Chained-up.jpg

Chained-up.jpg

b2ap3_thumbnail_logo.pngb2ap3_thumbnail_Vortex.png

While I wait all year to hunt big big bucks, I’m surprised at the emotion I sometimes experience as the hunt approaches: Dread!  That’s right, dread.  I can’t really explain it but it’s a common emotion I feel (I’ve heard other serious hunters admit the same thing).  I find it’s worse if I’m going to be hunting alone.

 

Maybe it’s because I build my hunt up so much in my mind that when it’s finally here, I’m thinking “this is it?”

Or could it be the amount of work I know it’s going to take (and typically in harsh conditions) to have a good chance at a Big Mule Deer?

Maybe it’s the fear of failure or the chance of something going seriously wrong or even getting hurt or killed.

I’m not sure, but I share this so that you don’t think you’re crazy if it happens to you.  

I’ve found that the remedy is to make sure your gear and logistics are fully prepared and planned out, and that a few people know exactly where you’ll be and when you’ll check in- then get on the mountain. You’ll usually find that once you arrive and get a good camp set up, that feeling of dread is long gone.

As the blog post title says, this will be a rut mule deer hunt that occurs during a potential migration (depends on the weather).  These hunts always sound really good but they can backfire in a hurry.  Most western states offer these type of hunts, even if on a draw basis, but you need to be fully prepared if you want to tag a good buck.  Why?

  1. Number one, pre-season scouting won’t help much in most units so you’re usually forced to hunt unfamiliar terrain at some point.  In mountainous units of the West, by the time November 1st hits, most big bucks are moving between summer and winter range- you really don’t know where they’ll be on any given day. You have to be adaptable in camp and access methods as you’ll likely need to cover some ground.
  2. Second, you have to realize that winter weather can snow you out of some deer country.  You might be stuck hunting where few deer are.  Without options, you’ll wonder what happened come the last day of season and you’ve only seen small bucks and few deer. 
  3. Finally, with sub-freezing and sub-zero temperatures the norm, you always have to be thinking about personal safety, especially if big snow hits.  Many a good tag has gone unpunched because hunters were not prepared mentally and physically to live with the deer long enough to kill a good one.

With all this in mind, I planned my hunt.  Dad was available and eager to help me set camp so we hit the road as one storm was ending and another was just a day away.  We had to chain up the front end to get to the end of the road where I planned to set a base camp.  With sub-zero temperatures in the forecast, I brought my faithful Extreme Cold Military Tent I’ve spent so many nights in (there’s a tag in this tent that says “Made December, 1950”.)  

b2ap3_thumbnail_Dad-resized.jpg

It took most of the day to get in and set up, but we were able to hunt the last hour of daylight.

Here’s a quick video from Day 1:

 

Win a Vortex Scope

If you followed my series on the Christensen Arms’ Carbon Summit in 270 WSM I’m taking on this hunt, you may have noticed that I ended up with an extra rifle scope- The Vortex Diamondback 3-12 x 42 with BDC Reticle (1-inch tube.)  I originally set up the CA Summit with this great medium range scope (featuring parallax adjustment.) I really liked the scope but due to bolt clearance (and lack of time to search for other solutions,) I had to switch to the Viper 3-9x x 40.  This means I have a nearly new Diamondback HP to give away to one lucky Rok Blog subscriber during this hunt.  Anyone who’s considering a rifle for western hunting at all ranges to 700 yards (probably farther for some guys) will really like this scope.  Thanks to Vortex, you could own it.

b2ap3_thumbnail_Scope-HP-resized.jpg 

Entry Rules:

To enter, post a comment or question in the comment section at the bottom of the blog during any day of this hunt.  You can post as often as you’d like but only one entry will be counted per person in the preliminary drawing.  Be sure and use your Rok Blog screen name (i.e. JNeilson, Mike W. etc) so I can match you up on our subscriber list (haven’t subscribed yet? just look for “Subscribe to blog,” upper right under Fitness/Other Links).  

There will be a premilinary drawing and a final drawing.  Everyone will be considered for the preliminary drawing.  I’ll draw five names.  If you make that list, you’ll be contacted via email (you’ll have 24 hours to respond.)  If you can show that you shared any day of this hunt on your Facebook page before I contacted you, I’ll enter you twice for the final drawing.  Don’t have a Facebook page?  No worries, you can still win, but your odds won’t be as good as those who do.

Since you never know how long these hunts can go, don’t wait too long to get entered.  Good luck and thanks for following.

