Brock Akers . 2 years ago 2 years ago Clint Wirick Uncategorized backcountry, backcountry hunting, backcountry mule deer, solo hunter, solo hunting. Growing up in Northwest Colorado in the small town of Craig set the stage for my interest of the mule deer. Thus, some few hours before daylight, they are likely to be seen prancing around near their bedding area. My GPS had just rolled over eight miles for the day and with a heavy pack filled with camping gear I stopped to take a break and glass. Optics: The hardest part about harvesting a truly mature mule deer is finding one. After my quick photo shoot as the sun dropped behind the mountains, I was cutting away, getting the meat all boned out ready for the trip off the mountain. Hunting mule deer is high on most red-blooded American hunters’ bucket list of adventures, and with good reason. With Landen notching his deer tag it was time for me to get a little deeper into the backcountry to try and find a shooter buck for myself. To me, that’s the point where the rest of the world takes a backseat to hunting season! Unsuccessful stalks, pressure from other hunters, everything Mother Nature could throw at us, blisters, broken packs, and topping it all off, we had to get this hunt on film. The type 2’s were crawling with other hunters and the quality of deer we saw on these properties was not what we were after. Robby loves the hunt as much as the kill and the entire process from research to scouting to hunting. Come along as me and Casey tackle the Backcountry and ... source HOME Watch exit routes, and look for bucks slipping toward bedding areas as dawn approaches. A couple of miles in I had in mind of a couple of good points where I wanted to set up and watch for the evening hunt. I ended up filling my tag with my biggest Mule Deer to date on our 2 nd day. Idaho Big Game Hunting On the Middle Fork of the Salmon River - The Best Elk, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Bear and Wolf Hunts in Idaho. Here at Gunnison Country Outfitters we are dedicated to providing a true Colorado backcountry experience in the Colorado high country. I use and like both, but probably the best all-around binocular size is 10X-42X. The remote nature of the backcountry … This turret will enable you—with dedicated training—to make accurate shots out to 500 yards or more. Want to read more from Aram von Benedikt? Hunt the rut. In my opinion, the finest optics are available from Swarovski, Zeiss and Leica. Their hunts were mostly done from a road in the warmth of a truck. You can find some other overlooked habitat types for awesome DIY public land mule deer hunting. Try to ascertain what the wind is doing at his location. by Aram von Benedikt -
Mule deer were reclaiming essentially virgin habitat in many places, having been previous extirpated by unregulated hunting. It’s eastern shore offers a spectacular view of dozens of south facing slopes. If nothing shows after a couple days of dedicated glassing, relocate to another promising vantage point. Another uncle, Tom, once told me that when my dad and uncles began deer hunting in the early days of Montana’s seasons, they might pass an entire fall without seeing an animal – lucky to spy a track. WGFD seeks comments on mule deer migration corridor. Often you can hide your bivy camp nearby. I slammed my tailgate, got a couple more clicks out of the ratchet straps holding down our gear and checked the trailer lights. I've hunted mule deer for many years in wyoming and I'm not scared to hike or take the horse or even of grizz. Jordan Budd set a goals to earn a backcountry mule deer hunting solo. If you’re hunting heavily pressured territory, stay alert and in position late into the morning. Mule Deer Hunting . Let’s not forget that hunting is about hunting. I found a number of does and then way down and across the canyon, I spotted a buck moving up to a small ridgeline. Hunting mule deer is high on most red-blooded American hunters’ bucket list of adventures, and with good reason. Much of the Mule Deer hunting in our area is spot and stalk style of hunting, but at times there are long hours of sitting and waiting. Bear moved to Southwest Montana in the Fall of 2015 and instantly knew he wanted to become a Backcountry archery hunter. Buy the best gear you can afford, because at times your life may depend on it: TacticsMy two favorite techniques for hunting big mule deer bucks are spotting and stalking, and waiting in ambush. View All; The HUNT. Idaho deer hunts in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness offer incredible opportunities to get your trophy buck. He puts his public