I'm gearing up for a mulie chase again this year, and I've got a lot more time than last year.....
I know a lot of mulie hunting is spot and stalk, and I will be doing some of that, but I found a few places last year that would make great stand sites...either on the ground or in a tree. I hunted two of them, and had 3 does in range coming through a funnel I found on afternoon, and that was the only time I hunted that stand.
Do any of you mulie addicts set up on em at ambush sites?
Yes sir, I do----but their daily movements are much more random than those of the blacktails. Even when you can get access to a alfalfa field (or other magnet ) they often approach using variable routes.
Their bedding areas, often ill defined, may be 10 miles from their night-time feeding and watering areas--and they may go 2-3 days without watering.
Yeah Yolla.....that's what gets me....
I'm use to hunting whitetails from trees based on what I've found, and a 'pattern' I think I'm reading, and I feel confident in those set ups..
But, with mulies, it seems you are just 'blind' hunting a funnel that may or may not produce....there's something missing that makes the set up complete....and its hard to sit a stand waiting for a buck to luckily wander by.
Terry, here in this state water is the key. Our season started last Friday and one of our compatriots missed one as it fed towards a spring. These guys do a lot of moving to get from bedding to feeding areas, but they have someplace they liket o find water ina and regularily travel to that spot-unless you are dense enough to camp on the only spring for 12 miles! like happens every year! We make dry camps and bring our own water to leave the sparse springs alone for al the animals that have to drink there. Spend more money on good glass than on boots-and I wear expensive boots. You have to be able to see a long way, and then have enough defintion in the glass to see what you're looking at. Oh, one of our group had a lion bathe in the spring this weekend-and didn't have a tag!
Not sure where you are going to hunt, I hunt in the high plains of Ne. and it is possible to catch them funneling in the country I hunt, the best method is still spot and stalk, as the wind determines which way they go to bed almost every day, We have stock tanks all over so water is everywhere for them. One thing I have found is if you glass up one you want either get him or wait until you can, If you push the big boys to hard they don,t think twice about putting alot of miles on to get rid of you. Another advantage is to really get to know the country your hunting I have hunted the same country for alot of years and am slowly getting it figured out still along ways to go.
Blind/stand hunting for mulies can be very difficult as already mentioned. Back in 2002, there was a really bad drought out west. Water was sparse at best. I had luck blind hunting them then, but haven't since. If there is a lot of water, it will be more luck then anything connecting on one when blind hunting, but don't underestimate lady luck. I'd rather be lucky then good any day of the week.
I like to glass until I find one, then put him to bed before I ever try to stalk him. Mulies are a lot more laid back and relaxed then whitetails, and if you have the wind in your face and take your time, it's very possible to sneak into the red zone.
The bigger bucks will usually be in bacholor groups the bow season time of year. These groups may have as many as 10 or more bucks in them. If thats the case, getting close is a huge challenge. If you are trying to stalk a group of bucks, look for the yearling 2xspike thats easily hidden in the brush. This is the deer that will bust you 99% of the time.
I've found that the only time the bigger bucks get any sleep at all is when he is with other bucks to help be look outs. A big buck that beds down by himself sleeps with one eye (very widely) open.
I must say that I have never killed a "big" mulie with my bow. I have killed a few nice ones though.
One 4x4 that I took, I just still hunted him. I was actually more concentrated on filling my elk tag at the time. I was just taking a step and stopping to look, listen, and feel. Take a step, then look. About half way through one of my strides, I seen a nice 4 point antler sticking out from behind a tree about 35-40 yards away. I kept his head hidden behind that tree and closed the distance to 15ish yards. I came to draw as I eased out from behind the tree and put a cedar shafted snuffer right in his ol' ticker. I was using an old Ben Pherson I found in my Grandpa's shed rafters. That was my first trad kill.
