mule deer vs. elk

[VAspeedgoat]

I am planning on doing my first mule deer hunt this fall. The question I keep asking myself is which is an easier hunt to just be successful on? It almost seems like a successful mule deer hunt may be harder to come by than an elk. Is this just a misconception by a first timer that hasn't hunted either? Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[MKotur325]

I've been hunting for 16 years in Montana. 14 of the 16 years I've taken Mule deer Bucks. One year I shot a Whitetail buck, and the other year I passed lots of deer and shot a doe on the last day of the season.

I've taken 8 elk in the past 16 years, 4 bulls and 4 cows.

In Montana... I'd say that a Mule deer is quite a bit easier to track down than an elk.

 

[----]

I am planning on doing my first mule deer hunt this fall. The question I keep asking myself is which is an easier hunt to just be successful on? It almost seems like a successful mule deer hunt may be harder to come by than an elk. Is this just a misconception by a first timer that hasn't hunted either? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Success rates tend to run much higher for mule deer than elk, and for good reason.

 

[mtlion]

I am planning on doing my first mule deer hunt this fall. The question I keep asking myself is which is an easier hunt to just be successful on? It almost seems like a successful mule deer hunt may be harder to come by than an elk. Is this just a misconception by a first timer that hasn't hunted either? Thoughts? Suggestions?

I guess it depends on the specifics of the hunt and the terrain involved but in my experience mule deer can be found at much lower (flatter!) elevations and are a cinch to get out compared to elk. I typically hunt elk in mountains while most of my muley hunting is much lower and more open terrain so spotting game is easier. It's pretty easy to find mule deer coming out to feed in ag fields at last light and in this fashion can be ambushed just like a whitetail. I'd bet others here would say the same about elk in certain locations as well, but I'm not lucky enough to hunt elk in such scenarios.

 

[sra61]

Mule Deer are definitely easier to find than an elk. A public land general season bull elk of any size is a trophy in my opinion. I kind of gave up looking for bulls except for special permits until last year.

 

[.280 Remington]

Mule deer, by a long shot. Unless you're talking about something real special in the rack department.

 

[ERSS]

General season, over the counter type tag....I agree elk is usually more difficult to fill than muley. Obviously timing of the hunt plays a major role, if you can draw or get your hands on a tag during the rut for either one, the odds go up considerably. That being said, a mossy horn old muley buck is about as hard to come by as anything.

 

[BuzzH]

I think it depends on the State...

 

[Ben Long]

Part of it is basic biology. Because deer are smaller and breed more quickly than elk, you can fit more deer on an acre of habitat than you can elk, all things being equal. That means more harvest opportunity. Now there are relatively hard muley hunts and relatively "easy" elk hunts, but on the mean, there is no doubt that a deer hunt is easier than an elk hunt. Unless your prime concern is a B&C trophy. But I don't know nothin' about that.

 

[MtnWest]

If you want a higher chance to be successful on a general hunt then I'd say deer. If you want to be excited every time you open your freezer go for elk. Cow or spike elk is a nice blend of ease and taste that may be something to look into.

 

[Rooster52]

there nothing to elk hunting that is not work,I mean real work. From where they live to packing them out,Nothing but work. That is fine if you are in good physical condition but if you are like me out of shape and 62 years old,mule deer is by far an easier hunt.As far as success,it depends where you hunt,In the high country you probably will find more elk than deer,but in the the lower alltitudes you probably will find more deer.
For me I am planning a hunt that includes a few days chasing pronghorn with my bow just for the challenge.

 

[hank4elk]

Depends on state as Buzz said. And conditions.
Here where I am in NM a decent muley buck is just about impossible to find,but some smokers none the less.Like trying to find a specific needle in a stack of needles....
...and elk are easy to find.
10 yrs and things change.
I used to fill at least one deer tag if not 2 every year,and couldn't get an elk tag to save my life, let alone only filling 2 tags in 20 yrs.....
Now it's 10 yrs straight on elk and 0 for 4 on deer.
But all in all you will catch a deer sooner than an elk...

