Badlands Mule Deer

[Lungdeflator]

Hey guys, I am pretty new to spot and stalk Muley hunting. My wife and I have taken a 4 day hunt each of the last 2 years and have gotten close a few times, but have yet to connect. We have learned a TON and really look forward to the hunt now. Our strategy has has been to get out to a high point early in the morning and glass deer as they head back to bedding spots. We have found this to be effective in seeing good bucks and bedding them down before moving in on the stalk, but we have yet to connect and more often than not, it is a single stalk and then done for the day. Especially the hotter days they don't want to get up to move very far (just to get back into the shade).
We have been hunting around the Grassy Butte area. But really haven't checked around any areas.

What does everybody do during the day? Drive around and glass hoping to see a bedded deer? Has anybody had success setting in one spot in the evenings and hoping one walks by?

Does anybody know if there are areas of higher deer concentrations than other areas?

Not looking for specifics or anybodys secret spots, just trying to learn more about the area. I would love to shoot one, but I honestly think I would be happier if my wife shot one.

 

[Achucker]

Remember every deer you see go to bed is not going to be successful. Each deer has a more probability of successful harvest and you should analyze each one and chose to go after those ones. Dont waste your time on a deer tucked in deep cover that your not going to get closer than 50 yards and no shot opportunity. Let him go and find another. Unless it is a toad then just sit and watch him all day and maybe think of an ambush spot for evening. But best to wait for him to give you an opportunity for a high percentage chance for harvest.

 

[Kurtr]

Robby Denning had a awesome book on mule deer hunting. Glass glass and more glass and then patience which I don't have and usually blow it

 

[fish-r-man]

Assuming youre talking about archery, you will have luck with what kurtr said. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE! I also hunt down the Grassy Butte area. keep after it and don't get discouraged.

 

[Lungdeflator]

Yea archery only. We learned the hard way a few times the last couple years about patience. It is very hard for me to be patient when I know I have a deer at 20 yards and only need one more step lol here is one from last year that i lost from being impatient and taking that last step. I had him bedded 20 feet below and a little to the left, needed one more step to get the bow around a branch for a clean shot.

 

[fish-r-man]

That a nice deer, a shame that you couldn't connect. Do you camp down there?

 

[Kurtr]

watch Cody Robins he will lay and wait for hours right by the deer and he kills pigs.... I know better but i suck at waiting them out.

 

[Lungdeflator]

Wow thats a giant!

First year there we camped on grasslands in a tent. Last year my mom came down with us to watch the baby while my wife and I hunted during the day, we camped in TR park north unit, just west of the bridge.

 

[fish-r-man]

Not a bad spot to camp. Might see you down in the boonies this fall!

 

[Achucker]

Sometimes you get stupid lucky!!!

https://youtu.be/jYSV1HN-CGo

 

[fish-r-man]

Mother of god

 

[Lungdeflator]

We are heading down that way tomorrow. Hoping to pick up a couple sheds and check out a few new spots.

 

[Lungdeflator]

Does anybody hike a lot and glass for bedded bucks during the day?

How about hunting opening weekend archery? I have always heard the first 2 weeks are pretty busy.

 

[bones32]

First two weeks are busy unless you get boots on the ground and get away from the roads. Glassing bedded bucks during the day can be difficult best way I have found a few hot spots for mid day hunts is walk around during the end of july so plenty early if you bump a deer it is early enough before season. Find over hangs in the side of the hills or rocks where deer can shade themselves during the day but are still easy to get to. I have got two mulies the past to years during the heat of the day in my favorite over hang where deer bed. Also glass around before you stalk these deer you never know what is laying between you and them in the grass. Sitting in one spot in the evening and waiting for one to walk by is a tough game unless you put in lots of hours scouting and just like whitetails use trail cameras to try and pattern a few. Myself I have not been successful with this but my hunting buddy put a 164in down this year because he had him figured out. Good luck out there

 

[sweeney]

The entire badlands is busy now days whether you are on the trail or off it, glass and choose your battles for sure is the best advice.

 

[Bowhunter_24]

The entire badlands is busy now days whether you are on the trail or off it, glass and choose your battles for sure is the best advice.

this is true. there is no such thing in ND as getting way off the roads away from people.

 

[Whisky]

Badlands sucks.....MN is once again where it's at

 

[NDSportsman]

How far do mule deer roam on average? If you spot a nice buck in July or August what are the chances he will be in the same area in November? What's the best week to rifle hunt mule deer bucks first or second week of gun season? Where to look come November, food sources, water, woody draws, all of the above? I gotta draw this year I can taste it!

 

[Fly Carpin]

How far do mule deer roam on average? If you spot a nice buck in July or August what are the chances he will be in the same area in November? What's the best week to rifle hunt mule deer bucks first or second week of gun season? Where to look come November, food sources, water, woody draws, all of the above? I gotta draw this year I can taste it!

It varies by season, but home ranges for mule deer bucks ranges from 2-5 square miles, depending on habitat/food/disturbance/etc./etc./etc. So many variables

 

[fly2cast]

Any chance that GNF will open the badlands to youth mule deer hunting this year without applying for a license in May? Sounds like the mule deer population is up and from what I saw last fall, there are plenty out there.