Spot & Stalk Techniques - Help

[Smossy]

Make sure you are aware of the wind!  Try to have the wind in your face.  Like fool said, quality optics is a must for Mule deer.  I think spot and stalk Mule deer hunting is probably one of the most challenging hunts. 

When you found one, make a game plan on how to approach for a shot.  You will need a good range finder.  Know your distance etc....  Luck is as important as knowledge and experience.  Hunt slow, when you think you walk slow walk slower. 

There is a lot that has to fall in place to be able to attempt a shot.  I can go on and on but it's late, lol

Cool man thanks. I dont have a rangefinder yet, I like to guestimate but Ill be picking one up if I can ever find work.

If you don't have a range finder no worries, practice judging distance on your stalks. 20-30 yard shots first year is all I did comfortably. Just think about how many deer have been harvested with out them before they were invented!  .

Kinda what I was thinking, there's allot of extra movement involved to use a rangefinder, I always move around at my girls house where I have my yote targets setup and try to guesstimate range, Sometimes I'm spot on, sometimes I'm a little off. But rarely have I ever missed entirely unless I'm attempted to guesstimate a 60+ range shot, Which I don't think Ill ever be attempting on the field.
Its not really accurate because I know where point A to point B is as far as range, then I add whatever extra I think I am. But Its still decent practice for now.

Ive got every DDW product available I plan on using when the time comes. Ive pre washed all my hunting gear with it and its all vacuum sealed individualy stuck in a large tote with a few branches of pine needles to try to mask any scent. The shoes I picked up are pretty quiet and lightweight. Seems like they should do the job. Just want to pick up an extra techniques I can along the way. Ive got some wind powder to check the direction the winds going. Sound like a good start?

Well the DDW stockholders sure appreciate you! No matter how much scent killer stuff you apply, you're probably going to break a good sweat crawling around like a sneaky *censored* and all. Its good to not be covered in unnatural scents so there is a place for some of it, but at after sweating your body odor will still get you busted by the deer.

I just wash my clothes in unscented soap, use a second rinse, and maybe some homemade DIY scent killer. There's really cheap bar soap out there to take a shower with before you leave for your hunt. Also make sure there aren't any scents in your huntin' rig. Tobacco smoke, air fresheners, etc.

Point is, you must mind the wind. Don't think that spending $45 on scent killer everything is going to let you walk right up to a bedded deer if you weren't minding the wind.

Yeah I've kept the whole wind thing In mind, I have that wind powder stuff I think will come in handy also. If I see It shooting away from me I should change my approach I imagine
I don't have a washer and dryer so I don't really have that advantage of being able to wash my cloths whenever I want so that part sucks. I gotta drive 30 miles out to my girls to do it. My Cadillac "Which will probably be my hunting rig" Has never had any smell goods in it, or had anything smoked in it, Its 30 years old and still has the "new car" leather smell to it. Not sure if that's a good thing or bad thing. I'm sure I can stuff anything but an elk in my trunk considering the size. Don't have a cool truck like most everyone else, Wish I did.

[Smossy]

Make sure you are aware of the wind!  Try to have the wind in your face.  Like fool said, quality optics is a must for Mule deer.  I think spot and stalk Mule deer hunting is probably one of the most challenging hunts. 

When you found one, make a game plan on how to approach for a shot.  You will need a good range finder.  Know your distance etc....  Luck is as important as knowledge and experience.  Hunt slow, when you think you walk slow walk slower. 

There is a lot that has to fall in place to be able to attempt a shot.  I can go on and on but it's late, lol

Cool man thanks. I dont have a rangefinder yet, I like to guestimate but Ill be picking one up if I can ever find work.

I have an older Bushnell rangefinder you can have.  It was my starter and works well, it's actually for golf but works great for hunting too.  PM me your mailing address and I send it to you.   

As Radsav once told me lol "Any rangefinder is better then No rangefinder, even a cheapy walmart one will do".
But that aside, That's nice of you man you sure? Don't want to put a damper on your golf game
If so I very much appreciate it! Cool to see folks so willing to help a guy out!

[huntnphool]

Once you have the gear it's really going over the basics already mentioned. You will fail often but take the time to think about why after each stalk. Trial and error will be your teacher, persistence will gain you knowledge.

