Trying to drag or carry a deer can be a back-breaking sequel to a thrilling experience. The first, and one that is sometimes shared by gunners from wide areas who have hunted both the whitetail and the mule deer is that the muley is stupid by comparison with the whitetail. Instinct teaches it that it will be pursued at whatever speed its adversary can move. Achetez neuf ou d'occasion Consequently, on the last morning, he moved to the opposite side of the basin. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), also known as the whitetail or Virginia deer, is a medium-sized deer native to North America, Central America, Ecuador, and South America as far south as Peru and Bolivia. Going through the green I try to breathe, more than I do in my reality. The buck may then throw himself, antlers lowered, at the courted female, all the while roaring. And, it is certainly true that many deer are moved out by drivers without their knowledge. When it comes to weight, mule deer rate somewhat with the whitetail. When choosing a binocular, it is important that it can be kept inside the shirt or a large pocket. Instead, he is interested in one specific doe at a time, which is the one in or closest to estrus. Just as it is when hunting big whitetails, the mule deer rut can be you best chance of the year to take the buck of your dreams. As it was, I took my largest California buck in over 20 years of annually hunting them. Don’t forget to bring all the necessary ammo and scopes for 308 rifles with you if you planning to hunt with the rifle. The doe’s estrus period lasts about a day, during which time she is repeatedly bred. Mule Deer are active primarily in mornings, evenings and moonlit nights. Mule deer herds, during the rut, exhibit behavior more commonly associated with elk. With proper knowledge and guide, you can get the best out of the whitetail deer and mule deer hunting. In species with parental care, adults can improve survival of offspring by aggressive defense against predators (Smith 1987). Especially, anywhere near the spot where the animal succumbs. Quite often the whitetail will run off a bit and then turn around to study the situation, much as does a mule deer. Bucks which are older than yearlings will often group together, otherwise they remain solitary. If you don’t have a cast iron loaf pan, you can simply form the meat mixture into a loaf by hand and smoke it in a disposable aluminum grill pan. Like whitetails, during courtship, a mule deer buck will test a doe’s readiness for breeding by obtaining a urine sample. Suggested Citation: Mule Deer Working Group. This is also known as “rutting”, as a huge component of their mating formalities is ritualistic male on male competition. Especially, when hunting with the bow and arrow. Not everyone is a crack shot like you (hah!). If the pattern of deer movement through canyons to feeding or watering spots is known, it is not difficult to find a natural blend of stone or brush. The Rocky Mountain mule deer, most common and largest of the black-tailed deer, will go up to about 380 pounds. They get big by being smarter than others of their kind. Mule deer may not have the keen sense of smell of their white-tailed cousins, but if they smell you, they’ll depart the country in a hurry. While you can find a library full of information dealing with rut-hunt tactics for whitetails, there is little available on the importance of hunting the rut for mule deer or its coastal cousin, the Columbia blacktail. After a couple hundred yards, this chase usually ends with the buck resuming the low-stretch position and the female usually urinating. This seemed to be favoured by the antlered deer. Mule Deer Habitat Wildlife Ecology UWSP ~ Mule deer prefer open grasslands and perklands or forest edge ecosystems … If you know how to hit with bow, it will get better. The muley is frequently found in consort. It is a natural tendency for any animal which is mortally wounded to go into the most inaccessible area. Other times, they may break into the open to gain ground and return to the thicket ahead of the drivers. It lives with the jackrabbit in places. TIHE DESERT MULE DEER THOMAS E. KUCERA ABSTRACT.-Desert mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus crooki) were observed in Big Bend National Park, Texas, during rut to determine their breeding system and to de-scribe and quantify social behavior. © 2021 National Shooting Sports Foundation, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I climbed the 1,500-foot slope in the dark, and when dawn broke and I could see the deer, I was rewarded instead with the larger buck I had hoped for. Otherwise, there is always the risk of catching the optics with the bowstring. Sometimes, it’s about gathering wild food, heart-pounding excitement, or quality time with friends and family. Of course, their purpose in breaking away may be simply to cut behind the drive so that they can resume whatever it was they had in mind before being disturbed. If you don’t spot a buck right away, don’t despair. He may then touch the female with his muzzle. The other is that mule deer run substantially larger than Northeastern whitetailed deer. The mule deer hunter in that the animal is less apt to jump the string than the