WT vs BT vs Mulies - which is easier to hunt?

[JeffRaines]

I'm not trying to start a pissing match or anything of the sort - just an honest question. I've read that Whitetails or Mulies are the easiest of the three... however, I know you can't believe everything you read.

For a little more background on myself, this will be my first year chasing deer. I live on the wet side, so I know my only options close to home are BT. However, if the hunt for mule or whitetail deer is easier I'd be willing to spend time driving out to where these deer are. I'm all over a higher chance to harvest, because I'm certain that even the 'easiest' is still going to be a challenge for someone inexperienced(like myself).

Thanks!

[Tbar]

I don't think you can classify public land deer hunting easy in this state regardless of the species.  They are all difficult!  That said if I were you I'd go with the one I could commit the most time to, both before and during the season.  I've killed deer while wearing a suit and tie and flip flops, both while on my way to hunting after a different activity. 
I have successfully hunted all three species.  None are easy, but by far the easiest for me is blacktail.  I pass many small bucks during the season with hopes of an opportunity at a mature animal come the end of the month (October). The closer to  Halloween the better for any age class of buck.  Go slow,  I mean real slow.  I also hunt an older age class is reprod, one that seems impenetrable, shots often come at close range and quick.  The other point of focus (I'm talking blacktail) is big timber bordering any age of clearcut. 
Hope this helps.  Good luck and be safe.
P.s.  Stay positive!  Always know that opportunity is there and will eventually present itself.  My two biggest attributes are dumb luck and persistence, if you have the latter the dumb luck will find you. 

[superdown]

I think the general consensus would be Black tail are the most difficult to hunt if we are talking mature bucks.Whitetails are pretty easy in comparison.I hunt three areas none involving blacktail the first being around in the central cascades just to the east which is just mule deer area although not hard to get a mule deer buck it's difficult to get what i would call mature.Second area where i hunt mostly is east of highway 97 to the north is a good mix of both whitetail and muley i have never gotten a mule deer in this area it's just i will not turn down a shot on a legal whitetail to wait for a muley i like venison to much.Third area over in the colville area is the whitetail capital of the state they have a late whitetail only hunt that produces a lot of animals every year our hunting party have done pretty good over the years in the surrounding units for the late hunt in the northeast.We always see a good number of muleys during the late whitetail hunt but i think that is due to them being rutted up and dumb.

[vandeman17]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

[The scout]

I would say all three are very equal, with enough time invested a legal deer is not super difficult to get. but a mature deer can be very difficult to get. whatever deer you can put the most time into for scouting I would say.

[h20hunter]

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

[superdown]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

That is good advise i have hunted and gotten a blacktail and my father has gotten many so i understand the difficulty in pursuing them.I personally hate hunting the west side that is why i don't hunt them.

[JeffRaines]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

This is a double edge sword, in that I do quite enjoy hiking. I think the eastern slope of the cascades is a gorgeous area. However, it would be a bit far for me to travel during the season. While I could make a weekend or two of it, and hit the areas on my days off as far as scouting goes, that would be the extent. I wouldn't be able to go before work during the week(I work 230-11 most days).

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

I should've mentioned that I would be hunting modern firearm. There are no any deer GMUs for mule deer during MF.

I do hope that doesn't turn into any arguments. I actually would like to hear from people and their experiences and whatnot. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by just simply listening to stories!

Thanks.

[vandeman17]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

This is a double edge sword, in that I do quite enjoy hiking. I think the eastern slope of the cascades is a gorgeous area. However, it would be a bit far for me to travel during the season. While I could make a weekend or two of it, and hit the areas on my days off as far as scouting goes, that would be the extent. I wouldn't be able to go before work during the week(I work 230-11 most days).

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

I should've mentioned that I would be hunting modern firearm. There are no any deer GMUs for mule deer during MF.

I do hope that doesn't turn into any arguments. I actually would like to hear from people and their experiences and whatnot. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by just simply listening to stories!

Thanks.

If travel time and finding time to hunt is a stretch then my advice is to hunt BT close to home and just become proficient at that. Many skills you learn will translate into hunting the other species as well. Good luck

[JeffRaines]

I understand your question but want to spin it a different way for something to think about. If I were in your position, I wouldn't be looking for easiest but instead I would be looking for a style of hunt I enjoy and the terrain in which I hunt. For me, I enjoy mulie hunting the best for a few reasons, including that I like glassing and hiking versus sitting in a stand for whitetails. I also enjoy the high open mountains or rolling hills for mulies instead of the cat hair thick rain forests that blacktails seem to call home. Once you figure out what style and location you enjoy, focus on that and the hunting will become easier because you will gain knowledge and experience. 

This is a double edge sword, in that I do quite enjoy hiking. I think the eastern slope of the cascades is a gorgeous area. However, it would be a bit far for me to travel during the season. While I could make a weekend or two of it, and hit the areas on my days off as far as scouting goes, that would be the extent. I wouldn't be able to go before work during the week(I work 230-11 most days).

This could get intersting real quick!

Here is how I take your post......right or wrong:

WT vs BT vs Mulies: Which do I have the best chance of getting a shot on my first year.

My  , either a BT doe or Muley doe. Being on this side you should be able to find some area to hunt and would have good odds if you have a unit that is any deer. For eastside muleys....if you are looking to simply notch a tag and make some meat, muley doe is your go to.

Looking forward to the argument debate that you have (will have) stirred up.

Best of luck this year and hope you notch a few tags.

I should've mentioned that I would be hunting modern firearm. There are no any deer GMUs for mule deer during MF.

I do hope that doesn't turn into any arguments. I actually would like to hear from people and their experiences and whatnot. You'll be amazed at what you can learn by just simply listening to stories!

Thanks.

If travel time and finding time to hunt is a stretch then my advice is to hunt BT close to home and just become proficient at that. Many skills you learn will translate into hunting the other species as well. Good luck

Thank you!

[Firedogg]

 For me blacktails are easier to hunt, they hang out in my front yard..

[bobcat]

Hunt both mule deer and blacktails. For mulies you only get 9 days. So hunt that season and then hunt blacktails until October 31st, and again in November during the 4 day late season. That's what I would do, except for this year I bought a Weyerhaeuser permit so I'll spend all my time hunting blacktails.

[JeffRaines]

If you aren't real fussy and would be willing to shoot a young buck all three are pretty easy.

Being that its my first season deer hunting, I'm not going to be fussy at all. If its legal, seasons over.

For me blacktails are easier to hunt, they hang out in my front yard..

Must be nice!

Hunt both mule deer and blacktails. For mulies you only get 9 days. So hunt that season and then hunt blacktails until October 31st, and again in November during the 4 day late season. That's what I would do, except for this year I bought a Weyerhaeuser permit so I'll spend all my time hunting blacktails.

This is what I was thinking of after reading the regs some more. Vail tree farm?

[bobcat]

Vail tree farm requires a Weyerhaeuser access permit. But there are a few sections of state land in 667 you can hunt, along with land that is owned by other timber companies. It will require a lot of researching and scouting to find those areas though.

[SGTDuffman]

The way seasons are staggered, there really isn't any reason you couldn't hunt all of them, and decide for yourself which is hardest. I hunt blacktail, primarily because they just happen to be where I hunt elk. I don't so much intentionally hunt them, as I do take targets of opportunity. That said, if you stick to the west side, hiking into a logging area, where it is legal to hunt, you'd do well to check the shaded areas between spurs on north facing slopes that have been clear cut before about 9am. Once the shade leaves the draws, so do the deer. I haven't had a problem finding deer yet.