Wind.  pindrop conditions kill you with mulies.  the wind really screws up their radar.

[KSdan]

dan f- that was my awkward point I questioned.  The guys I know are agreeing with elk ninja- they are NOT protecting their backs with their noses- INSTEAD they are trusting the high elevation, cliffs, and their ears to cover there back.  My one friend glasses them then comes up over from the top on a windy day.  He catches their blind side and thermal in the hunter's favor.  

I hope you realize that I am not arguing- I really do not know.  I have had FAR too little experience- I was just suprised when mule deer hunters I know were telling me the big mulie (at least where they are hunting) does not cover his back with his nose.

I am learning here. . .I may hunt them in the fall with these particular friends.

Dan

[Over&Under]

Originally posted by aao321:
Wind.  pindrop conditions kill you with mulies.  the wind really screws up their radar.

Excellant point!!!

I have also found this to be true!!

[Butch Blankenau]

Dan F,  I've hunted mulies in Nebraska just once - I'm in Omaha.  I stalked to within ten yards of a buck. But then what do you do?  The vitals are blocked by a cedar tree.  Just wait him out?  I gently tossed a cow pie past him and he boiled out of there.  Your advice would be appreciated.

[dan ferguson]

Patience, and pray the wind don,t swirl, that has been my biggest downfall I work for hours to get close enough and then blow it. Did it this year on a real large deer He had 7 on a side with about 12" stickers going straight out, crawled up to 20 yards, waited for awhile for him to move then my mind started to play games with me I couldn,t see him from where I was and talked myself into believing he wasn,t there anymore so I stood up and started to walk up there at 15 yards he just blew out of there straight up a bluff and I,m still totally disgusted with myself.

[Butch Blankenau]

Would a second guy, farting around say 150 yards on the opposite side of the hunter be able to coax the buck into standing?

[Budog56]

Gotta love Mulies in the sandhills....havent got one yet but they are a blast...people claim they are dumb but if they wee as dumb as people think how do they know to stay 50 yards away when i have the recurve and 200 yards away whenmy buddy has the muzzloader...haha...Im not an expert and maybe this is just common sense but if you wanna get close enough they cant know you are even in the area..

[Gehrke145]

I haven't killed any big one's i end up being to picky most years and end up with a doe to let the little bucks grow.  But I've found it way easier to stalk them when they are up out of thier bed feeding in the evening.  Also I've been finding out more and more that stands are the best way to fill a tag

[IDABOW]

I didn't get mine this year, primarily because I didn't put in the time or effort required. I did get my elk though and the "drive" to get another animal was somewhat diminished.  I would recommend reading Dwight Schues book on "Hunting High Country Mulies", it was very helpful as I got my Mulie last year at 12 yards and think that some of my success was due in part, to this book.  I now feel confident that when I do give 100% to hunting Mulies, my chances are much better.  What a great feeling to put on a lengthy stalk and get within range of a kill.  Very tough animal to hunt.
Idabow