S2-E03: Big Beautiful Bucks: Colorado Mule Deer

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...

MeatEater Season 7: Steve and Brody Hunt Colorado Mule Deer

On this hunt, Steve heads to Colorado’s Rocky Mountains with his friend Brody Henderson to track down their favorite big game animal, mule deer.  To reach the best hunting, they use a raft to gain access to some public land hidey holes. The November mule deer rut is beginning but unseasonably warm, dry conditions make for a challenging hunt. Steve and Brody are both hoping for a mature, big-racked shooter buck, but there’s only so much time in...

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...