Mule Deer tips/tactics/advice for a newbie???

[BurleyDog]

I moved from Kentucky to Wenatchee this spring. This fall will be my first hunting season in WA.

I am not a novice hunter however WA and specifically mule deer are a new thing for me.  My family has always benefited from my putting meat on the table and I would really like to continue that tradition with a mule deer this year.  My plan is to scout hard, study hard and really burn some boot leather because I know the odds are against me in my first year here.

Any advice suggestions, tips, strategies, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I've been told to "find the nastiest spot nobody else will hunt and hunt it" but there has got to be more to it that that.

Which weapon choice would give me better odds? muzzleloader or modern rifle (i have both)

I am in good shape and improving with daily walks, weekend hikes and P90X (my second time around).

A trophy to me is a fat buck - minimum legal points or 5x5 I really don't mind. I just want to feed the family right.

Thanks so much for any advice. Feel free to PM - not loooking for specific spots more like specific advice. I appreciate it.

I hope you guys count your lucky stars every day - anyone who lives in WA is blessed to be in such amazing country

[Woodchuck]

Muzzle season will have less crowding for sure but be sure to check regs as Wa has some pretty stringent ones for smoke poles that many states do not. 

[h20hunter]

I think the main thing you need to do is find area you can access that has some room in it. Get off the road and cover some ground. The further you get from the access the better your odds should be.