Bowhunting Mule Deer Tactics 02

  The object is to spot a big mature mule deer buck and then stalk to within bow range undetected. The number one thing to remember when spot and stalk bowhunting mule deer is to be patient. If conditions are not right, then wait for them to improve. This might mean waiting for the buck to bed down in a better place where you will be able to get closer, or waiting for the wind to pick up or change direction to not only carry your scent away from the buck, but also to cover up your noise once you get close.Preseason:Most of the mule deer bow hunters that consistently harvest large mule deer begin their season well before the bucks are even done growing their antlers. It is important to have a good idea of what the area holds for big bucks so you can develop a minimum size and an order to which bucks you will focus on first.

  Of course size is not the only factor in determining if a buck is a shooter or not. An experienced hunter can often judge a deer's age by body signs and antler configuration. In my eyes A 6 year old buck with low scoring horns is more of a trophy than a 4 year old buck with great future potential.For spot and stalk hunting, it is important to have several shooter bucks picked out and in known general locations before the season starts. This is because it usually takes several stalks before one is successful. After several years of spot and stalk bowhunting, I have found that the average success ratio for stalks is 1/6 or so. Of course, it might happen in the first try, or it might take 15 times. An inexperienced hunter may go several seasons without having a successful stock on a mature mule deer.For Stand hunting (tree or blind) it is not as important to have several shooter bucks spotted, as it only takes one mature mule deer in the area and you can hunt him the whole season. Of course your odds will be greatly increased if you can identify multiple shooters in an area. One thing you do not want to do preseason is disturb an area too much.

  You will run the risk of spooking off the bucks before you have a chance to start bowhunting them.Archery Practice: One thing that cannot be overlooked is shooting your bow. No matter how good of stand location you have or if you are the stealthiest person on the planet, if you can't seal the deal when it counts, then you might as well stay home. Of course, everybody that has hunted enough has missed or made a bad shot, but shooting throughout the year can increase your odds of being able to perform when you have to. A good thing to do is to enter into 3D competitions where you will have an opportunity to shoot at life size deer targets in different positions, angles and ranges.During Season:Once the season has started you will obviously be targeting the mule deer buck that you like the best. One thing to keep in mind is that with bowhunting mule deer you will not always be able to get the number one buck on your list. Sometimes all you get is one chance, and if it does not happen the first go around, you may never see that buck the rest of the season. That is why it is important that you need to know where other shooter bucks hang out. Stand BowHunting Mule Deer:If you are sitting in a stand, you must be patient. Just because the opening day did not produce much does not mean the big buck won't show up the next day right where you want him to.