Mule Deer Heard at Sunset, Jackson Hole Wyoming

Mule deer can be found throughout the entire western United States, including the deserts of the American Southwest, Mule deer have large ears that move constantly and independently, as do mules, hence the name, "Mule Deer." This stocky deer has sturdy legs and is 4 to 6-1/2 feet in length and 3 to 3-1/2 feet high at the shoulder. Most Mule deer are brown or gray in color with a small white rump patch and a small, black-tipped tail. Mule deer their fawns have white spots at birth. Buck deer have antlers that start growth in spring and are shed around December, these antlers are high and branch forward and reach a spread up to 4 feet in width bucks are larger than does. The life span of a mule deer in the wild is 10 years, but mule deer have lived for up to 25 years in captivity.

Trophy buck mule deer, Jackson Hole Wyoming

Mule deer can thrive nearly anyplace; their habitats include woodland chaparral, Sonoran desert, semi-desert, shrub woodland, Great Plains grasslands, shrub land forest, sagebrush steppe, and boreal forest. Mule deer are remarkably adaptable, of at least sixty types of habitat west of the 100th meridian in the United States, all but two or three are or once were home to mule Deer.

Mountain mule deer seasonally migrate from the higher elevations of the sub-alpine forests they inhabit during summer to lower elevations of the mountain valleys and desert lowlands. Deer prefer rocky windswept buttes where it is easier for them to find food during the winter and that provide escape from predators as needed. The mule deer of the arid southwest may migrate in response to rainfall patterns and a mule deer�s large feet have evolved to enable them to dig for water as much as two feet deep. Mule deer tend to confine their daily movements to their home ranges. Most mule deer use the same winter and summer home ranges in consecutive years

Nice mule deer buck north of Jackson Hole Wyoming

A Mule deer�s social systems consist of herds of does related by maternal descent and bucks that mix with the does only in fall and winter. During winter and spring, dominance hierarchies maintain the stability of female herds and small male groups. If deer population densities increase, play among fawns decrease and strife and alarm behavior increases in the adults. In the spring, the wintering group breaks up, the does go off by themselves and give birth and nurse rear their fawns; Bucks wander in friendly small buddy packs throughout the summer months as their antlers grow so they can fight one another in the fall.

Dominance of a buck is largely a function of his size, the larger a buck�s, antlers, the better his chances are of winning the acceptance of does and fighting off his challengers. Genetics, nutrition and age have much to do with antler size. During spring and summer antlers are grow at an awesome rate, large bucks attain growth rates of up to a quarter of an inch per day. Mule deer breed in late fall at which time bucks round up females and fight for their right to keep them. Doe's begin to come into heat in November and bucks are naturally drawn to the does at this time. Many bucks are willing to fight to the death over breeding rights with a doe. After the breeding season from mid-January to about mid-April a buck sheds his antlers. The annual cycle of antler growth in mule deer is initiated and controlled by changes in day length acting on several cell types of the anterior pituitary.

Gros Ventre River Valley Trophy mule deer buck, Jackson Hole Wyoming

A mule deer's diet is quite varied, muleys are browsers and in spring and summer they feeds on grasses, weeds, and herbs and eat a great variety of vegetable matter, including fresh green leaves, twigs, lower branches of trees, and grasses. As are most hoofed animals (ungulates) mule deer are active in mornings, evenings and during the middle of the day mule deer bed down in a secluded and safe place. Common predators of mule deer include mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, golden eagles, and black bears. Mule deer like the cow have a multi-part stomach, the first two chambers of which act as temporary storage bins. Food stored in these storage bins can be digested later when the deer chews its cud. When startled, a Mule deer will move in a series of jumps with all four feet hitting the ground together. They do not run as other deer, their distinctive bounding leap that can launch them distances of up to 20 plus feet, they can reach a speed of 45 m.p.h. for short periods doing their leaps. When necessary, they can turn or completely reverse direction in the course of a single leap. Their leap offers two advantages: it enables the deer to out-distance predators in rough terrain, and mid-leap they can see above the thick brush. Mule deer have several strategies for avoiding predators, they specializes in detecting danger at a very long range by means their large ears and excellent vision. Males can quickly detect and visually track another animal as far as 600 yards away. While unable to detect motionless objects mule deer are extraordinarily sensitive to moving objects.

