| I still remember the first time I went deer hunting | | | | as Texas and Wisconsin. This species is bigger than |
| with my grandpa and dad. I was 18 years old and | | | | the whitetail and will give you more meat per catch. |
| hunting for whitetail deer. It was thrilling and one of | | | | When hunting the mule deer, you will have better |
| the best times of my life! No, I did not bag a large | | | | success in the high mountains and at the forests |
| buck or come home with any antlers to hang on the | | | | edge because they are not deep forest dwellers. |
| wall that day, but I did come home with a new | | | | You can also easily distinguish between the mule deer |
| passion, deer hunting! | | | | species from the whitetail because of the long |
| Since that very first trip, I have read a lot of tips and | | | | mule-like ears and gray color of the mule deer. |
| techniques, bought the right hunting apparel, shopped | | | | If you are looking for a challenging hunt, this is your |
| endlessly for hunting gear and tried to learn from the | | | | species. Unlike the whitetail, which tends to stick |
| more experienced and successful deer hunters. | | | | close to one area making them easier targets, the |
| Throughout the years, people have asked me for | | | | mule deer tend to roam over wider areas and blend |
| hunting tips from beginning hunters and have come | | | | in more with their surroundings due to their gray |
| up with a few guidelines that I usually follow and give | | | | colored hides. |
| out as advice. | | | | When deer hunting, you should also remember and |
| The first thing worth mentioning is to know a little | | | | practice the basics of good hunting, have the right |
| about the kind of deer you are hunting before you | | | | hunting equipment and make sure you are not |
| set out. One of the most popular hunting sports in | | | | missing any vital pieces in your hunting gear before |
| the United States is whitetail deer hunting and a good | | | | getting into position. Be prepared to start early in the |
| species to start with. The whitetail deer is one of the | | | | morning and be up and in your position or deer stand |
| most common species of deer in the United States | | | | before sunrise. Some of the best times to bag a |
| and you can easily recognize them by their small, | | | | deer are as the sun comes up or in the evening |
| short ears and long white tail that sticks up. Bucks in | | | | when it is setting. |
| this species have antlers with all major points coming | | | | Avoid any strong scents such as cologne, or strong |
| off the main beam and weigh on average about | | | | deodorants as the deer have very heightened |
| 60-160 lbs. It is easy to distinguish the females apart | | | | senses of smell and are easily spooked by human |
| from the males because they are smaller and do not | | | | scents. Lastly, and maybe the most important tip I |
| have antlers. | | | | can give you and one that has unfortunately cost me |
| You will find this species in southern hardwood states | | | | a great buck or two, is to keep silent. Silence is very |
| and in large quantities in Texas. You might also find | | | | important and I have found that even a faint whisper |
| that you enjoy hunting the whitetail more than other | | | | can scare a deer off. |
| species because they tend to only roam a small | | | | By knowing your species characteristics and habitat |
| range, making it possible for you to have a great | | | | and by following good hunting basics, your hunting |
| hunt in a concentrated area. | | | | trips will begin on the right foot and might possibly |
| Another very common species that I enjoy hunting is | | | | even bag you that great catch all of us are looking |
| the mule deer. You can find these deer in western | | | | for when deer hunting! |
| Canada and in the western United States as far East | | | | |