Advice on Mule Deer Strategy

[Sabot]

Ok guys, I'm finally reaching the point in my life where I am going to start being a little more honest with myself about what are goals, dreams, and just fantasies. I'll be 40 this year and I've been an avid hunter and shooter my whole life, but like most guys, I'm limited in either time, money, or access to game. I'm further limited in that I don't have a close group of friends with a shared passion for hunting the way I do.

I have been western big game hunting only twice in my life despite wanting to go every year. 10 years ago I did an OTC mule deer hunt in NM. Had an absolute blast but didn't tag out. Last year, I did an OTC bull elk hunt in CO and a buddy and I took a nice 5x5.

As points and planning season is upon us again, I find myself torn between trying to accumulate points and saying forget it, I'll just pay an outfitter for a landowner tag whenever "someday" actually gets here.

My preference would be to hunt strictly OYOA style, but I simply don't know if I can head west, by myself and pull it off...much less have the needed points or terrain knowledge to get away from the crowd.

The #1 game animal on my list is a mule deer, so here are my options as I see them:

1) Hunt in Texas(home) - virtually impossible without paying big bucks, our state is 97% private property.
2) Colorado - I currently have 2 deer points, and that won't get you away from the crowds or into a premier unit - 6 minimum for a non-res. I can keep buying points, but even if I get enough, I don't know where to go or have anyone to go with.
3) Idaho or Wyoming - from what I can tell, access may be better and crowds smaller, but again, nobody to go with.
4) Stick to bird hunting

Thoughts? BTW, I have not given up on the thought that I'll find a group of guys that are into OYOA western hunting, but most guys around here live for their feeder pen deer lease.

 

[Carrion Carrier]

Montana! Plenty of deer. Most units are OTC or easy to draw permits. Plan a hunt and search online for a partner. I'll bet there are plenty of Texans that would like to experience public land at least once.

PM me and we can talk about when/where.

 

[e300winmag]

Wyoming's mule Deer population is very depleted currently due to a bad winter in 2011. There are still deer in Wyoming, but the quality and quantity are definitely less than before. Eastern Montana also had a bad winter that year and this also greatly decreased their deer populations. There are plenty of areas in both of these states for public ground or private ground that is accessible with minimal to no fees.
Let me know if I can help anymore.

 

[JWhunter]

Idaho unit 56 is a good hunt... hunted hard though... for draw anything on Idaho Nevada Border is good.

 

[utah400elk]

There are several places where you can hunt great deer with little to no points. It all dedpends on what you are after. If you wany a 160-170 class muley than Wyoming general units will producte those all day long. The are a couple good units in CO that can be had for 3-4 points. I know several people will deny it....Utah general hunts have those bucks as well. You might want to take a look at Nevada. Good deer and great point system. You also have a good chance at AZ 12 A west and east early are good hunts that you can draw with a few points and there are trophy bucks in those units. I had a GREAT hunt in 12B west a ew years ago when the hunt ended around the 5th of Nov. I hunted hard for several days and never saw another hunter in the field. Passed a couple 160 class bucks. I will say that I think it is better to hunt a unit several times to learn it than draw once every 10 years. That is why I like the Wyoming general units. Hope that helps

 

[Sabot]

Thanks for all the input and encouragement. One thing I should point out is that I am not necessarily in it for the trophy aspect. While I wouldnt just shoot the first set of antlers I see, a nice 4x4 would be a trophy to me. Remember, I've only made it out west twice in 10 years.

I'm in it for the scenery, adventure, challenge and meat as much as anything and I would be thrilled at the opportunity to shoot what most would consider an "average" buck.

 

[utah400elk]

I sent you a private message

 

[Corax]

I moved to Houston 10 years ago and started doing cow elk hunts in NM once I found out I could draw the tags - had a great time and even got a few elk. My tactic is to put in for the preference points, otherwise a few years down the road you will wish you had. In the meantime, check through the game and fish regulations for units with leftover tags, or where you don't need points to draw. Do outfitted hunts as time and money permit.

I try to do a cheap (OYO) hunt and an expensive (guided) one each year.

Randy had an article in Bugle last year about how to do an OYOA hunt. Also the NRA published a book on Western big game hunting some years back, part of their hunter skills series. It is available on Amazon for a dollar or so - definitely worth it.

PM me if you are interested in talking in more detail.

 

[PonoHunt]

There are so many units in Colorado a NR can draw with 0 - 1 pt where you can find bucks and not a lot of people. Do some research and find an area that has a lot of National Forest or BLM, and start to get to know the unit. Google earth will let you find places that are 1+ mile from the road to some good drainages or clear cuts. In Colorado if you get 1 mile from the road, you have officially eliminated 95% of the hunters. I have spent quite a few Muzzle Loader seasons up at timberline and haven't seen a hunter once, and see deer every single day. The main units with timberline hunt along the continental divide take 0 pts and usually can draw on a 2nd choice, so you get to collect a PP and then get a tag. Key is to find a unit with lots of public land and just start going back every year. I would take 5 years of knowledge in a unit that is a 0 PP drawing unit anyday over a unit that you know nothing about and draw a tag after 5 years. Again, find some 10 good (1 mile away from the road) spots on google earth, get a tag and put in a little time, you will find good bucks.

