WT vs BT vs Mulies - which is easier to hunt?

[JeffRaines]

I'm not trying to start a pissing match or anything of the sort - just an honest question. I've read that Whitetails or Mulies are the easiest of the three... however, I know you can't believe everything you read.

For a little more background on myself, this will be my first year chasing deer. I live on the wet side, so I know my only options close to home are BT. However, if the hunt for mule or whitetail deer is easier I'd be willing to spend time driving out to where these deer are. I'm all over a higher chance to harvest, because I'm certain that even the 'easiest' is still going to be a challenge for someone inexperienced(like myself).

Thanks!

[Tbar]

I don't think you can classify public land deer hunting easy in this state regardless of the species.  They are all difficult!  That said if I were you I'd go with the one I could commit the most time to, both before and during the season.  I've killed deer while wearing a suit and tie and flip flops, both while on my way to hunting after a different activity. 
I have successfully hunted all three species.  None are easy, but by far the easiest for me is blacktail.  I pass many small bucks during the season with hopes of an opportunity at a mature animal come the end of the month (October). The closer to  Halloween the better for any age class of buck.  Go slow,  I mean real slow.  I also hunt an older age class is reprod, one that seems impenetrable, shots often come at close range and quick.  The other point of focus (I'm talking blacktail) is big timber bordering any age of clearcut. 
Hope this helps.  Good luck and be safe.
P.s.  Stay positive!  Always know that opportunity is there and will eventually present itself.  My two biggest attributes are dumb luck and persistence, if you have the latter the dumb luck will find you. 

[superdown]

I think the general consensus would be Black tail are the most difficult to hunt if we are talking mature bucks.Whitetails are pretty easy in comparison.I hunt three areas none involving blacktail the first being around in the central cascades just to the east which is just mule deer area although not hard to get a mule deer buck it's difficult to get what i would call mature.Second area where i hunt mostly is east of highway 97 to the north is a good mix of both whitetail and muley i have never gotten a mule deer in this area it's just i will not turn down a shot on a legal whitetail to wait for a muley i like venison to much.Third area over in the colville area is the whitetail capital of the state they have a late whitetail only hunt that produces a lot of animals every year our hunting party have done pretty good over the years in the surrounding units for the late hunt in the northeast.We always see a good number of muleys during the late whitetail hunt but i think that is due to them being rutted up and dumb.

[vandeman17]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

[The scout]

I would say all three are very equal, with enough time invested a legal deer is not super difficult to get. but a mature deer can be very difficult to get. whatever deer you can put the most time into for scouting I would say.

[h20hunter]

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

[superdown]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

That is good advise i have hunted and gotten a blacktail and my father has gotten many so i understand the difficulty in pursuing them.I personally hate hunting the west side that is why i don't hunt them.

[JeffRaines]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

This is a double edge sword, in that I do quite enjoy hiking. I think the eastern slope of the cascades is a gorgeous area. However, it would be a bit far for me to travel during the season. While I could make a weekend or two of it, and hit the areas on my days off as far as scouting goes, that would be the extent. I wouldn't be able to go before work during the week(I work 230-11 most days).

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

I should've mentioned that I would be hunting modern firearm. There are no any deer GMUs for mule deer during MF.

I do hope that doesn't turn into any arguments. I actually would like to hear from people and their experiences and whatnot. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by just simply listening to stories!

Thanks.

[vandeman17]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

This is a double edge sword, in that I do quite enjoy hiking. I think the eastern slope of the cascades is a gorgeous area. However, it would be a bit far for me to travel during the season. While I could make a weekend or two of it, and hit the areas on my days off as far as scouting goes, that would be the extent. I wouldn't be able to go before work during the week(I work 230-11 most days).

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

I should've mentioned that I would be hunting modern firearm. There are no any deer GMUs for mule deer during MF.

I do hope that doesn't turn into any arguments. I actually would like to hear from people and their experiences and whatnot. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by just simply listening to stories!

Thanks.

