Mule deer gear priority list

[Walker88]

I am headed to Idaho to a unit that has a ton of roads. I’m trying to prioritize the little bit of budget I have left. I’ve got a good rifle and scope setup, just upgraded to Swarovski EL binos and a new pack. I feel good with my layering system and boots. If I think I’m going to be able to day hunt for the most part due to the road access, where do I prioritize the little bit of budget hunting have left on gear? We are base camping in a wall tent. I’ve yet to upgrade to a legit sleep system, haven’t bought a tripod, or a tent in case we decide to spike camp. What am I missing?

 

[justinspicher]

I’d think maybe a tarp and a quilt might be a good addition to your setup. It’ll allow you to have a bit more capacity to your hunt.

 

[hereinaz]

When it comes time to set up and shoot, what do you need. Killing is the purpose…

 

[WormSportsman]

Tripod would be pretty high on my list of things to buy. Glassing off a tripod is a game changer in big country and I don’t hunt without it very often if ever, except sometimes during archery season hunting in thick stuff it stays in the truck.

 

[atmat]

Tripod + head for sure.

A nice sleep system is awesome, but you’re also in a wall tent which is a step above what most people are doing at a minimum.

 

[Walker88]

I had tripod next on the list. Sleep system was second. Been looking at a quilt since I typically end up tied in a knot with my old mummy bag. Tarp would be nice for multiple reasons. Thanks for the advice.

 

[mistermystery]

I agree with the others, tripod for sure. Best of luck on the hunt.

 

[desertdog15]

Tripod is a non negotiable must have item imo

 

[HairyScandinavian]

If you're not sleeping well it affects the whole hunt. Make sure you've got what you need to sleep comfortably. In a wall tent for me that's a huge cot and a 3" roll up mattress my wife refers to as the princess mattress and a heavy rectangle soft oversized sleeping bag. If we bring a big tent I sleep better than I do at home. Spike camp is a whole different setup if you want to go that route.

Might be sure you have a second pair of nice broken in boots so you can rotate them.

 

[Fatcamp]

Tripod. No doubt.

 

[Beagle001]

Without knowing your budget that you have left, I’m going to say it’s $300 or less. I’ve done a lot of glassing off $75-100 tripods and they work fine for day tripping, assuming you’re not shooting off it.
You can find a lot of nice bags and quilts used and even new on sale for under $300 and some under $200. That’s the route I’d go

 

[John.b]

Check out aziak tripods. Carbon fibre, super light, and ridiculously affordable

 

[John.b]

Also, I just bought a stone glacier chilkoot 150 sleeping bag and it is probably the best sleeping bag I have ever used

 

[TheGDog]

Tripod + PistolGrip Head, and those 14's or 12's? You're off to the races!

Do you already have your system setup re: kill-kit? Meat bags, how they're to be placed in/on your particular pack? You've practiced loading and unloading an object of similar size into the intended way on your pack a number of times, so you can feel very familiar with doing this process in the middle of the night under headlamp? For that matter, trekking poles? Do you already have them squared away for you? Think about maybe a small ultralight tarp that you can lay down to process the deer upon, if you're lucky enough for it not to be on the side of a steep hill. That can be helpful in terms of keeping debris out of the meat there on the spot.

If you're NOT going replaceable blade scalpel... have you practiced touching-up the blade on your fixed or folder that you plan to use?

Sometimes you get a more mature deer whose hide you notice is significantly tougher/thicker, which, if the person processing doesn't know to try to cut from inside, outward after first making enough of initial incision, they could end up dulling their blade even faster yet. So knowing/feeling confident that you know how to touch-up your blade in the field.

Oh!... and if you're going to be making ambush sits in cold places? BootShields/BootCovers!! Game-Changer!

 

[RockAndSage]

You can't shoot what you can't see, and with mule deer, you won't see most of them if you're "glassing" fast and off-hand. Get the tripod.

 

[Walker88]

I’ve got my eyes out for a good tripod. Kill kit needs some touching up. Have a replaceable blade scalpel but need game bags and small tarp. Those type things are “budget plus” for me after I get the bigger ticket items. The crossover from whitetail has been more expensive than I anticipated but it’s been fun.

 

[Beagle001]

I’ve got my eyes out for a good tripod. Kill kit needs some touching up. Have a replaceable blade scalpel but need game bags and small tarp. Those type things are “budget plus” for me after I get the bigger ticket items. The crossover from whitetail has been more expensive than I anticipated but it’s been fun.

Get some Tyvek for a tarp. Cheap and easy.

 

[Feltersnatch]

Tripod is a must. Also windcheck and/or milkweed.

 

[TheGDog]

You can't shoot what you can't see, and with mule deer, you won't see most of them if you're "glassing" fast and off-hand. Get the tripod.

Get the Tripod. Game-Changer.

 

[shootnrun]

Mule deer=glassing=tripod
If you don't have one you're wasting your time.