2010 Guided Mule Deer Hunt: Update, 9/23 Mount shipped!

[h20hunter]

I am paying $100 a day as a non hunter. I'll be running the camera, taking tons of pics, and toting my AR just in case we come across any prairie poodles. Once we get our mulie on the ground we'll be hunting the dogs with any remaining time during the four days.

Also, got word from the old man that has some pics of a bigger buck, 4x4, MAYBE 4x5. I'll have to get my hands on the pics and post. We should be seeing more scouting pics as the summer goes along. Last year the outfitter had about shooters with a few real pigs that were being watched. They only kill a handful a year and with the mild winter and plenty of spring rain we should have some healthy bucks with a few extra pounds.

[400out]

I will cover 50 a day if I can bring my AR too!

[JackOfAllTrades]

That's pretty cool of you to do for your dad.

Although my dad would have appreciated the thought when he was alive, he wasn't one to ever spend money on such a guided hunt. His knees wouldn't have handled it anyway. We spent a lot of years on the salt -fishing for what ever was running though.

My youngest boy has asked for a guided Alberta or Saskachewan hunt for his graduation present.  I might just have to pony up for that one as he'll most likely graduate with honors. We've always played the 'reward for hard work' game in our family.

Have a safe and bountiful hunt!

-Steve

[Recurve-Elk]

Props to you on helping out your dad!   

[halflife65]

That's awesome!  Good luck!

[BLKBEARKLR]

After reading over your post, have to agree that is an awesome thing to be doing. No matter how big of one you get, the true trophy will be the time spent with your dad enjoying each others company.

Good luck to you both out there.

Joe

[Pathfinder101]

I'll chime in and say the same; that's a great thing to do for your pop.  I for one, hope he kills a bruiser

[h20hunter]

A bruiser will be nice. I may have mentioned that I am really hoping for what I would call "a good example of a Wa mulie". I would say a deep forked 3x3 is a shooter and a 4x? would also be a shooter. There are of course the jitters of passing a legal buck and then getting shut down by weather or who knows what else. We will have two back up rilfes, a .270 and .308 just in case we have mechanical issues.

What would you all consider a first day morning shooter?

Keep in mind:
Our shooter is 61
Active big game hunter 3 years now
Never shot anything bigger than a groudhog
Dead on shot at any humane distance
4 day fair chase hunt

[Ridgerunner]

18-22" 3 or 4 point is probably what you are looking at, for a opening morning shooter I'd be looking for a 23-24" or better buck.

[h20hunter]

Would you say that is a deer in the 4 year range? What do you think about the deer in the beginning of the post. Looks a little small in the body/neck/shoulders to me.

[Pathfinder101]

Is this a private property hunt, or public land?

[h20hunter]

All either private and/or privately leased land.

[Caseyd]

All either private and/or privately leased land.

Your guide will have a good idea whats in the area since it is private land. Doesnt mean you will run into the deer come season, but with the scouting he is doing im assuming he will have a game plan come opening day.

Id imagine any buck will be a trophy for your dad at 61 with no deer under his belt.

[Pathfinder101]

In that case, as CaseyD said, the guide will be able to advise you what to hold out for.  If your guide thinks that you can hold out for a 24" buck, then wait for one.  If he advises you to pull the trigger on an 18" buck, then AS LONG AS YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH IT, go ahead. 
Don't forget a couple of things:
1.  That guide is working for a tip.  If your dad doesn't harvest a buck, he knows he won't get much of a tip, so he will want you guys to harvest the first deer you see that meets your criteria.
2.  The guide should know exactly what is available on the land you are hunting.  If he tells you not to shoot a deer, then DON'T.  That means he is confident that he can put you on a bigger one.
3.  The guide should ask you what you are looking for.  When you tell him, dont' be bashful.  If you tell him you will shoot "the first 4x4 you see", then he will take you to an area where you can drill a 16" to 18" buck, so you'll be "happy", and he can save the 24" buck he's been scouting for the guy that demands that. 
4.  Dont' forget that with muley's, more points doesn't necessarily mean a bigger buck.  Width, height and mass mean far more than "points". 

So, in short, get an idea of what your dad will be happy harvesting, tell your guide, and have fun.  Like I said, I hope you guys tag a bruiser!

[h20hunter]

Well put Pathfinder. I should have some fresh scouting pics soon. Signing off.