Hunting Mule Deer Habitat

I’m fortunate to live in the epicenter of the country’s best mule deer hunting. Central Colorado has high numbers of my favorite big game animal and has long been known for producing trophy quality bucks that, despite some misinformed detractors, are very good table fare. Colorado has the perfect blend of productive alpine summer range, large aspen groves, and sage-covered winter range. More than any other factor as a do-it-yourself public land...

How to Find Big Mule Deer Bucks During the Rut

We’d barely walked a half mile from the trailhead on the first morning when a respectable, dark-horned 4×4 strode out into the icy breeze 100 yards ahead. The appearance sent my four buddies into a flurry of conversation. “Nate should shoot it; it’s his birthday.” “No, Carson, you’re up, we wanted to get your first 4-point.” We’d already seen three other good bucks, a herd of pronghorn, and a bachelor group of ten bull elk on the short drive in...

How to Kill a Mule Deer Buck Before the Rut

There’s nothing mule deer hunters love better than a rut hunt, and for good reason. That’s the season of the year when bucks are most visible and vulnerable. But not every hunting season coincides with the breeding season. Nor does every hunter have the chance to tread the deer trails in mid to late November when the rut ramps up over most mule deer habitat in the United States. However, it’s possible to down a broad-eared buck earlier in autumn...