So I've been doing some e-scouting and lately in a certain area of a certain unit I've been seeing lots of trails like this near the peaks or above the treeline. They almost always follow across the slope. Would this warrant a glassing session or not?
E-Scouting mule deer
- Thread starter Hunt4lyfe
- Start date
CMcCormick1805
FNG
I’d keep note of those spots with a pin. If it were me I’d get a vantage where I could shoot at those trails or put on a stalk with my bow as well as see farther distance to glass other country.
graniteghost
FNG
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2025
- Messages
- 14
The first I would look at during the early season during summer patterns, second makes sense for a later rifle hunt. Just due to cover.
One thing to consider is if livestock is in the area. Seems like they may typically make those horizontal trails on the mountain more than deer do, at least in the areas I hunt.
One thing to consider is if livestock is in the area. Seems like they may typically make those horizontal trails on the mountain more than deer do, at least in the areas I hunt.
Ive hiked in here before with a few guys just to go hiking and camping and i did see cows down in the valley floors (didn't bring my binos). Will cows go up that high and in areas that steep?
graniteghost
FNG
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2025
- Messages
- 14
Without personally going there I can’t say for certain. But you’d be surprised at the terrain cattle can get themselves into. I’d say it’s worth your time to glass and check out these spots though. I find it extremely valuable to focus on getting my own boots on the ground scouting than trying to over analyze areas to glass. The deer will be where you find them. I like to look for terrain with a mix of vegetation that looks like it would lend itself to being glassed.
RockAndSage
WKR
+1 to this.
If you can see trails from space, more likely than not they are livestock trails. And yes, ranchers graze them up high when the feed is better up there at certain times of the year. In some parts of the great basin, these can also be feral mustang trails.
All that said, mule deer still use them. They just aren't typically doing it in such volume to leave trails that wide and plentiful. I've also seen antelope in some surprisingly high places too on occasion. And, I suspect, elk would use these trails too.
Trail cams help with this - look for trails going right into and out of tree lines, as well as over saddles. Those tend to be good choke-points for game cams. Identify a handful of likely spots online, then get your boots on the ground to check for sign. See sign, put a camera up.
The key thing to know about trails like this and mule deer, is muleys aren't just walking a long a hillside eating grass. If they're on those pathways, often it's them moving to a good feed spot, from bedding. And that's what you want to find - where they're feeding, and where they're bedding.
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