Mule deer: Top trophy tips for both bow and rifle hunters

Growing up on the prairies, I was lucky to be surrounded by fabulous mule deer country. Maybe that’s partially why I’ve always been such a mulie fanatic. It’s certainly not because they’re easy to hunt—a big, mature mule deer buck is about as cagey as an animal gets. As far as I’m concerned, it’s tougher to harvest a Boone and Crockett mule deer than a whitetail in Western Canada. One look at the B&C record books bears that out.

One reason for this is that it can take years to get drawn for a coveted rifle tag. Fortunately, though, many areas in the West also have general archery seasons, so it only makes sense to be at the ready to take advantage of every possible opportunity. And that means knowing how to hunt mule deer with both a bow and a rifle.

BOWHUNTING

Mule deer live a large portion of their lives in wide open terrain, so being able to shoot your bow at long ranges can really give you an edge. Push your limit to become as comfortable as possible with long bombs, and try to get your archery gear dialed in to shoot up to 100 yards. Today’s new bows are lightning fast, and have no problem effectively shooting that far. At those longer distances, however, it’s even more important to make sure your shot counts, and that requires a lot of practice. If you plan to get out with your bow for mule deer, then, make sure you keep your skills sharp during the off-season.

LOCATION

Ideally, start scouring the countryside for potential hunting hot spots in the early summer months. That’s when bruiser bucks are travelling in bachelor herds, feeling untouchable with next to no pressure. You’ll spot them out in the open fields, gorging on ripening crops—they’re particularly suckers for alfalfa, canola, lentils, oats and peas.

Mule deer move about the most at dawn and dusk, travelling from their bedding areas to their feeding grounds. Spend your time scouting these prime times and your searching will pay off. Glass until your eyeballs feel as if they’re going to pop out of your head. Then glass some more.

Once the harvest begins, the deer patterns start to change, with the big bucks getting bounced around from one field to the next. That makes it tougher later in the archery season, so pay close attention to where the deer are coming from and going to at first and last light, as you may have to change your strategies accordingly. A cagey old mulie will go from feeding in crop fields to foraging in pasture lands, not only making him tougher to find, but also harder to get close to without spooking him.

GEAR

All of today’s archery companies make very fast, accurate bows. I shoot a Bowtech and have it dialed in with a Spot Hogg sight. You’ll also need a rangefinder, an amazing tool that takes the guesswork out of the equation and makes bowhunting more effective than ever. As well, I use binoculars with a built-in rangefinder, making for one less piece of equipment I have to carry.

Good camouflage clothing, meanwhile, is essential when stalking, but make sure the fabric is silent. Trying to sneak up on a mule deer buck with noisy camo is pointless, as those big ears will hear you coming from a kilometre away.

STRATEGY

The early archery season can be one of the best times to harvest giant mulie bucks, as they’re still in their late-summer routines, feeding heavily in crop fields and staying out in the open. I’ve had some of my best luck watching a big buck feed, then staying on him until he beds down. That’s when I begin my stalk.

Cover is key, as is a favourable wind. If the deer is in a crop field, the wind can help you get in close enough for a good shot by masking the sound of your stalk. If you don’t have a breeze, wait until you do. And once you begin your stalk, go slowly and very carefully, or you’ll bust the buck clear out of the county.

There have been times when I was down to the wire on the last afternoon of bow season, and left with no choice but to try to close the distance without so much as a tumbleweed for cover. I once belly-crawled for three hours down a ravine, for example, to close the gap on a giant non-typical buck that was bedded down. I took my time and got to within 50 metres of the buck, but when he finally stood up, I took the shot and missed. That’s hunting—not every stalk is going to be successful. You just have to learn from your mistakes.

The most important thing with bowhunting is to have patience and never rush the shot once you’re in range. Keep your cool and everything should fall into place. You’re better off watching and waiting than blowing your opportunity and educating a buck. Eventually, any bedded buck will stand up for a stretch or go for a walk. When that happens, wait for him to look away, then draw your bow. Even if he spooks and starts to run away, still draw your bow and be ready. Mulies are curious, and sometimes they just can’t resist stopping to see what spooked them, providing you with a glorious opportunity if you’re at full draw and ready.