Mule deer and bighorn sheep?

[Paul in Idaho]

I'm always searching for new ways to find good mule deer areas. I often wonder what other animals presence or absence may indicate for mule deer.

Yesterday was opening day for my OTC deer hunt here in central Idaho. I had selected a new area from Google Earth based on elevation and apparent cover and feed. After hiking up to over 9,500 feet elevation, I found that what had looked like browse shrubs weren't really. There were lots of huge, dense trees for cover with quick escape routes up and over the top.

On the way up I saw little sign of deer activity - no fresh manure, no beds or trails. There were a few tracks that looked like deer had passed through, but didn't live there. At the top, I could see a herd of bighorn sheep across the canyon at about the same elevation as I was walking. Then, in the cover I expected could hold a big muley buck, I instead found myself looking down at a herd of bighorn ewes and lambs.

So, I'm wondering if bighorns have habitat and food needs different enough from muleys that if bighorns are present I should move on. Or, are they a sign of a good mule deer spot?

Your input is appreciated. I'm still working to find an area I like for deer, in a region with little bitterbrush or aspen available.

 

[p_ham]

I have seen them both in the same habitat often in NV. I don't know how much the nelson's differ from the rocky mountain flavor. Saddles, draws, foothills, cliff bases and such have been my go to locations for finding deer.

 

[HUNTNNW]

ive watched tons of muleys along the grande ronde river right along with sheep

 

[Smtn10pt]

I don't have much experience with mule deer or sheep, but when I was hunting deer this past season in CO I took these pics.

 

[Deleted member 28227]

I've seen sheep and muleys bed within ft of each other in CO... I don't think either minds the others presence much.

 

[Paul in Idaho]

Thanks guys, good to know. Great pics, Smtn10pt.

Probably there was a muley in the basin somewhere, but conditions were poor. The wind changed direction every few seconds, even late in the morning when I expected a rising thermal on that south-facing slope. The slope was covered in shale shards that sounded like crushing glass with every step.

Here's a photo of the cover, shrubs and grasses I found up there.

 

[Jasher]

Now that's some cool photos.