How do I hunt pre-rut Mulies???

[Tbob]

Hey gang,
     So I'm headed to AZ for a December mule deer hunt. (12/15-12/19). This is a pre-rut archery OTC public land hunt. I went out earlier this year (early sept) I saw a few does but no bucks. I'm going to move my camp/hunt area about 8 miles further up this canyon where a few guys said they were seeing bucks everyday (even from there jeep).
    The mule deer rut in this area is mid January (per the bio). Is there any different tactics or ideas for hunting pre-rut mule deer in pretty open country?
    This is only my second time hunting mule deer and second time to the area.. Any help or advise on tactics would be most helpful and appreciated!
    I have my 10x50 bino's mounted on my tripod and plan to find a high point and glass.. Anybody else have any ideas?

[WAcoueshunter]

I don't think the pre-rut changes much.  They should be more active throughout the day than they are beforehand, and a group of does is more likely to have a buck nearby, but otherwise it's still a glass and stalk exercise.   

Will you be in the desert, or pine trees?

[Skyvalhunter]

With a long range rifle!!

[boneaddict]

Getting used to the terrain might be your biggest obstacle.  I'm not sure what area you are headed too, but alot of that country is an eye opener.

[Tbob]

Yeah, so I've been out there once... On the north side of the canyon is open Mesa desert country. Has some broken up junipers, but mostly rocky cactus infested terrain.. On the south side of the canyon it's very rocky and more trees that the north side.. I never saw anyone hiking around (just me) the few other people I saw out there were all in jeeps or rhino's and a couple quads.
    The road into this area is no joke! It took me an hour to go the first 8 miles where I set up my orig camp in sept.. The guys in the jeep told me they were seeing all the Bucks further up the canyon than where I was. I really don't want to drive in any further because the size of ruts and the huge rocks all over this dirt road are insane, but I was planning on doing it anyways.
    Thanks again..
  I was planning on the glassing, spot and stalk, but was just curious.. I'm hoping that with the really cold temps (mid to upper 20's) might help see deer a little more though out the day.. In sept it was upper 80's through out the day..

[Tbob]

I don't think the pre-rut changes much.  They should be more active throughout the day than they are beforehand, and a group of does is more likely to have a buck nearby, but otherwise it's still a glass and stalk exercise.   

Will you be in the desert, or pine trees?

Mostly desert... Some scattered trees and cactus. Lots of big rocky mesas. So the does I saw in sept, was a group of about 8. I think I saw them another day in and around the same area.. Those were the only deer I saw in sept... That's why I was thinking about relocating a little to where the other guys told me they were seeing bucks..
    Also doing a little inner-web research I found a few other hunters on random forums mentioning seeing lots of deer in the same area the guys in the jeep told me about.. It's just such a Nasty road! Took me about an hour to go 8 miles in. I hate to have to go any further up there, but I'd rather better my odds if possible.. It's already a long a$$ drive so what's another hour of rock crawling right?! Ha...

[DOUBLELUNG]

I'd do a recon of the entire unit, see where it is the greenest.  SW mule deer will move for the areas that receive the greatest rainfall during the monsoon season.

[Tbob]

When I was there in September the entire unit was green from all the rain. I got caught out in a few of the monsoons with insane lightening and thunder and torenchal downpours! It was pretty crazy! There was water in a few of the creeks and there is at least 3-4 big water dirt tanks for cattle. I found a few on my GPS and hiked them down. I saw cattle, but no deer at them early morning and late evening..

I'd do a recon of the entire unit, see where it is the greenest.  SW mule deer will move for the areas that receive the greatest rainfall during the monsoon season.

[DOUBLELUNG]

When I was there in September the entire unit was green from all the rain. I got caught out in a few of the monsoons with insane lightening and thunder and torenchal downpours! It was pretty crazy! There was water in a few of the creeks and there is at least 3-4 big water dirt tanks for cattle. I found a few on my GPS and hiked them down. I saw cattle, but no deer at them early morning and late evening..

I'd do a recon of the entire unit, see where it is the greenest.  SW mule deer will move for the areas that receive the greatest rainfall during the monsoon season.

Sounds like a great water year, unfortunately it also makes it hard for you to predict where they will concentrate. 

[Tbob]

For sure man! This was my first time out there so I'm planning on moving a bit further up this canyon and check it out. I figure the more places I check out the better feel ill get (I hope) for how deer use this area.. I'm new to desert hunting so it's all new for me!
    Thanks for the replies!