High Desert deer E Scouting

[RyanShields]

Hey guys,

Would any of you mind giving a greenhorn some tips on what terrain features, vegetation to key in on when scouting for sagebrush country deer. Are creek beds important in this terrain?

Thanks in advance for the advice

Ryan

 

[Plainsman79]

This is a pretty good read for what your up against. Lots of good information.

Hunting Open Country Mule Deer: A Guide for Taking Western Bucks With Rifle and Bow - Schuh, Dwight: 9780912299235 - AbeBooks

This is an exhaustive look at techniques of successful hunting for open-country bucks throughout the West by one of the most respected outdoor writers in the country. Often praised as the best book ever written about hunting mule deer, and in particular getting in close to them, its 14 chapters...

www.abebooks.com

 

[RyanShields]

This is a pretty good read for what your up against. Lots of good information.

Thanks, I just ordered a copy

 

[willfrye027]

I focus on small gullies with thicker sage brush going down them. Any other depressions where they could be hiding. Either that, or finding the tallest mountain/rock formation popping up in the area and looking around there too. Highest and lowest points often where I find bucks.

 

[dtrkyman]

Shade and water source. They do seem to hone in on those tall rock outcropping/cliffs, particularly the shady ones!

 

[BattleBorn83]

With as much drought as the west is experiencing, I’m making water a much bigger priority this year.

 

[RyanShields]

Thank you to everyone who replied with advice. I was successful harvesting a buck. He's not the largest but he would be representative of what the area biologist advised me would be present in that area during this time of year.

 

[mtnrunner260]

Congrats!

 

[j930]

congrats