Archery stalk questions

[Mtbhikernv]

Brand new to archery, and thinking about Nevada style stalks. What’s everyone do with their bow as they stalk outside their shot range? Hand carry, sling, or something like the spider? Issues with low crawling and keeping the bow out of the ground debris? Does anyone run a big pack then switch to a second smaller water bladder style for the final stalk?

 

[2Stamp]

If I'm making the stalk, it's in my hand. If I'm low crawling or moving low through brush I'm generally moving slow so it's not really an issue with keeping debris out of the bow. Is it going to get a little dirty? Absolutely. But I'm moving deliberately enough I can keep branches and other items out of cams, sight, etc. I've tried slings and don't care for them. I started using the Hoyt bipod thing and really like how I can just set the bow down, and keep the bow upright. However, I have had it come loose once on a stalk because of side pressure on a leg. I just loctited it when I got back home.

The only times I've actually used a separate small pack (Kifaru Bane) is when stalking pronghorn a few times.

 

[Mtbhikernv]

If I'm making the stalk, it's in my hand. If I'm low crawling or moving low through brush I'm generally moving slow so it's not really an issue with keeping debris out of the bow. Is it going to get a little dirty? Absolutely. But I'm moving deliberately enough I can keep branches and other items out of cams, sight, etc. I've tried slings and don't care for them. I started using the Hoyt bipod thing and really like how I can just set the bow down, and keep the bow upright. However, I have had it come loose once on a stalk because of side pressure on a leg. I just loctited it when I got back home.

The only times I've actually used a separate small pack (Kifaru Bane) in when stalking pronghorn a few times.

Thank you! I got the jakt sling for my Mathews and it doesn’t really feel organic or low profile. Plus my archery muscles suck so adding weight and magnets is hurting. I did get the arc feet, glad to hear they work in the field as well as the country.

 

[2Stamp]

Thank you! I got the jakt sling for my Mathews and it doesn’t really feel organic or low profile. Plus my archery muscles suck so adding weight and magnets is hurting. I did get the arc feet, glad to hear they work in the field as well as the country.

I know two guys that have lost their Mathews tripod off their Lift/Liftx while hunting. Just be aware.

 

[Beendare]

I've done those stalks a bunch.

Many times they bed in a spot thats not conducive for a stalk. It's important to recognize that. They will bed in a depression out in the open sage and you literally need to be 4 feet from them to see their body. Most sloped bedding spots you won't see them when coming in from the top so be prepared to spend hours waiting for them to stand.

in general, the trick is to move fast when you are out of sight and a ways out...but when you get inside about 200y, every step and every noise matters. Most of my stalks were blown due to a bedded deer I didn't see....so the spotting from afar don't just focus on the one animal but scan for others.

Inside about 150y, I take off my pack, put my RF in my pocket, take off my boots and slip on another pair of heavy wool socks or my felt liner sandals, and just carry my bow. I have a thin set of leather gloves I wear too. When crawling just push it in front. When crabbing, I lay it on my lap.

The key is to go Slow, Slow.....way slower than you think.

I'm getting old so I do it less than I used to- I'm just not limber enough anymore...but it was one of my favorite ways to hunt.

 

[Huntforthesoul]

Brand new to archery, and thinking about Nevada style stalks. What’s everyone do with their bow as they stalk outside their shot range? Hand carry, sling, or something like the spider? Issues with low crawling and keeping the bow out of the ground debris? Does anyone run a big pack then switch to a second smaller water bladder style for the final stalk?

Mine is always in my hand. I’ve tried it on my pack, but that leaves a lot of room for it snagging on anything and making unwanted noise. It’s a really good idea to practice crawling with it.

 

[Mtbhikernv]

Mine is always in my hand. I’ve tried it on my pack, but that leaves a lot of room for it snagging on anything and making unwanted noise. It’s a really good idea to practice crawling with it.

Great idea, thank you! I’m all about practicing like you fight!

 

[Mtbhikernv]

I've done those stalks a bunch.

Many times they bed in a spot thats not conducive for a stalk. It's important to recognize that. They will bed in a depression out in the open sage and you literally need to be 4 feet from them to see their body. Most sloped bedding spots you won't see them when coming in from the top so be prepared to spend hours waiting for them to stand.

in general, the trick is to move fast when you are out of sight and a ways out...but when you get inside about 200y, every step and every noise matters. Most of my stalks were blown due to a bedded deer I didn't see....so the spotting from afar don't just focus on the one animal but scan for others.

Inside about 150y, I take off my pack, put my RF in my pocket, take off my boots and slip on another pair of heavy wool socks or my felt liner sandals, and just carry my bow. I have a thin set of leather gloves I wear too. When crawling just push it in front. When crabbing, I lay it on my lap.

The key is to go Slow, Slow.....way slower than you think.

I'm getting old so I do it less than I used to- I'm just not limber enough anymore...but it was one of my favorite ways to hunt.

These are awesome points, thank you saving me learning these lessons the hard way!

 

[tetonantler]

Definitely hand carry for me! Honestly sometimes I find my bow can help stabilize me when going over/through awkward terrain. I don’t switch to a smaller pack, but I definitely have ditched my pack and end up having to go 75+ yards back to go get it.

 

[kcm2]

Nocking an arrow involves a fair bit of movement and potential for noise. Minimize that by nocking an arrow early, and using your index finder to keep the arrow in place and quiet. Raising the bow to shoot is a lot of movement, too, don't add noise or motion. Best of luck.