Mule Deer hunting Guide Clark Wheeldon scoping out the high peaks of the Gros Ventre Range.

Wildlife management agencies and hunters recognize the need to maintain mule deer ranges and keep them habitable and productive so most western states have purchased critical game areas, especially winter ranges, to help maintain healthy populations of this valuable resource.

Mule deer ranges bring economic benefit to some and economic damage to others. For Native Americans and early European settlers, deer meat (venison) provided one of the most important sources of protein. Deer hides were used to make buckskin jackets, moccasins and other leather articles. Today artists and furniture makers still value the antlers as a commodity, the hunters value them as trophies and most everyone values mule deer for their venison. There are still tanneries around for those that still value the hide. There is some competition between the mule deer and livestock on the range, deer easily hop fences and eat at the expenses of farmers and ranchers. In our national forests and BLM lands both wildlife and livestock share the range. Diseases like Hoof and Mouth Disease, Chronic Wasting Disease, Brucellosis as well as other diseases can be transmitted from deer to the livestock and vice versa. Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine are a valuable economic resource for the timber industry that helps sustain many mountain towns in the west. Douglas fir is harvested largely by clear cutting and is regenerated by replanting. Mule deer are attracted to clear-cuts, where young, recently planted Douglas fir trees are a forage species. This dynamic causes sufficient browsing of an intensity that retards forest regeneration. Practices that encourage the growth of mule deer populations can therefore also enable damage to the timber industry.

Forty two inch Mule Deer Buck south of Jackson Hole Wyoming.

All federal, state, and provincial land and wildlife management agencies recognize the need to maintain mule deer range. To counter the trend of development of critical habitat areas, especially winter ranges, these agencies have purchased various mule deer habitats. The problem is mule deer habitat programs involve coordination between government bureaucracies that often have missions that do not share the same goal. Since mule deer production is not a primary goal on most private or public lands in west, habitat protection projects often suffer. Due to a scarcity of funds and political opposition to government buying privately owned lands, the government has acquired only a small fraction of mule deer range. However hunting/conservation organizations like the Mule Deer Foundation, Ducks Unlimited and The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation pick up some of the government�s lack of ability. Although mule deer were not the targets of all these private conservation /hunting groups they are still beneficiaries of these elk/duck habitat acquisitions.

Mule Deer are one the most exciting and beautiful big game animals in the world. Large mule deer bucks are very crafty and are a challenging hunt. Sport hunters kill about 1 million mule deer annually and hunting generates hundreds of millions of dollars and maybe billions in revenue for the economy of the west and is a valuable asset for hunting communities. Mule deer are also an asset to the thousands of people in cities that manufacture hunting and camping products.

Deer Hunters, Gros Ventre Range, Jackson Hole Wyoming

Southeastern Idaho and western Wyoming are both famous for producing big mule deer bucks. Most early hunting expeditions were by pack train to the fabulous backcountry and today�s hunts remain quite the same. For many this remains part of the attraction, to saddle up the horses and load up the packhorses and mules and setting out for hunting camp high in the mountains. Many outfitters in the Greater Yellowstone region hunt this old time style, with packhorses and tent frame camps because this is still the most efficient way to get to the remote areas where the hunting is best. Many bighorn sheep and elk outfitters provide hunting camps like this as well.

Your best hunting will probably be in the higher elevations where rugged country limits access to all but the most hardcore hunters and outfitters in the know. This area has long been known for its excellent deer habitat and herd genetics. Controlled hunts in the Upper Snake region are coveted for the opportunity to hunt mule deer during the rut in late November.

Big Buck Country high in the Gros Ventre Range

Why do some areas produce giant bucks, while others do not? The answer is genetics. If you were to check the Boone and Crockett record book, you'd find that some area's have produced many giant bucks. You can also find area's that have never produced a record buck. Genetics are clearly better in some areas. Big buck hunters are looking for bucks with 30-inch spreads of better. If you' hunt an area like the Grey�s River Range of Wyoming the Big holes in Idaho that are known for wide bucks, you'll have a better chance of getting a shot at one.

