North American Super Slam – Mule Deer

For the next Super Slam Series article, I’ve chosen the iconic mule deer. Just the name “mule deer” is synonymous with the West. Though in many of the western states, you can also find Columbia blacktail, Coues, and often whitetail, the mule deer still holds the distinction of being known as the deer of the West. Across the United States, there are five different species of deer recognized by Pope and Young and Boone and Crockett. These include the whitetail deer, mule deer, Sitka blacktail, Columbia blacktail, and the Coues deer. Although each is unique, beautiful, and can be challenging to hunt depending on the situation, none are as regal to me as the mule deer.

Mule Deer Facts

Mule deer are indigenous to North America and are found in all the western states. They can be hunted in 16 western states, and in seven of those, they can be hunted by buying an over-the-counter tag for either archery season, rifle season, or both. Although tags are easily available in some states, most western states like Colorado only offer mule deer tags through a draw.

They received the name mule deer because of their extremely large ears that look similar to a mule's. To put it in perspective, they are almost double the size of whitetail deer ears. Mule deer have a white rump patch and a small whitish tail with a black tip. Their antlers split off from the main branch, generally forming two branches with each branch usually having two tines per. Bucks usually have darker hair on their face and often a dark brown, almost black patch between their antlers. Does usually have one fawn on their first pregnancy, but it is common for them to have two fawns after that. They are the largest of the five species in body weight, and a mature mule deer buck can be 300 pounds. For those interested in trophy racks, for a typical rack, it takes 145” to make the minimum for Pope and Young and 190” for Boone & Crockett.

Mountain lions are the mule deer’s biggest nemesis, and in almost all states in which they are found, mountain lions kill more mule deer than licensed hunters. Coyotes and black bears also predate on mule deer as do grizzly and bobcat on occasion, but mountain lions impact mule deer populations far more than the other predators added up. That’s another reason why managing mountain lions is so important to the mule deer population.

Opportunity

I have taken mule deer in multiple states as well as two provinces in Canada. I have also guided mule deer hunters in both Colorado and New Mexico over the years. In my opinion, they are not as challenging to hunt as whitetails, but they are challenging for different reasons. Despite the fact that I think they are easier to hunt in general, I also feel it’s more difficult to find and harvest a mature mule deer than it is a mature whitetail. Part of the reason for this is they are found in 1/3 fewer states than whitetails are, so there is less opportunity. In fact, to put it in perspective, the estimated population of whitetails in the US is 30 million, and the estimated population of mule deer is less than four million. Population data is never exact, but these numbers at least give us an idea of the difference in population.

Another reason mule deer can be more challenging, besides the fact that there are a lot less of them, is the terrain and more remote areas they are often found in. They also have a habit of just moving country. They are more wide-ranging and not as predictable as whitetails, so just finding a big buck is sometimes not enough. You have to often try and relocate him every day. Spotting scopes and good binoculars are usually a must for the serious mule deer hunter.

Tactics

Whereas most whitetails are taken from treestands or blinds, the majority of mule deer are taken by spotting and stalking, whether with a bow or rifle. Usually, it takes more gear to go after mule deer. By that, I mean serious mule deer hunters often have to hike into areas, camp out, drive a long way, or all three to access good mule deer areas. In comparison, a lot of whitetails are taken from a treestand, a hundred yards from where you park your truck. I am not disparaging whitetail or whitetail hunters, and I have taken plenty from a treestand close to where I parked the truck. My point is that mule deer usually require more boot leather and travel to be successful. Mule deer hunting can also include a lot of tactics that are successful for whitetails as well, including rattling, snort wheezing, and using doe bleats. I have also used decoys to lure mule deer in range for myself, as well as for clients, with both bow and rifle. As with whitetails, calls and decoys usually work the best during the pre-rut, rut, and post-rut.

