CO 3rd Season Mule Deer Strategy

[Muley_Addict 317]

I'll start off by saying I'm new to big game hunting (only one season under my belt). I'm laser focused on mule deer. I love their look and what it takes to get a biggin.

I've been doing a whole lot of research and reading on mule deer hunting, application strategy, gear, techniques... etc.... The analysis paralysis is starting to set in. I want to hear from others on strategy. I think I'm picking a good unit (good considering I have 0 points), but of course I keep reading about the crowding issue since this unit has OTC elk tags.

I plan on doing as much boots on the ground scouting as I can. One question that keeps coming up for me is what to expect on a 3rd season rifle hunt. Say I spot a buck or a couple of bucks in August, September, or October... what should I do with that information and where can I expect them to go. Or where should I be focusing my time on a 3rd season hunt (elevation bands?). The 25/26 winter was crazy warm.... if that happens again how do I adjust the strategy to find the bucks?

I know those may not be the clearest questions ever posed. Maybe that's a good thing to get a variety of opinions, strategies, or tips. Also, if anyone has mule deer buck experience and has the time to mentor someone (off-season of course), I'd be eternally grateful.

Best,
GC

 

[CMcCormick1805]

You’d be served well by reading Robby Denning’s book. Mule Deer are my favorite for the varied strategy and places you can hunt them. I’d make the argument that there is no magic tactic or elevation band. The best deer I shot was a pure combo of hard work, weather, area knowledge, season timing, and being flexible in my method of hunting them.

Good luck man! Best advice I can give is hunting the same area year after year. Learn the deer in that area and find success.

 

[Muley_Addict 317]

You’d be served well by reading Robby Denning’s book. Mule Deer are my favorite for the varied strategy and places you can hunt them. I’d make the argument that there is no magic tactic or elevation band. The best deer I shot was a pure combo of hard work, weather, area knowledge, season timing, and being flexible in my method of hunting them.

Good luck man! Best advice I can give is hunting the same area year after year. Learn the deer in that area and find success.

I just finished reading Robby's book last night! it was a fantastic read, and I definitely learned a lot. Boots on the ground will absolutely be my main strategy.

That is a fantastic set of antlers. I hope to eat one of those one day. Thanks for your input!

 

[robby denning]

... One question that keeps coming up for me is what to expect on a 3rd season rifle hunt. Say I spot a buck or a couple of bucks in August, September, or October... what should I do with that information and where can I expect them to go. ...

in most of Western Co, bucks spotted then will have moved to/towards winter range by 3rd season. Not a waste to scout, but you'll have a hard time turning those bucks up in 3rd. Even 2nd season is tough. If you're scouting Aug/Sept, you should be hunting archery or muzz.

When I scout for 3rd season early, it's just learning the lay of the land/access and possibly assessing the quality of the bucks in the unit. Even though those bucks might be in a different unit come 3rd.

Scouting for 3rd season is best probably right before 3rd season.

thanks for buying the book and thanks for the referral @CMcCormick1805

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Can't kill one from the couch. If it's hot they will bed down early and come out later. If it's cold they will be out longer.

Good quality optics are a must as they save your feet. Friends don't let friends buy Vortex or Tricer. They will bed out in the middle of the burn in the shade of rocks and bushes. This is where quality gear will shine

 

[Hnthrdr]

Little to no bearing on what kind of buck may be around in 3rd rifle if you spot one in June/ July/ august

Early/ mid Nov, bucks will be starting to rut, cruising for does. Find does. Watch does. There will be bucks around. Don’t worry about elk hunters, they will often push animals around or are all too willing to talk about bucks they saw.

 

[AntelopeEater]

Hello, I just got into big game hunting myself within the last few years so I am still learning.

But I want to second the advice from McCormick above, "Best advice I can give is hunting the same area year after year. Learn the deer in that area and find success."

If there is a unit you can draw with zero points and hunt year after year, that is awesome! Do that and you will eventually know exactly where the best areas are for deer there for a particular season.

Unfortunately for me, I live in Nevada, there are no OTC deer tags in my state, and there are no rifle deer hunts that can be realistically drawn every year in Nevada either (unless someone has unusually fantastic luck). If Colorado provides you that opportunity, enjoy it!

 

[TheGreek]

3rd season Colorado, keep checking doe groups. The bucks will show up. Like others have said, bucks you’ve seen in the summer ain’t gonna be the bucks there in 3rd rifle likely. You can scout access, roads, camp sites, gates etc in the summer but best scouting will be in the days leading up to 3rd rifle opener.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Don’t worry about elk hunters, they will often push animals around or are all too willing to talk about bucks they saw.

Very true. One year during 3rd season we were driving up a forest service road and a these two guys in a truck frantically flag us down as we approach. We thought they needed help or something but the first thing they say is "Are you guys hunting deer? Because there is a big giant buck a little ways back but we are both elk hunting." We explained to them that my buddy that had the only deer tag in the group had already killed a buck the day before, then we went our separate ways. Not but a couple hundred yards up the road is one of the biggest bucks I've ever seen in person. Easily 200+ and and not far from the road. It was an unreal buck, like something from a magazine cover. Wide, tall, crazy mass and several stickers and cheaters. Would have been a chip shot too. My friend that had already filled his tag was pretty quiet on the way back to camp. So yeah, always talk to them elk hunters!