A successful mule deer hunt is one of the most challenging adventures in the nation. Often, it requires extensive climbing and long-range glassing just to find a mule deer buck. However, mule deer abound in the Great Plains states, hunting is less physically taxing, and tags may be available over-the-counter or by drawing with high success. If you have always dreamed of hunting mule deer, here’s a plan to make it happen.
Great Plains States
Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Eastern Montana all have good mule deer populations, and many offer large tracts of public land, including “walk-ins” and Indian reservations where mule deer tags are available in addition to those offered by their surrounding states. Reservation tags are often more expensive than state tags, yet guide fees are very reasonably priced.
Timing Your Hunt
I hunt in South Dakota every fall and am often seen with my crossbow while wearing an orange hat, because I bowhunt during the rifle season in mid-November. An “Any deer tag” is the beauty of the Great Plains because many jurisdictions allow the taking of a mule deer or whitetail on that license. Plains states aren’t known for monster whitetails, yet my 163-inch 10-point attests to the quality of the possibilities. The whitetail rut peaks in mid-November, while mule deer breed intensely a week or two later. I plan to bowhunt in early October, and if I’m unsuccessful, I’ll return in mid-November when my archery tag is still valid.
Gearing Up for Muleys
Boots and binoculars are key ingredients of any Plains hunt, as the wide open spaces allow for spotting game at long distances and the need to hike way over there to close the deal. Lower elevations won’t rob your oxygen like the Rocky Mountains, but walking five to ten miles per day is not uncommon for mule deer. A 20-yard shot is rare in a stalking situation, so make sure that you practice at extended ranges and that your rangefinder has extra batteries.
