November. Late season bow hunting. The rut. All of these things combine to drive me crazy while I sit in my cubicle at work in front of the computer pretending that I am being productive when all I am really doing is planning where I will be chasing love sick Muley bucks on the weekend. By the time the rut rolls around in November, the bucks have survived the October any weapon season Gauntlet and can be a bit spooky early, but once the rut is in full swing they have only one thing on their minds.

Mule deer  do not act quite the same as Whitetails. They do not have scrape lines that they check like Whitetails do. They will however respond to rattling and scents. The biggest difference is that the Mule deer normally cover a much larger area on a daily basis. I have never used rattling antlers to try to entice a buck into range. I prefer to use the same methods I was taught so many years ago. I like to sit on a high ridge and glass for does. Once you find does there will be bucks. Watch the does and where they are feeding and bedding because the bucks will be around. This method is great for the open prairies here in South Western Idaho; you can see for miles in all directions at times, so you will want a good set of binoculars and a good spotting scope to evaluate the rack from a distance.

Once you have found a buck you want to go after, check the wind and see where you will need to go to get the wind in your favor to make the stalk. Once you have decided how to make your stalk on the deer, look for a land mark near the deer you can see once you have moved to keep the deer from seeing you and to make it easier to begin the stalk. Ideally, you would want this land mark to be at least 100 yards from the deer. That will get you close enough to make the final slow stalk to get into position for the shot. Once you have gotten to that land mark and the deer are 100 yards away with the wind in your favor, it is a good idea to take off your boots to help keep things quiet while stalking in. There are a lot of sharp prickly brushes in the high desert, so it is a good idea to carry an extra really heavy pair of wool socks to put on when you take off your boots.

Now is the time to go really slow. Check on the deer and see where they are. Are they bedded down? Are they feeding? Are any of them looking your way? Even if they do not see you at this point, you have to be extremely careful about movement. Mule deer are a curious animal, and if they see unusual movement they will come and investigate to see what is moving. When they see it is you all you will see from that point on is their hopping away over the next ridge. If you do spook them, do not try to chase them. They will be looking for you to come after them. Look for the easiest path for you to take to circle ahead of them. This is your best chance at a second shot if you spook them. When you begin your final stalk, plan every movement before you make it. Look ahead of you to see what could make noise when you step forward. Avoid as much of it as possible and step slowly. Move a few feet and then check the deer again. Are they still in the same spot? Re-evaluate your path. Will it still lead you to a spot that gives you good cover and yet allows an open shot at the deer? You are trying to sneak with in 30 yards of an animal that has 10 times the sight, hearing, and smell capability that you have. These animals live in an area that is full of predators looking for them to make a mistake and drop their guard long enough to become lunch. Old mature Mule deer bucks did not get that way by making a mistake. You will have to be on your game to sneak into range on one of these wily old bucks.

There is a lot of thick timber here in Southern Idaho as well and a lot of the old bucks will spend the bulk of the day light hours deep in the thickest timber they can find. This makes it very hard for predators to sneak up on the deer, and they feel safer. They are ever vigilant for any sign of danger and will bolt at the slightest hint of danger. This timber can be effectively hunted if you are patient and take your time. To start with I find it most effective to hunt from the top down. I will frequently hike to the top of a ridge on the north facing slope to hunt slowly down the south facing slope of the ridge. You will typically find the most heavily used trail near the top of the ridge so be watchful as you approach the top. Place a tree stand or ground blind on the trails near the top of the ridge. To still hunt this thick timber you will need a good pair of binoculars that have good light gathering capability because it will be dark in the timber. Start moving slowly down the hill. Move a few feet and stop. Look in all directions. Use the binoculars and look for a tail, an ear, or an antler. You will not see the whole animal most of the time. If the deer is bedded down it will be impossible for you to see much of the deer at all. Mule deer are known to lay low in the brush and let you walk past them, then get up and sneak out behind you, so make sure you look in all directions. A lot of deer are taken by the alert hunter that checks their back trail and catches the deer sneaking out the back door.

Just like when you are putting the final stalk on that buck out in the open, you need to plan each movement while still hunting. You have to be as quiet as possible while moving. Any strange noise can send the deer you are after bolting out of the area, and all you will get is the sound of him bouncing off to another location.

The great thing about the rut is that the does normally will not run if they see you as long as you don't get to close. I have had bucks see me and take off for the next county only to turn around and come right back when they realize the does are not running with them. This can be effective in getting a second chance at a deer, and if you are out more for meat than bone, the does are also legal.

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Comments(2):

1. Oh to be youger again....

   Awesome ariticle Jeff... I would love to try this style of hunting but my health it have to be from a Electric Hunting Cart. Thanks for writing this and the fog in the valley I could lust picture being there.

   Monday, November 08, 2010 Dennis

2. Mule Deer Hunting

   This is one of the hunts that is on my bucket list!!! Thanks.

   Friday, December 10, 2010 Wilton