Read all about the research, gear, and techniques I use in my new book, Hunting Big Mule Deer, How to Take the Best Buck of Your Life

b2ap3_thumbnail_book.jpg

 

 

Previous articlePart II: Christensen Arms’ Carbon Summit in 270 WSM
Next articleHunting the Rut & Migration: Day 2 (and Win a Killer Vortex scope!)
Robby Denning
Robby Denning
Robby Denning started hunting mule deer in the late 1970’s, only missing one season in 35 years. At 25, he gave up the pursuit of all other big-game to focus on taking the best bucks possible. He began hunting the West on a DIY budget hunting an average of 30 days a year for mule deer. Robby loves the hunt as much as the kill and the entire process from research to scouting to hunting. He’s killed four bucks over 200 inches in the last 15 seasons, mostly on easily-obtained tags. He owns a public-land scouting service and runs a private-land outfitting business helping other hunters in their pursuit of deer and elk. Robby has scouted and hunted literally thousands of square miles of mule deer country and brings a wealth of knowledge about these experiences with him. To him, the weapon of choice is just a means-to-an-end and will hunt with bow, rifle, or muzzleloader – whatever it takes to create an opportunity to take a great mule deer. He is also the author of "Hunting Big Mule Deer" available on Amazon. Robby believes all of creation is from God for man to manage, respect, and through which to know its Creator

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

99 COMMENTS

  4. Did you find the scope clear all the way out from center to edge of the scope? I’ve not used a Vortex scope and am looking at helping a buddy out.

  7. Good luck on the hunt Robby! Good luck to the participants in the Vortex drawing as well. I put the 4×16 version of the Diamondback HP on my .300 this fall, and have been very pleased with the performance for the price.

  8. Always look forward to your semi live hunts. Thanks for the opportunity at another great give away too.

  9. Interesting to hear about the “dread” of going hunting. I have had that issue as well from time to time. It took me a while to put a finger on it but for me it is a combination of missing my family and knowing my wife has way more on her plate while I am gone , and worrying about the mess that comes if something goes wrong. Even a small thing can be problematic. I hunt hard and deep in the back country and leaving that burden on my family is hard at times. Preparation, like you mentioned is key as is using some of the new tech to be able to stay in touch. I’ve got the preparation stuff down but need to work on the best way for back-country communication without breaking the bank! Looking forward to this. This is one of my favorites hunts of the year! Scot E.

  10. Good luck Robby, late season mule deer hunts are my favorite. I’ve also experienced the dread you’re talking about. For me I think it boils down to the responsibilities I’m leaving at home and feeling selfish for taking time to go hunting when I could accomplish so much at home/work. I’m learning to get over it 🙂

  12. Luke
    I’d scouted the area over the years but because of rut/migration, nearly impossible to pick out a target buck. This time of year you gotta kill them when you see ’em.

  13. Thanks Scot and you’re right, I always worry about my family when I’m gone. Been lucky, so far this year only a clogged sink disposal and a bad report card, but yea, I worry about them, too. I use a SPOT. For the cost and $99/year, it’s worth it plus I can use it all year round.

  15. Good Luck! I almost always hunt alone just because I don’t have any friends that hunt. I feel the dread you speak of because I know I am on my own. I have considered getting chains. How much do they help in mud/snow? We have the red clay type crap here and when it gets wet it is very slick.

  17. I always look forward to following these blog hunts! Thanks for the Vortex give-away. I really like the value you get with Vortex. Good luck on the hunt.
    84toyota

  18. Good luck on the hunt, looks a lot colder than here in AZ, we are having a bit of a warm front in the high 70’s. Stay warm!

  21. Can’t wait to see this years hunt! The past few years are always entertaining and I usually rewatch them at least 2 times throughout the year. Changing from the Diamondback to the Viper, Did you notice an improvement in glass? I understand if you didn’t have the diamondback mounted for very long, just curious.

  26. I am excited to see what you see! Our Whitetail season is winding down, time to live vicariously through you!

  27. I’m fairly certain Santa is delivering your new book to my Christmas stocking, but being’s that it’s not here yet I have a question. What strategy or suggestion on how to hunt an area would you have for someone traveling from out of state that has had no opportunity to scout the area? Generally we are hunting mule deer in WY or MT the first 10 days or so of November. This year it was the last week of October in Wyoming with very little snow in the high country to make the deer move.

