Have you been dreaming of hunting for mule deer miles away from the nearest highway or road? Rumor has it that the sheep hunt is not the best part of the experience, its about where the sheep live that's exciting. This also applies to true wilderness mule deer hunts. Mule deer live and thrive in some of the more stunning, isolated areas in the world. Just watching these astonishing beasts and the place they live in is worth any effort to get to them. We would like to give you some advice to ensure your first backcountry mule deer hunt is a successful experience.

First and foremost, you have to get yourself into shape! I'm not talking about walking to your mailbox every day or playing a pick up game of basketball each weekend. In order to truly enjoy hunting for mule deer in the backcountry, you will need to be in really good shape. I understand, depending on age, that may not be possible, so if that is the situation, aim for the best condition you've been in for the last five years. The biggest thing here is to do all that you can. Personally, my workout is taking a jog between three and four times every week. I start walking and work up to jogging three months before the hunt, and when it's time for the trip, my aspiration is to be able to jog for an hour without having to stop. I found this is easier than trying to give specific distances. If you can maintain a steady jogging pace for an hour, you should be ready to climb the mountains required for the mule deer hunt. Together with jogging, I jump rope, go hiking, bike ride, and walk with my backpack (around 50 lbs) . All of these activities are good to build the muscles you'll need on your deer hunt.

Second, shoot your gun. The best case would be to shoot the rifle on a weekly basis at distances reaching 300 yards. You'll need to know where your rifle will shoot at various distances. Begin shooting at the 100 yard range with a solid mechanical rest. Experiment with various types of ammo until you find out what your rifle does best with and stay with it. Personally, I like to use Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in 270, but each gun will shoot differently and you should find the load that works best for you. Once you figure out how your hunting rifle shoots on the practice range, try shooting sticks, prone position, over your pack and also other positions that you might run across in the field. You won't be able to use a bench during your hunt and even if you are a great bench shooter, that won't necessarily make you a great shooter in a hunting situation. You will also want to study up on angles vs. distances. Many shots made at mule deer are up or downhill and hunters tend to shoot over deer. Go out and work on downhill and uphill shots. You will be surprised at how much difference steep angles can make. I also suggest that you find a laser rangefinder to use at your practice sessions. It is also helpful to learn to judge mule deer within the field. The hunting DVDs and videos by Mossback titled Mulies Gone Wild are a good tool for judging bucks. They give you the score after you view footage of the bucks on the hoof.

Third, purchase the best supplies you can manage to afford. There are good products on the market. Search for the lightest weight, yet strongest material for your clothing and backpacking items. I won't spend time on each item, but a few recommendations include: sturdy, stiff, hiking boots - I use Lowa Sheephunter boots, wool socks I use Smartwool, an internal pack I use a North Face pack, but there are lots on the market, and light packable rain gear I use Frogg Toggs. If you're going with an outfitter, ask for a list to bring and make sure to follow it. Get the best optical equipment you can afford! I prefer Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 on account of their light weight and power to magnify, but there are many different fine optics available. I'll say it once again, purchase the best gear you can manage to afford.

Lastly, find some good mule deer hunting videos. These will help to get your blood moving and get you excited about finding a big muley. They will get you motivated to get into shape in the off season and find the perfect deer when the season is open.


Tags: aim, pace, three months, hunting, workout, good shape, distances, muscles, mountains, rope, backpack, jog, sheep, beasts, basketball, aspiration, ammo