If travel time and finding time to hunt is a stretch then my advice is to hunt BT close to home and just become proficient at that. Many skills you learn will translate into hunting the other species as well. Good luck

[JeffRaines]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

This is a double edge sword, in that I do quite enjoy hiking. I think the eastern slope of the cascades is a gorgeous area. However, it would be a bit far for me to travel during the season. While I could make a weekend or two of it, and hit the areas on my days off as far as scouting goes, that would be the extent. I wouldn't be able to go before work during the week(I work 230-11 most days).

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

I should've mentioned that I would be hunting modern firearm. There are no any deer GMUs for mule deer during MF.

I do hope that doesn't turn into any arguments. I actually would like to hear from people and their experiences and whatnot. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by just simply listening to stories!

Thanks.

If travel time and finding time to hunt is a stretch then my advice is to hunt BT close to home and just become proficient at that. Many skills you learn will translate into hunting the other species as well. Good luck

Thank you!

[Firedogg]

 For me blacktails are easier to hunt, they hang out in my front yard..

[bobcat]

Hunt both mule deer and blacktails. For mulies you only get 9 days. So hunt that season and then hunt blacktails until October 31st, and again in November during the 4 day late season. That's what I would do, except for this year I bought a Weyerhaeuser permit so I'll spend all my time hunting blacktails.

[JeffRaines]

If you aren't real fussy and would be willing to shoot a young buck all three are pretty easy.

Being that its my first season deer hunting, I'm not going to be fussy at all. If its legal, seasons over.

For me blacktails are easier to hunt, they hang out in my front yard..

Must be nice!

Hunt both mule deer and blacktails. For mulies you only get 9 days. So hunt that season and then hunt blacktails until October 31st, and again in November during the 4 day late season. That's what I would do, except for this year I bought a Weyerhaeuser permit so I'll spend all my time hunting blacktails.

This is what I was thinking of after reading the regs some more. Vail tree farm?

[bobcat]

Vail tree farm requires a Weyerhaeuser access permit. But there are a few sections of state land in 667 you can hunt, along with land that is owned by other timber companies. It will require a lot of researching and scouting to find those areas though.

[SGTDuffman]

The way seasons are staggered, there really isn't any reason you couldn't hunt all of them, and decide for yourself which is hardest. I hunt blacktail, primarily because they just happen to be where I hunt elk. I don't so much intentionally hunt them, as I do take targets of opportunity. That said, if you stick to the west side, hiking into a logging area, where it is legal to hunt, you'd do well to check the shaded areas between spurs on north facing slopes that have been clear cut before about 9am. Once the shade leaves the draws, so do the deer. I haven't had a problem finding deer yet.

[JeffRaines]

Vail tree farm requires a Weyerhaeuser access permit. But there are a few sections of state land in 667 you can hunt, along with land that is owned by other timber companies. It will require a lot of researching and scouting to find those areas though.

I was asking if you had a Vail permit, since you mentioned you got a Weyerhauser permit

The way seasons are staggered, there really isn't any reason you couldn't hunt all of them, and decide for yourself which is hardest. I hunt blacktail, primarily because they just happen to be where I hunt elk. I don't so much intentionally hunt them, as I do take targets of opportunity. That said, if you stick to the west side, hiking into a logging area, where it is legal to hunt, you'd do well to check the shaded areas of spurs on north facing slopes that have been clear cut before about 9am. Once the shade leaves the spurs, so do the deer. I haven't had a problem finding deer yet.

Thanks for the advice!

[RightPlace-RightTime]

You should make tgis a poll.
Mule deel.

[huntnnw]

There is no answer to this.. You would be narrow minded to choose one. They all have vulnerabilities. Hell just hunting one particular Muley buck could be the toughest animal you ever chased while another guy goes out first day no idea what he's doing and shoots a 200" buck . Terrain can play a role for each, weather ,weapon choice,OTC versus limited entry .

[3nails]

There is no answer to this.. You would be narrow minded to choose one. They all have vulnerabilities. Hell just hunting one particular Muley buck could be the toughest animal you ever chased while another guy goes out first day no idea what he's doing and shoots a 200" buck . Terrain can play a role for each, weather ,weapon choice,OTC versus limited entry .