Another example....... I spotted a monster 4 point (185ish) in a bacholor group of 5 bucks early in the morning and watched them feed for a couple of hours. There was 2 yearling bucks, a 2 year old 3x3, a 3 year old 4x3, then the big boy. I closed the distance to 60 yards rather quickly and I could see all the deer except the 2 yearling bucks. I spent the next hour and a half getting about 40 yards from the big boy. I was hidden good, the wind was perfect and steady, I just couldn't see where those two little rascals were. The 3x3 was about 25ish yards away to my 11:00 o'clock and presented a good shot. The 4x3 was on the other side of the big one, about 50 yards. The big one was directly at my 12:00 o'clock. I couldn't for the life of me find those two little guys for nothing. I decided I had made a good hunt. Something just told me that this was about as good as it was going to get, and let loose on that 3x3 for a perfect hit. When my buck jumped up, one of those yearling bucks jumped up about 7 yards from me to my 2:00 o'clock position. Them being spread out like they were made things difficult. In order to get within 30 yards of the big one I would have had to of been 15 yards from the 3 point, but that never would have happened as that snot nosed little tyke would have blown the whole thing. I am as proud of that 3 point as I would have been the 185er. I wish Pope and Young thought the same way.......Just kidding of course. But not really....
Terry, I do wish you and everybody else in persuit of those velvet ghosts good luck this year.....We are all going to need it.....
Later,
Todd
Terry,
I think you really only have two non-rut choices...spot and stalk or some kind of "interception" point or place.
I use to try still hunting through good looking cover. After countless hours I did mange to kill one that way but man what a bunch of work. Impossible to go slow enough for any length of time. And then you can't choose your buck...whatever you find you are apt to shoot despite your previous intentions.
Some guys try what I call a "moving spot and stalk"...stalking into moving deer. Another huge waste of time unless you are really lucky.
Dan's right...blow the stalk and you probably won't ever see that buck again.
As important as seeing the bucks is learning to recognize the type of country they prefer. Saves lots of time when you can eliminate un-productive ground you don't have to cover with your eyes.
Never have hunted WT so I can't compare...but I think MD can be "patterned" at lease in a general sense. As reliable as WT, I couldn't say but I am not afraid to try and find a buck where I saw him before.
There is some reason he is there and unless something changes there is an excellent chance he will be there again. If you find a nice buck in a certain draw/sage knob/etc. spend a lot a time looking there again a year later if you make a return trip. He or another one should be there again (I am talking about bucks that are not influenced by argicultural plantings)
Spot and Stalk is my favorite for lots of reasons we could go into if you are interested.
Probably the hardest thing for me to learn and accept is the fact that some bucks bed in areas where you just can't get up on them OR when they stand up you can't weave your arrow through the brush. Its tough as hell to walk away from a good buck but if he is not in a favoarable position it's wise to do so. Save him for another time.
Good optics a must!
I could tell you about the MONSTER I missed three years ago at less than 20 paces...but then my tears would probably short out the keyboard.
Truly a buck of a lifetime.
Bob
I set up all the time over water or a trail bottleneck.. You are much more visible in my experience walkin around the country, even slow as in still hunting than if you are sitting still.. I prefer to find a natural blind to hide in.
And now that I drew a tag in my preffered area, I have been out scouting a few times a week..
Todd,
I drew a 22 tag this year. Will be hunting around Pieance Creek the last two weeks of the seaon.
I know the oil companies have really screwed things up but its just something I try to work around.
Todd, last year I spent a lot of time looking in sage "flats" that have deeper creek bottoms in them. I keep thinking that big smart bucks will bed down in them. I use to think that big bucks would only bed where they have a good view...but after what I saw last year and the year before I am not sure that is always true.
Bucks and good ones would bed down in a little draw that had over hanging branches and I bet they couldn't see 10 yards...so it really changed my thinking. Then I spent a lot of time hunting for them in a similar situation but came up dry. Have you experienced any thing like that?
Also I think bigger bucks will bed in situations where their bodies are in the shade and velvet antlers are in the sun...trying to harden them up?? Any truth to that or just my imagination?
Did you draw a tag this year?
Bob
QuoteOriginally posted by bob@helleknife.com:
Todd,
I drew a 22 tag this year. Will be hunting around Pieance Creek the last two weeks of the seaon.
I know the oil companies have really screwed things up but its just something I try to work around.
Todd, last year I spent a lot of time looking in sage "flats" that have deeper creek bottoms in them. I keep thinking that big smart bucks will bed down in them. I use to think that big bucks would only bed where they have a good view...but after what I saw last year and the year before I am not sure that is always true.
Bucks and good ones would bed down in a little draw that had over hanging branches and I bet they couldn't see 10 yards...so it really changed my thinking. Then I spent a lot of time hunting for them in a similar situation but came up dry. Have you experienced any thing like that?
Also I think bigger bucks will bed in situations where their bodies are in the shade and velvet antlers are in the sun...trying to harden them up?? Any truth to that or just my imagination?
Did you draw a tag this year?
