| u been dreaming of hunting mule deer mile and miles | | | | you have to use the load that works. Once you |
| from the nearest road or highway? Many say that it | | | | figure out the direction your gun shoots on the |
| isn't hunting that's the greatest part of the trip, its | | | | bench, experiment with shooting sticks, prone |
| where the bighorn sheep live. The same thing can be | | | | position, over your pack and also other positions that |
| said for real wilderness mule deer hunts. Mule deer | | | | you'll run across in the field. Remember you won't be |
| live in some of the most uninhabited, magnificent | | | | using a bench in the real hunt and even if you're an |
| places around the world. Just watching these | | | | excellent bench shooter, that won't necessarily make |
| majestic creatures and the country they live is worth | | | | you a great shooter in a hunting situation. You should |
| the effort to reach them. With that being said, here | | | | also practice angles versus distances. Mainly shots at |
| is some advice to help make your first mule deer | | | | mule deer are either up or downhill and hunters tend |
| hunt a success. | | | | to shoot over the deer. Go practice some shots both |
| First and foremost, you have got to get in shape! | | | | uphill and downhill. You will be amazed at how much |
| And I'm not just talking about walking to get the | | | | difference a steep angle makes. I would also suggest |
| paper once a day or playing a pick up game of | | | | getting a laser rangefinder to use during your practice |
| basketball on weekends. In order to sincerely enjoy | | | | sessions. It can also be helpful in learning how to |
| your backcountry mule deer hunt, you should be in | | | | judge mule deer out in the field. Hunting videos by |
| the best shape of your life. I realize, that depending | | | | Mossback titled Mulies Gone Wild are a good tool for |
| on age, this may not be possible, so if that's the | | | | judging bucks. They report the score after you view |
| case, try for the best shape you have been in the | | | | footage of the bucks on the hoof. |
| last five years. The main thing here is to do your | | | | Third, buy the very best hunting equipment you can. |
| best. My fitness program is going for a run three to | | | | There are some good quality products on the |
| four times during the week. I begin by walking and | | | | market. Search for the lightest, but sturdiest material |
| then jogging about three months before I go, and | | | | for your backpacking and clothing items. I don't want |
| when the trip arrives, I'd like to be able to jog for at | | | | to go into each item, but a few I recommend include: |
| least an hour straight. This is better than trying to | | | | wool socks I use Smartwool, an internal pack I use a |
| give specified distances. If you can establish a jogging | | | | North Face pack, but there are several to choose |
| pace for an hour, you should be fit to climb the | | | | from, durable, stiff, hiking books - I prefer Lowa |
| mountains necessary for backcountry mule deer | | | | Sheephunter boots, and light packable rain gear I use |
| hunting. Together with jogging, I jump rope, bike ride, | | | | Frogg Toggs. If you hunt with an outfitter, ask for a |
| hike, and go walking with my backpack (around 50 | | | | list of gear to bring and be sure to follow it. Buy |
| lbs) . Any of these exercises are great to build the | | | | good quality binoculars! I like Brunton Epochs in |
| strength you'll need on the mule deer hunt. | | | | 10.5x43 because of their magnification and weight, |
| Second, practice shooting your hunting rifle. I | | | | but there are many high quality optics out there. |
| recommend shooting your rifle on a weekly basis at | | | | Once again, pick up the best gear you can. |
| distances reaching 300 yards. You will need to know | | | | Lastly, find yourself some mule deer hunting videos. |
| where your rifle will shoot at different ranges. Start | | | | This will get your blood moving and get you excited |
| out at the 100 yard range with a steady mechanical | | | | about getting that big muley. They will get you |
| rest. Experiment with different types of ammo until | | | | motivated to get yourself into shape in the off |
| you find what your particular gun likes and stay with | | | | season and find that deer of a lifetime once deer |
| it. I personally like to use Winchester 130 grain Ballistic | | | | season opens. |
| Silvertips in 270, but each gun shoots different and | | | | |