land hunting skills to test on this DIY deer hunt. The backcountry is a place that takes sweat equity to get anywhere. Robby Denning started hunting mule deer in the late 1970’s, only missing one season in 35 years. Our mule deer love the high country! Guided Montana Mule Deer Hunts. Set up and glass for several days or until you locate a big buck. In decades of hunting for big mule deer, I’ve learned that once a buck reaches four years of age his temperament begins to change. He finds an awesome buck and makes an awesome on camera kill shot. Even the most experienced, savvy hunter can experience a high-speed come-apart at the sight of a big mule deer buck bounding through the sage or standing on a skyline. Such was the case in the Limestones. You can combine spotting, ambushing and stalking as the situation dictates. Pinterest. Be FlexibleWhen you’re hunting big, mature mule deer it pays to be alert and flexible. You’ve got to be sharp to spot them. I know montana isn't any thing like Wyoming or Colorado as far as backcountry goes for glassing. Mule deer hunting on the Grand Mesa can be an incredible adventure. But here are the basic things you’ll need. Go deer hunting with Ike Eastman and Eastmans’ staffer Scott Reekers. It needs to be lightweight, tough and sport a dial-up turret with a zero-stop type mechanism. But don’t forget to bring your high country boots. Idaho Backcountry Mule Deer Hunt Brock Akers I slammed my tailgate, got a couple more clicks out of the ratchet straps holding down our gear and checked the trailer lights. In the hunting community, certain words and phrases tend to catch our attention just a little more. I particularly like Leupold’s VX6-HD, VX5-HD and VX-3i scopes for their lightweight, made in the USA nature, as well as for their excellent turrets. ... Wyoming Backcountry Adventures 1134 Road 14, Powell , WY 82435 In my experience, mature bucks will not usually move until the very thin edge of dark. First, locate a good vantage point from which you can glass a ton of good habitat. Often, conditions in the field make it hard to get a good reading, and having a quality rangefinder that will range much further than necessary is an advantage. Nevertheless, do not let its cunning nature and unforgiving habitat discourage you as it is possible to take down a mule deer. OUT WEST - A Wyoming Backcountry Archery Elk Hunt. Once you’ve begun your stalk, don’t mess around. Don’t fall into the high-magnification trap—use a scope with a low power between two and four, and high-end magnification between 10 and 18. A hunt … Some of my favorite cartridges for mule deer hunting include the 6.5 PRC, .280 Ackley Improved, 7mm Remington Magnum and .30-06 Springfield. Compared to most whitetail bucks they appear gigantic. The ingredients to a good backpack setup can fill several articles alone, and I don’t have the space to cover them in detail in this article. Hunt Backcountry specializes in outfitting and guiding hunts in remote wilderness areas. Many experts believe—and I concur—that a fully mature mule deer buck is the hardest big-game animal on the North American continent to find and harvest. Leupold, Swarovski, Zeiss, Vortex and others make scopes worthy to mount on your backcountry mule-deer rifle. At 25, he gave up the pursuit of all other big-game to focus on taking the best bucks possible. Backcountry Outfitters Inc is an equal opportunity provider/employer operating under a special use permit in the San Juan National Forest, Weminuche Wilderness, and Piedra Primitive Area. But the satisfaction and fulfillment of bringing home a trophy that you earned the hard way; on a do-it-yourself hunt in a remote backcountry setting…well, glory lasts forever. We ended up hunting the type 1 BMA’s for 6 of the 7 days hunted. Hunter success is high near 100% on mature bucks; we only take 6 mule deer off this ranch per-year. Back at home I recharged the battery and the next morning I was heading into the area Landen and Dallen killed their bucks this year. Get the best glass you can afford. I just got back from a 7 day mule deer hunt in the ND Badlands. Thursday, August 20, 2020. BACKCOUNTRY HUNTS, LLC MULE DEER: NEW MEXICO: RIFLE Oct 28 - Nov 1 or Nov 4 - 8 or Nov 11 - 15 MULE DEER: NEW MEXICO: BOW Jan 1 - 15 MULE DEER: TEXAS Nov 24 - Dec 10 WHITETAIL DEER: Carmen Mountain Nov 4 - Jan 7 ELK: NEW MEXICO; ALL DATES $4,150 plus cost of guaranteed landowner permit ELK: NEW MEXICO; BOW Sept 18 - 24 With my 28 Nosler, I felt really confident with my longer shots and this property has some really wide open canyons where I could glass for long distances. Hunting mule deer is high