Finding Deer

[wraithen]

What if he were interested in mulies?

[jackmaster]

What if he were interested in mulies?

GLAS,GLASS AND MORE GLASS, thats about all i know for muley huntn tips, all i hunt is blacktail so what i have heard for muleys is alot of glassing

[WAcoyotehunter]

Cruise the roads and watch for one of those "DEER CROSSING" signs...those areas are money!! 


Joke...really the best way is to spend a bunch of time in the woods and begin to learn their patterns.  Like Jackmaster said, "Glass, Glass and Glass more for mulies in more open country.  It's going to depend largely on your specific location, but deer life needs are pretty simple.  They're going to be using water and food resources fairly predicatably and you will see those patterns develop when you're glassing/tracking. 

Find a 'mentor' that doesn't mind you tagging along for a few hunts.  You'll pick it up over time, but like everything- you'll get out of it what you put in.  Be prepared for some maddening hunts and some very rewarding ones. 

[Colville]

Your in for a long haul. That's not bad it's just what it is. All your factors are on the hard side:

Mentored or on your own:  own
Rifle or Archery:  Archery
Private/public land:  Public
Mule deer/Whitetail:  Mule deer
Pack hunt or car camp:  Pack in
Any deer or 3pt:  3pt hunts

That's pretty much as tough a road to ho as you can put in front of yourself. Guys with experience go years and years without getting high hunt bucks, with a rifle, with partners and scouting. This isn't a dissuasion. But you should have expectations that are in line with what you are taking on.  I know a dozen guys can come in and point out non wilderness, pack in hunts in October with better opportunities than the high hunt, that's true. That said, you're biting off a ton so I'd prioritize your end goal. And if kill success is near the top of the list, you should revisit some of these selections.

[Kingpuck]

Kingpuck, If you are backpaking in to hunt you will want to bone the whole animal out.....including the front and rear quarters. Leave the bones for the woodland critters. Trust me....it makes a difference. 

And always leave a map or let someone know where you are going. Unexpected things can happen and it is easier for help to find you if they know where to look. You can also do a search on here for what others put in their packs. Go in light but be prepared.

This is a given whenever I leave for the outdoors. Always leave a map and a time of expected arrival. Recently purchased a Spot 2 for outdoors trips as well. Better safe than sorry. Also hoping to get in on the REI compass/map reading course soon. Got to take personal responsibility for your actions you know.

[Kingpuck]

Okay I've made some decisions based on feedback, I'll chase after whitetails initially as that should offer the best chance of success. If a blacktail happens along and they are in season well then darn. Just thought of the backpacking element as I know the roads get crowded around hunting season and I don't mind a little walk in the forest. Got some friends that hike like goats and they always seem to find deer when they are out. If the two passions collide well then so be it. Hoping to get away from the crowds so that the deer don't get pushed around by the other hunters.

Honestly the next step is to really work on the bow and getting it tuned in, then getting comfortable shooting at odd angles. Chances are good the deer isn't going to be exactly broadside within 25 yards.

Lot's to learn and its going to be a fun ride! Thanks again everyone I'm a little overwhelmed by the willingness of everyone to help out and offer advice, its a lot more than I had expected.

[Kingpuck]

appreciate the advice about the backpack hunting. Hoping to get into Nock Point this weekend to try and get the bow tuned up better. Got to get an emissions test and register the new car but other than that should be able to get in there.

[400out]

What if he were interested in mulies?

GLAS,GLASS AND MORE GLASS, thats about all i know for muley huntn tips, all i hunt is blacktail so what i have heard for muleys is alot of glassing

learn to sneak! practice during the summer on everything 

[jackmaster]

kingpuck, dude you aint gonna run into a blacktail while your huntn whitetail so you wont have to worry about that, i do think your chances are gonna go up startn out chasin whiteys, you might go talk to farmers over in that neck of the woods and see i9f you can get some private land to hunt, i agree with the others that have said you might want to wait a couple years before you try your hand at a serious backcountry hunt, just do to being new to huntn and meat care, oh and another thing to look into is the amount of permit hunts for over in whitetail  country, if you draw then you will get to spend even more time in the woods, hope you have an understanding wife or that your single cause you will see what an addiction hunting can be.

[Kingpuck]

Haha, think I know a few farmers but don't know if there are much in the way of deer in that area. Went king salmon fishing one morning and came around a corner to find a giant elk with big horns standing there and I just about dropped a log in my shorts.

Would be cool to help a farmer and get some meat in the process. Would be nice to give the farmer some meat too out of the deal.

[moocher97]

I almost think mulies are esyier because the live in more open area so you can glass them from afar then put a stalk on them but i hunt mostly blacktail because i live in poulsbo so i go across the hood canal bridge youll see a ton of people but if you can find a honey hole in there and put a treestand in there even with a bow ive couldve shot around 5 different deer 40 yards tops ive also heard whitetail are dummer then a box of rocks but if the smell you there gone same with mulies but they have good sight to and the blacktail usally live in thick stuff and go in clearcuts at night and go into the reprod in the morning so what you need is a crappy crappy day like (windy and rainy) and just watch in the reprod and i almost garentee you will see one and since its so windy they dont like thick stuff because they cant hear or smell so they rely on sight. hunting any type of deer RAIN IS GOOD during april-june try to apply for some deer units or even elk to build some points up for some dream units like for instence (Eniat,swakane,desert) for elk (mudflow,margret,toutle) i hunted the margret and shot a 5x5 bull with a bow and i mustoff just barely missed any vitals because there was little blood and i also shot at a 6x5 and my arrow mustoff hit a branch because it went right over its back and it was gone hope this info was helpful it would be very nice to be in shape because most people road hunt so you could hike in somewhere of the beaten path

[nwwanderer]

Great info all.  Ask the county road crews where they pickup the most road kill.  Find a high spot and use the glass mentioned before, when the locals come and ask what you are up to be polite, honest and helpful.  Lots of deer in the right places.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've shot Blacktail, whitetail and muleys just driving the logging roads. Honestly, I have.

[Colville]

I've bought lots of meat in the grocery store, honestly, I have.