Mule Deer Patterns and Habits in Wyoming

[nickpaolini81]

I've only every hunted mule deer in New Mexico during the rut archery season. Deer, especially bucks are everywhere and seems that every other deer has antlers. In the early AM, the deer were atop ridges and mountains. Bedded for a couple of hours from 9-12, moved a bit, bedded again from 2-3 and were on the move from 3-dusk. I know NOT to expect this in Wyoming in October.

• So my question is where (elevation, vegetation, habitat, etc.) should I expect to find deer? We are fixin' on hunting the Bighorn Nat'l Forest.
• What tactic would you use? Spot from a high vantage point and stalk? Ambush in the timber?
• Also looking for some isolated, rough country that where those that lack motivation will not go, but have deer in the Bighorns.....specifically Region Y (units 24,25,27,28,30,32,33,163,169)

Thanks for any help!

 

[izzy69]

Sorry can't help You with your wyoming hunt still building pp for there but would like to here more about new mexico

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Get Eastmans new Mule Deer book. I have it and it is well worth the read and answers a lot of your questions.

 

[shootbrownelk]

Get Eastmans new Mule Deer book. I have it and it is well worth the read and answers a lot of your questions.

I'll second that recomendation, all of Mike Eastman's books are a treasure trove of good useable information. I have almost all of them.

 

[nickpaolini81]

What about snow? What does snow do to the deer? What should my tactic be if there is snow and what should it be if there is not?

 

[ivorytip]

depends on how much snow. early october deer hunt u will prob run into to some snow but unless its over a foot i wouldnt worry to much. a little snow makes things so much easier. glass glass glass. if there is massive snow storm and your not seeing any deer just drop down to where there is still uncovered feed. with that said.... as othere have stated, mike eastman knows wyoming deer better than most. get the book and good luck

 

[nickpaolini81]

By mid October, what's the likelihood that most of the deer will be in the timber? We are hunting the Bighorn National Forest?

 

[mnhunter]

region Y; about as close to 100% as you can get. Region R, some part are a little more open, and you might have some coming out into the fringes of the BLM and maybe some resident deer out in the BLM.

 

[nickpaolini81]

How do you hunt deer in the thick timber? Glassing is minimal. Stand hunt? Still hunt?

region Y; about as close to 100% as you can get. Region R, some part are a little more open, and you might have some coming out into the fringes of the BLM and maybe some resident deer out in the BLM.

 

[ssliger]

How do you hunt deer in the thick timber? Glassing is minimal. Stand hunt? Still hunt?

I have seen a few big Mulie bucks still hunting for elk. I would still hunt thru the day and try to find small parks or open ridges to glass at first and last light.

 

[nickpaolini81]

what about a drive? is it worth the effort if we only have 4 people?

 

[ssliger]

A lot of people use drives, have 2 people covering the most obvious escape routes, and have the other 2 walk.

 

[Scotch]

Re: Drive

what about a drive? is it worth the effort if we only have 4 people?

Some of the biggest bucks I have seen were thanks to my Dad's hard work pushing thick dark timber.