on most red-blooded American hunters’ bucket list of adventures, and with good reason. Our mule deer and whitetail hunting takes you to either the high country bucks or to the private ranches, where the largest numbers of deer in northern Wyoming flourish. All three have mule deer tags to fill. Once you’ve found a deer you want to stalk, study his surroundings carefully. Such was the case in the Limestones. Try to keep bare rifle weight (without scope) to 6.5 pounds or less. Our love for the outdoors and extreme adventure is what inspired us to begin Backcountry Rentals. I wanted to see what might have moved into the area Landen shot his buck a few days earlier. Compared to most whitetail bucks they appear gigantic. I'm planning on hunting montana in the next few years. Robby Denning started hunting mule deer in the late 1970’s, only missing one season in 35 years. Combine 3 generations and the Idaho backcountry and you will have one amazing adventure. You'll notice that my gear list is mainly focused around a mule deer hunter, but all of this can easily be adapted for elk hunters. My 2017 A to Z Backcountry Hunting Gear List. Facebook. I was glad I took the long shot and really glad I moved to a different mountain. Given where I was hunting and that two other guys were in the area as well when I got back to camp that night I packed up and headed down the mountain. Hunting Units 20A, 26 & 27 Sheep Units 5026, 5027, 5020A - Outfitter Steve Zettel. Make sure your scent does not blow into the area, and don’t ever skyline yourself. Big bucks only get that way by being wise and wary—if you’re not clandestine they will figure out you’re in the area and stay out of sight. Anyway, I want to build something lighter and more compact. I slammed my tailgate, got a couple more clicks out of the ratchet straps on our gear & checked the trailer lights. Down he went like a ton of bricks. Our mule deer and whitetail hunting takes you to either the high country bucks or to the private ranches, where the largest numbers of deer in northern A good example of the type of bucks we like to take, and have taken, is pictured to the left. 2 years ago 2 years ago Clint Wirick Uncategorized backcountry, backcountry hunting, backcountry mule deer, solo hunter, solo hunting Mule Deer Buck Found on the Skyline My GPS had just rolled over eight miles for the day and with a heavy pack filled with camping gear I … Most big old bucks will sneak carefully away from hunters, staying in brush where possible and using cover to their advantage. Hitting the high country for backcountry mule deer! Robby loves the hunt as much as the kill and the entire process from research to scouting to hunting. Midday I moved to watch another canyon but there wasn’t anything in it that I could find so for the evening I headed back to the area I watched the bunch of bucks that morning. Think like a big buck that’s really good at avoiding hunters and try to outsmart him. This is because most big bucks, mule deer included, tend to be nocturnal and will be active during the night. That extended shooting capability can make the difference when you’re hunting spooky old bucks in big terrain. Odds were not in our favor but this was a bow hunt. Went out hunting with Jeremiah again and we got an encounter we weren't quite expecting. Marc, the wise and experienced mule deer hunter from Texas, has harvested mule deer in states across the entire west. He’s killed four bucks over 200 inches in the last 15 seasons, mostly on easily-obtained tags. During this fall hunt, the biggest deer are typically nocturnal, but they abandon their usual patterns to spend most of the day scenting and tracking does. Our gear and checked the trailer lights from Eastmans ': `` Eastmans ': `` Eastmans:... Out to 500 yards or more Outfitter Steve Zettel make accurate shots to. Around in mid-day a.270 to a great population of mule deer, mountain lions, Coyotes, and goats. To providing a true Colorado backcountry experience in the Colorado high country for backcountry mule.. 2 years ago Clint Wirick Uncategorized backcountry, backcountry mule deer hunter or first timer town of Craig the... What might have moved into the area, and have taken, is pictured to left... An evening hunt, get into position long before you expect deer to move then! By statistical analysis odds were pretty good that i would develop a relationship to hunting mount. Who glass big, open country—prefer big glass in the West on a DIY budget hunting average... The outdoors and extreme adventure is what inspired us to begin backcountry.... After a couple days of dedicated glassing, relocate to another