| u dream of hunting mule deer miles from the | | | | works. Once you know the direction your hunting |
| nearest highway or road? People say its not | | | | rifle shoots on the range, experiment with a |
| hunting sheep that is the most exciting part of | | | | shooting stick, prone position, over your pack and |
| the experience, its where bighorn sheep live that's | | | | other positions that you will run across on the |
| exciting. The same is true for mule deer hunts. | | | | hunt. Remember you won't have access to a |
| Mule deer live and grow in some of the most | | | | bench in your hunt and even if you are a good |
| magnificent, uninhabited areas around the world. | | | | bench shooter, that won't necessarily make you a |
| Just visiting these breathtaking animals and the | | | | good shooter during a true hunting situation. You |
| country they live in is worth the effort to reach | | | | should also review angles vs. distances. Usually |
| them. We would like to offer you some advice to | | | | shots made at mule deer are either up or downhill |
| help make your first mule deer hunt a great one. | | | | and hunters tend to shoot over the animals. Go |
| First and foremost, you've got to get in shape! | | | | practice some shots uphill and downhill. You'll be |
| I'm not just talking about walking to get the paper | | | | surprised at how much difference angles can |
| once a day or playing a little basketball each | | | | make. I also suggest you purchase a laser |
| weekend. In order to truly enjoy hunting for mule | | | | rangefinder to use at practice sessions. It will also |
| deer in the backcountry, you will need to be in | | | | help you learn how to judge mule deer around the |
| the best shape of your life. Now, I realize, | | | | field. The hunting movies by Mossback titled Mulies |
| depending on your age, that may not be an | | | | Gone Wild are an ideal tool for learning how to |
| option, so if that's your circumstance, aim for the | | | | judge large bucks. They tell you the score after |
| best condition you've been in the past five years. | | | | you've seen footage of the bucks on the hoof. |
| The biggest thing is to do all that you can. | | | | Third, buy the best hunting gear you can. There |
| Personally, my workout program is taking a jog | | | | are some excellent products on the market. |
| three or four times a week. I start out by | | | | Search for the lightest, sturdiest material you can |
| walking and work up to jogging approximately | | | | find for your clothing and backpacking items. I |
| three months before I go, and by the time the | | | | don't want to go into each item, but a few I |
| trip arrives, I'd like to be able to jog for one hour. | | | | would like to recommend are: wool socks I use |
| I find this easier than trying to give specific | | | | Smartwool, light packable rain gear I use Frogg |
| distances. If you can build up a jogging pace for | | | | Toggs, durable hiking books - I use Lowa |
| an hour, you should be ready to climb the | | | | Sheephunter boots, and an internal pack I use a |
| mountains necessary for hunting mule deer in the | | | | North Face pack, but there are many different |
| backcountry. In addition, I bike ride, go hiking, | | | | ones on the market. If you plan to hunt with a |
| jump rope, and walk with my full pack (around 50 | | | | guide, request a list of gear to bring and follow |
| lbs) . Any of these are great to build the strength | | | | what it says. Get quality binoculars! Personally, I |
| you will need on your mule deer hunt. | | | | like Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 due to their |
| Second, practice shooting your rifle. The best | | | | magnification and weight, but there are several |
| thing to do is to go shooting weekly at distances | | | | fine optics on the market. Again, invest in the |
| of 300 yards. You will need to know where your | | | | best gear you can possibly afford. |
| gun will shoot at various distances. Start at 100 | | | | Lastly, buy or rent some great mule deer hunting |
| yards with a steady mechanical rest. Experiment | | | | videos on the topic. This will help to get your |
| with various types of ammunition until you find | | | | blood pumping and get you excited about your |
| what your gun prefers and stick with it. | | | | hunting trip. They'll help motivate you to workout |
| Personally, I like Winchester 130 grain Ballistic | | | | during the off season and find that deer you |
| Silvertips in 270, but every hunting rifle will shoot | | | | dream of once the season is open. |
| differently and you need to find the load that | | | | |