First Muley – Go Big or Play It Smart?

[Elktaco]

If this buck was in unit 34 he is dead, got shot 2nd rifle season last year. Stud!

 

[Poser]

Hunt the area you know vs. the buck you don't even know exists.

 

[guitarpreston]

If this buck was in unit 34 he is dead, got shot 2nd rifle season last year. Stud!

Was not. Pics of that buck?

 

[RockAndSage]

Are you more interested in hunting or killing?

Are you going to be happy going home with an unfilled tag, but the knowledge that you hunted the big one?

By way of a random digression, I once really liked a girl who was a bonafide 10. I thought she was out of my league. My dad saw her and said, “a girl like that is hard to get and guaranteed to break your heart… but it sure would be worth it.” So, I went for her. He was right on all counts. Best nine month relationship I ever had. Worst breakup I ever had too.

Me personally: I hunt and I take what comes to me (any mature buck). I would rather eat venison than chicken. And I’m happy with an 8…

You know yourself better than anyone else.


____________________
“Keep on keepin’ on…”

Likewise, there are beer goggles, and there are deer goggles. It's all about perception.

With beer goggles, at the bar that 2 at 10pm turns into a 10 at 2am, with just a little application of beer to your perception.

With deer goggles, that 160 you turn your nose up at on the first day turns into a 200 on the last day, with the application of exhaustion and desperation to your perception.

Don't let deer goggles keep you from shooting a buck on the first day you'd be happy to take on the last day.

 

[JackButler]

No dinks allowed. The lower bucks were 165-170 4x4s. The high mystery buck I’m not going to put a number to but big

Public land diy, a true 165 buck is a trophy for most people despite what you might hear on hunting shows.

 

[WRO]

Last year I went on my first western archery hunt. Didn’t punch a tag but laid eyes on a few solid bucks. I'm a flatlander from Texas, so the altitude was a gut check. One morning, I started out at 10,500', hiked half a mile down the ridge, and honestly wasn’t sure I’d make it back to the truck. Moved down to 7,500’ and was able to function, but I was limited. Still had a great time and soaked up a ton of lessons.

Since then, I’ve been hammering my aerobic base to avoid a repeat this season.

Fast forward to now: drew the same unit, but for muzzleloader. Word is there’s a significant buck in the area—maybe a ghost, maybe not. I’ve got a general idea of where he summers, but no time to scout due to work and family obligations. No chance to acclimate either. I’d be going in blind on a rough pack in, and there’s no guarantee he even made it through the winter.

So here's the question: I’ve never killed a muley. Do I roll the dice and go all-in on a maybe, or play it smart and hunt the area I know has bucks (170-class, not dinks)? I could spend a couple days swinging for the fences and then fall back, or just focus on consistent country and maximize time in deer.

If you were me, how would you play it?

Chances of finding that ghost are super low, those deer are either killed by someone who lives with them or shithouse luck.

Kill a buck you’d be happy with.

 

[Zach Pritchard]

Good work on exercising and getting yourself in better shape. Keep up the good work and prepare yourself for the hunt you have been thinking about the past months. You know where the big buck lives and what is going to be needed to kill him. Prepare yourself mentally and physically to get the job done.

 

[Gkhuc]

IMO! I'd focus on the area with known 170-class bucks. You've already had success spotting deer there, and it's a safer bet than chasing a potentially nonexistent giant buck in unfamiliar terrain without acclimation. Plus, putting meat in the freezer is always a win. If you want to gamble, you could spend a couple of days searching for the ghost buck, but I'd prioritize the known quantity over the long shot.

 

[KClem53]

Hunt for what makes you happy and enjoy the process.
Good luck!