2,163 likes. It wasn't much to look at unless you were Ric Shirrod. If you love you accept challenges, you must follow the above-mentioned tips before you go for mule deer hunting. Be ready to glass all day. A miss may paralyze but not kill the deer, or cause a wound that will cause a slow, painful death if the deer escapes. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You must remain unseen. Hunting a big ol’ cagey mule deer starts to get a little easier now. Mule Deer Shed Hunting Tips The 243 Winchester has been around for a long time. Continue reading to see what it takes to be successful when hunting the elusive muley. AJ Kissel from Oostburg, WI gives his perspective on archery hunting mule deer and how he's been pulling off some phenomenal success as a hunter that's not living in a mule deer state. Hunting for whitetail shed antlers dominates the antler scene, but like dreaming about a western elk hunt, shed antler fanatics consider hunting for elk and mule deer shed antlers a bucket-list adventure. If you’re perched in a vantage point before the sun crests, you’ll have gotten there without being seen, it will give you time to catch your breath and you’ll be ready to focus on spotting a monster mule deer. Use the image as a reference in case you lose your bearings. As the old saying goes, “If you have five minutes to chop down a tree, spend the first three sharpening your axe.” As an out-of-state mule deer hunter, AJ Kissel (WI) prepares his hunts with a topo map of the unit and Google Earth. A lot of hunters only hunt or glass in the early mornings and evenings. Nothing can foil a stock like an unassuming feeding mule deer doe. Shed hunting gets you into woods and open country. Often it will look different when you’re on the same ridge as the deer compared to how it looked from where you glassed him. Hunting The High-Country Mule Deer I grew up in western Colorado hunting mule deer, rarely getting skunked, and I would like to think I can help out those who may not have that advantage. “If I have a buddy helping me or if I’m helping a friend, the hunter will stalk in and the helper will stay back to guide the hunter using hand signals. https://muledeer.org/hunting/mule-deer-facts/, http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/tips-and-tactics-how-hunt-mule-deer, http://bowsite.com/BOWSITE/features/articles/muledeer/stalkingmuledeer/, http://www.huntingtipsandtricks.com/a/Mule_Deer_Hunting_Tips_and_Tricks, http://www.outdoorlife.com/articles/hunting/2007/09/fall-mule-deer-tactics, http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/big-buck-zone/2012/09/where-aim-kill-deer-one-shot, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. And hopefully, you'll find them helpful. When most people look at the cactus and mesquite covered landscape of the Southwest United States, they don’t think many animals can survive there, let alone that the country can hold a high number of quality mule deer… Choose hunting clothing and gear that is suited to climate conditions (hot, cold, or in between), but also give preference to softer fabrics that are less likely to “crinkle,” rustle, or make other noises that might give away your location. This how-to book covers the biology of how antlers grow and ultimately shed. Pay attention to the moon phases. Shed Hunting Tips. Brain shots are the target of choice for many professionals, as they cause instant death and preserve all the meat. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. This will help you to avoid risks and enjoy your hunting. Robby Denning started hunting mule deer in the late 1970’s, only missing one season in 35 years. Hunting for elk and mule deer sheds is a surefire way to enjoy western scenery in a personal manner, and possibly pick up more bone than … If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Such shots usually cause significant bleeding, which is beneficial because you will almost certainly have to track and finish off the wounded deer. (Rifle hunters read this too). At 25, he gave up the pursuit of all other big-game to focus on taking the best bucks possible. It takes being in the right place, at the right time, with the right gear. The sun bleached it. The first two hours of daylight in the morning and the last two hours in the evening are the best times to spot mule deer. 3. A lot of times I’m not in the middle of the unit or the furthest in, most times it’s a transition area that doesn’t have a trailhead or has some sort of uninviting topography such as a steep ridge that drops into the headwaters of a basin.” commented Kissel. If sneaking past other deer to get close to your target buck is unavoidable, don’t move when their heads are up if they see any movement, it’s over. Along with footwear, make sure your pants are made of dead-quiet materials, like KUIU’s Tiburon and Attack Pants, a hunter’s top picks for stalking. This article has been viewed 36,681 times. I hope that these points have encouraged you to give a DIY mule deer shed hunting trip a try and that you won’t spend too much time making the same mistakes I did this year. The wind will often swirl when flowing around this structure—like an eddy that forms behind a boulder in a stream. Remaining unseen, being quiet and learning how to play the wind effectively takes practice. Mule Deer. Mule deer hunts usually involve several days spent mostly out in the elements, so extreme heat or cold can certainly be a concern. The name comes from the big mule-like ears behind it has. Shed Hunting 101 Webinar from Deer & Deer Hunting So, when shed hunters inadvertently push or spook animals, that energy expenditure might be enough to push deer over the edge. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Mule Deer Shed Hunting Tips – Is It Enough For Deer? Website links for seventeen state wildlife agencies in “muley” territory can be found at. One of the best ways to become a mule deer expert is to spend as much time in the field with them as possible. You’ll need to be able to track over long distances in potentially rough terrain, crouch or lie down for long stretches, and be ready to react at a moment’s notice. As you plan out when and where to glass, consider where the mule deer spends most of their time living. Don't Miss: 20 Deer Hunting Lies Your Granddaddy Told You. You can identify mule deer not only by their ears, but also their typical coloring (grayish-brown, with a light gray face and a black forehead “mask”) and size (up to 3.5 feet tall and 7 feet long, and roughly 130 to 280 pounds in weight). After a rainstorm, deer will gravitate into more open areas to feed on water-soaked vegetation while the sun is behind clouds. Determining a list of locations to scout beforehand allows you more time to scout, more time to hike, and more time to stay mentally focused. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The Mule deer who primarily live on east-facing slopes tend to bed down for the day earlier than deer living on west-facing slopes. Deer move throughout the day, typically to change beds as the shade transitions. Continue reading to see what it takes to be successful when hunting the elusive muley. Shed hunting will not only challenge your physical ability it will sharpen your glassing and tracking skills. I grew up in western Colorado hunting mule deer, rarely getting skunked, and I would like to think I can help out those who may not have that advantage. There are numerous online resources and phone apps that highlight the ideal days to be in the field, but don’t let a less-than-ideal day stop you from hunting. Or, have the discipline and patience to back-out to take another route or wait for a better opportunity. Learn more... Mule deer (odocoileus hemionus) are one of the iconic animals of western North America, known for their impressive size — and impressively-sized, mule-like ears. Fear not; sheds can be found for free in your own hunting area or on public land if you're willing to implement a few shed hunting tips. Every spring the pile grew as I searched for mule deer and elk antlers of trophy proportions. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. The mule deer habitat will indicate around what time it will bed and wake. The tip of the tail is white, the antlers are fork-like, and there is a … As always, be on the lookout for other deer and other game, even livestock. Some of the best states for mule deer have hunting seasons that only last a few weeks, which even after a lifetime of hunting isn’t nearly enough time to become an expert. If you are hunting mule deer bucks, the definition of “antlered” may be as simple as “having an antler fully erupted through the skin and capable of being shed.” Meanwhile, the big prize for serious hunters is a “muley” that is over 200 inches (500 cm) in length and has a antler spread of at least 30 inches (76 cm). He began hunting the West on a DIY budget hunting an average of 30 days a year for mule deer. They are heading to their bedding spot after foraging all day during the former, and getting up and out to feed again during the latter. Patience is a definite virtue when hunting “muleys,” whether you are stalking them or waiting in your chosen location. He began hunting the West on a DIY budget hunting an average of 30 days a year for mule deer. The good news is that once a buck has bedded for the day and has committed to a general bedding area, he will rarely move far until evening. Once you bump a big buck it may be days before he resurfaces, and he’ll be even warier the second time around. When you get close, practice drawing back on them—it will either expose your flaws or give you the confidence to pull it off when it counts. Research source Mule Deer Hunting, Elk Hunting and Western Big Game Hunting. Once he has found his target buck, he waits until the animal moves into a position that offers a high-percentage stalk. Know Where to Look. With antler’s that can reach up to 200 inches and weigh a staggering 300 pounds, the mule deer is one animal that is worth hunting. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. The wind must be perfect. Shed Hunting Tips From Heartland Bowhunter. While this is an easier process to learn by watching a seasoned veteran. