Mule deer question?

[Tbob]

So it looks like I'm going to be doing some archery Mule deer hunting. I'm just wondering for for you muley guys, is the best approach here to get up high, glass and then wait for them to bed down? Then put the sneak in em? Or do you guys still hunt? I know there's probably a time for both, but I'm going to be doing some hunting in AZ this year with my bow and im new to the Muley hunting. I'm used to the Westside blacktails.. Any advise is greatly appreciated!

[RadSav]

What area of AZ?

Globe south was almost all high points and glassing then either getting on bedded bucks or cutting them off between feed and bed.

North of Globe and behind Horseshoe and Bartlett we would glass a lot but didn't have as many opportunities to stalk bedded bucks.  So it ended up being more of a glass and run type of hunt. 

In the northern timber areas I spent most of my time still hunting.  That was my favorite place and I think a more enjoyable hunt.  But, we did not have nearly as much success as stalking them in their beds down south.

[Tbob]

Thanks Rad! Haven't narrowed down my search yet.. Thinking unit 17 or 18? But still need to call the bio, wardens and do some more innerweb research. Just wasn't sure how often you glass up a buck and you are able to watch him bed for the day so you can get on him? Never hunted this way before, but seems to make the most sense in the more open country. I Like the idea of glassing them up and then trying to cut them off too.

[RadSav]

I don't know what the dates and zones are anymore.  Used to be we had almost the whole state as archers and OTC tags.  Used to be late Dec and January hunts.  Bucks would come out of the SanCarlos looking for does NW of Globe (Sombrero Peaks) .  Those were some great hunts and some fantastic bucks back then.

Don't over look the Coues either.  Tough to hunt little buggers.  We hunted them due west of Wilcox and Bonita.  Nice mixed bag hunt with Coues and Javalina.  Those valley javalina are rather chunky compared to the mountain pigs of Globe and Horseshoe.  I killed one boar about 1,000-1,200 yards from the Fort Grant penitentiary.  Guards weren't all too happy, but he was a toad!

[Muleyslyr]

Rad gave you some good advice. I'd find a spot to glass first thing in the morning, be where you want to be when it gets light! Cover as much area as you can with your glass. If you find something worth going after, sit and watch as long as you can. Be patient! Try to watch him bed and then plan your stalk according to the wind. If you don't locate anything glassing don't be afraid to move and retry another spot until it starts to warm up. When you feel you've exhausted your glass time it never hurts to still hunt and glass as you go.

[RadSav]

I'd find a spot to glass first thing in the morning, be where you want to be when it gets light! Cover as much area as you can with your glass. If you find something worth going after, sit and watch as long as you can. Be patient! Try to watch him bed and then plan your stalk according to the wind. If you don't locate anything glassing don't be afraid to move and retry another spot until it starts to warm up.

That is important information!  

Don't dive off into the canyon after a bedded muledeer before it starts to warm up.  Morning winds in the desert can be very unpredictable.  But, once it warms up the heat really brings the thermal flow to a constant.  Giving you plenty of time with the wind in your face to get into position for a shot. 

[tgomez]

Great advice fellas, the only thing I can throw in is in September mule deer are still on their summer feeding patterns. The deer will usually use the same trails in the mornings and evenings from bedding to feeding areas. This makes a great place to put your back to a tree, and let your favorite camo pattern blend you into the woods for the good old ambush. As others have mentioned play the wind. When your glassing and have a buck patterned for a few days give this I try. I was successful all 5 years I archery hunted using that exact method. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me in years past. Good luck and good hunting.

[Tbob]

Can't thank you guys enough. It's so different hunting in the open. Just hard knowing the "right" approach to that type of terrain. Thanks again for the insights!

[RadSav]

http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-Open-Country-Mule-Dwight-Schuh/dp/0912299231/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1460961773&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ADwight+Schuh

One of my favorite books.

[Tbob]

Sweet! I'll get that book for sure!

[OutHouse]

It sounds like you will be in open country, but if you are in the timber I have a few suggestions. First of all, still hunting timber is very difficult for Muleys if they are at all on edge.  I have had several experiences that end in either never getting close enough or the deer spooks. If you know which trails they use (and are hunting timber) I would try a tree stand. I am going to do it this year because I hunt an area where you can dial down the buck trails. Where I hunt there is just too much forest to spot and stalk from a distance so ambush in the stand is my best bet. Interestingly, I have still hunted white tail in the same unit and they are easier to stalk with boots on the ground, not so much with the muleys. Hope this helps.

[Tbob]

Every bit helps! Thank you guys very much! Patients is the tough part for me. I see a deer and I start running that way to get it there.. I've been watching a ton of muley (mostly youtube)hunting and these guys climb up high glass all day and the watch them bed. These guys will be like, "took me 4 hours to get over here, but he was still there and I got him".. I'm going to work on my patients! Ha... Thanks again guys! I also got a book about hunting high country mule deer by Mike Eastman. Lots of studying to do!

[RadSav]

Read just about any Randy Ulmer story of muledeer hunting and you'll find a lesson in patience.  It's not a mistake he is a monster mulie killer!

http://muledeercountry.com/tag/randy-ulmer/

"He quietly settled in and the long wait began. Twice in the next 3 hours he stood up, only to quickly bed back down again without offering any shot opportunity. Finally, after watching for five straight hours, the buck stood up around high noon and took four or five steps into a little opening to feed and stretch."

That's some serious patience!!