Summer Mule Deer Scouting

[MDX8277]

My group of 3 drew Wyoming Region C. Would it be a waste of time to drive 16 hours and try to scout a couple days in August? Will the Mulies be grouped up in bachelor groups in the summer or will they be traveling too far to get an idea what is in different areas (Migrating). We are planning on getting in 2 or 3 days before the season and assess if we are camping at the truck to begin with or packing in several miles and hunting from there.
I hunt whitetails Sept 15th-Jan 15th if I still have a tag in my home state. We have piles of deer on our farm and are normally hunting specific deer or at least a mature buck. The rest of the year I'm preparing to hunt. We have hunted successfully 2 other times on over the counter elk tags in Colorado and Utah with no scouting other than looking at maps. I am still pretty new to the Western hunting but I'm hooked. I don't have a lot of knowledge of Mulie behavior yet.

 

[WeiserBucks]

Scouting is always worthwhile if you can swing it.

 

[eyeguy]

Even if you dont find many or any bucks on your summer scouting you will learn how to get around the country and know where you can and cannot get to and how long of a hike it is. All valuable.

 

[Corey0372]

If you guys can get out there I'd definitely do it, worth it to get to know the terrain better. If nothing else it can help you guys find a decent campsite. You also might get out there and realize the thickets are thicker than you thought. Hell just knowing what the gas stations around there have in stock for last minute supplies could be handy too.

 

[Kidperfect]

100% go

 

[Muledeerfanatic]

I just went for an overnighter last night
Saw somewhere around 20 bucks
Was way better than doing something in town

 

[HilltopHitman]

I just started taking mule deer hunting way more seriously and did my summer scouting trip ever. I learned more this weekend than I have hunting that unit the last 3 years. Usually I just go out for a week or two during season.

If I was a non resident spending that much money, you need to try and see it multiple times.

 

[Bubblehide]

Most units anywhere, the deer have summer range and several layover areas between their final migration destination, and during mild winters, they may never go to the final migration destination. Non-migrating deer also have wintering areas and summer range, typically.

There is a learning curve to any area, knowing the roads is an essential, as is knowing good camp spots, access spots, the country you plan to hunt... going in the summer will provide invaluable information, more-so if you truly pay attention details. Additionally, any animals you do see provide information and escape routes if they do leave because of your presence.

Lastly, I pay attention to the lay of the land in regards to weather. For example, I killed several bucks in one particular canyon, because it wad protected from the killer super cold north winds the area gets.

So in short, go!

 

[MDX8277]

Mutip

I just started taking mule deer hunting way more seriously and did my summer scouting trip ever. I learned more this weekend than I have hunting that unit the last 3 years. Usually I just go out for a week or two during season.

If I was a non resident spending that much money, you need to try and see it multiple times.

The tag is the cheap part. The trips out and being off work is the expensive part. Along with somehow finding a way to need to buy $1000 worth of more gear every time I go West.

 

[MDX8277]

Most units anywhere, the deer have summer range and several layover areas between their final migration destination, and during mild winters, they may never go to the final migration destination. Non-migrating deer also have wintering areas and summer range, typically.

There is a learning curve to any area, knowing the roads is an essential, as is knowing good camp spots, access spots, the country you plan to hunt... going in the summer will provide invaluable information, more-so if you truly pay attention details. Additionally, any animals you do see provide information and escape routes if they do leave because of your presence.

Lastly, I pay attention to the lay of the land in regards to weather. For example, I killed several bucks in one particular canyon, because it wad protected from the killer super cold north winds the area gets.

So in short, go!

Thank you!

 

[HilltopHitman]

Mutip

The tag is the cheap part. The trips out and being off work is the expensive part. Along with somehow finding a way to need to buy $1000 worth of more gear every time I go West.

You can get a long way with Eddie Bauer pro Guide pants and Amazon merino!

Save the money for fuel and scouting!!

 

[Bubblehide]

Thank you!

You are welcome!