Which method is most successful?

[magnum72576]

My Mule deer experience is very limited and basically consists of an archery hunt, a muzzy hunt, and a 2nd season hunt. I have not fired a shot yet. I would like to get some opinions from the many experienced mule deer hunters on here. If you were unable to scout which season (assume you are hunting the same #of days)do you feel would afford a hunter the best chance of tagging a 170" buck. My thoughts are that archery has the least pressure on the deer and they are most visible but betting in bow range can be difficult . Muzzy season the deer will have experienced some archery pressure but the muzzy range is a little better than bow. And for second season the deer are reacting to elk/deer hunter and more or less not very active or visible and found in the thicker cover. Any thoughts.
Tony

 

[NE69]

Hi Tony, welcome to the forum. A lot a variables come into play. Which state, because the season structures vary so much and give advantage to primitive weapons more so than others? The skills of the hunter with each weapon, the type of terrain one prefers to hunt and many other factors. Can you give us more info?

 

[ivorytip]

yeah some more info and im sure youll be pointed in right direction. welcome
what method are you most comfortable with? if you are confident in your archery abilities that's a solid way to go, my personal fav for mulies is rifle. if you know your area and do your scouting your off to a fine good start.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Provide some more info like NE69 suggests, and you may get some useful info, but keep in mind 170 is a heck of a buck. Doubly so if it is a first MD. They can be difficult to come by. Check out the current thread about the 160 class treadmill... If that's your deal, fine, stick to your guns and more power to you. Not trying to talk you out of or into anything.

If you are able to hunt at least every few years, keep in mind there are some mature very good looking bucks that make a great trophy that will not go 170. And don't ignore a big 3x3, I have a couple I love to look at, one likely won't make it to 150, the other right at 170, but to my eye, both look great and I consider them among my better MD due to eye appeal, not score. To each their own and good luck!

 

[Gr8bawana]

I think you should try to get some more experience hunting mulies befoe you set your sights on a 170" buck. Who knows you might get lucky but you have set the bar pretty high for your first muie buck.

 

[magnum72576]

Yes you made me realize I did for get to mention I'm specifically referring to Colorado. I have to be honest and say I would love to shoot a mule deer with a bow as I love to bow hunt and drool over those lush high country meadows. But I would be just as thrilled with a rifle kill. I feel proficient in bow,muzzy and rifle. My draw strategy is to hunt units that require only a few points and buy vouchers when needed. I love the tv shows with the highcountry bow hunts in Colorado and Wyoming. I hunted a little bit of that in the ragged wilderness in unit 43 a few years ago with muzzy. But it wasn't those lush green basins that I see on TV. I love to glass and that is my preferred method to hunt out west. As far as 170" I"m not a numbers guy. I shoot when It pumps me up. And typically when I see pics of nice mule deer it's the 170" and over stuff that gets me going. I love wide and heavy racks. Being that I'm hunting so far from home in upstate Ny, I have no problem eating tag soup. Being that I'm limited to say a 7-10 day hunts, I can't see the point in shooting a deer I'm not thrilled with. I am accruing points in other states but I know Colorado has the most opportunity for the biggest bucks. Thanks.

 

[Tim McCoy]

Arguably, you have chosen the best state for what you seek to do. Sounds like you are on the right path. You might consider some of the later, 3rd and 4th season, rifle hunts. Do that for several years, in the same area, and you are very likely to meet a 170+ goal.

 

[badgerbob]

First of all welcome. A 170 class buck is going to require a lot of time and work. Find out if the area you hunt even produces them or not. Providing it does, keep hunting it and learning "how" to hunt it, every year. The easiest time to spot them will be during archery season, so if you are an accomplished bow hunter that's what I would choose. You are at least going to see bucks if you put quality time in. Spot and stalk will probably be most effective and even a few blown opportunities will beat a whole season of spotting nothing. Of course bow hunting requires more skill once the game has been spotted. As others have mentioned there are some great looking bucks that won't make the 170 mark. I suggest at first you make a good mature buck your goal and let the numbers fall where they may. You will hear of hunters coming out West and bagging a giant first time up to bat, but don't count on it. Believe me the first time you spot one of the real bruisers you will never forget it. Good luck and hunt hard.