Brady shares some tips to help you find big bucks this fall in new hunting areas, and areas that you might have been looking at for several years by looking at the terrain differently
It's no secret... I love mule deer and helping people chase their mule deer dreams.
You've heard me say it a lot, but at the end of the day, mule deer hunting is an art and not a true science. You never know to an exact science where mature mule deer bucks will be, but in time, you can learn vital pieces to the puzzle that will help you narrow down the search.
What a mule deer buck does in a daily routine throughout the year is rooted in science (feed, cover, and water). But science can be thrown out the window when you are hunting an old mature buck that has seen years of hunting pressure. Learn more about how to research mule deer using biology reports here.
Below is a video where I outline six different strategies that you can use to hone in on finding mule deer this fall. There are a ton of different things I do when finding my next hunting spot, but these six tips should get you lined out this season!
Mule deer hunting can be challenging, especially in areas where you’ve never hunted before. These six tips will help you narrow down where to focus your efforts when scouting for mule deer in unfamiliar territory. Remember, mule deer hunting is an art, not a science. While some general principles apply, mule deer are unpredictable, so being adaptable is key.
Edge habitat is basically that sliver of an area where the heavy timber/cover meets the feed or open patches of vegetation. That is where big bucks like to hang out. Older mature deer, for the most part, are smart, and during those late September to October timeframes, big bucks won't be seen out in the open that much. This is why if you focus on those fringe/edge habitats... it could lead you to find some areas where a big buck will slip up and allow you to put glass on him. The edge habitat I focus on is again right where the cover meets the open feed, but the edge also extends at least 50 to 100 yards inside the timber too. That will be where some of the best feed in the timber will be located, and bucks won't have to slip out into the open to feed. While mule deer are more visible in open areas during early seasons, hunting later in the year requires finding these edge habitats to increase your chances of spotting big bucks.
This is all about finding those hard-to-access, hard-to-glass, little hidden pockets that have feed and cover.
There can be big deer anywhere, but from what I have seen, I find more deer if I get away from heavy traffic areas. Sure, you can kill bucks close to roads, trails, or towns, but I'd rather focus my efforts on places that I have to myself or at least places I can try to hunt unpressured bucks. But in saying that, don't overlook places that people might just drive or hike by. It's all about finding different barriers to entry.
Finding remote areas away from human traffic is crucial. While you can find mule deer near roads and trails, hunting in more isolated, harder-to-access areas often means encountering less pressured deer. Deer in these remote locations behave more naturally, allowing you to hunt them on their terms. Look for basins and ridges that are far from roads and trails. Although these areas might be more physically challenging to reach, they often hold bigger and more relaxed bucks that haven’t been disturbed by human activity.
This tip is actually very important. I like to look at all the terrain in the entire unit in using maps in 3D. It might seem simple, but the process can take a very long time. I like to pan around and look at every ridge, every patch of timber, and every corner of the unit. I want to get as familiar with the unit as the details on the back of my hand.
I want to be zoomed in close on 3D satellite imagery during this process because I don't want to miss out on any of the intricate details of that unit and how the terrain looks during this stage of my e-scouting. If I find something during this stage that interests me, I'll drop a waypoint. This process can take days or even a full week in the evening to accomplish.
Thoroughly studying the terrain is a vital step in planning your hunt. Use tools like GOHUNT Maps to zoom in on ridgelines, basins, and slopes to get a detailed view of the landscape. Knowing how the terrain lies—such as the direction and steepness of slopes—can help you predict where deer might be. Mule deer tend to favor specific types of terrain based on their needs for food, water, and security. Spend time dropping waypoints on areas that look promising, such as secluded ridges or pockets with good cover, and use this information to refine your hunt plan.
This is probably one of the most important parts of doing some e-scouting research before you head into the field. It might seem like a very easy step... "just find high points and mark glassing spots," but it is way, way more in-depth than that. Not all glassing spots are created equal, and not all glassing spots allow you to see the best terrain.
Besides marking glassing points, I like to mark secondary glassing points along a ridge system. As the morning shadows start to move, I want to move as well and glass an area from a different angle. Sometimes, that involves climbing up the mountain higher; sometimes, that means dropping elevations.
Finding the right glassing points is essential for locating mule deer, but it’s important to be flexible. Identify spots where you can glass a large area, but also look for opportunities to move around to different vantage points. Deer can often bed in hard-to-see spots, so shifting your position can help you spot bucks that were hidden earlier in the day. Plan your glassing points ahead of time by marking them on a map, and always have multiple spots in mind to increase your chances of success.
You just never know if the terrain will be favorable enough to really glass from that spot, which is why I really like to zoom in on the satellite imagery to pick apart the vegetation and tree cover for my glassing waypoints for mule deer.
Depending on the place you're hunting mule deer in the West, water might be important (especially desert hunts), and locating water sources could put you in that spot to take a buck. Unlike hunting elk, you don’t always need to focus heavily on finding water sources. When hunting mountain bucks, I'm not so much concerned about finding water for bucks; rather, I'm mainly focused on finding water that I will use on the hunt and possibly how I can use the lack of water to my advantage. Lack of water in a mountain range means long hikes to get water, so knowing how to use that to your advantage can put you in places where people just don't enjoy hunting. This is not really a huge tip, but I still felt like it was important to mention briefly.
If you want to know how I use this tool (extrapolating previous waypoints and hunting intel), be sure to check out the article linked below as I go into the weeds on ways you can use this tool to find mature bucks.
Also, along with the Terrain Analysis Tool, there is a lot of value that can be found by using Elevation Bands. You can key in on the habitat that mule deer use during certain times of the year with this tool, and you can also layer stack with public land, migration layers, and the Terrain Analysis tool to really hone in on your next hunting spot.
Understanding how to use Terrain Analysis Tool on GOHUNT Maps can help you pinpoint areas where mule deer are likely to be. Mule deer prefer different elevations and terrain features depending on the season. For example, in the early season, they might be higher in open country, while in late-season hunts, they may move down to timbered, more sheltered areas. Use the Terrain Analysis Tool to look at slope, elevation, and aspect, and apply the knowledge you’ve gained from previous hunts to new areas. Historical data about past mule deer kills can be especially helpful in identifying patterns.
These six tips will help you get a head start in locating mule deer in areas you've never hunted before. By focusing on edge habitats, finding isolated areas, thoroughly analyzing terrain, and being flexible in your glassing and scouting strategies, you’ll increase your chances of success. For even more detailed strategies and insights, be sure to explore resources like mule deer biology reports and maps, which can give you a deeper understanding of deer behavior and habitat.
With preparation, persistence, and adaptability, your next mule deer hunt can be a success.
This article was originally published on June 23, 2022, and has been updated with more information.
