| Have you dreamed of backpack hunting mule | | | | know where your hunting rifle shoots on the |
| deer far from the nearest highway or road? It | | | | range, experiment with a shooting stick, prone |
| has been said that its not hunting sheep that is | | | | position, over your pack and also other positions |
| the most exciting part of the venture, its where | | | | you might run across on the hunt. Just remember |
| bighorn sheep live. The same can be said for true | | | | you won't have access to a bench in your real |
| mule deer hunts. Mule deer thrive and live in some | | | | hunt and even if you are an excellent bench |
| of the most enticing, uninhabited areas around the | | | | shooter, that doesn't necessarily make you a |
| world. Just visiting these magnificent beasts and | | | | great shooter in the hunting field. You will also |
| the place they live is worth all the effort. With | | | | want to study distances versus angles. Most |
| that said, here is some advice to make your first | | | | shots at mule deer are either up or downhill and |
| mule deer hunt a real success. | | | | hunters have a tendency to shoot over deer. Get |
| First, and most importantly, you've got to get | | | | out and practice some downhill and uphill shots. |
| yourself into shape! I'm not just talking about | | | | You'll be amazed at the difference an angle can |
| walking to your mailbox each day or playing | | | | make. I also suggest that finding a laser |
| basketball on weekends. To truly enjoy your | | | | rangefinder to use as you practice. It's also helpful |
| backcountry mule deer hunt, you've got to be in | | | | to learn how to judge mule deer in the field. |
| great shape. I do realize, that dependent on how | | | | Hunting DVDs and videos by Mossback titled |
| old you are, that this may not be possible, so if | | | | Mulies Gone Wild are a great tool for learning how |
| that's the case, aim for the best shape you've | | | | to judge big bucks. They report the score after |
| been in for the last five years. The important | | | | you've seen footage of the bucks on the hoof. |
| thing is to do the best you can. Personally, my | | | | Third, get the best gear you can. There are great |
| workout program is jogging three or four times | | | | products out there. Get the lightest, strongest |
| each week. I start out by walking and work up to | | | | material for your backpacking and clothing items. I |
| jogging around three months before the hunt, and | | | | don't want to go into detail with each item, but a |
| when the trip arrives, my target is to be able to | | | | few I recommend are: sturdy, stiff, hiking boots - |
| jog for at least an hour. I found this is easier than | | | | I use Lowa Sheephunter boots, an internal pack I |
| trying to give specified distances. If you can build | | | | use a North Face pack, but there are many |
| up a jogging pace for at least an hour, you should | | | | different kinds on the market, wool socks I use |
| be capable of climbing the mountains that would | | | | Smartwool, and light packable rain gear I use |
| be required for mule deer hunting. I also hike, bike, | | | | Frogg Toggs. If you are planning to hunt with a |
| jump rope, and walk with my pack (around 50 | | | | guide, request a list and make sure to follow it. |
| lbs) . All of these activities are good to build the | | | | Buy quality optics! I personally like to use Brunton |
| muscles you'll need on the mule deer hunt. | | | | Epochs in 10.5x43 on account of their |
| Second, shoot your hunting rifle. I recommend | | | | magnification and light weight, but there are many |
| shooting your rifle weekly at ranges out to 300 | | | | fine optics on the market. Once again, buy the |
| yards. You'll need to know where your gun is | | | | very best you can manage to afford. |
| going to shoot at different ranges. Start at 100 | | | | Lastly, buy or rent some good mule deer hunting |
| yards with a fixed mechanical rest. Experiment | | | | videos. This will get your blood moving and get |
| with assorted types of ammo until you figure out | | | | you excited about shooting that big muley. They |
| what your rifle works best with and stick with it. I | | | | will help motivate you to workout and find that |
| prefer Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in | | | | deer you've always wanted when the deer |
| 270, but each gun shoots differently and you | | | | season opens. |
| have got to use the load that works. When you | | | | |