Bob
Bob,
I work for EnCana which is probably one of the biggest oil companies in the Pieance area. Don't worry, you by no means offended me as I'm the first to admit we indeed have changed things there to say the least. The deer and elk will get used to it no doubt, but the folks that knew that country before it was changed never will. Sorry for that.
I love hunting those sage flats. Especially in the higher elevations. I have seen many a buck in them and many a buck have seen me in them. Sage brush and mule deer go together like peanut butter and jelly. While you probably won't see as many deer there this time of year, big bucks do indeed live there. 22 is an awesome unit. I wish I knew it better to help you out more.
I have indeed experienced the bedding situation you described. If I know a deer is bedded in that kind of stuff, I won't waste my time trying to hunt him. Like you say, you could be 10 yards from him, but no way in heck could you weave an arrow through that stuff. I have notice they love to bed in the thickest oak brush cluster they can find. They can see everything approaching, but nothing can see them until it's too late. They love that thick, tall, nat infested sage as well. I have however noticed, if they have the comfort of more eyes and ears, they are less likely to bed in the real thick stuff.
I don't know about the antlers out in the sun and the bodys in the shade to harden their antlers. I do know I usually see there antlers in the sun and bodys in the shade and that makes perfect sense as to why.
It's good conversing with you, Bob. I can tell you have put a lot of time and knowledge into your hunting, and you have some very solid advice/knowledge when it comes to hunting them.
Good luck,
Todd
Terry
99% of the time We get up high and glass for them. But my Dad found some water last year and sat on it and got a nice so cal buck.my friend and I are going to try a blind on water first while it is still hot out. Good luck!
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/IronBull_/Smileys/fox.gif)
Get yer self a HUGE piece of property where ya plan on huntin. Then hire a couple fellas just to watch yer game for you. Show up and hope like heck they can put ya on something. :pray:
OK Vance.......I think I know where and who!!!
Maduros and guava berry floats are currency :readit:
Now go mark those boundaries for me. :biglaugh:
Done and Done Vance
Now a little luck, we know he can shoot :D
Maybe he ain't tipping ya enough? :jumper:
Vance gets looked after don't ya know ;)
BTW.....great stuff guys...keep it coming!!!
I'm chompin at the bit!
lot of good advice here, not much I can add.
Patterning a mule deer is like gettin a bead on barry sanders. Who knows what hes going to do.
BUT I have found that big bucks consistently use the same beds. In fact, I killed two big 4x4's three years a part in the exact same bed!
Spot and stalk works, plus its a blast.
Terry
I've had a couple almost worked and one did work deal on intercepting feeding bucks. Twice were morning intercepts while the bucks were heading to bedding areas and I guessed a little wrong on the route. The passed up wind so no harm.
The time that worked was a buck feeding down a draw in wheat feilds heeding toward water. Get Vance to plow everything but the path to water :D
Bob,
I agree with them bedding down in creek bottoms tucked back under over hanging limbs. I was heading over to hunt eastern Oregon. I took off the main road to relieve myself of some morning coffee. I walked out this closed gravel road that ended at one of these creek bottoms. I busted a buck down below me...I think I may of hit him...not with an arrow...scared the @@@@ out of me!
Besides spot and stalk...setting up in coulies where they travel from their feeding areas. Spend a few days glassing and watch their pattern then setup with some cover, just like you would for whitetails. Not sure what area or foilage is like where your hunting but ASAT or Desert Camo works well in the praries.
Water....find a good water source and set up nearby. Like Antelope, Mule deer will come to water. First light and last light are prime times.
Terry I have it on very good authority, that this place deserves a evening watch over. I'm relatively sure you know how to get there.
(http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l101/GUNSMITHAMMO/spagettijunction2.jpg)
Just a reminder :D
Yep moan.....I know that place...found it last year. That spot reminds me of a place outside of Atlanta called- Spaghetti Junction. That junctions is WELL traveled.....
And then there's this place I also found at the base of a mountain.....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/mt8.jpg)
Wow, that country has a lot greener, denser vegetation than out here. Is that where you will be hunting? I don't know how you could spot and stalk there.
I just got back from muley hunting. Our season opened Aug. 1. It is high desert (>6500ft) terrain, all sagebrush with patches of pinion / juniper. It is wide open, and you can see for miles.
