Late season Mule deer

[vthokee]

Ok so I have a late season mule deer hunt here in New Mexico and I have found a few good bucks. I don't want to mess this hunt up because I feel like I can seal the deal with one of the bucks. I have them down to about a 2 square mile area. Should I just hang back on opening morning and glass them up and see where they go to bed and then try to catch them coming from bed in the evening or should I try and catch them going to bed from the feeding areas.

 

[cgasner1]

Close the gap when there in there mid day bed my best buck I got after he moved his bed 3 times be very patient and wait for the window

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[vthokee]

Thanks for the advice

 

[Bowhunter50]

I agree. If it were me, my game plan would be sitting back and locating them in the morning, then planning my stalk based on what they do. Personally I haven't had a whole lot of luck patterning animals and ambushing them. They always seem to change their pattern on the day I'm waiting for them ha


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[chops24]

I assume you have the 1-15 Jan archery hunt, watch them, bed them, stalk them. If they're pushing does try and get in front of them. It's what I do


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[vthokee]

I assume you have the 1-15 Jan archery hunt, watch them, bed them, stalk them. If they're pushing does try and get in front of them. It's what I do


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You would be correct... Jan 1-15 hunt and they have been pushing the does. I am hoping that they will still be with them on Sunday when the season opens. I have a good spot I can get above everything and glass from.

 

[Live Montana]

I'm heading down January 5th... for a week or 10 days, maybe more... I have found that "sometimes" if the deer bed early in the mornings they will get up and move pretty soon after. If possible I would try to glass them into their mid-morning bed, they seem to "sometimes" stay in that bed longer for a stalk and the thermals/wind might be a bit more consistent. Good luck.

 

[chops24]

Believe me they will be pushing does still. Or at least they have been through the January hunt for the last 5 years. I'll be in 21 and we have some studs glassed up.


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[vthokee]

Believe me they will be pushing does still. Or at least they have been through the January hunt for the last 5 years. I'll be in 21 and we have some studs glassed up.


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Let's hope so. I am on the eastern side of the state. Best of luck to you. Everyone has always said the late archery is when you see the big boys start showing themselves.

 

[Live Montana]

What elevation are you guys trying to focus on... From what I've read on some hots spots seems to be around 4-5K.

 

[TBoschma]

I just moved away from eastern NM last year and the one thing I can point out is you're already doing good having a couple deer picked out that you're willing to shoot, that's half the battle now closing the distance is a different story. I loved sitting up on a little bench and watching deer feed out and into their bedding areas; however, it was almost imposable to know exactly where they bedded in some of those rolling hills. so I would say get close without being to close and craw up the dunes you think they are bedded under. you'll find them!!!

 

[vthokee]

TBoschma, you are right about finding them it is hard especially around the Clovis area. I am hoping that this will be my last year here and I will be moving back east a little closer to our home. Getting a mule deer late archery would be a great way to leave this place. *If I am lucky and get orders. *