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Mule Deer hunting?

Old 11-18-2002, 10:55 AM
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Default Mule Deer hunting?

I hope there are a few mule deer hunters out there becouse I have some questions.
I live in West Texas and up till now I have been hunting white tail only. This year, on a new lease, I find myself hunting mule deer.
The lease is almost two sections and has a canyon on the back side of the lease. There are finger draws branching up to the main body of the lease in many different areas. On top the cover is poor, some evergreen, scrub oak, West Texas shade trees and thats about it. There are 3 main water holes with 2 others that have water for now but will be gone in about a month.
There are 4 wheat fields and about 50 head of cattle.
This place is back by its self with little trafic around it.

Now for questions.
1. Do MD make rubs or scrapes like Wt?
2. Would you hunt the fields or over the canyon?
3. There are 5 feeders that are being hit. Lots of tracks. I have placed a game cam on one. Do MD come into a feeder? I watched 12 does walk right past one yesterday, not giving it more than a look. When it went off about 30 min. later it spooked them. We have not seen but a few Wt does so I hope to find out what is coming into the feeder soon.
4. Do Md and Wt go into rut about the same time?
5. When you look at a Md. and are trying to judge age and or rack size what do you look for?
Well the season starts this Sat. and I have two spots picked out. Hope to have lots of answers by then. lol
Thanks
Rick

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Old 11-18-2002, 04:17 PM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

mule deer tend to try to hide in the draws or on the side of a valley, rarely do you see them top unless they are going to the other side. i recomend that you creep up to the top and glass REAL GOOD before showing yourself.

1. they do make scrapes and rubs
2. try the fields in the evening and the draws in the morning and day.
3. i don't use feeders and you said yourself that they spooked when it activated.
4. in arizona the pre-rut is in dec. and the rut is in jan.
5. make sure that the horns are wider than their ears, twice as long would be REAL GOOD.

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Old 11-18-2002, 05:16 PM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

DARTanian was right on his points, but I may differ in saying that MD will feed in mornings and eves. just like Whitetails, so I'd watch the wheat fields in am and pm. The feeder may have spooked them if they haven't heard it go off before, but if they have plenty of food available, I'd guess you won't find the MD feeding there, at least not until other food supply depleats. Look for main frame of 4X4 on MD, they often won't have brow tines, so don't worry if a big 4X4 is missing his brow tines, as that is common. I know the MD here on the plains of Colo. are into pre-rut now, so I'd just be guessing to say that it may be later there. Good Luck, and have fun!!
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Old 11-19-2002, 05:13 AM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

Thanks,
How do you field judge age and do you field judge rack size like you would a white tail?
Rick

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Old 11-19-2002, 07:08 AM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

I don't think there is a simple way to tell ya how to age a MD. The easiest way is to look at the size of antlers, obviously, but depending on the genetics in the area, can't say to look for mass of antlers, 'cause they may not get much even at an older age, may say look at spread, but again, that can very greatly from animal to animal. Basically, look for four good points per side, I'd say at least a 20" spread, the wider the better, and good mass through out the antlers. The 4 points should make to good wyes on each side of the antlers, the deeper the wye, or longer the points, the better it will score. After you see a few, you will see waht I'm talking about. So, yes, you can judge MD like you do whitetails, it's just that thier antlers are different shaped!
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Old 11-19-2002, 05:09 PM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

like i said before make sure that the horns are longer than the ears are wide, twice as wide is better yet and twice as tall as the ears is real good too. the bucks will be hanging arround together so you might have your pick. but remember that the DOES ARE A BUCKS BEST DEFENCE. if you get busted then FREEZE for a coupla minutes and you will probly get a good shot. but what ever you do DON'T MAKE EYE CONTACT. good luck, keep the wind in your face, the sun at your back and shoot at the that little killing spot.

IF IT IS TO BE......
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Old 11-19-2002, 05:12 PM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

oh yeah mulies tend to like the sunshine in the mornings so check out the eastern slopes in the morning.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

IF IT IS TO BE......
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Old 11-19-2002, 05:28 PM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

One way to tell if it is an older buck is to look at the shape of the body. A younger buck will have a &quot;torpedo&quot; shape to his body, the chest will be very deep and fading to a much smaller hind quarters. Also an older buck may have a droopie back, like an old horse thats worn a saddle too long. The neck will be much flabbier on an old buck too. As far as antlers, look mainly for mass, thick main beams and all that good stuff.


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Old 11-19-2002, 09:01 PM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

More than Several years ago I did get a mule deer. I shot a buck that looked to be a older buck with a nice rack with good mass. When I got to him I was very upset at myself becouse, while standing beside him, I knew he was a younger buck. Later after teeth were checked I was told he was about 2 to 2 1/2 years old.

So I can also use the same guidelines to field score a mule deer rack as I can a white tail? example that wt looks to be in the 180 class becouse...... do you see what Im asking?
Well anyway Thanks again for the info and the tips. I hope to bring a nice 12 point home this weekend and yes he has a very wide and tall rack. I will be hard pressed to get him in my S-10 and will not be able to close the tailgate or window if I do get him in. I will cross that stream when I get there. LOL
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Old 11-20-2002, 06:58 AM
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Default RE: Mule Deer hunting?

Just make sure to remember that a Mule Deer has them big ears. So if he is as wide as his ears, he is wider than a whitetail with the same charecteristics. Same way with the height of his rack compared to his ears.

Good Luck on your hunting.

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