There are a couple springs. We sat on a spring morning and evening, and saw deer every day, but rarely close enough. However, one evening I did manage to miss a forked horn as he was drinking, estimated him to be closer than he was. :rolleyes: The deer came in from the same general direction each time, but practically never on the exact same path, it seems. Sitting on a trail rarely seems to work, because they seem to only use the trail once, and go a different way each time. It's very hit-or-miss. However, if you're lucky, in a lot of deer, or have lots of time, you can have one practically run into you by waiting like this. I did have does and fawns within 5 yards of me, and one little buck, but he didn't present a shot. It's exciting to watch them when they're so close you can see their individual nose hairs. So it works, but it can be frustrating and boring.
After the morning hunt, we had a good breakfast while sitting around glassing. I went with my uncle, who has been known to spend thousands on optics. This trip I learned to appreciate a fine spotting scope. We were spotting deer literally a mile away. After breakfast, if we didn't see any deer from camp, we started walking around the base of the hills, glassing. We put in some mileage. Probably about 8 miles the first two days, and maybe just 5 the third. We stalked a few of them, and even got too close one time. We were busted because there were more deer than we thought, and we damn near walked over the top of them on the way to the deer that we knew were there.
For stalking, I'd highly recommend a pair of soft leather moccasins, with polar fleece socks pulled over them. Put them on before closing final distance. So much quieter than boots, and the leather will stop most of the nasty stickers. Be sure to GPS or flag with surveyor's tape where you take your boots off! While good for stalking, I wouldn't want to walk all the way back to camp in just moccasins.
Anyway, long rambling. I hope this helps, and good luck!
Terry,
Mule deer are very different from whitetails as you know. But, just like whitetails they need: Water, food, cover.
I have been very fortunate when it comes to big mulies. Here is what I've learned...(By the way, I'm still learning every season...)
Find where they are watering. Determine the prevailing wind and then the daily wind (which in the west can change every 5 minutes). Try to determine when they water. Then develop a plan to be in an ambush position before they water and of course with the wind "hopefully" in your favor. Mule deer can be very nervous at water. But, just like antelope...when they drink, they drink, so that is when to draw and shoot.
Find thier food source(s). On the ranch(s) I hunt...that is generally alfalfa...which helps alot. Detremine when the enter and leave thye food source. Hint: The better bucks will enter late, and leave early. But, they often (if not disturbed) will choose the same entrance and exit depending upon wind, weather, time of day and pressure. You may be able to set up a stand/blind/ambush along thier feeding route.
In the evenings: Be down low so you can see them coming down and so the setting thermals will also be in your favor. In the mornings: be above them. The deer will (usually) climb higher to bed. Use the warming thermals to your advantage and the possibilty that the bucks are moving toward you.
Use the BEST glass you can. I prefer a pair of 10x50 Swarovskis for the ranch(s) I hunt. Glass alot, then when you think you've glassed enough...glass some more. Move slow and deliberate. Never forget the wind. Choose your stalk route and use landmarks as you move. Big bucks will bed for hours on end...if not pressured. Often times you can move in on them and wait them out. Eventually, he will rise to strecth, move, water, feed or simply because the sun is working against him. Speaking of the sun: use it to your advantage. Always have the sun to your back and in the deers eyes (if possible). Many eastern hunters forget how important that is when them come out west. (It works on elk too).
Mule deer bucks (even big bucks 170-180" plus) are huntable and killable)...But you have to work at it. Unless you're lucky...in that case buy a lottery ticket!
Feel free to contact me directly anytime. I have a few more tricks that I know will work...
Best, Peter Iacavazzi
Master T, of all Tradgangers, you should know best that the more detail you give us re your needs, the better advice we can offer. Here in SW CO, for just any muley, a hide at the edge of an evening alfalfa field will get you there fastest. For a trophy, come early, go as close to timberline as you can manage, spot and stalk. But CO advice is lame for AZ, etc. etc. Overall, my priorities for muleys are identical to my priorities for elk, prongies, turkey, grouse etc. -- first, find a place with low hunter pressure and NO ATVs. Second, lovely scenery. Third, game concentrations. Thus I never have a "bad" hunt. Best luck, dave
(http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u31/snag23/GetAttachment.jpg)
Here's one of those Arizona muleys to wet your whistle! I don't know who these guys are or what they killed him with...only was told they got it this year.