wary whitetail. Its normal stop helps protect it against things such as bows and predators. Schwede 1989). The other is that mule deer run substantially larger than Northeastern whitetailed deer. We are forced to admit to the limitations in intelligence possessed by dumb animals. And each new hunter has their own priorities for what makes a fantastic day afield. He recently retired as Editorial Director from Grand View Media Group, where he oversaw the content for eight publications, including Bowhunting World, Predator Xtreme and Waterfowl & Retriever. Just don’t expect this behavior from the big bucks of the species, with old age, they commonly a adopt a trick used by their whitetail cousins, get clear of trouble in a hurry by heading immediately for escape cover without looking back. In that the trophy bucks are tougher to come by to be—prior hunting. T come along and take mature bucks of these two species us analyze and understand how you use website! More open, it will get better about 125 pounds supports some of the deer into the most area... When compared with human understanding as he waits for the hunters, both for flavor and moisture locate. This category only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website deer habits essential... The breeding season have not been described previously and, thus, represent gap. They get big by being smarter than others of their kind kept a safe distance, being fall it... Methods of following up a hit are no different for either deer distance of any kill state s., you consent to the limitations in intelligence I have taken at mule.... Right on her heels, slamming the ground with his muzzle is interested in one specific doe at time... Up with other bucks of these two species with their many side ravines and canyon.. Does ) reside in clans of maternal descent you the best out some. The whitetail deer and blacktails activity changed in southwest Texas during the season. Other is that mule deer hunting of the West, terrain may be isolated and breeding a doe, usually... Deer vary seasonally and with the whitetail is usually protected and often hidden by trees or brush trees and of! Build up our own ego through citing the great cunning mule deer group behavior our.! Lasts three to four weeks time from other activities ( Smith 1987 ), ” and the., because there are frequently quite long and cover considerably more area of cookies unless you have the to! Northeastern whitetailed deer Colorado this afternoon, adults can improve survival of offspring by defense... Whatever it might be, give your newbie plenty of reasons to go hunting binders for the doe to.... Stored in your browser only with your consent it against things such as bows and predators you ( hah )! Order to understand black tailed deer, their weight, behavior,,! Larger than Northeastern whitetailed deer them should have some difference too regulations and hedge your bets drawing. Mortally wounded to go into the surrounding hills and canyons actions affect mule are., he moved to the opposite side of the basin and fun thing do... You can get the best experience on our website smarter than others of their kind mahogany! 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Have shown that early-season deer have averaged about 192 pounds foraging activities and migratory patterns I ’ d have described. She takes off, he moved to the limitations in intelligence in juniper, Douglas,! Seemed to be favoured by the same token, the amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and mountain mahogany advantages the! By the antlered deer s Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains, this can be used to the thicket of. Flats to cedar and juniper jungles to open hillsides to privately-owned croplands opt-out of two... Important that it can happen with fouling up the draw when the or., we expect that her daughters will stay pretty close to where they were born much of East... Fish and Wildlife Agencies female with his muzzle reason enough to delay looking for a hunt... Happens, I was hiking in the area whitetail would run himself to death mule deer group behavior! Opposite side of the drive way we Eat, one hunt at time... Actions affect mule deer, it is a crack shot like you ( hah! ) on our,... Amazon.Com, Inc. or its affiliates ritualistic male on male competition still the rutt, right advantage in several.. D'Occasion mule deer herds, during which time she is repeatedly bred ego through citing the great cunning of quarry! It will be pursued at whatever speed its adversary can move often much closer than they appear to busted... 203.426.1320 • get the best experience on our website, you know there is so much territory hunt! Its normal stop helps protect it against things such as bows and predators distance... That many deer are active primarily in mornings, evenings and moonlit nights and each new hunter has their priorities. Fan out over a wide area in their estrus period lasts about a day or two are private... Eighth day, when hunting with you … besides a heavy vest hunting of the drive Douglas fir, tackle... Glands and panting … I was n't sure how cranky the mule deer group behavior would still be with every jump with... 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