[Smossy]

Once you have the gear it's really going over the basics already mentioned. You will fail often but take the time to think about why after each stalk. Trial and error will be your teacher, persistence will gain you knowledge.

Sounds good, So then its just a matter of getting out there.
My biggest disadvantage is not having any friends or family that hunt or know squat about it.
This is entirely new, this website has been my biggest teacher yet.

[huntnphool]

Once you have the gear it's really going over the basics already mentioned. You will fail often but take the time to think about why after each stalk. Trial and error will be your teacher, persistence will gain you knowledge.

Sounds good, So then its just a matter of getting out there.
My biggest disadvantage is not having any friends or family that hunt or know squat about it.
This is entirely new, this website has been my biggest teacher yet.

Just get out there and get after it, repetition is the mother of all skills!

[Austrian Hunter]

Make sure you are aware of the wind!  Try to have the wind in your face.  Like fool said, quality optics is a must for Mule deer.  I think spot and stalk Mule deer hunting is probably one of the most challenging hunts. 

When you found one, make a game plan on how to approach for a shot.  You will need a good range finder.  Know your distance etc....  Luck is as important as knowledge and experience.  Hunt slow, when you think you walk slow walk slower. 

There is a lot that has to fall in place to be able to attempt a shot.  I can go on and on but it's late, lol

Cool man thanks. I dont have a rangefinder yet, I like to guestimate but Ill be picking one up if I can ever find work.

I have an older Bushnell rangefinder you can have.  It was my starter and works well, it's actually for golf but works great for hunting too.  PM me your mailing address and I send it to you.   

As Radsav once told me lol "Any rangefinder is better then No rangefinder, even a cheapy walmart one will do".
But that aside, That's nice of you man you sure? Don't want to put a damper on your golf game
If so I very much appreciate it! Cool to see folks so willing to help a guy out!

Hahaha, it has helped me in the field just not in my golf game....  It will be in the mail on Friday.  It has brought me luck and hopefully it brings you some too. 

You may use it or not but at least you have one.  I have learned that distances seem a lot different in the field than in the backyard.  Specially in open country.  Even if it just ads another push of confidence it's worth it.   

[Austrian Hunter]

Once you have the gear it's really going over the basics already mentioned. You will fail often but take the time to think about why after each stalk. Trial and error will be your teacher, persistence will gain you knowledge.

Sounds good, So then its just a matter of getting out there.
My biggest disadvantage is not having any friends or family that hunt or know squat about it.
This is entirely new, this website has been my biggest teacher yet.

I was in the same shoes 7-8 years ago, but that said, this is what we here for. 

[Smossy]

Once you have the gear it's really going over the basics already mentioned. You will fail often but take the time to think about why after each stalk. Trial and error will be your teacher, persistence will gain you knowledge.

Sounds good, So then its just a matter of getting out there.
My biggest disadvantage is not having any friends or family that hunt or know squat about it.
This is entirely new, this website has been my biggest teacher yet.

I was in the same shoes 7-8 years ago, but that said, this is what we here for. 

Ever wind up picking up any hunting buddies? Ive only been on here since hmm what January and already Ive had tons of offers to go out here and there. Would be nice to actually pick up a regular partner who will take every chance to get out on something.

[RadSav]

You are going to be bowhunting so first thing is wind.  You might get a dumb doe or a little spiker to stick around smelling your BO, but not many.  So figure out wind direction first and check it often. If weather is warming up or cooling down the thermals will be changing from up to down or down to up often.  If you need to back out and start over that's ok!

Next is probably back drop.  The best camo in the world is not going to do you much good if you get skylined.  So try to pay as much attention to the landscape behind you as you do the landscape in front of you.  And when trying to spot an animal never walk on the top of a ridge always walk below the crest.

