Mule deer hunts are less well known than things like deer hunts and elk hunts. Mule deer seem less desirable to some people who hunt but they’re a challenging animal to hunt and many people enjoy the meet as much as venison or elk. Mule deer aren’t as plentiful as deer and they’re not as easy to find but that adds to the challenge of mule deer hunts.
Their name is a bit unfortunate because if you’re not familiar with how they look you might picture a mule. And they do look rather like a cross between a mule and a deer, but they are a much more attractive animal then you may be picturing. They have dark, thick fur and they’re fairly small and compact animals. Their ear tips are quite and their tail tips are typically black. Mule deer are also distinctive in the way they move. People who are used to hunting deer know how deer jump and run. Mule deer do something called stotting. Their legs remains stiff and they jump almost like on a powerful spring.
Mule deer hunts are challenging because the animals are also very quiet. A moose call is a popular way people attract moose. There is no such thing for mule deer because they don’t make any such noises. They also have a keen sense of hearing, even more so than their relatives the deer, elk and moose. It’s very difficult to hide from the mule deer. If you thought being quiet when a whitetailed deer approached was difficult, be aware that a mule deer’s hearing is even better than that.
They have an excellent sense of smell and can catch your scent just like a deer, causing them to bolt. You’ll want to follow the same general rules you follow when deer hunting as far as avoiding scented soaps, detergents, colognes and after shaves. You don’t want to smell like a groomed human or they are sure to catch your scent, so be sure to eliminate your scent.
They also have another advantage over other animals in that they are adept at seeing motion. Even if you manage to stay perfectly still, a mule deer that sees the slightest twitch from you can bolt. If you’ve lain in wait and a mule deer has approached, don’t try to make the shot unless it’s clearly concentrating on something else. If it’s just standing there and you make a move no matter how slight to raise your weapon, it will see you. Combine that with their keen sense of hearing, and you can see the challenge of mule deer hunts.
It also may be a change of pace for the deer hunter because you don’t need a tree stand when you’re hunting mule deer. They don’t stay in the cover and around the trees as much as white tailed deer do. They like flatter areas and rockier areas. If you’re not used to hunting in that type of area, then be sure to take someone with you who’s used to hunting mule deer and can help you learn the ropes.
Photo Credits: schmuck-by-nature
Originally posted 2010-04-12 03:57:59. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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