How to decide when deer are in stalkable positions

[rhendrix]

Aight gents, I've been doing a bunch of studying of topo maps and pouring over Google Earth trying to make up scenarios in my head of how I can stalk in on mule deer when they're in different positions on the mountains that I could be hunting in Colorado this year. While doing my "homework" though something has come up that I was hoping you guys could help me address. Getting up above the deer isn't always an option since time of day and distance away make thermals tricky. And trying to use terrain to cut through the bowl could possibly get me pegged before I have a chance to get into bow range. So how do I decide the fastest route to a stalkable position that won't cost me a deer, and how do I know when a deer is in a position that I just can't get to? I know that wind direction is going to play the biggest role of all determining factors, but there are some areas that I'm looking at that I just can't figure out how in the world I could ever get to within bow range without completely exposing myself. And with my luck that's where all the deer will be. Haha!

 

[Beastmode]

Experience stalking deer is really the only way you will know when its a good stalk situation. It may take watching a buck for a day or two until you know what he likes to do. I know a ton of guys that spot a buck that is bedded and start a stalk right away. While sometimes this is a great idea I have found watching a deer for 10-15 minutes can really improve odds. See what he is doing and if he is comfortable. I have had a ton of blown stalks because I was impatient. The older I get the slower I take things and the closer I get to deer. I would rather have a deer not be there because it took me a while to get there because I was being cautious versus getting there in a hurry while he is still there and blowing him out of the country.

Using cover and wind tas your friend is extremely important. Cover can easily be topography. Reading land at a distance is difficult but as long as it can cover you kneeling it will work.

 

[Shane]

I would rather have a deer not be there because it took me a while to get there because I was being cautious versus getting there in a hurry while he is still there and blowing him out of the country.

Great advice.

 

[robby denning]

Beastmode says it all.

I will add that you'll kill few if any big bucks by approaching from below. Better to have enough hunt days that you can come from above. All the best!