rootacres
WKR
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2018
- Messages
- 1,198
My brother and I were throwing around the idea of doing a public land DIY backcountry hunt for some Muleys. We found a region that we'd be likely to draw in, did the classic dart toss at a map and went from there. Our schedules didn't allow for a second trip for scouting so we headed into the area a few days ahead of time. The first unit we rolled the dice in turned up 1 awesome buck (also our only buck 2 days before the opener) and about a dozen doe. As it turns out this unit is phenomenal for elk and pronghorn we just didn't turn up the deer numbers we were hoping for. We spent 2 days and a lot of miles trying to find the good buck with no luck. Being discouraged from all the road hunters, I should say two-track truck hunters, we elected to pull up stakes and head to another unit. We drove in blind the following morning and got to work. Despite the truly unbelievable amount of truck/atv/side-by-side hunters we were able to find a chunk that was cutoff by private (which some still trespassed on) and about 23 hours apart in literally the exact same drainage we were both able to harvest our first ever Mule Deer on our first ever public land hunt. They aren't giants but I am quite proud and they were the 2 largest bucks we turned up in our 3 days in that unit.
Couple Takeaways:
* If you're running a stove in sagebrush country bring some firewood, our first unit didn't have much deadfall to pull from
* Be prepared for windy conditions with your sleep system. My SO Cimmarron was hanging on for dear life
* Role with the punches on heavily pressured areas, try to go where no one else will
* Be patient behind the glass
* ONX is badass, if you don't already have it just bite the bullet and do it
* Be persistant
Lastly, thank you everyone here for participating in the forum. There is a wealth of knowledge on here. I was perfectly prepared in regards to gear and had a game plan that we were fortunate enough to be successful on.
Good luck, be safe
Couple Takeaways:
* If you're running a stove in sagebrush country bring some firewood, our first unit didn't have much deadfall to pull from
* Be prepared for windy conditions with your sleep system. My SO Cimmarron was hanging on for dear life
* Role with the punches on heavily pressured areas, try to go where no one else will
* Be patient behind the glass
* ONX is badass, if you don't already have it just bite the bullet and do it
* Be persistant
Lastly, thank you everyone here for participating in the forum. There is a wealth of knowledge on here. I was perfectly prepared in regards to gear and had a game plan that we were fortunate enough to be successful on.
Good luck, be safe
