[M761]Mule Deer Hunting In

Do you dream of hunting mule deer miles away from civilization? Many say that its not the sheep hunt that's the best part of the venture, its about where bighorn sheep live. The same thing goes for real wilderness mule deer hunts. Mule deer thrive and live in some of the most uninhabited, gorgeous places in the world. Just visiting these beautiful beasts and where they live is worth the effort to find them. We would like to offer you a few tips to help make your first backcountry mule deer hunt a great one.

First and foremost, you have got to get in shape! And I'm not just talking about the walk to the mailbox every day or playing basketball every weekend. In order to really enjoy your backcountry mule deer hunt, you want to be in the best shape of your life. Now, I do realize, depending on age, that may not be possible, so if that is the case, shoot for the best condition you've been in the past five years. The biggest thing here is to do everything you can. My exercise program is going for a run three to four times during the week. I begin by walking and jogging three months before the trip, and by the time the trip comes, my intent is to be able to jog for at least an hour. This works better than trying to give a distance. If you can build up a jogging pace for an hour, you should have no problem climbing the mountains that would be required for hunting mule deer in the backcountry. I also bike ride, hike, jump rope, and go walking with my pack (around 50 lbs) . All of these are excellent to build muscles to prepare for the hunt.

Second, shoot your hunting rifle. The best case would be to go shooting weekly at distances of 300 yards. You will need to know where your gun is going to shoot at the different ranges. Begin at the 100 yard range with a steady mechanical rest. Test assorted types of ammunition until you figure out what your particular gun likes and stay with it. I prefer to use Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in 270, but every rifle shoots differently and you'll want to use the load that works. When you figure out where the rifle shoots on the practice range, try using a shooting stick, prone position, over your pack and also other positions you will come across as you hunt in the field. There won't be a bench during your hunt and even if you are a great bench shooter, that won't necessarily make you a great shooter in a hunting situation. You should also practice distances versus angles. Many shots made at mule deer are up or downhill and hunters have a tendency to shoot over the animals. Go out and work on shots uphill and downhill. You'll be amazed at how much difference angles make. I would also suggest that you purchase a laser rangefinder to use at practice sessions. It can also be helpful when you learn to judge mule deer in the field. The hunting DVDs and videos by Mossback titled Mulies Gone Wild are a good tool for judging bucks. They report the score after you watch footage of the bucks on the hoof.

Third, invest in the best gear you can afford. There are good quality products available today. Search for the lightest weight, strongest material for your clothing and backpacking items. I won't go over each item, but a few suggestions are: light packable rain gear I use Frogg Toggs, durable, stiff, hiking books - I prefer Lowa Sheephunter boots, wool socks I use Smartwool, and an internal pack I use a North Face pack, but there are several to choose from. If you are planning to hunt with a guide, ask for a list of equipment to bring and be sure to follow it. Purchase the best optics you can afford! Personally, I prefer Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 due to their magnification and light weight, but there are lots of good optics available. I'll say it again, pick up the best you can possibly afford.

Lastly, find some excellent mule deer hunting videos. These will help to get you excited about finding that big muley. They will motivate you to get into shape in the off season and find that deer you've always wanted once deer season opens