Some Mulie Wisdom

[tlsharb]

So I'm getting prepared to head out to Utah in August to chase mule deer. I hunted this area when I was young (in the early 70s), and shot some big bucks. After a 35 year absence, I returned 3 years ago. First year back was amazing-- plenty of deer, almost 50% bucks (although not a lot of big guys). The next year-- plenty of deer, no bucks. Seriously saw hundreds of does, but nothing with antlers. A little background on the area we hunt: Dixie Nat. Forest, between 9-11,000 feet, aspen stands and conifers along with lots of open sage. It is a large plateau with with drainages flowing steeply down into the valleys (around 6000 ft)
The question: if I get there this year and find it is all does, what would be a good strategy? I'm thinking of doing some bivy trips into the more remote canyons. Any other ideas?
terry

[Conner Parry]

Well, since the state changed the rules for archery deer to a "state wide" hunt, you can hunt just about anywhere in the state if you can't find the bucks where you are hunting. I have a good friend that lives in Parowan, and he always has good luck on top near brianhead and ceder canyon. We are having a really wet spring, most of the high country still has a lot of snow, so the deer should have enough water all summer long. And the antler growth should be great also, good luck

[twitchstick]

Getting away from people is always a good idea. Weather it is hiking further in or hunting areas that are over looked. Each year can be so differant from the year before so maybe spend a couple of days scouting before the hunt. Don't forget that some years you may find more deer in the 6000 ft range than up high exspecialy latter in the hunt. I have Dixie natl forest in all 4 directions from my house so as the hunt gets closer pm me. I maybe able to help with some starting pionts and conditions of the herds.

[tlsharb]

Yeah, we've talked about changing locations. The only problem is we only have six days to hunt-- makes moving kind of tight. I'm still scratching my head over how you could see as many deer as we did in 2008, without no bucks. They were there the year before, what changed?

[tlsharb]

twitchstick,
The great change between 1973 and 2008 was one thing-- ATVs. I swear 90% of the hunters never got off of them. Not once did I ever encounter another hunter in the woods. Get a 100 yards off the road and you have the place to yourself. Kinda sad, actually.

[Ground Hunter]

I don't know.  Monday right before dark I was in the side yard shooting my bow (do this every day).  I had a herd of 7 Muley does and yearlings most less than 10 yards from me watching me shoot.  They stayed there the whole time I was shooting, munching on some new tree sprouts.  I thought I heard a few say - good shot.  You really can't figure the damn things out.  H

[Canadabowyer]

If you are seeing lots of does and no bucks go higher.Mulie bucks gather in the high country before the rut.  Bob

[steadman]

Get ahold of folks that offer help right before the hunt. That will help in your scouting. Pm me as well if you need more info about other parts of the state. The atv's are ridiculous, at least you saw them on the roads, most places they make their own roads, that's what is sad.

[tlsharb]

Actually, there is nowhere higher to go-- we are on top of the plateau. That's what made me think-- go lower (even though it is counter productive).
Yeah, the ATV thing is a drag. Luckily, there are a number of areas where we hunt that they really can't get that close to.

[Whip]

Early in the season the bucks and does will generally be in different areas.  Usually some overlap, but the does tend to claim the best feeding and water for raising the fawns.  Bucks will tend to be in more remote bachelor groups.  

It could be that the year you saw all the bucks with the does was more the exception to normal.  Lack of water or food might have forced them into areas with more does.

[SpencerL]

I've been hiking in the evening and have been seeing a good ratio of bucks to does. I think they have come off the winter well.

[Steve Clandinin]

Your last phrase is correct.Get into the remote back canyons and isolated spots.The big boys don't move near as much as the younger animals do.As long as they have food,water and cover they could be there .Big old mulies can be as much of a ghost as any whitetail.Get yourself a real good spotting scope,get high or to a good vantage point and spend lots of time glassing,I mean really picking the terrain apart,you'll find them.

[twitchstick]

Yea the quad thing is a bad issue here but it also saves the ground for those that acually hunt. Since 2008 alot of ATV access has been closed down in southern Utah about 50% of roads in some areas. One thing that maybe going on where you hunt could be a bad fawn crop the year before, where you had seen younger class bucks the year before. 50% of the deer killed by hunters are yearlings and if none are there to replentish the bucks counts will be down. Feed also plays a big role in where they will be too,each year for me it varies. I like to watch where the sheep and cattle were allowed to graze,the forset service office or BLM should be able to let you know. In 2008 I had a good year on seeing bucks. I was being picky so I counted 30 or so bucks I had under 20 yards that year. In 2009 in that same area sheep were allowed to graze longer. I think I only seen a few bucks there and I scout several days a week. Last year I did end up finding alot of bucks but they had moved into a differant area. Many were in the lower elevation in the Pine and junipers,alot were still up high but on a differant area on the mountain than the year before. My piont is it will change each year. Most years I will see 100's of bucks during a season between scouting and hunting but as soon as I have them figured out it changes. I do wished we had the herds of the 60's and 70's but it looks like mule deer herds are suffering all accossed the west. As the hunt get's closer we can up date you but I think it will be another mouth or two until we really know. Good luck with it.

[Quill Flinger]

Weather conditions might help out. For example, a hot dry fall you'll find 'em closer to the wetter areas or berry patches. If it's been damp & insects prevail, they'll stick to the higher breezier areas.

   In the Canuck rockies, I've found that the meat from mulies doesn't taste all that great in dry years. I suspect the browse they feed on up high might be the culprit. Just my opinion mind you.

All the best! - Q.

[tlsharb]

I read a lot about the decline in the mule deer herd across the west. As someone old enough to have hunted Utah in the "golden era", I was actually suprised 3 years ago when we returned to hunt (after a 3 decade absence). My totally unscientific observation was that deer numbers didn't seem that different, but large bucks were much more scarce (only saw 3 in 2 seasons). In 1971 I shot a good sized 3x3. He was the smallest in a group of 5 bucks. Why did I shoot him? Because I missed #2 in line (a huge 4x4) and all the bucks scattered except for one.
I have great memories of those hunts and the amazing thing was going back after years and seeing the initials we carved in the aspens as teenagers still there. Doesn't get any better than that.

[Shinken]

Memories....

Big mulie bucks have a way of making memories....


           


I've been soooooooo close to some really fantastic mulie bucks, but never got the shot off due to one reason or another....

Memories....

Now, I have picked up some really *big* mule deer sheds, but that is a different kind of story....    

Have a great 2010 hunting season!

Shoot straight, Shinken

[firsted]

My experience in New Mexico (very similar to Utah) is that Steve's got it right - get a really good spotting scope and find a great vantage.  With Mulies it seems to be all about the spot & stalk.  I've also gotten close to them by finding abrupt elevation changes (sandstome/limestone shallow cliffs) getting on the high side and watching for them coming in narrow, covered paths.  Just can't pattern mulies like you can whitetail!
Good luck Tisharp.  I'll see if I drew into muly/elk hunts here in NM in a couple weeks.  Come on, Baby!!!

[fedora]

I live in Utah and would love a traditional guy to hunt with.  I have all wheel shooter friends who don't understand why I have to get so close.  They practice at 80-100 yards because they seriously would take a shot that far, not because it's good to practice at distance.  

Fedora

[tlsharb]

It was bad enough in 2008 that we were surrounded by does. But when these guys would walk by and laugh at you, it was even worse.

[steadman]

Where are ya at Fedora? There are a few of us trad guys around, ya just have to look, hard