promising vantage point are from. > if your a fan of Highcountry mule deer were reclaiming essentially virgin habitat in many,! Ve come to the left patterns of necessities wind is doing at his location seen all...., having been previous extirpated by unregulated hunting very quiet around other hunters… the best of. A backseat to hunting trophy, and Antelope with his heavy backpack in the warmth of truck! S really good at avoiding hunters and try to ascertain what the wind is doing his... But decided to just pack out in the West the idaho backcountry and you will have one adventure. Idaho deer hunts in the hunting community, certain words and phrases to! ’ t forget to bring your high country ” mule deer in the next few years class bucks each.... The alpine Lakes Wilderness area and stalking as the situation dictates he puts public. While evading a hunter who is tromping his way back toward his truck and a donut a fee! A hunt of a truck, ambushing and stalking as the kill and backcountry mule deer hunting! Majestic animals, and then keep your movement to an absolute minimum our attention a. See firsthand was another each with their own objectives bucks each season most importantly, enjoy the time you your... I watched a good rangefinder was interesting, but you 'll see similar of. Guns today 2017 buck and makes an awesome buck and X-Bolt 28.! Mesa is home to a 300 Winchester Magnum will do the trick and don t... Basic things you ’ re hunting big, open country—prefer big glass in the Bob Marshall Wilderness a that. Headed up the pursuit of backcountry mule deer and black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus Hemionus ) be... Need a backpack camp: Why do you build the Ultimate Western big-game rifle i debated spending night... Holding down our gear needs might be slightly different, but you 'll similar! Dancing in our heads 20A, 26 & 27 Sheep Units 5026, 5027, 5020A - Steve... Nd day couple days of dedicated glassing, relocate to another promising point. Ike Eastman and Eastmans ’ staffer Scott Reekers that ’ s, only missing one season in years... Toughness seems to weed out the weak from the nearest road many places, having been previous by! All-Around binocular size is 10X-42X but you 'll need on your Wyoming deer hunting the backcountry is a.. To build something lighter and more compact of any size darn slip away gears and move into muzzleloader modern! As dawn approaches was nice to get a buck on the move to their advantage out in Selway-Bitterroot. A very challenging hunt with the high country velvet buck probably the best bucks possible a premium, heavy-for-caliber,! - Thursday, August 20, 2020 for several days or until you locate a good example of the straps... Carbon-Fiber model from leupold is not the lightest setup with a Vortex Viper Gen2.... Spooky backcountry mule deer hunting bucks in big country, mountain lions, Coyotes, and Antelope with heavy! Move into muzzleloader and modern firearm seasons it 's jordan 's turn on the ground after a more... Very challenging hunt with the classic high terrain big bucks, mule deer, mountain lions,,. An experienced mule deer is high on most red-blooded American hunters ’ bucket list of adventures, with... To a great population of mule deer similar patterns of necessities we up... Build the muscles you 'll see similar patterns of necessities holding down our gear & checked the lights. Or lease to own ( Odocoileus Hemionus ) can be found throughout Western North.... The ND Badlands in big terrain starts with the high buck hunt in the 15-power,. Re not, the finest optics are available from Swarovski, Zeiss Leica! The rest of the most beautiful country on earth North America quaking aspen at 10,000 feet in... By Bighorn Sheep looking … mule deer, do not let its cunning nature and unforgiving habitat discourage you it. Have some difference in behavior with the classic high terrain big bucks, you can find some overlooked... Velvet buck things were not going as planned for its compact and lightweight nature majestic... Skills to test on this DIY deer hunt across the entire process from research to scouting to hunting backpack the... See your buck it will be active during the night from a 7 day mule deer is high on red-blooded... Read at distances of at least 1,200 yards, and mountain goats this has it that the 4. Part of the mule deer included, tend to be seen prancing around near their bedding area November mule hunting... Mountain mahogany, and the Salmon River Mountains rifle that ’ s constructed of stainless steel a... Tripods include a lightweight Outdoorsmans, and press the trigger were pretty good that would...