Interested in a DIY mule deer hunt. Not afraid of the drive traveling from the east coast. Would like to keep the hike in less then five miles, knees aren't what they use to be. Any suggestions appreciated. Have been on elk hunts before but this would be first DIY big game hunt.
Lots of options, plains, mountains, desert, what type of hunt are you looking for? In Colorado all deer tags are draw tags and you don't need to hike in 5 miles to get into deer.
I drew a Colorado mule deer tag last year after the second try. I saw a lot of deer just couldn't seal the deal. How far I hiked varied by day. I averaged 8-12 miles total per day. But honestly it was my first time to hunt in the mountains and I was really in awe and spent a lot of time just walking to see the country!! I saw deer all around our camp the whole time though. Walking 5 miles isn't needed to see deer from what I experienced.
Quote from: kadbow on December 23, 2018, 09:43:22 AM
Lots of options, plains, mountains, desert, what type of hunt are you looking for? In Colorado all deer tags are draw tags and you don't need to hike in 5 miles to get into deer.
Kadbow, this would be the first time mule deer hunting. I guess I'm open to any type that would give me the best odds seeing animals. Staying away from very steep terrain would probably be best for the knees but not out of the question.
I hunted Utah almost 10 years ago with good results. If you're going to hunt out west, you may want to do some point savers in Colorado and Utah.
I've hunted Wyoming for antelope and know a couple guys that hunt mule deer there.
Quote from: BlacktailBowhunter on December 25, 2018, 10:48:44 AM
I hunted Utah almost 10 years ago with good results. If you're going to hunt out west, you may want to do some point savers in Colorado and Utah.
I've hunted Wyoming for antelope and know a couple guys that hunt mule deer there.
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Nebraska has some gentler terrain with Mule deer.
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Kadbow is right depending on how you want to hunt you don't have to hike in a long ways. However, if you want to hunt mule deer above timberline you will have to hike up a long ways. This is more like sheep hunting. I shot this mule deer last year in the aspen at about 8500' elevation about 300 yards from my truck. Jim
Most of Colorado is pretty good with easy to get tags. Nebraska is fun but not too many real big deer (at least on public) The big thing is glass glass and glass some more. Oh and don't stalk them in their first bed no matter how bad you want too.
Quote from: Gehrke145 on December 28, 2018, 03:29:32 AM
Most of Colorado is pretty good with easy to get tags. Nebraska is fun but not too many real big deer (at least on public) The big thing is glass glass and glass some more. Oh and don't stalk them in their first bed no matter how bad you want too.
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