Spot and Stalk Mule Deer

[AlbinoRhino]

Seems like a real exciting way to hunt and I imagine not as much competition.. Has anyone tried and any recommendations for someone who is hunting deer with a bow for the first time?

[Rainier10]

Try, try and try again.  It takes time to figure out and as soon as you think you've got it they do something unexpected.

When are you hunting early season or late season?

[Mfowl]

In short, find one, bed him, take time to plan your stalk and then take extra care to be silent and stealthy when putting that stalk together. They don't really need to be bedded but it is harder to stalk an active animal vs a resting one. That sounds simple but there's limitless ways they can and will elude you. Use the wind and terrain to your benefit. A stiff breeze can cover the sound and movement of your stalk and a gully or ravine can aid you in the same way.

[andrew_in_idaho]

What Mfowl said. I like days with a nice breeze, but not so much to affect your shot. Always try and approach from above. If you can find a deer bedded below some rimrock and make an approach with a decent wind in your face, all you have to do is have good shot placement


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[cbond3318]

  to both Mfowl and Andrew. You also need to be very cognizant of doe/ other deer in the area around the buck you want to target. A lone buck bedded with conditions in your favor is one thing, a buck bedded on the fringe of a group of deer/doe is a challenge! Silent and slow with a breeze in your face.

No other way to do it IMHO.

[D-Rock425]

I've only really killed one decent buck spot and stock.  It took almost 2 hours from when we first spotted the group of deer.  It was late season and buck were still rutting pretty good.  I snuck in close 100 yards deer where on a different ridge when I got some help from the 6 does with 2 shooter bucks.  Does for up and came right to me.

[Rainier10]

Wind in your face, watch for other deer in the area, don't just focus on the deer you are after there are almost always other deer around that you didn't see at first.  When you think you are close go really slow and quite.  You can generally move with purpose until you get inside of 200 yards then slow waaaaayyyy down.  Like others have said wait for them to bed down and approach from above if at all possible.

[jstone]

Patience Patience Patience. Bow hunting has made me a LOT better hunter. You will make mistakes but learn and try again.

[Special T]

I think Byod Iverson talked out his still hunting tactics working for mulies as well. If you havent read his book I think there is plenty of crossover.

[Rainier10]

I know if I just sat still I could get a shot everyday. I'm just not wired that way, I have to keep moving, I know they are in the next draw. Over 50% of the time that I have stopped to eat or glass something comes walking my way. Man do I wish I could just sit somewhere.

[hunter_sean08]

I'm not a bow hunter for mule deer, but I hunt in some brushy terrain that can require getting really close. With this said, spot and stalk is basically all I do for mule deer. Get a good set of glass, find a decent vantage point and start looking. This is the fun part. I used to have a knob where I had a near 360 degree view of the country around me. I'd spend entire days, just sitting there watching. Some days I'd see tons of deer, while on others, I'd be lucky to see one or two. Patience is key. Keep looking until your eyes start hurting. Just when you think you've looked at the same stump for the last 2 hours, all of a sudden there's a twitch of an ear or tail and it's game on. When you begin your stalk, have a good plan in mind. I like to pick out landmarks like a specific tree, big rock, stump, etc, that keep me on track. Remember that mule deer have big ears for a reason. Their hearing is incredible and their eyesight is just as good, if not better. You're best to use that to your advantage by dropping in on top of them with the wind in your face, but that's not always an option. In that case, use cover and creep like a cat on your approach as best you can. I spotted my biggest buck from about 500 yards out in a tiny peekaboo hole down in a thick viney maple/willow hollow and closed the gap as best I could. I knew he had probably bedded down for the day so once I got within 200 yards, I started literally tip toeing to where I could get a peek through the brush. That seemed like an eternity. I remember getting to where I could see and slowly turning my head to look around the corner, and there he was bedded down looking right at me already. I was shocked he knew I was there at the time, but years later, it's hardly surprising. Big bucks get big for a reason. I was lucky to get a shot that day. Just remember, you'll make mistakes in the beginning. It's all part of the learning experience. Once you start to figure it out though, spot and stalk will become an addiction. Good luck.

[badnewskruse]

this will be my first year bow hunting and im pretty dang excited. glad i opened this thread and read it all

[Tbob]

This will be my first "Official" mule deer archery hunting. I'll be hunting AZ this year and a little in Socal.. Lots of helpful info here! Can't wait to get after it..