Stalking is the most popular tactic for hunting mule deer but tree stands and still hunting are fruitful as well. Stalking involves spotting deer from a distance using binoculars or spotting scope, then stalking to within shooting range. Upon spotting your deer, scout for other deer and other wildlife between you and your target; they can end a stalk prematurely. If everything looks good plan your route, consider the wind, terrain, and available cover, Sneak quietly like an Indian and you can meet success stalking your prey by judging the speed and direction of travel, circling around and setting up an ambush.

Peakin buck, he thinks he is hidden.

If you aren�t going to hire a guide the key to the success of a mule deer hunt is preseason scouting. It�s best to do your scouting a couple of weeks before your hunt. Glassing with binoculars or spotting scope in the mornings and evenings can pay off well during your hunt. Because mule deer hunters tend to do a lot of walking in rough, steep terrain it is helpful to go into hunting season in good physical condition and be familiar with your weapon because muleys often require shooting from several hundred yards after a long hard grunt up a mountain.

B&C WORLD'S RECORDS MULE DEER WORLD'S RECORDS TYPICAL MULE DEER SCORE: 226 4/8

LOCATION: Dolores County, CO

HUNTER: Doug Burris, Jr.

OWNER: Cabela's, Inc.

DATE: 1972

KEY MEASUREMENTS: Length of main beam: Right 30 1/8 - Left 28 6/8 Inside spread: 30 7/8 Circ. of smallest place between burr and first point: Right 5 2/8 - Left 5 3/8 Number of points: Right 6 - Left 5

WORLD'S RECORDS NON-TYPICAL MULE DEER SCORE: 355 2/8

LOCATION: Chip Lake, AB

HUNTER: Ed Broder

OWNER: Ed Broder

DATE: 1926

KEY MEASUREMENTS: Length of main beam: Right 26 2/8 - Left 26 1/8 Inside spread: 22 1/8 Circ. of smallest place between burr and first point: Right 5 - Left 4 7/8 Number of points: Right 22 - Left 21

WORLD'S RECORDS COLUMBIA BLACKTAIL DEER SCORE: 182 2/8

LOCATION: Lewis County, WA

HUNTER: Lester H. Miller

OWNER: D.J. Hollinger & B. Howard

DATE: 1953

Dueling mule deer bucks, Jackson Hole Wyoming

KEY MEASUREMENTS: Length of main beam: Right 24 2/8 - Left 24 5/8 Inside spread: 20 2/8 Circ. of smallest place between burr and first point: Right 5 2/8 - Left 5 2/8 Number of points: Right 5 - Left 5

WORLD'S RECORDS NON-TYPICAL COLUMBIA BLACKTAIL DEER SCORE: 208 1/8

LOCATION: Polk County, OR

HUNTER: Frank S. Foldi

OWNER: Bass Pro Shops

DATE: 1962

KEY MEASUREMENTS: Length of main beam: Right 21 7/8 - Left 20 4/8 Inside spread: 17 5/8 Circ. of smallest place between burr and first point: Right 4 2/8 - Left 4 3/8 Number of points: Right 9 - Left 9

WORLD'S RECORDS TYPICAL SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER SCORE: 133

LOCATION: Juskatla, BC

HUNTER: Peter Bond

OWNER: D.J. Hollinger & B. Howard

DATE: 1970

KEY MEASUREMENTS: Length of main beam: Right 20 4/8 - Left 19 4/8 Inside spread: 19 6/8 Circ. of smallest place between burr and first point: Right 3 6/8 - Left 3 6/8 Number of points: Right 5 - Left 5

WORLD'S RECORDS NON-TYPICAL SITKA BLACKTAIL DEER SCORE: 134

LOCATION: Control Lake, AK

HUNTER: William B. Steele, Jr.

OWNER: William B. Steele, Jr.

