New Mexico mule deer

[calebflies]

Hey everyone, my brother and I drew our first western hunt in New Mexico for mule deer. This is an early november hunt in south central New Mexico. I’ve combed through all the forums and Facebook pages and can’t find much of anything as far as mule deer hunting tactics in that area. We’re planning on taking a boat and crossing a lake to get to a less pressured area (recommended to us by a couple state park workers in the area). But as a whitetail and bear guy this is a whole new animal and landscape for me and I’m open to any tips or insight y’all might have. Food sources, bedding habits, etc. We’re hoping to make it out for a scouting trip ahead of the hunt this summer.

 

[LCguy]

Not sure why you would need a boat, there is a road on the east side of one of those lakes and the other doesn't have any public land on the east side.

Early November, it could still be pretty warm down there.

Don't discount the flats and the low areas.

 

[calebflies]

Not sure why you would need a boat, there is a road on the east side of one of those lakes and the other doesn't have any public land on the east side.

Early November, it could still be pretty warm down there.

Don't discount the flats and the low areas.

Not sure if we’re talking about the same unit. This lake does have blm land on the east side as well as state park land that is huntable. But I’m not seeing any roads on the east side of this lake, and even if they’re were they’d be in the middle of private land

 

[elkhunter505]

The place you’re talking about is my favorite unit in NM. The rifle hunt can be ridiculously tough with hot temperatures and bucks being pressured after the muzzleloader hunt. There are plenty of places to find deer that aren’t near the lake if you’re wanting to avoid the boat. Same as about anywhere else, get up high as early as possible and just glass. Lots of deer in the flats as well.

 

[calebflies]

The place you’re talking about is my favorite unit in NM. The rifle hunt can be ridiculously tough with hot temperatures and bucks being pressured after the muzzleloader hunt. There are plenty of places to find deer that aren’t near the lake if you’re wanting to avoid the boat. Same as about anywhere else, get up high as early as possible and just glass. Lots of deer in the flats as well.

Thanks for the info, we were planning on bowhunting but bringing the muzzleloader just in case the terrain wasn’t conducive to stalking into bow range. I make and shoot wood longbows but really need to get within 25 yards for a shot. I know it wouldn’t be easy but is the shrubbery enough there for a chance at that?

 

[dtrkyman]

Glass until your eyes bleed, wipe them out and keep glassing!

 

[calebflies]

The place you’re talking about is my favorite unit in NM. The rifle hunt can be ridiculously tough with hot temperatures and bucks being pressured after the muzzleloader hunt. There are plenty of places to find deer that aren’t near the lake if you’re wanting to avoid the boat. Same as about anywhere else, get up high as early as possible and just glass. Lots of deer in the flats as well.

You think 10x50 binos will cut it or do we need a spotter?

 

[elkhunter505]

You think 10x50 binos will cut it or do we need a spotter?

The shrubbery is tall enough to get into those distances but it’s going to probably be a 1/20 opportunity to get that close. I hunted all my years there with no spotter and was just fine. It would be great to have one but I just didn’t at the time.

 

[butcherboy]

You think 10x50 binos will cut it or do we need a spotter?

I don’t think you need a spotter unless you plan on counting ticks on the deer’s belly. 10x50’s will be just fine to see deer and determine if you want to stalk it or not. My only recommendation would be to put the binos on a tripod for any extended glassing. I haven’t needed a spotter on any of my western big game hunts. The only time I have ever used one (wasn’t mine) was on my dad’s OIL sheep hunt here in NM. It was his spotter and the other one belonged to my brother.

 

[calebflies]

I don’t think you need a spotter unless you plan on counting ticks on the deer’s belly. 10x50’s will be just fine to see deer and determine if you want to stalk it or not. My only recommendation would be to put the binos on a tripod for any extended glassing. I haven’t needed a spotter on any of my western big game hunts. The only time I have ever used one (wasn’t mine) was on my dad’s OIL sheep hunt here in NM. It was his spotter and the other one belonged to my brother.

Good because I really didn’t want to buy a spotter after spending a grand on binos haha

 

[madtinker]

I had a hunt down in the bootheel, maybe it’s similar terrain, not sure. Anyway, I used 8x32s on a tripod and it was good enough. Make sure you are out before sunrise and put your back to the east. The deer will pop in the low angle light. Hunt the transitions between the flats and the hills.