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. This makes their foraging areas more limited (and therefore easier to identify). Please turn it on so that you can experience the full capabilities of this site. Preparation is crucial. This kind of help is most valuable when the animal is moving or when it’s bedded in a nondescript setting where everything looks the same. We start the episode by covering the May 1st shed hunting ban in Colorado , how there are loopholes in the system and ways it could be improved in the future. % of people told us that this article helped them. Turning up a mature mule deer buck on public land may be one of the toughest hunts out there. Here is what they had to say: 1. Keep another set of eyes on the opposite hillside. Think of it more as a chess match, with moves and counter moves, positioning and repositioning, and long pauses between the action. We recently spoke to some of our Montana and Wyoming hunting guides about their best tips for successfully hunting trophy mule deer. That type of patience is difficult to manage—especially when there are other hunters around. Using a mule deer call or rattling antlers under the right circumstances during the right time of year may draw in an interested buck. By using our site, you agree to our. Find unmistakable landmarks before your stalk begins. Get into your glassing position early. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Mule deer hunting is similar to elk hunting and something challenging for new hunters. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. X Checking for hot does at night, and if you are lucky enough you can catch a mature buck in the daylight hours before he peels off from the girls and heads to his bed. Shed hunting is a great opportunity to get outdoors, work your legs, test your new gear and spend time with family and friends of any hunting skill level. Camouflage patterns like KUIU Vias and Verde are designed to fool ungulate eyes—having the right pattern helps, but more importantly, keeping out of sight in the first place is the best practice. With proper knowledge and guide, you can get the best out of the whitetail deer and mule deer hunting. You will never fool a deer’s nose. The more time you spend glassing and watching deer, the more familiar you’ll become with their habits and tendencies. The reason being, this is when most deer shed their antlers. However, it is very easy to miss completely or, worse, wound the deer in the face or mouth. Join now for news, updates, special offers & insights. Here are a few tips that can help increase your odds of bagging a trophy buck or just putting a bit more meat in your freezer this winter. The first thing you need to do is find out where the deer are between January and April. “Muleys” can be found along the Pacific coast from the islands of Alaska to Baja California, and inland from northern Mexico to southern Yukon Territory. If you see a deer do the same thing twice, you’ll get him the 3rd time. Moreover, bucks are rarely alone. Don’t get in the habit of looking for red-colored deer in their summer coats. During a full moon, you’ll often find deer that fed under the moonlight the night before out of their beds feeding in the middle of the day. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. This is AJ's early-season high-country mule deer gear list. There are specific areas reserved for hunting during the season. Find out the hunting season of the state in which you will hunt before arriving. Most often I see them bed in the shade, looking downslope on the lee side of some structure such as rimrock, a clump of trees, or a ridge. Mule deer have some difference in behavior with the other deer like whitetails. In areas with free-range livestock, keep an eye on what they’re doing, as it may give a nod to what the deer are doing. He’s a man of solid consistency on taking mature bucks with a bow. Nearly everything about these magnificent open-country creatures courts their demise. For the best place to find mule deer, pick a good vantage point and look to the shade. On the contrary, deer primarily living on the east-facing slopes are out of their beds earlier in the evening than deer living on west-facing slopes. Never fire your weapon unless you can clearly identify your target, and are sure that the area surrounding and beyond the target is clear. When cool overcast weather presents itself, plan on hunting all day. There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Familiarize yourself with any restrictions on the size or type of deer that can be taken during that state’s particular season. But one of the most difficult aspects of shooting a big buck is finding him in the first place. Among our guides, there was one common theme when it comes to mule deer hunting… Mule deer move all the time looking for new shelters and food patches as the temperatures gradually drop through the winter season. Robby Denning started hunting mule deer in the late 1970’s, only missing one season in 35 years. Get out this spring and take a long walk