I drew a Mule Deer tag in Idaho for rifle during the Rut. Hunt dates are between November 10th through November 24th. I have only been in the west for 1 and half years, grew up in the Midwest before this, so still very new to this whole thing. I've never even harvested a mule deer before.
My thought is to scout during the month of october, find where the does are hanging out. Then sit on does during the hunt, and just wait for the bucks to find them. Some contacts told find long ridgelines, with lots of finger ridges, and work down the ridge tops and glass down. Very steep country, so it is hard to spot a deer a long ways away, and make a move on it. I figured it would be especially hard in the rut, because the bucks won't be staying still.
Curious to any insight that people have for a hunt like this. If someone has experience in this area, any thoughts are especially appreciated, but any one with insight on hunting mule deer in the rut would be great too.
My thought is to scout during the month of october, find where the does are hanging out. Then sit on does during the hunt, and just wait for the bucks to find them. Some contacts told find long ridgelines, with lots of finger ridges, and work down the ridge tops and glass down. Very steep country, so it is hard to spot a deer a long ways away, and make a move on it. I figured it would be especially hard in the rut, because the bucks won't be staying still.
Curious to any insight that people have for a hunt like this. If someone has experience in this area, any thoughts are especially appreciated, but any one with insight on hunting mule deer in the rut would be great too.
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