Mule deer tag

[savage270]

I drew a mule deer buck tag in unit 4B and am looking for some assistance from those of you that have done this before. I don’t want anyone’s secret spot or anything, just some basic information that will get me pointed in the right direction as I have never specifically hunted mule deer with a rifle. First off, any recommendations on places to camp in that unit? What habitat should I target? Near the river, near crops or the nastiest badlands terrain I can find? I plan on heading out there in a couple of weeks to get the lay of the land/roads. I assume it doesn’t pay to do much scouting now though, since they will have completely different locations/patterns in mid-November?

 

[KDM]

Time spent on Google earth looking at 4b with a public land map overlay is a good place to start. Choose your top 5 or so areas. Then scout like a mad man. Time on Target, burned up boot leather, some sweat equity, and good honest effort will get you much further than any supposed secrets. Good luck and post pics if you get one so I for one, can be jealous, call you bad names, and generally bad mouth you and your ancestry into mild oblivion.

P.S Congratulations on the tag!

 

[YCbtx]

Pretty simple. Good Boots, clothing and a well planned pack. Be willing to hike farther than the average joe/jane. When you feel.like you've hiked in far enough and are gonna turn around, dont.....you are still another ridge away from where u want to be.

 

[measure-it]

A most current/up-to-date US Forrest Service map is a must!

 

[Kurtr]

Good glass and a tripod . I used to be hike as far as possible guy but once i learned how to glass i watched people walk right past deer all the time

 

[cooter00]

I have 8 preference points for 4b my families ranch is there I'm jealous

 

[1lessdog]

Good glass and a tripod . I used to be hike as far as possible guy but once i learned how to glass i watched people walk right past deer all the time

This cant be said enough. I have Leupold 12 x 50 and sometimes i wish they were 15 or 18 power. From one ridge you can glass 7 to 10 miles with good glass. Im not saying 7 to 10 miles out in front of you. Im saying all around you. It would take you all day to walk 10 miles. Then move to the next ridge and do it again.

 

[7mmMag]

Like everyone says, quality optics matter and so does putting in serious time behind them. Don’t glass an area for a couple of minutes and move on. Pick a good spot and stay put. Mule deer have a way of appearing out of nowhere. Take your time when you glass. Most people scan left to right, the way we read. Adding right to left passes slows your brain down and helps you pick up more detail. Remember, you rarely see a whole deer. Look for pieces, a leg, an ear, a tail, an antler tip.

Last year I spent hours and hours on OnX before scouting my wife’s 4C mule deer tag. That prep narrowed the areas I needed to check, cut down on wasted driving, and let me focus on the ground that actually mattered.

 

[ND58201]

Roughest country you can find does hold mule deer. Not many people dare to go there because of the potential pack out.