| While the mule deer and the whitetail deer are | | | | make sure you didn't miss any obvious does and |
| considered cousins, hunting a whitetail deer can be | | | | bucks. |
| very different from hunting a mule deer. One of the | | | | Then use the spotting scope, searching for bits of a |
| more obvious factors is the difference of terrain: | | | | deer hidden by grassy fields and cover. It may require |
| whitetail hunting often happens in closer quarters in | | | | adjusting some thinking in order to not seek for a |
| wooded or forested areas, muleys can often be found | | | | whole deer, and instead to be searching for the parts |
| in more open, wide open spaces. If you've ever hunted | | | | of a deer that may not be hidden in cover. This will |
| whitetails, it can be a real adjustment. | | | | take some learning, but it can be learned, and you will |
| One of the adjustments a hunter may have to do is to | | | | find it easier to spot hidden dear as you grow in |
| change tactics in the hunt. Where a hunter may have | | | | experience and skill. Remember to take note of every |
| gotten used to utilizing a blind or a stand, and waiting | | | | deer you spot with your binoculars; you will want this |
| for the deer to cross their paths, hunting mule deer | | | | list for the next part of the hunt - stalking deer. |
| requires that you are able to successfully scout for | | | | When stalking mule deer, one has to remember that |
| their presence, and then stalk them, in order to have a | | | | you do not need to get too close to your deer to take |
| good hunt. | | | | the shot. Again, given the terrain, you will be able to |
| The first order of business is to prepare the equipment | | | | take longer shots, which is ideal because coming too |
| you will need for scouting, or "glassing". I would advise | | | | close to a mule deer can startle it and cause it to run. |
| a good pair of binoculars in the 8 or 10 power ranges, | | | | Be prepared to take the shot only when you are |
| as well as a spotting scope. The right technique for | | | | confident in your abilities. If the mule deer is especially |
| glassing is to first use the binoculars carefully, checking | | | | well-hidden, you could try using a small pebble to get |
| open spaces from a good vantage point early in the | | | | the animal to stand and give you a clear shot. |
| day. Then do another scan with your binoculars just to | | | | |