Terry, I would make sure you had some soft knee pads. When stalking I like to get on hands and knees. Many times they will just look at you and let you get close because they don't know what you are. But if they see you don't crawl straight at them. Go in a meandering pattern. We've even thought of using a cow suit to get close. Never tried it yet though. Gary
Took me a few years to figure this out and it happened on accident. I grew up hunting rolling sage brush hills and aspen groves. We would sit for hrs. just glassing looking for bedding bucks and then try and sneak up on them. One day we spotted a couple bucks and a few does laying down a few yards from the bucks, some gun hunters came in from above the deer and we watched the deer get up casually and walk down hill a bit and then across the hill. They ended up just walking around the mountain and coming over the top almost in the exact place the hunters just walked and laid back down where they were. The gun hunters never saw them. The next day my brother and I went back and the deer were in the same place, I came in from above just like the gun hunters did and my brother picked an ambush point along their route they took the day before and took the biggest buck out of 3.
We used this tactic many times after that with great success.
An other thing we would do is sit someone down at the end of an aspen funnel and then walk through it loudly and throwing rocks. Who ever was sitting at the end usually got a shot or ran over with deer.
Here's one I shot using the above technique.
Gary
(http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s212/recurve123/2March25.jpg)
One other tip, pick your time of the hunt carefully, alot of people that I have hunted with are whitetail hunters, first thing they ask me, when the rut starts, I tell them to stop thinking whitetails and think more like Elk. Mulies are alot tougher to get up on during the rut. Big bucks will herd up several does. and that ol lead doe will bust you every time. I still prefer early season, pre rut, for the best chance.
One more thing Terry, as you can see from the poor picture quality above,have a decent camera with you in case you get a good one. Also so you can take pictures of the scenery and report back to us about your hunt. Thanks and have fun, Gary
Gary I want to say thats a great deer, I might even pull down on that one, with one exception I would be shakin to much to pull er back, or my arrow would go where yours is resting because I shoot where I look and it just happens to be them horns. thanks for the pic.
sagebrush mentioned a thing i've been using since i was a little kid. i hunt barren does mostly in rolling cheat grass hills with sparse sage. they pick me up when i'm a section away but i just mess arond like a coyote and never flash my face or eyes at them or turn directly at them. i've shot over 20 that were still laying in their bed that way.
never tried that on a buck because i don't hunt them, but have moved close to bedded bucks on my way to a doe without them standing up.
Sagebrush
Did you ever score that buck??
That sure is a dandy!!!! Congrats!!
I grew up in Vernal and spent 10 yrs there, only saw a couple of that caliber.
Jake
Thanks a BUNCH guys..this really gives me some things to think about.......
Also, that mud wallow is about 40 yard from a little stream, and there a meadow of the other side that has some sort of seeping bog in the grass, a really cool place that wallow.
I will probably set up on that stream so I can watch both meadows, the one with the bog and the one with the seep. There are seveal crossing from meadow to meadow across that steam as well....
I'll be in touch nightly on Vance's computer.
I'll be near Pinedale WY.....Wind river range out the front, and the WY range out the back....
I'll leave ya with a few more pics of that split meadow........
Vance, if you got enough tractor, you best get to plowing. If not, get a big boy John Deere and just add it to my bill :p
See the doe???
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/seadoe.jpg)
Rainbow funnel cloud???
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/rb1.jpg)
Hunters Sky!
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/clouds.jpg)
Vista!
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/mt1.jpg)
Worth the climb
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/mt3.jpg)
Time for a maduro!
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/mt4.jpg)
The Wallow Area......
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/07_TGWY_7.JPG)
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/07_TGWY_8.JPG)
Charlie knows........
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/07_TGWY_9.JPG)
Marduro time again....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/07_TGWY_14.JPG)
The Wind River range trying to hold back the dawn....
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/dawn.jpg)
Can't believe its been a year already guys!!!
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/terry/wytrio.jpg)
Three of the best guys in the whole world!!
Wish I could be there with ya :notworthy:
That does look like a great time. Love to hunt them mulies!!
Not sure I can add too much to the "how to" portion...although in 20+ I have only shot one from a blind, all mine have been spot and stalk or still hunting....
I just wanted to give you an idea of what to look for when field judging....
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/Louutah/Mulie4.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/Louutah/Mulie3.jpg)
Only 10 more days until the Utah opener......
Not fair Terry, I miss that country. If your lungs and legs will carry you, it wouldn't hurt to try another mountain just south of (across the road) If it is not too dry the east facing slope of it can hold some GREAT bucks. Contact me if you want more info, but Vance and Charlie probably know what I am talking about. And use that good glass and take a look at those avalanche chutes on the mountain where you said "Charlie knows..."
