{"id":133268,"date":"2020-08-31T19:56:27","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T23:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=133268"},"modified":"2025-12-01T04:59:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T10:59:54","slug":"hunt365-spot-and-stalk-a-mule-deer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/hunt365-spot-and-stalk-a-mule-deer\/","title":{"rendered":"Spot and Stalk A Mule Deer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Spot
Stalking a mature muley buck is sure to get your adrenaline flowing. It\u2019s the quintessential western hunting experience.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The chill western wind bites into your face and hands as you glass from a high ridge, searching for a big mule deer buck. Then you spot him, browsing in a small sage flat. You study the terrain, plan your stalk, and move out, rifle in hand. Minutes later you\u2019re within range, creeping into position for a shot. You find the big buck in your scope, tear your eyes away from his heavy rack, and settle the crosshairs on his shoulder. Your finger tightens on the trigger\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a scenario that plays out many times every fall in western mule deer country. A popular, effective, and time-honored method, spot and stalk hunting consists of glassing up a buck from a point of vantage, and then stalking within range for a shot. Sometimes the hunter wins the contest, sometimes the deer, but it\u2019s always an awesome experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
A big, mature mule deer buck is considered one of the toughest species in America to harvest. Prepare well, and your chances to tag a buck like this go up dramatically.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

TOOLS OF THE TRADE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the gear you\u2019ll need for a western spot and stalk hunt:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Optics: Use the best binocular you can afford, and carry it in a chest pouch to protect it from dust and keep it snug to your torso should you need to crawl. I prefer 10X42 field glasses for all-around mule deer hunting. In really big, open country mount you can mount it on a lightweight tripod<\/a> and then grid the area through the glass, searching every draw and shadow for deer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve spotted animals, switch to a good spotting scope<\/a>. You\u2019ll likely need to carry your scope up and down mountains in your backpack, so forego the big, heavy models and get a top-quality spotter in the 15-45X65 range. Through this you can study your quarry and determine whether a buck is a shooter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need a lightweight but sturdy tripod. Do yourself a favor and leave common cheap little tripods alone. Buy a good one that will hold your optics steady and last for years of hardcore hunting. I recommend those sold by Outdoorsman (aluminum) and Leupold (carbon fiber).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
Use your binoculars to search vast amounts of territory for deer. Once you spot animals, settle in and study them. Is there a big buck present? What are they eating? Are they hanging out in shade or sunshine? This kind of Intel will help you find more deer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Footwear: Keep your hunting shoes lightweight and breathable, especially during warm early-season hunts. Use footwear with a quiet sole, one that grips rock but doesn\u2019t \u201cclunk\u201d on it. Perhaps most importantly, make sure your footwear is comfortable and well broken-in before your hunt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
Your rifle is the most important tool you\u2019ll use in your quest for mule deer. Get the best you can afford, and learn to use it well.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rifle: Set yourself up for success with a lightweight rifle and scope, and zero it at 200 yards. Learn to dial your scope or compensate for drop to make shots out to 400 yards or more. Practice rapidly assuming various field positions and acquiring your target through the scope, then executing an accurate shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
Mule deer country can be steep and rough. Get in the best shape possible so you can hunt effectively, and \u2013 with luck \u2013 pack out that monster buck.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fitness: You don\u2019t need to be a marathon runner to spot-and-stalk mule deer, but you should be in the best shape possible. Train for climbing up and down rough terrain (stadium steps are good for this) and do cardiac work that\u2019ll prepare you to trot a mile or so in short order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
Stay under cover during your stalk, using terrain and vegetation to cover your movements.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

EXECUTE YOUR STALK<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve spotted a buck that you want to shoot, it\u2019s time to move into position for the shot. Sometimes that\u2019s as simple as moving to the next closer ridge. Other times you may need to circle, crawl, and slither to keep out of sight or get the wind in your favor. A stalk can take a few minutes, or many hours. Here\u2019s what to do:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
Plan carefully before embarking on your stalk. You don\u2019t want to get lost, or accidentally bump the buck before you\u2019re ready.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Landmarks And Plans: Note landmarks near the buck. (Once you\u2019ve left your original vantage point everything looks different, and it\u2019s easy to become discombobulated.) Study the wind, and try to figure out which way it\u2019ll be blowing at the deer\u2019s position. Then pick out an end-goal shooting position and plan a route to that spot that\u2019ll keep you under cover and downwind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
Watch your target buck until the time for a stalk is right. Then go.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Timing Your Stalk: Deer feeding at dawn or dusk call for immediate action, but only if they\u2019re likely to bed in heavy cover. Make your plan and execute your stalk before the opportunity disappears. Conversely, when you\u2019re hunting above-timberline areas or high-plains country where it\u2019s likely you\u2019ll get to watch a buck settle into his bed, be patient. Stay on your vantage point and just watch until your buck beds down for his morning nap. Then watch and wait some more. He\u2019ll get up and relocate into better shade about 45 minutes after he first beds down. Now go; you\u2019ll have several hours to close the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Spot
The culmination of a well-executed stalk. Thanks to matching cheater points this buck stretched the tape to exactly 34 inches wide.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hunting With A Partner: Your buddy can dramatically up your odds for success by staying on a vantage point and guiding you into position using radios or hand-held flags. Be aware that radio use for hunting is illegal in many states, and even where legal their use will render your buck ineligible for inclusion in the record books, should he qualify. A better, more sporting method is to use two small but bright hand-held flags. Work out a good set of signals before the hunt, and practice them with your partner in advance so you can communicate fluently. Then he can watch the deer and keep you updated regarding their whereabouts while you execute your stalk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Exactly what you need for a western spot and stalk mule deer. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":73,"featured_media":133277,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1164,1239,1257,1217,4320,992,1219,1255],"tags":[1267,1384],"featured":[4084],"hunt365":[4089],"class_list":{"0":"post-133268","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-aram-von-benedikt","8":"category-big-game","9":"category-how-to-diy","10":"category-hunt365","11":"category-hunting-hunt365","12":"category-specialty-publications","13":"category-technique","14":"category-tips","15":"tag-hunt365more1","16":"tag-mule-deer","17":"featured-row6","18":"hunt365-hunting"},"yoast_head":"\nSpot and Stalk A Mule Deer<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Spot and Stalk A Mule Deer -\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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He prefers the company of his horses, dogs, and rifles to that of his fellow humans, with the notable exception of his lovely wife and children, whom he thoroughly enjoys. He writes for various hunting and shooting publications on the subjects of backcountry hunting, fine shooting implements, and survival. This is for the purpose of putting food on the table and shoes on those lovely children's feet, and because it is a way to pay forward the knowledge he has gleaned from years of living and hunting in wild places.","url":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/author\/aram-von-benedikt\/"}]}},"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Aram-1Photo-1-9-150x100.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/73"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=133268"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":225916,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/133268\/revisions\/225916"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/133277"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=133268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=133268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=133268"},{"taxonomy":"featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured?post=133268"},{"taxonomy":"hunt365","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hunt365?post=133268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}