5 Tips for Western Mule Deer Hunting

This is a collection of tips for those western mule deer hunters this fall, compiled by a resident western hunter.

1 - Have Proper Gear

Having proper gear means a lot of things to a lot of people. For Mule Deer hunting, it boils down to 5 main sub-points.

A. Good binoculars and knowing how to use them. Glassing a large mountain meadow might save you 5 miles of hiking. It really allows you to save your legs for the stalk and pack out when you need them the most.

B. Good boots that are broken in properly. The best time of year to get new boots is around Christmas. Wear them daily to work until it gets too hot in the summer. Then hike in them 3-5 miles a week during the summer.

C. Good socks make a huge difference in how your boots fit, and how warm you are.

D. A good place to sleep is important. Examples being a tent, rv, or hotel. Which ever you pick, make sure you are comfortable and able to get good rest each night.

E. Things to keep you dry are a must. Most mule deer hunts are in the mountains and the weather can change in a moment. Staying dry allows you to hunt longer and harder.

Fall Obsession has some great gear reviews for boots, rain gear, and binoculars you should check out.

2 - Know Where To Go

Knowing where to go is important. If its your first trip out west I would recommend finding a unit with a lot of accessible public land. OnX Maps is an awesome tool for this and for scouting. It is 100% required to hunt in the west. After your have done your e-scouting, and if t all possible, boots on the ground scouting. You can call the local biologist and ask them what they think about your top three hunting spots. The biologist is a lot more likely to help you if you already have some place in mind instead of just asking for the best spot with no research. It does not hurt to contact outfitters in the area you will be hunting. Most will not say much, but anything the are willing to share does helps. Also gives you a contact if something happens while hunting.

3 - Know What Your Range Is

Knowing how far you can shoot your rifle or bow is just half of it. Knowing how far you can carry a mule deer is much more important. Working out and practicing with your rifle or bow should be equally important. I recommend doing some cardio, especially weighted stair climbing, and some leg focused strength workouts. As for shooting, you need to be able to shoot accurately and calmly under pressure. Running sprints before a range session can be a great way to practice this. Also make sure you practice shooting off your pack from various positions if rifle hunting. It’s pretty unlikely a benchrest would be waiting for you in the back country.

4 - Get a Fawn Distress Call

A fawn distress call is extremely helpful when hunting mule deer. If doe hunting, you can use the distress call to call them in. If buck hunting, you can call in does which are often followed by bucks. This works really well during the rut. You can also use the distress call to freeze bucks or does that are running away. It does not always work, but seems to work better than the “hey deer, or murp” we all use.

5 - Move Slow and Stop Often

Mule deer often look right at you for 10-15 seconds before bolting when spooked. If you move slow and stop you may be able to get a shot on the deer when they freeze. Bucks are more likely to stop and look, but once they decide to run, they will probably run at least a mile before they stop. A doe will run quicker, but still stop at 200-300 yards from her start point and look back to see what is going on.

Bonus Hint

Try a plains mule deer hunt if you are able to get an outfitter, or are willing to put a lot of time into getting permission to hunt. Eastern Colorado, Western Nebraska, and South Dakota all have giant plains mule deer. Often 90% of the land in any unit is private, so it takes some luck or money to get a place to hunt, but it could be a once in a lifetime buck waiting for you.

Best of luck this fall!

-Tim Berges, Fall Obsession Pro Staff