By Brooke Atkins
Mule Deer Hunts are a fun and exciting experience. Excellent Mule Deer Hunts can be found in New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and many Canadian provinces, including Alberta. Please read about some of our featured Outfitters that provide Mule Deer Hunts listed here, but also check individual states and provinces for a complete list of outfitters offering Mule Deer Hunts. Get Mule Deer Hunting License information from pro outfitters and guides offering Mule Deer Hunts.
Mule Deer Hunts:
Some hunters mistakenly think, “Deer hunting is just deer hunting” – and they don’t consider the vast differences between Mule Deer Hunts and Whitetail Deer Hunts. Communication with your pro Mule Deer Hunting Guide or Outfitter will help you know about the terrain in which you will be hunting, what kind of camo to bring, temperature and weather to plan for as well as hunting licenses, regulations and draws. You will also want to have a clear understanding of the accommodations, meals, transportation and hunting services that will be provided on Mule Deer Hunts. Be sure to make prior arrangements for transporting your trophy Mule Deer back home with you, as well as the meat.
Tips for Successful Mule Deer Hunts:
Whitetail Deer hunters are accustomed to still hunting from blinds or stands over food plots, and some times Mule Deer Hunts are conducted using these methods. But more often than not, Mule Deer are hunted using the “Spot and Stalk” method. Some very important things to consider are how physically challenging the Mule Deer Hunt might be and what special items you need to make sure you bring. Here are just a few things to consider as you plan Mule Deer Hunts.
Be Physically Prepared for Your Mule Deer Hunt:
If you are used to still hunting, you will want to make sure you are physically prepared for Mule Deer hunts by getting in the best possible shape you can. If you are accustomed to flat land in low or moderate elevations, an all day hike in the mountains can really be a challenge, and take a lot of the fun out of it. The only things, other than exercise, you can do to prepare for the altitude change is arrive early so your body can get acclimated to the altitude, drink plenty of water, stay hydrated, avoid caffeine and alcohol and also eat high-carb foods. Signs of altitude sickness are headaches, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea or vomiting. Obviously, this could be a kill-joy, but it is easily avoided by taking those simple steps. You’ve planned well on the other aspects of Mule Deer Hunts, so don’t forget about this one!
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Get Fit for Mule Deer Hunts:
Hike for long distances with your pack and in the boots you plan to wear. Walking for 20 minutes on a treadmill in an air conditioned spa in your Nikes is not exactly going to cut it. Strength training is important too. You don’t have to join the gym, but start by doing a moderate number of push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, stretches, and dumbbell curls, chest flys, shoulder raises, shoulder presses and pull-ups. These are basically the same things you had to do in PE (perhaps a few years ago). They still work. Start small, but gradually challenge yourself. Pretty soon, you’ll be in great shape and enjoying all the fringe benefits, too. Oh yeah, check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
The Right Gear for Mule Deer Hunts:
Because spot and stalk is the most common method for Mule Deer Hunts, you will want to make sure you have invested in premium binoculars like a good pair of 8X40 or 10X50 roof prism binoculars with high quality coated optics. Once you have located the mule deer, switching to a good 20-45X spotting scope can give you a better idea of the size mule deer and range you are looking at. You will also want the most comfortable and highest quality hunting boots AND socks you can buy. Do you homework and don’t skimp on these items. You’ll be glad you did.
Hone Your Mule Deer Hunting Skills with Your Weapon of Choice:
The next important preparation in getting your skills with your weapon in shape. If you plan to archery hunt for mule deer, understand you will need a powerful bow capable of shooting long distances accurately. Train those draw muscles by target practicing often. Check with your Pro Mule Deer Hunting Guide about the type of arrows and broadheads you will need to use. As for you rifle, prepare for long distance shots. Mule Deer travel all through the day and you may have to take shots that would normally be considered out of range if you were whitetail hunting. Practice at the firing range as often as you can. Remember when you travel the chance of things getting out of order on your gun or bow is very likely. Re-site your weapon and practice at the Outfitter’s target range before heading off on your Mule Deer hunt. Another reason besides altitude change to arrive early.
Patience & Staling during Mule Deer Hunts:
Your pro Mule Deer Hunting Guide and Outfitter should have located the Mule Deer, or at least have a good idea about local trails and habits of the herd, so pre-scouting should not be required. Mule Deer, like their cousins the Whitetails, have incredible vision, hearing, and sense of smell. If you want to be successful on Mule Deer Hunts, you must address each issue. To counter the Mule Deer’s vision, wear the right kind of camo for the area of the country you are hunting. Check with the pro hunting guide about recommended camo patterns and manufacturers. Also, plan your stalk from behind the deer. If possible, with the sun at your back and in his eyes. If the deer stands up to stretch or feed during the stalk, then it may be necessary to stay motionless for a long period of time.
Next is the Mule Deer’s incredible sense of smell.
NO SMOKING. And drinking alcohol in excess is not a good plan. The smell of it will be in your skin the next morning. Use fragrance free soaps, detergents, shampoos, deodorants. Avoid smelly foods like bacon and coffee. Take a big garbage bag with you and put your hunting clothes in the bag over night with a little of the local dirt in the bag. Lastly, plan your stalk downwind. It only takes one sniff of something out of place to send them bouncing off into the next county.
“My, what big ears you have!” My first thought when I saw a Mule Deer for the first time. They are big for a reason! Mule Deer have amazing hearing. You will have to be very stealth during your stalk. I have seen hunters remove their boots and stalk closer in just their socks to be extra quiet and get a better shot.
In conclusion, spot and stalk Mule Deer hunts may be more challenging than you first considered, but with careful planning and preparation, you’ll be in store for an exciting hunting adventure you’ll want to repeat year after year. And if you don’t come away with a big rack, you are sure to enjoy to delicious flavor of the mule deer meat.
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