How to get off the 160" class treadmill??

[Umpqua Hunter]

I've killed a bunch of 160 class mule deer and one 183 clean typical (20 years ago). The 183 buck came off a late Nevada tag where finding big bucks was a daily occurrence.

How do I get off the 160 class treadmill? I've drawn very good units, hunted great dates, had a tag that I was told "it will be like Christmas" but turned out to be "one year too late", I've passed a lot of 160 class bucks, and have seen a very very small handful of better bucks while hunting in the past 20 years. With my better tags I have hunted winter range on November dates. I consider myself a pretty good glasser, and we seem to get it done DIY on sheep and elk, but killing that next class up of deer has been painful. I think I may just not hunting the right areas for the better class of bucks. Do you guys have any solid pointers? If you'd rather, send me a PM.

I have noticed good elk hunters tend to have a hard time with deer (there are exceptions).

P.S. I find the same frustration with blacktails. I haven't found a buck I want to shoot since 2009. This year I hunted 25 days morning and evening trying to break the streak.

 

[NHK9]

You invite a guy from the east coast who diligently hunts with you. When a 160" steps out he gladly shots it for you so as to relieve any pressure you may have to shoot said 160". Then you continue hunting for the 180".

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

You invite a guy from the east coast who diligently hunts with you. When a 160" steps out he gladly shots it for you so as to relieve any pressure you may have to shoot said 160". Then you continue hunting for the 180".

I genuinely "laughed out loud". I had that deal with my kids on blacktails this year and they both shot bucks.

 

[Tim McCoy]

If you are talking DIY, do you have an area or two you have/can hunt regularly? For me, when DIY, most of my better MD bucks, 170+, were after a few hunts in the same area.

The other thing I have done successfully a few times for better bucks, is to try to find a good not great hunt unit, my family can cycle through over a period of time (preference point state). For example, the plan may be to hunt it 2-3-5 times over a 5-6-10 year cycle. Hunt a wife/kid/friend a few times, then circle in for the kill so to speak myself later.

I have noticed a few very good elk hunters who struggle on MD because they kept scaring the deer off with their bugling...leave the bugle at home.

 

[missjordan]

Take me with you I would love to jump on the 160 class treadmill [emoji3]

 

[cmbbulldog]

Serious question: You said you hunted 25 mornings and evenings this past year. Are you hunting mid-day? The last 4 "big" animals I have killed have all been between 10-2 mid-day. That includes a 190 and 206 buck.

 

[PlainsHunter]

I wish I could help. I've never shot a mule deer that big!

 

[TimberJunkie]

Stop complaining about harvesting 160 bucks. Those are getting hard to come by in many areas. Especially here in Oregon with our poor deer management and short and early seasons. Be glad you can go hunting, and have the time and money to make it a successful hobbie. Most guys are not going to have much sympathy for you, this sounds like a platform to brag rather than get help. Sounds like you just need more self control to pass on the "little" 160 class bucks.

Just sayin...

 

[ScottR]

Give your ammo to your buddy...

I could write articles on this topic for days. The simple truth is though, every big buck I have killed, or heard/seen from the big deer hunters here is that you have to stick to your guns on your standards. Mine is 180 or big/mature. I didn't shoot a buck this year because I couldn't find one that I wanted.

 

[Hilltop]

TimberJunkie,

UH isn't that kind of guy. I think this is a legitimate topic that a lot of us have interest in.

 

[libidilatimmy]

I am by no means an expert on hunting big deer, but I think that you really have to have patience when it comes to finding older muley bucks. For the most part, you are hunting them in late Sept. or early Oct. when they are in small bachelor groups and they're active areas tend to be small in size. One thing that seems to hold true for me during this time frame is that where there are a good numbers of does, the mature bucks will not be in the same area. Usually there are adolescent bucks hanging around the does but the mature deer will be off somewhere else.

 

[Timberstalker]

I have never killed a big mule deer, my best is probably a 140. I helped a new hunter this year and on his second day ever hunting he killed a 184 buck. Luck UH, Luck.

 

[Finsandtines]

I'm your huckleberry! I will gladly be that guy from the east and take care of a 160 for you so you can so you can get a 180+!

 

[tdcour]

Do you hunt with a bow? I know you use a smoke pole and gun if I remember right, but I know a lot of guys that get on big deer early before any other season is open with a stick and string.

 

[BOHNTR]

Commit to the bow and hunt areas and time-frames other weapons can't.

 

[DRUSS]

I feel this way regarding BT deer, several in 110-120 type cant break into the next age class I guess.....

 

[Timberstalker]

I feel this way regarding BT deer, several in 110-120 type cant break into the next age class I guess.....

Me too, I gave up.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

TimberJunkie,

UH isn't that kind of guy. I think this is a legitimate topic that a lot of us have interest in.

Thanks Hilltop, it is definitely a legitimate topic, and I would like to grow as a mule deer hunter.

Tim, the idea of building a knowledge base on an area is right on and an area where I've lacked. I have a tendency to wait out really great tags therefore I rarely hunt a unit twice, so I am always starting over learning a new area and that makes it tough. I have been looking into an area where we could draw on a 3 to 4 year cycle. With my wife and I alternating tags we could hunt it more frequently. Good strategy! That's been my strategy on blacktails, trying to get one of the late muzzy tags as often as possible, even if I need to find someone I can ride points with.

One area I'd like to gain more knowledge is identifying the prime habitat for mule deer. Some guys have a great handle on the right types of vegetation (feed sources) and that's something I am pretty clueless on. Another area is identifying the right type of topography. Do you guys have any thoughts on that? Are there any good chapters in books or articles you guys can think of on those topics?

I tend to be pretty picky, but I do usually pull the trigger when it comes down to the last day or two, especially if I'm a thousand miles from home. I have no problem going with unfilled tags at home.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

I feel this way regarding BT deer, several in 110-120 type cant break into the next age class I guess.....

Blacktails are tough that's for sure. I've only broken that one time and it was on a hunt that cost me 16 points.

 

[Tim McCoy]

UH, there are some places I have hunted where I've learned what habitat/terrain the deer like and it works well. Other places where not so much. They certaintly have favored areas and others they avoid, that often look identical to me. The larger guys are almost a separate breed and can act like it in where they choose to live. I have always made it a point to check at least one crappy spot where they would never live, for every 3-4 areas I think are good, especially while learning an area. I have been surprised a few times.

I think for me, learning an area takes care of habitat/terrain for the most part. Sometimes, after 3 or so years, the light comes on and I realize they like this habitat and terrain and can find similar areas to check near by. Over time I seem to have developed an affinity for a couple habitat types where I like hunting and have had success.

When I was getting serious about finding MD horns some years back, this book helped me. Mule Deer Country, by Valerius Geist. Published around 1990, so there may be a follow-on or expanded works by others. He has a wealth of info in the book, including feeding & foods, and some great pictures. It is mostly info from the Canadian Rockies near Banff as I recall.