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| BWP co-host Mike Weinkauf enjoying one of the missed opportunities in Wyoming. |
September 1, December 1
Ya know, there’s a lot of species you can possibly hunt for and there are almost as many ways to hunt them… But I think the combination of spot-and-stalking open range trophy Mule deer with a bow… might just be one of the toughest to actually score on. And if you don’t believe me, just keep watching!
While most animals we hunt have a known weakness, a mule deer in the open range seemingly has none.
With a home range up to 8 miles, a trophy mule deer can’t possibly be patterned. He finds food wherever he goes, eating various shrubs and brush, and may never return to the same bed twice in his lifetime. If you make a mistake on a stalk, he could bound off 2 - 3 miles and you very well might not see him again.
Mule deer get their name because of their large ears that move constantly and independently, just like a Mule, and they have excellent hearing. While they can’t detect motionless objects, Mulies are extraordinarily sensitive to all things moving. A glimpse of movement – and they’re instantly on high alert. And, just like all deer, their nose is a finely tuned instrument. One whiff of something out of place and your fate is sealed.
Like most animals, a place to hide is an important part of a Mulies survival. They rarely venture far from the security of tall vegetation, ravines, or topography that affords them some level of security.
Whether it’s vegetation or the surrounding landsacpe, good cover provides cooling shade in the hot summer and protection from brutal winds and snow in the winter. In both cases, it allows mule deer to use less energy in order to survive.
They are pros at finding a good hiding spot. The lee side of ridges and rimrock are favored haunts for protection from the elements and provide a good spot for keeping a close eye on suspecting predators.
Mulies seldom move during daylight hours so - - the best way to spot them in the open range is to get out early and watch where they bed. Once you know where they are, it’s then time to put the stalk on! But… one wrong move or loud miss-step and you’ve blown your chance in the blink of an eye.
Some keys to being successful include using good optics capable of glassing bedded Mulies at long ranges... being as quiet as humanly possible on your approach… and be in the ready position when chaos breaks loose and the moment of truth is upon you. Hey, when we come back, check out Mike Weinkauf of my staff along with some of our outstanding sponsors as they try and outwit a couple of Massive Mullies on a recent trip to Sheridan, Wyoming.