DATE: 1987

KEY MEASUREMENTS: Length of main beam: Right 19 6/8 - Left 20 3/8 Inside spread: 16 3/8 Circ. of smallest place between burr and first point: Right 4 5/8 - Left 4 4/8 Number of points: Right 5 - Left 6

Trophy Mule deer buck, deep snow, Jackson Hole Wyoming	Two big buck mule deer, grand teton mountains, Jackson Hole Wyoming

Hidden Basin Outfitters • (Jackson Hole) Jackson Hole is home to some of the finest big game hunting on earth, where hunters have the opportunity to pursue animals in their natural habitat. Our experienced and fully-licensed guides will lead you and your party in search of cow elk, bull elk, moose, sheep, mule deer, antelope, and bear. For Big Game Hunters Looking for a True Wyoming Experience!

Non-Typical Outfitters • (Star Valley) Robb and Dr. Brenda Wiley make their home in one of the most beautiful places that God ever created, the mountains of western Wyoming. Brenda practices veterinary medicine and Robb lives his passion, providing your hunting and fishing opportunities in the Wyoming back country..........We feel that Non-Typical Outfitters has the ability to provide an unmatched opportunity for trophy hunting in Wyoming. The amount of time that we spend in the field before your hunt starts is one of the things that separates us from the rest. We spend extensive days in the preseason locating our trophy animals. For us trophy hunting is a year around job.............We are the most diversified permitted outfitter in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Our hunting area encompasses over 900 square miles of National Forest and close to double that in BLM lands. This gives us the ability to hunt the top trophies in the area without over pressuring any part of it. We can hunt out of a forest camp or a lodge and have the ability to tailor a hunt to almost anyone's needs.

Jake's Horses • (Island Park) All day or by the hour trail rides, alpine lake fishing, hunting, pack trips & guide service. We are located in Island Park, Idaho.

Mill Iron Ranch • (Jackson Hole) Mill Iron Ranch has been a Wheeldon family tradition for three generations. We carry on the old cowboy traditions around here, showing the Jackson visitors how to ride, fish, hunt and camp.

Wind River Trophy Hunts • (Pinedale) We provide hunters with the unique experience of hunting in the remote backcountry that contains one of the healthiest elk populations in the state of Wyoming. For hunters looking for the ultimate hunting experience - whether it be elk, moose, sheep, antelope, or mountain lions - Wind River Trophy Hunts is your best bet!

Jenkin's Hunting Camp • (Star Valley) Larry Jenkins' Hunting Camp has provided Big Game Hunting since the 1970s. His hunting camp is a family run operation where Larry, his wife Shirley, and their two sons and daughter are all part of your hunting experience. Larry and his family have owned and operated their camp for over 30 years. By specializing in pleasing the individual, Larry can gear the hunt to your own abilities and desires. The saddle horses are all mountain trained and gentle enough to carry you all day in safety. However, Larry prefers to ride as little as possible and still get your game. Your not in the saddle all day long. You can expect an average of 80% success rate on buck mule deer. Larry's hunter success on bull elk ranges from 80 to 100% average each year.Many of these bulls are trophys.

Sheep Creek Outfitters • (West Yellowstone) is a small family outfitting business located in the West Yellowstone, Montana Area. I am a full-time outfitter with over thirty years experience hunting Elk, Mule Deer, & other Big Game in the Rocky Mountains. We take only a limited number of hunters per season, approximately fourteen to sixteen rifle hunters and eight archery hunters. Each hunt period is an eight day trip (six actual hunt days) and a nine day trip (seven actual hunt days) for archery. The two non-hunting days are pack-in and pack-out days. We take only four hunters per hunt.

Boulder Basin Outfitters • (Cody) Generations of Experience Hunting and Fishing Wyoming Carl and Michelle Sauerwein, owners of Boulder Basin Outfitters, bring more than a lifetime's worth of hunting and fishing experience to their Wyoming outfitting business. Born and raised into a family with outfitting experience that spans back generations, Carl has more skill and knowledge of Wyoming big game hunting and fishing than the average Cody Country Outfitter

Elk Ridge Outfitters • ( Bozeman) We hunt the Bridger Range northwest of Bozeman, hunting districts 393 and 312. This 28,000 acre private ranch takes in 2 major drainages. The ridges and slopes are covered with scattered timber and numerous basins. Elevations vary from 5,200 ft. to 7,200 ft. The Bridger Mountains of south central Montana offer hunters one of the highest success rates in Montana for elk. Private land and limited access allows us to manage elk numbers and limit bull harvest.