Have fun,
Nathan
What do you guys feed those muleys?!!! Looks like some great country guys!
Emailed ya Nate....thanks.
Those bucks eat rocket fuel on that government reservation. I'm surprised someone was even able to get pictures out of there.
Those last 2 pictures of those monster wide mulies don't seem right. It looks like the tines have been stretched out to the side on both pictures. I'm no expert so I may be wrong.
Jason
I noticed that to Jason. :rolleyes:
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/Louutah/Mulie5.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/Louutah/Mulie1-1.jpg)
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg18/Louutah/Mulie5.jpg)
Here are acouple more....I cannot vouch for them, I was sent them by a buddy who told me they were taken at a large tract of private land in N. Utah where a defense contractor manufactures rocket motors....those in Utah will know and be familar with the company.
I thought they were nice (if authentic) to see what deer will do when no hunting pressure allows them to get some age on them.....too many people taking spikes home on the public land here....
We have that set of photos and more in the shop. there is some doctoring, but they are big to start with. I think-maybe wrong becasue i have been out of the military for a long time-that they are on an un-named reservation in Utah.In our set, one can see the cut and fill lines.
I am pretty sure they are pretty close to the real deal. Some of those pics are rumored to be taken at Camp Williams military base and they grow em big there. I work with a guy in the guard and he is actually working at Camp Wiliams this week. He told me the bucks that live out there are truly incredible. He sent me pics of one but he zoomed in so far it is pretty blury, but definately a good buck.
Muley season is getting close!
Nathan
Actually, I took a better look at those pics and something doesn't seem quite right. But they do have some big ones out there.
Back to the topic. There is a great book written by David Long, who lives in Big Piney, Wyoming. It is called "Public Land Muley's". It is written more from a rifle hunting perspective, but the tactics and gear definately applies to bowhunting. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a more in depth look at Mule Deer hunting tactics.
Nathan
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the country up Vance's way is on fire... Just hope it's not in your area...
Its just on the Wind River side...so far.
nathan
Terry... Yeah! And I know just how to get there. :thumbsup:
COOl Charlie.....is there a better way than the way we came out last year....?
Tactics....
Use your bino's A LOT! During spot and stalk, of course, but also at close range, and to pattern deer from a far.
Mule deer are hard to pattern, exactly, but funnels are still there, just on a bigger scale. One area I hunt has a steep gully running down a minor drainage, and some rocky cliffs above that, so the area between is only 60 yards or so. The deer feed through in the morning fairly consistently, because they don't like to descent into the gully, and there is no food in the rocks. See? I spotted this area from across a canyon while waiting over a waterhole, and rarely hunt the waterhole any more.
If you have a partner, mini-pushes pay off occasionally. The deer have too many options on where to run during a big drive. B say you spot some bedding in a clump of timber, but don't know EXACTLY where they are. Stalking them to 20 yards without them seeing you, when you don't know where they are is risky. But if you stalk to 50, then your buddy passes 100 yards under them and gives them his scent, they will stand up and mill around, etc, sometimes move quietly away. The good part is that they are focused on the pusher, not the shooter, and sneaking within 40 or 50 yards usually isn't that tough. Finding the deer and getting a shot is the hard part, once you get over there.
I know two ways in there that get you altitude pretty quickly with minimum pain.
Hi Terry, Did some one say Maduro, LoL
It depends on what your looking for, you could still hunt the Aspens, which could be easier and take what ever comes across.
Water does not look like a factor there because it's every where
I would head up here, this is where the monsters live this time of year, there wont be a lot of deer, but the ones you will see, will be the BadBoys.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w27/kingwouldbe/maduro1-1.jpg)
The bucks like to stay as high as they can get this time of year.
Around 1pm-3pm the wind starts to run up hill vary strong, it can cover a lot of noise and allow you to slip right up on them and shoot-um in his bed.
There first bed of the day they will only be in it for a few hours then they'll move, they may move a few times, however around 11am-12:00 they'll probably stay put for good.
We glass them all morning and put-um to bed, keep watching for a few hours to make sure they'll stay put, as the wind starts to move strong up hill it's time to make your move.
Hunt High and hunt hard.
Thanks again guys........I'm with ya Dave, ....
Been talking that over with Charlie even before you posted! Your input also gives me more confidence, and insight.