    Thanks, Matt

  28. Matt, I do talk about that subject extensively in the book. 1) Talk to the biologist and game wardens (but remember they talk to everyone) 2) Talk to the locals either before or once you get there. 3) Recruit a hunting buddy from the area
    If none of this is possible then frankly you’re kinda screwed the first year. Truth hurts. But make sure while you’re there you make contacts for future years and do be sure and return to take advantage of what you’ve learned. Too many hunters jump around too much. I’ve found I need to hunt most areas twice before I decide to move on or stay. Best of luck! Hope you enjoy the book.

  29. Joel, I didn’t notice any drop in quality of the Viper vs the Diamondback (used it for 12 days). The Viper was clear all the way to max 9x, but the Diamondback did lose some clarity at 11x and 12x. Not bad but noticeable. Both were great scopes.

  35. Excited to see how you hunt the late season. I really enjoy my late season hunts but find the conditions, namely cold temps, make every aspect of hunting a little more difficult. Glassing, moving slowly, ect.

    I love being out late in the year!

  39. Robby, go and get em. Take lots of photos. You know what they say, a photo is worth a thousand words.
    And get one bigger than fuzzy wuzzy’s………………….

  40. Good luck Robbie. Just picked up your book after listening to you on the Hunt Back Country Podcast. Looking forward to hearing about your hunt. Im in MO and am just getting into Back Country hunting and all of this information is awesome.

    Good luck,

  45. Hey Robby- Really enjoy the live hunts, and I do once in a while get a strange feeling prior to the hunt. Especially if I’ve had to stretch with time off from work or prioritizing hunting over something most others wouldn’t. But it all goes away when the alarm goes off opening morning.

    good luck on your hunt!

  46. Oh Robby, I love these hunts/videos, as I always learn a ton. I hope it’s a great trip, especially with your dad. Be safe, shoot straight, be thankful. Good Luck!

    -Landont20

  47. Always enjoy tagging along on your hunts Robby. The possibility of winning a scope makes it all the more awesome!

  49. Look like another awesome late season hunt from Robby! I can’t wait to follow along, I love the tipi and gear you use, it’s so well planned and thought out. I can tell you’ve been doing this for a long time. Thanks for taking us along on another adventure, I hope you get to bag a big one! Looking forward to the updates as I sit in my nice warm house/office. Good luck out there.

    Longstride12

  58. I really like that throughout the season you keep the readers attention with different topics that relate to hunting big mule deer bucks, keep them coming!

  64. I love late season hunting. Will be following this like your 270WSM blog every time I see it posted on my FB feed. Questions will come later as I want to kind of see how you approach the conditions.

  65. Hunting alone is rough but there is a great feel of accomplishment when you can make it happen! Good luck!

  72. It’s a highlight of my day checking in on the hunt Robby, hope you can catch a bruiser getting his rut on. I need to do a hunt like that one of these years!!

  73. Garret, no I’m not. I don’t have a quick-change adapter on the Bushnell window mount, I just swap them around when needed. Would be super to have that ability and usually you see a few more bucks that way. When glassing from the truck, I have put the big Swaro on my Vanguard tripod outside the truck, run the Kiababs on the window mount, then just step out of the truck if I need the big spotter. When hiking (coming up) you’ll see I use a much smaller (and lighter) Swaro CTC 75 and just use it with my 8x Swaro ELs. If I have to choose between a 15x bino and a spotter, I just take the spotter. I rarely hike with both. Too heavy.

  79. I’m stuck in a wheelchair, but you make me feel like I am hunting right beside you Robby. Thanks for all the hard work you do to manage this blog, hunt, and a family. Your book was awesome!

  89. Love that your Dad is involved in your hunt, my Dad taught me everything I know about hunting! Love Vortex optics as well, I have binos, rifle scopes and a spotter from them. Hope you shoot a big one!

  91. How is the hunt going? Loved the write up on the 270 i read on ROKslide face book posts.

    Hope all goes well

  93. I know the exact “dread” feeling you are talking about. I too get this feeling on long anticipated hunts from time to time. So weird on how you can look forward to something so much yet dread it at the same time. But I totally agree once in the woods that all seams to melt away.

  94. I look forward to these live hunts every year. Thanks again for sharing Robby and for the opportunity to win a nice scope.

    Trent

  97. Don’t know what to say that everyone hasn’t already said. I can tell you though that sitting here in front of my computer listening to your stories and watching the videos is almost as good as being out there myself. Keep it up and good luck!

Comments are closed.