Mule Deer Hunting in Western ColoradoMule deer hunting in Western Colorado can vary greatly depending on the time of year. Unlike Whitetail deer that follow a set plan in their daily activities in the flat lands, mule deer can show up anywhere. Usually moving from one food source to another and from different altitudes at different times of the year. It is possible for mule deer to live in a variety of places. When archery and muzzleloader season are on, big bucks will try and stay up high above tree line if possible to escape predators and insects. Usually their will be several together in what are called bachelor groups. As weather begins to cool in November the rut begins and bucks will become more social with the doe deer and start to loss their common sense. Its this time of the year that you are most likely to see big bucks hanging around does out in the open. Mule deer hunting around farm land can be a lot like the way I used to hunt whitetails in New York. They come down off of the hillsides at night time, feed, and at morning light they go back to their bedding areas on the steep hillside. Mule deer like to bed on hillsides so that they have a good view and a quick escape route. When mule deer hunting in canyons they will bed about two thirds of the way up the side or at the base of steep rock walls and in places where there is a lot of brush and in aspen trees to stay cool. Just remember that they are not called "mule deer" for nothing. Walking on ridge tops and tossing stones down into thick cover can drive the deer out into the open for a shot. One of the main crops that will bring in deer is acorns in the oak brush. Mule deer hunting just inside of an aspen woods along the edge where woods meet oak brush can be good for still hunting. Just make sure that the wind is in your face. I wait till the afternoon wind starts to blow making the aspen leaves rattle in the wind. This is a favorite way to hunt during archery season so that you can get a close shot. Aspen usually provide good cover and there is lots of feed in the aspen and in the oak brush. They can be gone in a wink of an eye so look for antler tips while they doze in the afternoon and wait for them to stand.Another method for mule deer hunting in canyons is to have a partner on the other side about a third of the way down from the rim. Walk together down the canyon so that you can watch for deer on your partners side and he on yours as they break cover. Does not hurt to have someone watching further up the canyon either as they try and sneak down the canyon. Deer drives are very common back east but because of the lack of fences and size of the areas it makes it more difficult. Mule deer hunting can be good along drainages like the Colorado River with deer living at low altitude all year long. In some areas like the Bookcliff mountains in the Grand Valley, their does not appear to be enough feed or water but springs can pop up in many places. Sometimes while walking down a dry stream bed suddenly water will surface into a flowing stream and then vanish as you walk further down. Great place for a mule deer to live. Maps will show where some springs in these canyons are located. I have seen nice bucks literally at the bottom of mountains in the desert while hunting seasons are on and everybody is hunting up high in nice weather. I enjoy hunting up high myself but it pays to have a look down low especially latter in the seasons when there has been lots of hunt pressure. Deer and elk both have natural migration routes from high altitude to low winter habitat and a good snow storm can move them down in a hurry. These migration route maps are available on the Colorado Division of Wildlife web site. One thing that coming from back east that I was not familiar with was the "Art of Road Hunting". Out west with all the vast open areas road hunting has been taken to levels of perfection that have to be seen to be appreciated. I have seen pickup trucks going down the road with archery hunters in full camo, and rifle hunters crouched in the back like they are trying to stalk an animal, weapons at the ready. I'm sure some guys get their animals this way but it does not look good for the rest of us. By traveling dirt roads and glassing it is possible to cover a lot more terrain than just taking off on foot into the woods. You can use a spotting scope or high power binoculars and look for animals bedded or even antler tips sticking up above grass and brush.Another advantage to mule deer hunting from a vehicle is you get to see lots of great scenery and other wildlife as well. Just remember that it is illegal to shoot from, across or on a public road with a firearm, bow or crossbow. You must be 50 ft from the centerline of the road before shooting at game. You cannot use a vehicle for your rifle rest either. It is however legal to have on a loaded handgun while on a four-wheeler or in a vehicle. Also when mule deer hunting in a vehicle the firearm must be unloaded and on a four-wheeler or dirt bike, both firearm and bow must be in a case as well. Always stay on the trails with your vehicle and respect closures and other people. The best thing to do is always carry a pair of shooting sticks with you in case you spook an animal or see one across a canyon. Their are lots of different kinds on the market and I always carry shooting sticks in my pack frame when hunting. What ever flat shooting rifle you use for elk works good for deer also. I usually use the same load in a medium weight bullet for both. I like a big game rated spitzer boattail bullet in the 150 to 160 gr.range in a 7mm magnum, or 165 or 180 in a 30-06, 308 or 300 magnum as an example. Remember that loads that have the flatter trajectory will make hitting easier at long range if you don't have time to use a range finder. For muzzleloader mule deer hunting I follow the same pattern staying with a 350 to 370 gr slug in my 50 caliber and have had excellent results. Don't go to light because in the event that you get a less than perfect shot,(never happens) you will have enough bullet to penetrate bone or stomach and get the job done. Study statistics and maps in the units that you are likely to be hunting so you can increase your success. Pay close attention to access roads and private lands and remember its the fun of hunting and being outdoors that matters most. Mule Deer Hunting at Long Range
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These are a staple for putting on the fat for winter survival and if there is a good crop it can pay to watch oak brush patches from a vantage point. Same goes for hunting high mountain areas is let your binoculars cover the ground before you do. Plan an approach watching the wind and stay out of sight.
