New Mexico Unit 34 Mule Deer

[TexasBorn]

Hey guys drew a tag or mule deer in September with a bow. I’ve never hunted mule deer and this is only my second hunt ever. Any advice? Do they respond to calling?

 

[jmav58]

I'd start by calling some of the guys/gals in the F&G agencies in New Mexico and ask them what those deer are doing during the time of your hunt. The search function under the forums tab can help with some early season mule deer questions. Also, ask that F&G agency what deer numbers are like, how the winter was and what water availability is like. Do some researching and calling first and then maybe come back and ask some situation specific questions if need be. Also, it's my opinion that muleys don't respond to calls as much as whitetails. I've called in several muley does with distress calls though. Good luck on your hunt.

 

[TexasBorn]

I gotcha. Didn’t think about that. Thanks.

 

[jmav58]

No worries, new to a site it's nice to have someone point out some functions of the forum or direct ya to a Fish and Game person. I drew a early season rifle tag for the southern part of NM and have spoke to the wildlife biologist, private land specialist and regional person down there. They were fairly helpful.

 

[jspradley]

Which hunt dates did you draw?


EDIT: NVM I'm dumb, I forgot that one is most of the month of Sept...

I'll be out there the first week of Sept. for muleys, coming from Houston.

I've seen a good bit of deer out there, havent seen anything huge but I then again I wasn't hunting muleys specifically.

 

[kboatman107]

The bucks won’t be responding to calls in September you’ll find most of them in bachelor groups. Pretty good unit for deer and you might even run into a whitetail or two. Find water and work your way out from there.

 

[swampokie]

Maybe even a feral pig...

 

[TexasBorn]

The bucks won’t be responding to calls in September you’ll find most of them in bachelor groups. Pretty good unit for deer and you might even run into a whitetail or two. Find water and work your way out from there.

I see. The last time I was there the area was pretty heavy with elk and I only saw one muley. It was almost as if the elk where pushing out the deer if that’s even a thing.

 

[jspradley]

I see. The last time I was there the area was pretty heavy with elk and I only saw one muley. It was almost as if the elk where pushing out the deer if that’s even a thing.

Go back during elk season and it's the opposite... lol

 

[Felix40]

There are plenty of deer but it can be very hard to find a buck bigger than a fork. 34 is much better for elk than deer. Its very hard to spot and stalk due to timber. The areas where you can see far tend to have a lot of oak brush which makes stalking difficult. Some parts of the unit have more whitetail than mule deer. Bear season will probably be open at that time if you want to buy a tag.

 

[TexasBorn]

Ok I figured as much about the thick timber. I may just get a bear tag as well. Thanks.

 

[Birdman88]

Plenty of deer, hunted towards the mayhill area when I was growing up. I prefer hunting the lower country. Easier to spot but not necessarily stalk. On another note it is a CWD unit so please take necessary action if you do harvest a buck. Good luck

 

[Lytro]

34 is a great elk unit, but not so much for deer. The hardest part is locating them in the timber. I've muzzleloader hunted it and have had success in the southern part of the unit. I would personally check out the Timberon area where it's more open in the canyons.

 

[Freddylaw]

TexasBorn, did you have any luck? I am headed to 34 from San Antonio in November for general gun

 

[rbljack]

Yeah...curious to know how it went as well. Good or bad....lets hear it. I hunted 36 for deer a few years ago and couldnt locate a decent buck....aka anything bigger than a fork horn. The does were around, but I think the bucks were still holed up and hard to find and that was a mid november hunt.

 

[elkman224]

Just muzzle hunted 37. Place was thick with elk. Never turned up a good buck to try for. Almost never see elk there when elk hunting. Just how it goes for me.

 

[rbljack]

Did you notice any rut activity?

Nope.....the does were around but the bigger bucks werent chasing does at all. Never saw a decent one.