 

[HalfAce]

Mule deer hunting is easier then Elk hunting. For the most part, Mule deer really spread out over their habitat in a unit, and that makes them easier to find because you have a chance to find one in multiple areas that you are hunting, although you may find them in smaller groups and even single. But elk seem to concentrate on one area more then another, so you may hunt many spots and not see a single one, but when you get into them, you really get into them. But both are wild animals, and they wont follow any script.

If you are looking for a big mule deer buck, go on the elk hunt!

 

[.280 Remington]

Part of it is basic biology. Because deer are smaller and breed more quickly than elk, you can fit more deer on an acre of habitat than you can elk, all things being equal. That means more harvest opportunity. Now there are relatively hard muley hunts and relatively "easy" elk hunts, but on the mean, there is no doubt that a deer hunt is easier than an elk hunt. Unless your prime concern is a B&C trophy. But I don't know nothin' about that.

There's more to the biology than just that. IME, elk have a way of not being "available" even if their counts indicate good populations. One of these days I'll figure them out. Until then, I'll still say its easier to fill a deer tag than an elk.

 

[Gr8bawana]

I think it all depends on whether you want just any bull or cow or a big bull, big difference. Same with deer any buck or a big buck.
That is going to determine how hard you will have to work for it.

 

[sagebrush]

+1 on what Rooster52 wrote. Elk are hard work and better suited for young men. I have hunted both in AZ, CA and NV as well as mule deer in NM. I experienced much more success on mule deer than elk. That said, I will hunt whichever one I draw a tag.

 

[nmelktrout]

I always seem to find mule deer when I'm elk hunting and elk when I'm deer hunting. If you can, hunt somewhere where you can obtain a deer and elk license so you can shoot whatever you come across. In my opinion, big mature mule deer bucks are the single most difficult animal to kill in North America. Generally speaking, I agree with everyone above in that muleys can be much easier to kill, especially given their distribution in "easier" country that may not hold elk. I have earned more aching muscles and blisters from elk hunting than anything else, but have certainly endured more misery (and cactus in my ass) hunting muleys. Regardless, you can't lose if you get hunt one or the other.
-Cody

 

[hank4elk]

I always seem to find mule deer when I'm elk hunting and elk when I'm deer hunting. If you can, hunt somewhere where you can obtain a deer and elk license so you can shoot whatever you come across. In my opinion, big mature mule deer bucks are the single most difficult animal to kill in North America. Generally speaking, I agree with everyone above in that muleys can be much easier to kill, especially given their distribution in "easier" country that may not hold elk. I have earned more aching muscles and blisters from elk hunting than anything else, but have certainly endured more misery (and cactus in my ass) hunting muleys. Regardless, you can't lose if you get hunt one or the other.
-Cody

So true Cody.....
All to often I see great bucks elk hunting.
Saw 2 huge Coues bucks looking for a decent muley this year. But only dink mulies.....til the day after and Mr. Big walked thru camp as I was pondering a tagless trip home.
And I kick myself for the bulls I've passed on the last few times I drew a tag here,going after "The Big One"....lol

 

[Ben Long]

I agree, 280 Remington. Also, mule deer bucks still sometimes have that habit of looking back at what spooked them. I have yet to find a big bull elk to do that for me, but I'm still looking.

 

[Maxxis31]

Elk are easier to me? I pass up several deer and several elk every archery season. To be fair when I am in the woods hunting elk I normally don't pay too much attention to how much noise I am making and am usually blowing on some kind of elk call which deer do not like.

I think if we are talking mature deer and mature elk than during late October after elk rut and before the deer rut then it would be a wash, but with that said I have seen way more 300" + bull elk than I have 180" + muleys.

I think if we are talking in general a legal elk or legal buck I would say probably the buck would be easier. I could have shot hundreds of dink bucks from the road because they just stand there and stare at you?

Like others have said it depends on what you are looking for. If you are in a general unit and want to find a trophy bull or buck you will have your work cut out for you. If you want to road hunt there is no question that finding a dink buck will be much easier.

If i were going out of state I would find a unit where I could hunt both at the same time or I would go on a early season elk hunt and scout for deer while I was there. If you archery hunt finding elk in September is pretty easy, shooting one is not. If you rifle hunt only I would most likely plan on a deer hunt and scout the area for elk since the deer tag will probably be quite a bit cheaper. There are a few states that have general rifle hunts during the last part of September thought.