Patience, patience, patience would be step three.  Especially when hunting open country muledeer it is often better to try again tomorrow than the spook one rushing a last of light stalk.  Sometimes you just have to camp out for a while and allow the animal to move toward you or into an area giving a better approach.  I spent three years hunting the same single big buck muledeer.  He was such a monster you would mount him under your bed.  I would get one stalk a year at that big boy.  Each year I spooked him and never saw him again the rest of the season.  The last year I was within 40 yards and only had to wait for him to stand up on his own and I would have killed him.  After sitting and waiting for two hours I decided I would move a small rock to get him to stand up.  He went from a sound sleep to 50 mph in about two jumps.  Never saw him again.  Probably one of the things that haunts my dreams with the most frequency.

Three points of contact with the ground.  Seems a little ridiculous but when trying to close the gap that last 30 to 50 yards it's easy to lose balance, move too fast or move a loose rock.  Having three points of contact with the ground greatly improves your odds of avoiding those mistakes.

Count the closing yardage.  Most people are quite accurate at counting five yard increments as they crawl.  You never know when the opportunity for a shot might present itself.  And in stalking you more than likely will not get the chance to range the animal once he gets nervous and begins to move.  So range the target often, but count the closing yardage as you move in case you need to make a faster than expected shot that does not allow the time or movement of using your rangefinder.

Know where your bottom limb is as well as your arrow.  You would be surprised at how many animals are missed, even in open country, because the arrow did not clear the bush the bowhunter was hiding behind or the bottom cam hit the rock the bowhunter was shooting over.  Some hunters worry nonstop about clearing the window of a blind with their arrow yet completely ignore the bushes, rocks and tree branches they hide behind in open country.  I speak from experience here -  you will never feel more stupid than you do that moment your arrow hits a branch before ever leaving the bow.

And lastly probably my biggest pet peeve.  Trust your broadhead and your equipment.  So many bowhunters who fail to connect with their shot do so because they do not follow through as they have practiced at the range.  They are either so worried about getting another shot off or wanting to see where the animal enters thicker brush they forget to finish the shot opportunity they have.  Trust in your equipment being able to make that first shot count.  Trust that your broadhead will leave the blood trail needed to lead you to your trophy.  Trust in the lethality of the bow and arrow and do not rush to get an insurance shot.  Make that first shot just as you would on the range and your lethal weapon will not let you down.

There is so much more that you can learn that is best learned through failure.  Don't get discouraged and never see failure as failure, but only as the negative feedback you need to change course in the right direction.  You can not learn how NOT to do things if you only do things right.  It's taken A LOT of stupid mistakes over the last 30+ years that allows me to help others.  And I'm sure I'll do something stupid again tomorrow

[Dbax129]

Once you have the gear it's really going over the basics already mentioned. You will fail often but take the time to think about why after each stalk. Trial and error will be your teacher, persistence will gain you knowledge.

Sounds good, So then its just a matter of getting out there.
My biggest disadvantage is not having any friends or family that hunt or know squat about it.
This is entirely new, this website has been my biggest teacher yet.

I'm in the same place.  Last year was my first year trying, then I found this site.  I have met some great members on here who have been incredibly helpful.  I have learned just tons from these great members. Hell, they even told me the best way to eat my backstrap for dinner tonight! 

[coachcw]

good advise here , my two biggest inputs are the wind and the wind , the single best way to spot and stalk mulies is to use the wind the windier the better for getting close. one other tip is when you get close , don't get eye contact if a buck alerts to your draw back looking away then pivot and shoot often the think there still hidden .

[jackmaster]

good advise here , my two biggest inputs are the wind and the wind , the single best way to spot and stalk mulies is to use the wind the windier the better for getting close. one other tip is when you get close , don't get eye contact if a buck alerts to your draw back looking away then pivot and shoot often the think there still hidden .

use this summer to get out and try it, its dry and the thermals are unpredictable, no better time than learning how......wind and scent control are everything...good luck to ya, cant wait to see some pics....should be a hoot 

[BOWHUNTER45]

good advise here , my two biggest inputs are the wind and the wind , the single best way to spot and stalk mulies is to use the wind the windier the better for getting close. one other tip is when you get close , don't get eye contact if a buck alerts to your draw back looking away then pivot and shoot often the think there still hidden .

  Thats about all I worry about 99.9% of the time ... I never wated a penny on all that scent eliminator stuff ...Maybe it works and maybe not but I will never know ....