 

[Beendare]

These are awesome points, thank you saving me learning these lessons the hard way!

Oh, you will learn them the hard way....grin....at least with me, it always looks easy from afar. My last stalk in the AZ desert just a couple weeks ago....big 3x3 in the rut with 8 does. He was just below a sharp ridge milling around with the does and they were pretty much holding in the same spot.

Easy peasy right? Just get around the other side and pop over and kill him. Yeah, right. The mountain was boulder strewn with Cactus and Mesquite.......it took me a lot longer than it should have to get up there- about 40 minutes. Those deer were gone. I don't know if they smelled me- probably not...or heard me- likely.

 

[Mtbhikernv]

Oh, you will learn them the hard way....grin....at least with me, it always looks easy from afar. My last stalk in the AZ desert just a couple weeks ago....big 3x3 in the rut with 8 does. He was just below a sharp ridge milling around with the does and they were pretty much holding in the same spot.

Easy peasy right? Just get around the other side and pop over and kill him. Yeah, right. The mountain was boulder strewn with Cactus and Mesquite.......it took me a lot longer than it should have to get up there- about 40 minutes. Those deer were gone. I don't know if they smelled me- probably not...or heard me- likely.

Haha my “ how hard can it be” approach is going to go well with tag soup.

 

[Tyson911]

I like a big flat rock in one hand if I’m in cactus country and pants with knee pads.. then other hand on bow with bow legs… i also dump my pack once I’m within a couple hundred yards and mark it on on x so not to lose it if my stalk turns into a run over the next hill to see where my deer is running to because i blew the stalk

 

[180splitg3]

When I've hunted mule deer, bow is almost always in hand unless I'm glassing. I've tried to strap it to my pack but it just moves around alot and if I ever needed to get to the bow quickly - it just takes too long to grab it off the pack. I'm hoping to head west again this fall - it's so much fun! I've never killed an animal in three trips - determined to get something this year!

 

[kcm2]

Oh, and look out for the spoilers. You see the massive trophy 120 yards out and focus during your stalk, only to get busted by his little brother 40 yards closer and to the right.

 

[Tilzbow]

The wind will get you more times than not, especially in most NV areas since it always seems to swirl. There’s nothing you can do to prevent the wind from changing directions but you’ll learn certain terrain is more prone to swirling winds. Flats and wide open canyons are best while glacier cirques at the head of every canyon in the Ruby Mountains (and every other canyon with similar closed terrain) is almost impossible to avoid swirling winds.

If you decide to remove your boots and/or your pack for the final 100 yards or so be sure to tie flagging to a taller bush over the top of them and/or mark a waypoint; it’s best to do both. If you do neither, most of the time you will end up looking for your boots or pack for more time than you thought possible.

 

[Neilbob]

Thread 'First Archery Mule Deer Hunt'

Sep 27, 2025

My wife and I got back a couple weeks ago from our first archery mule deer hunt. This was my wife’s first western hunt and my first mule deer hunt. We were hunting low sagebrush country in Colorado. Our goal was any buck that would let us get close enough, so I figured we’d be able to get more stalks in by hunting more open country, and keep things more entertaining for my wife on her first western hunt. We didn’t punch a tag, but we had a blast and learned a lot.

I won’t go through everything but we had stalks every day. On the third day, we spotted a group of bucks bedded along a creek...

• Neilbob
• Replies: 1
• Forum: Mule Deer

• 

Not Nevada, but here’s my experience of my first archery mule deer hunt with my wife. We dealt with some of the same questions. Still think some quiet way to carry water on the final stalk would be good. Either a hydration pack or maybe just small Nalgene in the pocket. Seemed like it always took longer than expected and we were wishing we had water.

We always carried the bow and just scooted it along the ground if we were crawling. Just make sure your arrow doesn’t get messed up in the rest if you’ve knocked an arrow!

 

[mtnbound]

Brand new to archery, and thinking about Nevada style stalks. What’s everyone do with their bow as they stalk outside their shot range? Hand carry, sling, or something like the spider? Issues with low crawling and keeping the bow out of the ground debris? Does anyone run a big pack then switch to a second smaller water bladder style for the final stalk?

Bow in hand and I keep my pack on. I have had stalks that looked to be short go long and having my pack meant I just kept moving with the animal.
My hunting partner and I had a guy stumble into our camp who dropped his pack and was unable to find it. He was in really rough shape, dehydrated, physically and mental smoked. We gave him water and food asked about where he dropped his pack and left him to sleep as we went back out and found it for him. There was no one else in the area to help this guy and I truly believe he could have died because he didn’t have his pack. So that day proved to me that keeping your pack with you is the right decision.

 

[Mtbhikernv]

Bow in hand and I keep my pack on. I have had stalks that looked to be short go long and having my pack meant I just kept moving with the animal.
My hunting partner and I had a guy stumble into our camp who dropped his pack and was unable to find it. He was in really rough shape, dehydrated, physically and mental smoked. We gave him water and food asked about where he dropped his pack and left him to sleep as we went back out and found it for him. There was no one else in the area to help this guy and I truly believe he could have died because he didn’t have his pack. So that day proved to me that keeping your pack with you is the right decision.

Damn! How big of a pack are you carrying? So you’re running your pack all the way to the shot?

 

[rkcdvm]

I know two guys that have lost their Mathews tripod off their Lift/Liftx while hunting. Just be aware.

I use coband to keep the limbs closed . Super light and can bring an extra roll in the field . If you need to take it off it’s pretty quiet too if you use a knife .