Mule Deer?

[wisconsinteacher]

Here is an open question. Would you rather hunt mule deer in the mountains/timber or the sage flats/badlands?

We will be hunting west of the Big Horns and have the option to hunt both. Both areas look good. To me if we hunt the mountains/timber, I believe that the best luck will be sitting in the open pockets and waiting for deer to cross. With the badlands, I believe we would need to find a high spot and hope to glass deer and then try to make the move on them.

My fear with the mountains is that the timber is very thick and we will not be able to glass long distances. With the badlands, I fear that there maybe fewer if any deer to glass and chase.

Any input or help would be appreciated.

 

[DrMike]

Either situation can (and does) produce large mule deer. Mountain terrain is not necessarily as thickly treed as you might imagine. It is amazing how many mule deer can populate the prairies. Take your pick; either situation requires work, but the rewards can be substantial.

 

[sask boy]

Here in southern Saskatchewan you can watch you dog leave home for 3 days :lol:. We hunt Mulie mostly in the western portion and the big boys really like the deep coulees & Riverbreaks :mrgreen:.
I like this type of hunting but there again we don't have Mulie in our northern forestes so I have no experience in that.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[IdahoCTD]

Mule deer are sage brush animals when they aren't in farm fields. I like hunting the high alpine country above the thick timber. Trees are pretty sporadic in that type of terrain. Most of that is 7500-8000' and above around here. It usually doesn't hold large amounts of deer but the big deer like the high country where they aren't messed with. It's not easy walking to get there and the elevation kicks your butt but it's usually awesome country to see and because it's pretty open spotting deer is fairly easy.

 

[Guy Miner]

I've happily hunted mule deer both in the mountains, and out in the sage covered country... Thoroughly enjoy both, and yes, I think you've summed up at least some of the differences.

I have a preference for finding some open country I can glass, be it in the mountains or out on more open country. A mountain hunt for mulies is pretty special.

Good luck!

Guy

 

[Dr. Vette]

When is your trip?

We will be east of the Bighorns the second week of October hunting antelope.

 

[rodell]

I don't care for the meat on mule deer that are fed on sage. Too gamey for me, so I usually hunt elsewhere.

 

[bbearhntr]

I'd call the area biologist and ask them questions about habitat, deer density, ect.

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/regional-offices

http://www.gohunt.com/read/skills/devel ... -biologist

 

[BF375]

With a change in elevation in some units, you might have to hunt them both in the same day.

 

[Guy Miner]

With a change in elevation in some units, you might have to hunt them both in the same day.

Exactly. And sometimes, unable to locate many deer in one habitat, I've deliberately shifted to the other.

Guy

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Season dates are Oct 15-24.

 

[super-7]

I have hunted them out west of Hinton in the foothills/forest. It's defintly a harder hunt then the prairie/coulees here at home. A few factors play into that though new area compared to one a guy knows very well. But of your 2 options I personally would be going spot and stock in the flats.

 

[Wyo7200]

I'd look for water and tall brush that provides shade on the prairie. Hard to say what the weather will be like though... Last year it was pretty hot well into November.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Season dates are Oct 15-24.

OK, we're the week previous.

You will see everyone and their brother the first 1-2 days given that it's a Saturday start. When Monday arrives you will see a lot less people hunting.

2 years ago when we went it was quiet for the first 2 days, then Friday and Saturday were just as busy as a weekend deer hunting on public land here in MI.

Enjoy your time.

 

[SJB358]

I'd take the mountains everytime. But, I've never hunted a place for mule deer that wasn't in the hills. Nothing like seeing big mule deer in the mountains. Dream country.

 

[DrMike]

I'm with you Scotty. I've hunted muleys both on the plains and in the mountains. In either situation, the hunt can be demanding and rewarding. I confess, however, that spotting a good mule deer while glassing from a promontory and putting on a stalk is a rush every time. Putting a good buck to bed on a prominent ledge and stalking to shooting range is just great.

 

[freddogs]

I hunted the west side of the Bighorns for elk. Saw a fair number of muleys in the in the BLM lower elevation brushy hills. Saw the biggest mule deer buck right at dusk eating with a bunch of does in a meadow at about 9000 ft elevation. A lot of timber in those mountains. I'm getting too beat up to climb mountains any more. Some ATV trails accessed a lot of area. Call the Biologist for the area your tag is for. The warden I met out there was a nice guy, he might help some.

 

[joelkdouglas]

I hear others say there are the "gamiest", but the best tasting mule deer I've had was a young buck that fed on sage brush...

Then again, having the mountains as a scenery background is pretty outstanding.

 

[Guy Miner]

Love hunting the mulies... This thread has got me daydreaming about the upcoming season. Sometimes I've been fortunate enough to tag one here in Washington, and another in Wyoming!

Best of luck to all you mule deer hunters this season!!!

Guy

 

[DrMike]

I hear others say there are the "gamiest", but the best tasting mule deer I've had was a young buck that fed on sage brush...

Then again, having the mountains as a scenery background is pretty outstanding.

Funny you should mention this, Joel. The first mule deer I ever shot had been feeding on sage. It was one of the finest meats I ever ate. The liver was already seasoned to a delightful degree.