I agree with this. The only thing that may make a blacktail a little harder to hunt is that they don't quite lose their minds during the rut as much as the other two.

[pd]

Jeff, as much as the residents in Eastern WA hate to hear this, one tried-and-true strategy (BobCat mentioned this) is to hunt opening week on the dry side, and finish the longer season close to home.  Take 4 or 5 days (say, Saturday to Tuesday) and go after grain fed WT, and then hit the wet woods close to home around Halloween, during the BT peak rut.

I know tons of hunters who do this. 

[JeffRaines]

Jeff, as much as the residents in Eastern WA hate to hear this, one tried-and-true strategy (BobCat mentioned this) is to hunt opening week on the dry side, and finish the longer season close to home.  Take 4 or 5 days (say, Saturday to Tuesday) and go after grain fed WT, and then hit the wet woods close to home around Halloween, during the BT peak rut.

I know tons of hunters who do this.

That sounds like a good strategy... My question is, how Far East are we talking? My thing, as mentioned previously, is time off work and scouting. Is a lot of scouting typically necessary for this?

[wildweeds]

This same type of poll came up about 10 years ago down in the tuccannon at the Wooten range managers house,we had a blind taste test of all three deer,all steaks were prepared the same way by a single cook.Care to guess as to which deer subtype won the taste test 9 to 1? I'm going out on a limb and going to give y'all a bunch of credit,I'm betting it will be a hands down winner vote as well.

[3nails]

This same type of poll came up about 10 years ago down in the tuccannon at the Wooten range managers house,we had a blind taste test of all three deer,all steaks were prepared the same way by a single cook.Care to guess as to which deer subtype won the taste test 9 to 1? I'm going out on a limb and going to give y'all a bunch of credit,I'm betting it will be a hands down winner vote as well.

I would say whitetail.

[tgomez]

Every species of deer presents a diffrent challenge. It depends on the terrain they live in as well as hunting presure and genetics of the particular area you are hunting. I have never hunted blacktail deer as I live in Eastern Washington, so over here it's whitetail or mule deer. Let me say to get a "TROPHY BUCK" its gong to be tough either way on public land. There are obviously more whitetail than mule deer and blactail. The mule deer seasin is the shortest for modern(8 days) so I lean twoard a mule deer being the toughest for a "TROPHY BUCK." But from my 20 years of deer hunting experience I would say for ease of hunt for a legal deer it goes mule deer, whitetail, blacktail. Remember it can happen first day, or last 10 min of season. You honestly just never know! Good luck which ever you choose to hunt.

[huntnnw]

This same type of poll came up about 10 years ago down in the tuccannon at the Wooten range managers house,we had a blind taste test of all three deer,all steaks were prepared the same way by a single cook.Care to guess as to which deer subtype won the taste test 9 to 1? I'm going out on a limb and going to give y'all a bunch of credit,I'm betting it will be a hands down winner vote as well.

Prolly whitetail...but theres more to that than just the specie... time of year is a huge difference, what they eat,age and how was it taken care of and was it killed quickly.

I have eaten a couple of whitetail bucks that were harvested in early sept and they were right up there as some of the best wild game I have ever eaten in my life and one particular buck was unreal good. Not even close to a November/December deer

[Dhoey07]

I grew up hunting blacktails, and since I moved to the Spokane area 6 years ago I've hunted whitetails and muleys.

IMHO, most of the time blacktails will stare you down or run off a ways and look back.   Mulies aren't very skiddish and they don't really seem to care if you are around.  But if you bust a whitetail it won't stop till it hits the county line.

[OutHouse]

I hunt a unit that is mixed white tail and mule deer. I am not sure how it is during black powder or modern, but I can say with confidence that white tail are much easier to stalk during the archery season. I think mule deer are smarter or they have better senses (with the ears obviously they must hear better). Any mistake during a stalk of a mule generally leads to the animal hopping away as they do. With white tail, I think they are more complacent and comfortable in their environment, and thus tolerate more noise etc...