My first mule deer was taken on public land with my recurve, and I have been enthralled with them ever since. One of my favorite ways to hunt them is spot-and-stalk, where I usually wait for a buck to bed and then try and slip up within range. Although spot-and-stalk is my favorite way to hunt them, for me, the most effective hunting method has been hunting over water when water is limited or when I find a favorite water source they are frequenting. During the rut, hunting travel corridors is another popular method I use to let big bucks come to me while they are cruising, looking for does.

I have also set up on trails leading to agricultural fields because in the West, alfalfa and winter wheat are two major food sources that mule deer take advantage of starting in early fall. There are other great crops you can hunt over or near if you can find places to hunt where they are planted. I have also hunted oats, turnips, and hay grazer fields. If you can find where or what the mule deer are eating, it can help narrow down your search area.

As a bowhunter that occasionally rifle hunts, I am always looking for those close, tight shots whenever possible and that is why food sources, active trails, and water in arid areas are often my main go-to spots. I will also often hike treestands into areas and hunt them like whitetails when that seems like the best option. During the rut, including before or after the rut, I have had some great luck with decoys. Most mule deer have never seen a decoy and will often run right up to them to investigate. A word to the wise when using decoys on public or private land is to always think about safety in case other hunters are in the vicinity. I will also sometimes use multiple decoys to fool a buck into coming over and checking out the herd of ladies. Multiple decoys also stand out even more and are more easily spotted from a distance.

When guiding or hunting with a rifle, I will often climb high when possible or find a vantage point and let my spotting scope help me find mule deer. Then, I will usually use the terrain to help me slip up within range. Since mule deer have a weakness of stopping to look back at what spooked them, even if I mess up a stalk with a rifle, I will quickly set up my rest or lay down on my pack because odds are the buck will stop and look back.

Gear

For archery equipment, I prefer a recurve but have taken some bucks with compounds as well. It’s a good idea to know your limits as far as shooting accurately because mule deer often will test your range limitations. By knowing what range you’re effective practicing out to and then subtracting 10 or 15 yards for excitement and adverse shooting conditions or weather, you can increase your odds of making a good shot. I recommend small-diameter carbon arrows because besides the better penetration you get with them, a smaller-diameter arrow will be less susceptible to wind drift because of less surface area. For this reason, I also prefer smaller or low-profile fletching. As for broadheads, I am a fixed broadhead fan, but there are some great open-on-impacts on the market now.

The advantage of an open-on-impact broadhead is a lower profile, meaning less wind drag, as the wind is often blowing out west. Just be mindful that no one has ever had a mechanical failure with a fixed-position head opening in flight or not opening when it should. As far as a compound bow, there are some great ones on the market. I advise simple and durable when it comes to rest, quiver, and sights, as equipment can take a beating out west. I have fallen and dropped my equipment more times than I care to think about, and stuff that doesn’t hold up can ruin a hunt pretty quickly.

For rifles, I advise looking for lightweight and accurate. Sometimes longer shots can make the difference between success and failure. Like with anything, having good equipment is paramount. Knowing your effective distance, practicing in uneven terrain, and shooting off packs, bipods, or tripods are great ways to get ready. Even running up to your rifle, grabbing it, and shooting while your breathing and heart rate are elevated is great practice, and it also helps you realize quickly what your effective range is. I also advise a custom dial system scope. I have a Leupold that, once sighted in, allows me to simply dial the yardage and hold dead-on. I won’t even tackle the caliber debate as that often comes down to personal preference, but I will say that I shoot whichever rifle and caliber I shoot most accurately. I don’t necessarily worry about the caliber as much. I would rather make a good lung shot with a .243 than a poor shot with a .300 Win Mag.

Some other critical pieces of gear are a rangefinder with angle compensation features, good binoculars, and a good spotting scope. Good clothing and even better boots are also important. I have been hunting mule deer when the temperature has dropped 60 degrees over the course of a day. I always say, when it comes to safety gear or equipment, it’s always better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. It’s a lot like a spare tire for your truck.