| Do you dream of hunting mule deer far from | | | | know the direction the hunting rifle shoots |
| the nearest highway or road? Rumor has it | | | | on the practice range, try using a shooting |
| that the sheep hunt is not the most exciting | | | | stick, prone position, over your pack and |
| part of the venture, its where the bighorn | | | | also other positions that you might come |
| sheep live. The same thing goes for true | | | | across on the hunt. Remember you won't be |
| wilderness mule deer hunts. Mule deer thrive | | | | able to use a bench during the hunt and even |
| in some of the more exquisite, isolated areas | | | | if you are an excellent bench shooter, that |
| around the world. Just looking at these | | | | won't automatically make you a good shooter |
| majestic animals and the place they live is | | | | in a hunting situation. You'll also need to |
| worth all the effort. With that said, here is | | | | practice distances versus angles. Most shots |
| some advice to make your first backcountry | | | | made at mule deer are down or uphill and |
| mule deer hunt a real success. | | | | hunters have a tendency to shoot over the |
| | | | deer. Go and practice some shots both |
| First and foremost, you have got to get in | | | | downhill and uphill. You will be surprised at |
| shape! And I'm not just talking about the | | | | how much difference a steep angle makes. I |
| walk to get the paper once a day or playing a | | | | would also urge you to find a laser |
| little basketball on weekends. To really | | | | rangefinder and use it during your practice |
| enjoy your backcountry mule deer hunt, you'll | | | | sessions. This will also help you learn how |
| want to be in the best shape of your life. | | | | to judge mule deer out in the field. Hunting |
| Now, I realize, depending on how old you are, | | | | videos and DVDs by Mossback titled Mulies |
| that may not be possible, so if that's your | | | | Gone Wild are an ideal tool for learning how |
| situation, aim for the best shape you've been | | | | to judge large bucks. They report the score |
| in the past five years. The main thing here | | | | after you've seen footage of the bucks on the |
| is to do your best. My personal workout is | | | | hoof. |
| going for a run between three and four times | | | | |
| on a weekly basis. I start out by walking and | | | | Third, get the very best equipment you can |
| jogging three months before I go, and by the | | | | possibly afford. There are good products |
| time the trip comes, my target is to be able | | | | available. Look for the lightest, strongest |
| to jog for one straight hour. This works | | | | material for your clothing and backpacking |
| better than trying to give a distance. If you | | | | items. I won't go over each item, but some |
| can maintain a jogging pace for at least an | | | | that I'd recommend are: an internal pack I |
| hour, you should be able to climb the | | | | use a North Face pack, but there are many |
| mountains that would be required on the mule | | | | different ones on the market, wool socks I |
| deer hunt. In addition to jogging, I jump | | | | use Smartwool, durable, stiff, hiking books - |
| rope, ride a bike, hike, and walk with my | | | | I prefer Lowa Sheephunter boots, and light |
| full pack (around 50 lbs) . All of these are | | | | packable rain gear I use Frogg Toggs. If you |
| excellent to build muscles to prepare for the | | | | are going with an outfitter, ask him for a |
| mule deer hunt. | | | | list of gear to bring and make sure to follow |
| | | | it. Buy good quality binoculars! I prefer |
| Second, shoot your hunting rifle. The | | | | Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 due to their power |
| greatest advice I can give is to go shooting | | | | to magnify and weight, but there are several |
| on a weekly basis at distances of 300 yards. | | | | different fine optics available on the |
| You will want to know where the gun is going | | | | market. Once again, pick up the best hunting |
| to shoot at the different ranges. Start | | | | supplies you can manage to afford. |
| shooting at the range at 100 yards with a | | | | |
| solid mechanical rest. Experiment with | | | | Lastly, watch some excellent mule deer |
| assorted types of ammo until you figure out | | | | hunting videos on the matter. This will get |
| what your particular gun does best with and | | | | your blood moving and get you excited about |
| stay with it. I prefer to use Winchester 130 | | | | shooting your first buck. They'll help |
| grain Ballistic Silvertips in 270, but each | | | | motivate you to get in shape in the off |
| hunting rifle fires differently and you have | | | | season and find the perfect deer after the |
| to find out what works best for you. When you | | | | season is open. |