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