Blind/stand hunting for mulies can be very difficult as already mentioned. Back in 2002, there was a really bad drought out west. Water was sparse at best. I had luck blind hunting them then, but haven't since. If there is a lot of water, it will be more luck then anything connecting on one when blind hunting, but don't underestimate lady luck. I'd rather be lucky then good any day of the week.
I like to glass until I find one, then put him to bed before I ever try to stalk him. Mulies are a lot more laid back and relaxed then whitetails, and if you have the wind in your face and take your time, it's very possible to sneak into the red zone.
The bigger bucks will usually be in bacholor groups the bow season time of year. These groups may have as many as 10 or more bucks in them. If thats the case, getting close is a huge challenge. If you are trying to stalk a group of bucks, look for the yearling 2xspike thats easily hidden in the brush. This is the deer that will bust you 99% of the time.
I've found that the only time the bigger bucks get any sleep at all is when he is with other bucks to help be look outs. A big buck that beds down by himself sleeps with one eye (very widely) open.
I must say that I have never killed a "big" mulie with my bow. I have killed a few nice ones though.
One 4x4 that I took, I just still hunted him. I was actually more concentrated on filling my elk tag at the time. I was just taking a step and stopping to look, listen, and feel. Take a step, then look. About half way through one of my strides, I seen a nice 4 point antler sticking out from behind a tree about 35-40 yards away. I kept his head hidden behind that tree and closed the distance to 15ish yards. I came to draw as I eased out from behind the tree and put a cedar shafted snuffer right in his ol' ticker. I was using an old Ben Pherson I found in my Grandpa's shed rafters. That was my first trad kill.
Another example....... I spotted a monster 4 point (185ish) in a bacholor group of 5 bucks early in the morning and watched them feed for a couple of hours. There was 2 yearling bucks, a 2 year old 3x3, a 3 year old 4x3, then the big boy. I closed the distance to 60 yards rather quickly and I could see all the deer except the 2 yearling bucks. I spent the next hour and a half getting about 40 yards from the big boy. I was hidden good, the wind was perfect and steady, I just couldn't see where those two little rascals were. The 3x3 was about 25ish yards away to my 11:00 o'clock and presented a good shot. The 4x3 was on the other side of the big one, about 50 yards. The big one was directly at my 12:00 o'clock. I couldn't for the life of me find those two little guys for nothing. I decided I had made a good hunt. Something just told me that this was about as good as it was going to get, and let loose on that 3x3 for a perfect hit. When my buck jumped up, one of those yearling bucks jumped up about 7 yards from me to my 2:00 o'clock position. Them being spread out like they were made things difficult. In order to get within 30 yards of the big one I would have had to of been 15 yards from the 3 point, but that never would have happened as that snot nosed little tyke would have blown the whole thing. I am as proud of that 3 point as I would have been the 185er. I wish Pope and Young thought the same way.......Just kidding of course. But not really....
Terry, I do wish you and everybody else in persuit of those velvet ghosts good luck this year.....We are all going to need it.....
Later,
Todd
Topic: Mule Deer Tactics - Lets hear em!!! (Read 1377 times)