[Smossy]

You are going to be bowhunting so first thing is wind.  You might get a dumb doe or a little spiker to stick around smelling your BO, but not many.  So figure out wind direction first and check it often. If weather is warming up or cooling down the thermals will be changing from up to down or down to up often.  If you need to back out and start over that's ok!

Next is probably back drop.  The best camo in the world is not going to do you much good if you get skylined.  So try to pay as much attention to the landscape behind you as you do the landscape in front of you.  And when trying to spot an animal never walk on the top of a ridge always walk below the crest.

Patience, patience, patience would be step three.  Especially when hunting open country muledeer it is often better to try again tomorrow than the spook one rushing a last of light stalk.  Sometimes you just have to camp out for a while and allow the animal to move toward you or into an area giving a better approach.  I spent three years hunting the same single big buck muledeer.  He was such a monster you would mount him under your bed.  I would get one stalk a year at that big boy.  Each year I spooked him and never saw him again the rest of the season.  The last year I was within 40 yards and only had to wait for him to stand up on his own and I would have killed him.  After sitting and waiting for two hours I decided I would move a small rock to get him to stand up.  He went from a sound sleep to 50 mph in about two jumps.  Never saw him again.  Probably one of the things that haunts my dreams with the most frequency.

Three points of contact with the ground.  Seems a little ridiculous but when trying to close the gap that last 30 to 50 yards it's easy to lose balance, move too fast or move a loose rock.  Having three points of contact with the ground greatly improves your odds of avoiding those mistakes.

Count the closing yardage.  Most people are quite accurate at counting five yard increments as they crawl.  You never know when the opportunity for a shot might present itself.  And in stalking you more than likely will not get the chance to range the animal once he gets nervous and begins to move.  So range the target often, but count the closing yardage as you move in case you need to make a faster than expected shot that does not allow the time or movement of using your rangefinder.

Know where your bottom limb is as well as your arrow.  You would be surprised at how many animals are missed, even in open country, because the arrow did not clear the bush the bowhunter was hiding behind or the bottom cam hit the rock the bowhunter was shooting over.  Some hunters worry nonstop about clearing the window of a blind with their arrow yet completely ignore the bushes, rocks and tree branches they hide behind in open country.  I speak from experience here -  you will never feel more stupid than you do that moment your arrow hits a branch before ever leaving the bow.

And lastly probably my biggest pet peeve.  Trust your broadhead and your equipment.  So many bowhunters who fail to connect with their shot do so because they do not follow through as they have practiced at the range.  They are either so worried about getting another shot off or wanting to see where the animal enters thicker brush they forget to finish the shot opportunity they have.  Trust in your equipment being able to make that first shot count.  Trust that your broadhead will leave the blood trail needed to lead you to your trophy.  Trust in the lethality of the bow and arrow and do not rush to get an insurance shot.  Make that first shot just as you would on the range and your lethal weapon will not let you down.

There is so much more that you can learn that is best learned through failure.  Don't get discouraged and never see failure as failure, but only as the negative feedback you need to change course in the right direction.  You can not learn how NOT to do things if you only do things right.  It's taken A LOT of stupid mistakes over the last 30+ years that allows me to help others.  And I'm sure I'll do something stupid again tomorrow

When your out stalking a mulie, Is there a way you can lure it to come in your direction? Or is it a chance kinda thing...?
And as far as trusting my equipment, If my mentor decides to plant some broadheads on my arrows then I will have nothing but trust in them already knowing they're top notch

With following a blood trail, Do you and or others on here use a RGB Flashlight or whatever they're called for following/muting colors when It starts to get darker? Ive never had any experience with it at all "go figure" but I do own a semi cheap one.

[bobcat]

I wouldn't worry about any of the scent control stuff, or scent eliminator. Don't wear cologne or really strong smelling deodorant, but other than that, just don't waste your money on any of that stuff. The only time I could see it being of any value is if you were hunting out of a tree stand or ground blind, and it was a short enough walk with easy terrain that you wouldn't work up a sweat getting there. But you're talking aboug spot and stalk hunting for mule deer. So you're going to smell like a human to a deer. No matter what. You need to have the wind right to be successful. Simple as that. I think you're making this a lot more complicated than it has to be. The most important thing you need for hunting is patience, and that can't be bought.