Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: pastormike on October 18, 2020, 10:09:08 PM

Title: muley question
Post by: pastormike on October 18, 2020, 10:09:08 PM: Howdy folks,

MY wife and I are chasing Muleys and have a great coolie we are over looking. There is plenty of cover, food and does..But, the closest water is an adjacent private property. There are about 20 does on this section of public we have been glassing but we have only seen one or two bucks that are not legal.

So, the question is this: Will a mature buck be hiding on that place with no water there? Or will he be near the does even though the water is about a mile away? (And the water I am talking about is coming from one of those big sprinklers.

We are in 284.

I've taken great whitetails with my bow, an awesome blackie with my beloved .30.30 and now we are trying out these muleys with my 6.5 creedmore. It'll be wifey's first deer!

So should we keep worlking that place, or move around?
Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: muley question
Post by: highcountry_hunter on October 19, 2020, 02:36:39 AM: If there are does and small bucks near you then they must be traveling for water, a mature buck would have to be doing the same thing
Title: Re: muley question
Post by: nwwanderer on October 19, 2020, 05:10:40 AM: Forgot how big 284 is. I assume you are talking about a pivot as a water source so probably on the west side. The irrigation equipment is an intermittent source, likely other water is around. Big country and mule deer move, if you have access look far and wide, if not they may come to you, especially at the end of the season as rut approaches. Good eyes!!! Keep at it
Title: Re: muley question
Post by: pastormike on October 19, 2020, 12:54:11 PM: thank you for the replies.

Yes we are around the middle of the unit. We were really surprised by opening day. Others hunters were out there too but maybe things will calm down now.
Title: Re: muley question
Post by: Stein on October 19, 2020, 01:19:00 PM: First, I wouldn't assume that is the only water, they are pretty crafty creatures and their lives depend on finding water. Even if it is, a mile is nothing for mule deer.

From there, we're a bit out from the main rut so it wouldn't surprise me that you aren't seeing them on the does.

I agree that the does are where they is good food, water and reasonable security right now and the bucks will find them at some point but they aren't going to poke their noses out in the open during daylight until they have a really good reason to do so. Even then, I have followed groups of does in the middle of rut and there were no bucks on them, likely due to none of them in or near heat.

Sounds like you have a good spot, it's just a question of timing.