Whitetails vs Muleys - strategy

[Prairiewolf]

This season I'm fortunate to have tags for each species. I have hunted and harvested whitetails, but have only had one muley tag before, which went unfilled after a clean miss years ago.

Mountain WMU, likely November timing although I'd like to get out in October too. Current plan is a bit of blind-based when conditions allow, still hunting on cold days with glassing any meadows I can in the process.

Does this cover off either species? Do you change strategy between these species?

[marky_mark]

If your in a mountain wmu your probably going to have better luck being on the move and spot and stalking them

[58thecat]

Well you might get lucky by rattling if you find sign, both species will respond and come in, ya never know.

I have rattled in both species and in your case having both tags might be worth a go.


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[Twisted Canuck]

What Mark said.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by marky_mark

If your in a mountain wmu your probably going to have better luck being on the move and spot and stalking them

Yep,mountain Mule deer are way down in numbers,at least where I hunt.

I know a few spots where they can be found,takes lots of glassing and scouting though.

Good luck on your quest.

[Grizzly Adams1]

I've always found Mulies in a just make sure you're far enough legally from the truck , when you shoot situation. That's why draws are necessary. Whitetails you actually have to hunt.

Grizz

[slough shark]

Mountain zone probably the biggest difference is where you’ll find more. I’ve found mulies up higher and whitetail down in the valleys. That being said there is some crossover and they can both be where you’d expect to find the other.

[Prairiekid]

Hey Prairiewolf,

We are pretty much in the same boat, I was also drawn for Antlered Mule Deer.

I love hunting WT in the foothills and mountains. I think Mule Deer will be quite similar. I would say the mule deer I will be hunting pretty much live in the timber, they seem to live very similarly to the Whitetail I hunt but about 100 meters higher and in steeper terrain. It's not uncommon for me to see them drop down and cross a trail cam I have set up for WT.

I plan to still hunt for mule deer, hopefully, the conditions are more favorable than last season. I expect my shot will be under 50 yards as it will be in the timber. I still have some scouting to do this year, so my plans could change but for now, the Mule Deer that I know best don't have any clearings to step into.

Maybe a plan to consider would be spending October scouting and glassing for spots and stalk and then in November when there is hopefully a quiet blanket of snow on the ground go for some still hunting.

I was actually going to make a similar post about what to expect and if anyone had ever hunted mulies in the timber before.

Good luck

[Positrac]

I’ve hunted Muleys a ton in the mountains but all in the BC interior. Mostly still hunting just like I grew up hunting Blacktails back on the Island. But, I do the same for Whitetails in the timber too with equal success.

[Mike1027]

I Lived in BC in the east kootenay region and that’s and that’s where all my experience is for mulies and in the mountains is keep on the move lots of glassing and spit and stalk and always was successful every year for my mule deer and elk


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[Big Grey Wolf]

Find a mule deer track that looks like an elk size. Track him to his bed and when he stands up scute em.

[Prairiekid]

What would quality Mule Deer look like in the mountains here in Alberta. I’m talking a deer that’s never tasted the grain in a farmers field? It seems they grow them bigger in the mountains in BC but in Alberta if you want a big mule deer you go to the prairies.

[Smoky buck]

Originally Posted by Prairiekid

What would quality Mule Deer look like in the mountains here in Alberta. I’m talking a deer that’s never tasted the grain in a farmers field? It seems they grow them bigger in the mountains in BC but in Alberta if you want a big mule deer you go to the prairies.

I don’t know about now but I can say for a fact Alberta did have big mountain mule deer just like BC in the not so distant past. I have not hunted the mountain WMUs or really fished them since I moved back or talk to the Alberta mountain hunters I did in the past to know about now. But I will place bets there is Alberta hunters who still know where to find big mountain bucks.

I can also tell you quality mountain mule(mule deer are on the decline) deer in BC are tougher to find but I do have buddies text me pics of a few big tank mountain bucks each year. Lots of areas in BC have poor average size of bucks but there is areas with great genetics. The seasons in BC are also very different and guys hunt them in the alpine in sept and target the migration as the snow pushes them it Dec. Some of the BC “mountain bucks” are more like bush bucks in rolling hills too. Some are also shot late season at the base of the mountain

Odds are BC mule deer hunting would really disappoint you with the average size of buck compared to Alberta in majority of areas

Alberta’s draw/seasons for mule deer don’t really offer the ability to dedicate the time hunting mountain mule deer like the BC diehard mule deer hunters do. But it is way easier to get access to hunt private land with higher density. With the minimal opportunity available in Alberta and the timing of the season

My opinion there is big mule deer in Alberta mountains that will match the quality of BC mountain bucks but they are not easy to come by especially with the limited hunting opportunity