First trip west

Thanks! I really appreciate this perspective. I think it’s a good thing to just be in the moment and enjoy it. I do worry that I’m going to be having those constant mind battles of “should I move” and those constant arguments with myself. Going to have to remind myself that I’m still on an awesome hunt and I just need to rely on my scouting plan and just stick with it. I do have a good pair of danner boots but I’ve even thought about tossing in my hip waders just in case I run into a spot that I really think I need to cross water. I’m going to be wishing there was much more room to pack gear! Thanks again!
You are a thinking man… I’m not gonna pack hip waders around per se but a good think to keep if need them!
 
Thanks! I really appreciate this perspective. I think it’s a good thing to just be in the moment and enjoy it. I do worry that I’m going to be having those constant mind battles of “should I move” and those constant arguments with myself. Going to have to remind myself that I’m still on an awesome hunt and I just need to rely on my scouting plan and just stick with it. I do have a good pair of danner boots but I’ve even thought about tossing in my hip waders just in case I run into a spot that I really think I need to cross water. I’m going to be wishing there was much more room to pack gear! Thanks again!
If you can make it out to scout that would greatly increase your chances of a good hunt. Then you can figure out how to find mule deer without the pressure of the time ticking down on the actual hunt.

Be sure to come back here and tell us some stories and lessons learned for the other new guys who will be in your shoes 2026 👍🏻
 
If you can make it out to scout that would greatly increase your chances of a good hunt. Then you can figure out how to find mule deer without the pressure of the time ticking down on the actual hunt.

Be sure to come back here and tell us some stories and lessons learned for the other new guys who will be in your shoes 2026 👍🏻
For sure, I’ll definitely do a write up on the whole thing when I get back.
 
Update: ended up deciding to go the muzzleloader route. Got lucky and drew a tag! First time shooting bullet to bore so I’ve been playing with some different bullets (Hornady boredriver is looking the best). Been trying to get in 3-4 runs per week to get the lungs as good as possible, and putting together a somewhat decent gear load. Oh, also been doing some summer scouting on the deer here at home, so I figured I’d add a pic to show you western fellas what “brow tines” actually look like 😉. A lot to work ahead, but a lot to look forward to. Hope everybody is getting that tag they were after this year, best of luck! View attachment 893182
Nice 3 pt.
 
I might have missed someone else giving you this advice but one thing I highly recommend is rucking with your hunting pack. Load it with the gear you intend to take and if it has a meat shelf put sandbags on it. This will help you test your gear, build up strength, and get you used to having a pack on. A pack may fit great with 20-30 lbs but the moment you get over 50 lbs things might change.

I also recommend getting in some long rucks 5+ miles with heavy weight. Step ups, forward, and reverse lunges with a pack on are also incredibly helpful. At least from what I found in my limited western hunting experience.

I would also add beside advice on here, read Hunting Big Mule Deer, Becoming a backpack hunter, and So you want to hunt the west for mule deer now what.
 
I might have missed someone else giving you this advice but one thing I highly recommend is rucking with your hunting pack. Load it with the gear you intend to take and if it has a meat shelf put sandbags on it. This will help you test your gear, build up strength, and get you used to having a pack on. A pack may fit great with 20-30 lbs but the moment you get over 50 lbs things might change.

I also recommend getting in some long rucks 5+ miles with heavy weight. Step ups, forward, and reverse lunges with a pack on are also incredibly helpful. At least from what I found in my limited western hunting experience.

I would also add beside advice on here, read Hunting Big Mule Deer, Becoming a backpack hunter, and So you want to hunt the west for mule deer now what.
This is all awesome stuff. I’ve got my pack and most of my gear on a rack, so there’s no excuse why I can’t just load everything up now and start getting some rucking in. I have a hate/hate relationship with lunges 😂 but that sounds like a really good workout for hip mobility under a load, I’ll give it a shot!
I think you’re the first person to recommend books, I’m definitely going to check them out. Really really appreciate all this, thanks!
 
Looking forward to hearing your learnings from your prep and hunt. I am in the same stage as you with being new to western hunting. Been rucking a ton and just got a new pack I need to break in.
 
Looking forward to hearing your learnings from your prep and hunt. I am in the same stage as you with being new to western hunting. Been rucking a ton and just got a new pack I need to break in.
That’s awesome, I’ll make sure to do a write up when I get back home. I’ve got a few odds and ends to get together during August, mostly creature comfort stuff for truck camping. Ive talked to a couple of park rangers in the unit that I’m hunting this past week. They have provided some really good intel as far as road conditions and just getting around the unit in general, I highly recommend making some phone calls after doing a lot of e scouting and studying the MVUM’s. It helped the conversation a lot because I was able to talk about specific roads and terrain features rather than them having to explain every detail to me. Lots of learning and preparing yet to do though! Best of luck to you!
 
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