through your woods. Depending on where you decide to hunt, your deer hunting gear may have to be tweaked. Rodents and varmints gnawed it. Your browser's Javascript functionality is turned off. Even if you’re hunting with a rifle or muzzleloader, read on—there’s nothing more deadly than a hunter with a rifle in hand employing some bowhunting tactics. Do not hunt mule deer or any game without a hunting license in the state in which you are hunting. [1] While it is always helpful to get as close as possible to improve the accuracy of your shot, the heightened sensitivity of mule deer to sounds and smells mean that you may not want to encroach closer than you need to. With a keen eye, a little luck, and a lot of patience, perhaps you'll have a shed hunting success story that you can share with us this spring. We sat down with expert mule deer hunting veterans, AJ Kissell and Randy Ulmer, as well as our in-house team of hunters for some mule deer hunting tips. You will be scouting out “muleys” from long distances in low light conditions, so high-quality binoculars and a spotting scope are a worthwhile investment. Look for tracks to and from the water source. Mark Kayser. I used to get pretty serious about shed hunting and built up quite a collection of drops. Mule deer and black-tailed deer (collectively called mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus) are icons of the American West. Moreover, educate yourself on the deer living in the hunting unit or zone you’re targeting. It is illegal to hunt without a license. [5] A properly-placed neck shot will snap the spinal cord and cause quick death, but again, the target area is very small. Shed Hunting Tips the Western Way. My Shed Hunting Post on Bowhunting.com. A western mule deer shed hunting trip is likely much more affordable than you think, and may be … And in the evening, glass until it’s too dark to see, you’ll understand and appreciate the term “coming out of the woodwork”. With shed hunting is growing in popularity throughout the U.S., many states have rolled out regulations and laws specific to when, where and how you can shed … Do not hunt off-season. Determining a list of locations to scout beforehand allows you more time; more time to scout, more time to hike and glass upon arrival, and more time to stay mentally focused instead of sitting in your truck, throwing shots in the dark trying to figure out what to do or where to go next. Removing your boots and stalking in socks or moccasins is one way to keep the noise down. They can see fairly clearly for up to 600 yards (and, as nocturnal feeders, have excellent night vision) and can smell a human approaching from up to half a mile away (with a sense of smell roughly one thousand times better than ours). Learn what elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer eat by checking out Archery 360’s Wild Game Geek, fueled by Explore Bowhunting. In addition to firearm safety practices, investing in proper equipment will make the odds of an enjoyable and successful mule deer hunt much better. Mule deer are found at lower elevations during the winter months, making them easier to pattern and are easily accessible. wikiHow's. The .243 Winchester is a necked down 308 round and it inherits the overall good accuracy from the 308. In the U.S., contact the relevant state wildlife agency for information on hunting seasons, licenses, regulations, etc. Whether they live in the mountains, desert, plains or farmland—all deer need to survive is food, water, and shelter. Don’t rush headlong into a low-percentage stalk just because you’re excited. If you’re noticing seasonal afternoon thundershowers in the forecast, grab your Rain Gear and get out there. For hunters, mule deer can make a prized trophy, but part of this reward is based on the challenges of locating and hunting down a good “muley.” Good planning, lots of patience, and a proper understanding of your prey are all key factors in successfully hunting mule deer. Apply the best tips-and-tricks specific to the area you’re hunting, and you’ll increase your odds. “Anytime I’m going to be hunting a new unit, I pick up an actual hard-copy topo map of the unit. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Mule deer shed hunting. Some good old western boys hauling out the bone and showing you the best sheds out there Be patient and wait for the wind to shift or for the thermals to start moving uphill before attempting your stalk.”, commented Ulmer. If you’ve trained yourself to look for deer in their summer coat, you’re going to glass over trophy mule deer that are usually the first to “grey out” into their winter coats. Nevertheless, since these majestic creatures share their inhabitants with coyotes and mountain lions, they are not easy to take down. Turning up a mature mule deer buck on public land may be one of the toughest hunts out there. Shed Hunting: A Guide to Finding White-Tailed Deer Antlers is the first and only book fully devoted to the increasingly popular hobby of looking for naturally shed antlers from deer and other antlered game.. Happy shed hunting! Mule Deer Behavior and Hunting Tips to Follow. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Consider taking a photo with your camera of the landscape you’re stalking into. You must be dead-silent. More importantly, it teaches the reader where to look for shed whitetail antlers and how to find them. It’s also a good way to know if a buck gets up and moves while you’re in mid-stalk and not able to see the deer.” Ulmer added. For example, if you’re hunting in the mountains in late fall/early winter, you’ll need lots of cold weather gear and clothing layers to help you stay warm. Brad is the master when it comes to picking up elk and mule deer antlers so this podcast is jam-packed with tips, tricks, and strategies to help you become a better shed hunter in the mountains. Binocular, boots and a pedometer (yes, there’s exercise and calories burned here!). Test your skills by stalking smaller bucks and does when an opportunity presents itself, only if it won’t mess up a chance on a target buck. Guides, Outfitters, Hunts, Tags. But for archery hunting mule deer, closing the gap within bow range is where it gets tricky. These voids typically have limited access, or secluded areas that are often overlooked by other hunters. First, I’ll lay it out and draw in every hiking trail, road, and access point; get everything positioned out where I can visually analyze and look at it… From there, I’ll pick apart each of those areas and look for what I call voids. ... For additional shed hunting tips and helpful information, be sure to check out 4 New School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter. “Muleys” eat weeds, leaves, twigs, and shrubs like other deer, but tend to be more picky eaters, preferring tender vegetation. If you are hunting mule deer bucks, the definition of “antlered” may be as simple as “having an antler fully erupted through the skin and capable of being shed.” Meanwhile, the big prize for serious hunters is a “muley” that is over 200 inches (500 cm) in length and has a antler spread of at least 30 inches (76 cm). Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. It’s more difficult than it sounds, though hunters pull it off every season. He’s a man of solid consistency on taking mature bucks with a bow. 5 Best Mule Deer Hunting Tips If plans exists to chase down a mid- to late-season mule deer buck, pay attention to these tips to help avoid eating a tag sandwich The author found this late-season buck down in the sand desert washes of high-mountain foothills. They are becoming a little amorous with the ladies. ", commented Ulmer. For years, western hunters have found success using whitetail deer tactics, especially during the rut. Remember, mule deer have excellent hearing. Mule deer might not run the same program every day, but they are habitual in the drainages, basins, and areas they hang out in. Memorize the terrain your animal is located. Once you’ve spotted the buck you’re after, getting within 200 yards isn’t extremely difficult, which is fantastic if you’re rifle hunting. Here are a few tips that can help increase your odds of bagging a trophy buck or just putting a bit more meat in your freezer this winter. We asked shed-hunting experts from across the country for their take on the top weeks of the year, the best sorts of habitat, and other hacks for finding arm-loads of deer sheds. Mulies typically favor the shade, but don’t let that keep you from glassing into every possible location. A shot that passes from one shoulder blade through the other will also sever the spinal cord and kill quickly, but is likely to damage some of the meat. Setting up on higher ground than your intended target is almost always a smart hunting strategy, and it typically holds true when hunting mule deer. To be successful at mule deer shed hunt, you must follow some basic guidelines. Also, once again, the target area is small. Forums, Articles, Photos, Tips, Information. Tips for Hunting Desert Mule Deer GAWsite. Trail cams or game cameras are an excellent hobby and tool to observe mule deer habits. Along with knowing your location, learning the habits of the deer you’ll be hunting is priceless. Shed hunting has become so popular that guided week-long “shed hunts” in prime areas can cost $2,500 or more with food and lodging included. See more ideas about mule deer, deer, shed antlers. He uses these resources to pick his top-12 spots to check out before ever stepping foot on the unit. If trail cameras are legal in the state you’re hunting, is a great way to extend your season. It's argued there's nothing tougher to hunt than a mature mule deer buck - especially on public land. Once the deer is confirmed dead, you will need to field dress it. Essential Mule Deer Hunting Gear. Nothing will draw deer out into the open to feed like a cool, overcast, light rain kind-of-day. Keep an eye out for more species and how to hunt them here on the Hunting blog._ It's a wonder there are any mule deer left alive. Before choosing when and where to hunt, determine if you are willing and able to deal with extreme temperatures and or weather conditions.