My   

[MountainWalk]

Hunted all three successfully.  IMHO mule deer gave me more shot opportunities and more Lee way in terms Of movement.

[SkookumHntr]

Blacktail by far the hardest to hunt! 

[JimmyHoffa]

They all have some technique that is usually pretty effective to use against them.
Ambushing a trail, waiting until they stop bounding, a multiperson drive in reprod, etc.

[2labs]

Blacktail the hardest, just because where they live. Mulies the easiest because when spooked they have a bad habit of doing the hippity hop for a couple hundred yards then turning broadside to see what spooked them.

[JimmyHoffa]

Blacktail the hardest, just because where they live. Mulies the easiest because when spooked they have a bad habit of doing the hippity hop for a couple hundred yards then turning broadside to what spooked them.

A couple guys I used to go with called it: Hop, Stop and Drop.  The muley would start hopping up hill until at least a hundred yards above them, then it would stop to turn and stare at them; that's when they'd drop it.

[grundy53]

They each have there difficulties. I would say the easiest would be mulies. However then you factor in their lower population numbers, high hunting pressure and the inability to hunt them during the rut makes it difficult to kill a good buck. Second would be whitetails mainly because the rut makes them so vulnerable and they are easier to pattern. A good blacktail is the hardest mainly because of their habitat and it's tough to pattern them. As far as wariness I would give that to a whitetail hands down. My dad and I call them paranoid schizophrenics. They will jump out of their skin if a leaf falls. . If you take the rut out of the equation I would say a good whitetail buck is the toughest to kill.

[JeffRaines]

They each have there difficulties. I would say the easiest would be mulies. However then you factor in their lower population numbers, high hunting pressure and the inability to hunt them during the rut makes it difficult to kill a good buck. Second would be whitetails mainly because the rut makes them so vulnerable and they are easier to pattern. A good blacktail is the hardest mainly because of their habitat and it's tough to pattern them. As far as wariness I would give that to a whitetail hands down. My dad and I call them paranoid schizophrenics. They will jump out of their skin if a leaf falls. . If you take the rut out of the equation I would say a good whitetail buck is the toughest to kill.

With this being my first year hunting them, I'm not so much concerned with a trophy as much as I am with something that's legal. The trophies will come with time.

[grundy53]

Yeah. I was just generalizing. Your specific situation I would probably go for mulies for a long weekend then come home and focus on blacktail for the rest of the season.

[bobcat]

It might be easier to get a blacktail just because there is no 3 point minimum.

[grundy53]

It might be easier to get a blacktail just because there is no 3 point minimum.

I was actually thinking about that. I think you're right. Imagine if blacktail went three point or better. I bet the success rate would drop 80-90%.

[JeffRaines]

It might be easier to get a blacktail just because there is no 3 point minimum.

I was actually thinking about that. I think you're right. Imagine if blacktail went three point or better. I bet the success rate would drop 80-90%.

I'm thinking I'm going to chase mulies as I've taken the time off, then if I get nothing I'll go after BT

[2labs]

Jeff, good choice. Grew up hunting blackies. It's always fun too go camping and chase a Muley. I've always had luck in the head high sage next to crops( winter wheat)
I posted earlier that blackies are tough, but once you learn them, not so much!
Quite hunting blacktail because of taste. A grain fed mulie or whitetail is the bomb.

[Smoke]

grew up hunting east coast... moved here in the mid 80's...  over all I'd say whitetails are the hardest to kill... smart damn deer, and the slightest mistake their gone.... after that... blacktails... compared to whities they are stupid... actually have had them stand there and watch me walk within range to drop em... but with where they live... they are damn hard to find...  mulies are mostly spot and stalk... with the open country they live in finding them is time consuming but not that hard... the hard part is new boots every year cause ya wear em out with all the walking ya have to do...

[hrd2fnd]

Hunt both mule deer and blacktails. For mulies you only get 9 days. So hunt that season and then hunt blacktails until October 31st, and again in November during the 4 day late season.