I killed the biggest buck of my life this year in a unit that was a left over tag, on public land. We know the unit very well, and we get 2 miles from the road and we see animals every day. Cashing in my 12 PP's next year as I am tired of the PP game and will be in the high country during ML season after that.

 

[LopeHunter]

You can keep building points in CO if you buy a landowner tag. If you shop around you can get a tag at $2500 or less where you will have access to some land and should see 160 or better mule deer. Some hunters prefer a trophy class hunt and will be willing to wait 20 or more years. I would go crazy if I drew after 20 years and was a drought year with small horns or fires closed up part of the unit.

I prefer to hunt more often but do like to have enough points built up to draw a tag where harvest rates are above average and will not be many hunters. Since I am not holding out for a trophy unit I can hunt 2 or 3 times a decade in CO for deer or elk.

I apply in 12 Western states so about every year draw a decent elk or deer tag now.

 

[jlmatthew]

You can keep building points in CO if you buy a landowner tag. If you shop around you can get a tag at $2500 or less where you will have access to some land and should see 160 or better mule deer.QUOTE]

Holy smokes thats a lot cashola

 

[Jon Boy]

Thanks for all the input and encouragement. One thing I should point out is that I am not necessarily in it for the trophy aspect. While I wouldnt just shoot the first set of antlers I see, a nice 4x4 would be a trophy to me. Remember, I've only made it out west twice in 10 years.

I'm in it for the scenery, adventure, challenge and meat as much as anything and I would be thrilled at the opportunity to shoot what most would consider an "average" buck.

In that case I have no idea why your looking any farther than montana. Long general season that goes through the rut, abundance of what you call "average" 4x4 bucks, a lot of general units, and a ton of public land.

 

[spook12]

In that case I have no idea why your looking any farther than montana. Long general season that goes through the rut, abundance of what you call "average" 4x4 bucks, a lot of general units, and a ton of public land.

Yep,Jon Boy hit the nail on the head!

Get over the ''Dont have anyone to go with''. Go hunting man, don't tie your time in the field to someone else.Partners can be an anchor ''no time off'' ''wife wont let me'' ''short of money'' there's always an excuse. GO HUNTING.

 

[webejmn]

Sabot, Montana is where you want to be! Tags easy, Average to big mulies here. Block management program works for this kinda hunting. Muleys are here in the right areas. Hell I live in town of great falls and have seen some monsters that I haven't been able to take yet just ten minutes out of town on private land that I can access, also public land fifteen min out of town early in season. Research it. Will post a pic from a little over hr drive from town here and its not a monster, but nice, But done on public land. Forest service just a few minutes out of Lincoln MT. Don't be afraid of private land as a lot of land owners will be willing to let you hunt. They are here no prob. I am not a guru but I think I can point you in the right direction.

 

[Jon Boy]

Also if you do come out here, bring a gps and with the public land chip and dont be afraid to hunt small sections of public land!! My buddy got one this year and we had some of the best hunting of our lives, never ventured onto large tracts of public land, and never saw another person!! We both shot our biggest bucks this year too. Id post a picture but it says my files too big??

 

[Sabot]

Yep,Jon Boy hit the nail on the head!

Get over the ''Dont have anyone to go with''. Go hunting man, don't tie your time in the field to someone else.Partners can be an anchor ''no time off'' ''wife wont let me'' ''short of money'' there's always an excuse. GO HUNTING.

Propably the best advice and what I needed to hear. I can't tell you how many trips have been abandoned or screwed up because of the above excuses. I aint getting any younger

 

[Bambistew]

Yeah... hunt Montana, and don't waste your time in CO unless you have a dozen or more points.

 

[Oak]

Yeah... hunt Montana, and don't waste your time in CO unless you have a dozen or more points.

^^This!!^^

 

[PonoHunt]

Yeah... hunt Montana, and don't waste your time in CO unless you have a dozen or more points.

Ask Bambi where his largest public land muley was killed on a 2nd choice tag area if I remember right. . What am I thinking, I don't want anymore out of staters here. Definitely drive another 8 hours past CO and got to Montana.

 

[Bambistew]

Ask Bambi where his largest public land muley was killed on a 2nd choice tag area if I remember right. . What am I thinking, I don't want anymore out of staters here. Definitely drive another 8 hours past CO and got to Montana.

I haven't hunted CO in years... no clue what its like now. It sucked back then, I'm sure its more of the same now. To be fair, I was not hunting on a 2nd choice, but was hunting 2nd season, and burned a handful of points that year. All the deer are on private land anyway unless you get really lucky. Once the shooting starts they all leave the public. I have 9 points and really can't think of a single unit in CO worth "spending" them on. I might as well have 20...

Montana is where it's at. Lots and lots of deer... espcially in the SE corner. Especilaly if your goal is a 150-160 class buck.