Western WT

[2BrownDogs]

My buddy and I are from the south but come out west to hunt each year. We've hunted deer and elk on public land in many states, and those will always be our preferred species for our trips because we can hunt whitetails at home. But there's something about those plains and prairie whitetails that really get me going. As (lack of) luck would have it, we don't have any mule deer or elk tags this year, so we're heading out for a western deer tour with tags in our pockets in multiple states, including SD West River rifle tags. If anyone has any West River experience, tips, etc., I'd sure be all ears and very appreciative. I can't wait to get back out in that open country and chase some awesome creatures.

 

[WCB]

My problem with mule deer is it takes a HECK of a buck to impress me anymore.

150-160 mule deer just aren't that impressive, and even those are hard to come by anymore!

Not to mention, whitetails are far more challenging of an animal. When you go mule deer hunting, you really aren't up again the animal, you're up against the terrain. They're pretty dumb animals. Nothing dumber than a 2 year old mule deer buck.

That being said, I've never shot a truly good mule deer. Its on my list. But it seems to be getting harder and harder to get these days.

Everybody comes out to shoot a mulie, they more or less leave the whitetails alone, so I go whitetail hunting, and they leave me alone too.

Not a "westie" but spend plenty of time out west and used to guide in MT for elk, mule deer, whitetail, and antelope.

I am the same way with Whitetails you are are with Mule Deer. A 140-150" Whitetail doesn't get me going. They would be considered "shooters" in a lot of the places I hunt. I know guys kill bigger ones but in MT, WY, ID, those are really really good bucks...I wouldn't even look twice at them. I really don't get the fascination with them.

Now putting whitetails over elk is just stupid work.

 

[mtnbiker208]

I live in what was once GREAT whitetail habitat and now it's been several years since I have seen a whitetail in my entire county. Our management has sucked so bad that I would feel bad even pressuring one.

I see whitetails every single day of the year. granted they are in my yard or neighbors yard.

 

[IdahoBeav]

I don't prefer it over mules and elk, but it is highly underrated.

 

[Tullis94]

I've hunted Western whitetail twice now. Both times in Wyoming. I love it!

I have killed some really nice mule deer. My life now doesn't allow me the time to truly hunt for big muleys anymore. I used to spend 50 plus days a year scouting and hunting on my general unit at home. I get about 10 to 15 days now. Muleys under 170 don't get me excited much anymore, and they are more rare than they were 10 years ago. (Where I hunt) I haven't even seen one while hunting for a few years now.

Whitetail on the other hand I am ecstatic to shoot a 120 buck.