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11-26-2021, 04:52 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 5
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404 Mule deer
Hey all,
I am thinking about pulling my 404 mule deer tag next season.
Before I even start, I know there’s easier places to bag a big buck, as I live in 312 and have seen the bucks there as well as 310.
I am not afraid to hike and have to work to see what I can turn up, so I am just curious as to what caliber of bucks you’re able to find up in 404, and whether anyone has any good pictures or stories of bucks they’ve seen/taken up there.
Thanks again,
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11-26-2021, 07:18 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Calgary
Posts: 467
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I drew antlered mulie in 404 about 4 years ago. Tough hunting those mountain mule deer. Not to mention, it's a busy area. Came home empty handed after never seeing a mulie buck. A few fleeting glances of does, couple young whitetails, and a whole pile of moose carcasses. If you were to hunt that area, I would suggest a mountain bike, or an E-bike. Lots of land to cover to get away from the crowds. That being said, if you can hunt weekdays, you'll generally be more successful.
Couldn't tell you what the caliber of bucks are at the moment as that was the last time I put in for 404.
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11-26-2021, 07:30 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 2
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It was good back in the day. Nothing for mulies now. I've put alot of miles all throughout that zone. Seen one decent buck in the last 3 seasons
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11-26-2021, 07:35 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,100
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In late September 2018 I was driving on 532 near Indian Graves. My plan was to park on the south side of the road near the campsite and walk into 308 to do some whitetail bow hunting. It was early and the light wasn't great, but while on 532 I saw a couple of does on the north side of the road well before Willow Creek. Then I saw a big bodied muley buck. I slowly crept the truck over a rise in the road and stopped. To be clear, I didn't have a tag for mule deer here (though it was archery season and I could/should? have...). I glassed this fella for about 10 minutes - thinking maybe another hunter may drive by who had a tag and I could point him out to them. This never happened and eventually he loped off up a rise and into the timber.
I've kicked around what he would have scored a little bit. His antlers were not girthy so his H scores would keep him out of Pope and Young conversations, however he had great length on G2 and G3, along with better than average width. I've talked myself up to 170 on him but he was probably 165 or thereabout - a fantastic buck for public land (and only 40 yards off of the road).
I have a feeling somebody harvested him that year but encouraging to see quality like that on the border of 308/404.
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They don't get big by being dumb.
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11-26-2021, 08:14 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: East of the Rockies West of The Rest
Posts: 107
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Helped my friend with his moose, elk, and WT tags in 404 over the last few years. Never seen a mule buck in that zone, if it was my tag I would go somewhere else.
Still some of the best looking country out there.
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Formula for success: rise early, work hard, and strike oil.
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11-26-2021, 09:10 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,668
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I’ve spent a lot of time in 404 and I might have seen 2 mulie bucks in the whole time. I’m sure there might be a spot that holds some but I haven’t seen it.
It’s a gorgeous area to hunt though so if you’re fine walking around while lugging a rifle it might be a fun way to do it.
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11-26-2021, 01:00 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,972
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Given how long it takes to pull a Mule deer tag I would not be wasting it on such a low percentage spot. If I was seriously looking for big mountain Mule Deer I would be hunting around Grande Cache.
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11-26-2021, 02:13 PM
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 430
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Dale,
If you are inclined toward a mountain Mule Deer hunt close to 312 (where you live), think I would suggest 406 over 404. I know both fairly well and there are decent Mulies in each. But, you would need to do some homework to know where they are. In my opinion, 406 is slightly better than 404 for a mountain Mulie.
I would add, since you have found some in 404, don't let anyone discourage you from trying that area if that is what you want to do. If you're willing to work, I'm sure you'd find them.
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11-26-2021, 06:32 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 5
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404 Mule deer
Thanks for all of the input.
I definitely know that it would take a lot of homework to find some good bucks up there. I have found a few while hunting elk up there, never anything more than your average 3x3, mind you I wasn’t really looking for them. There is just something that draws me to hunting mountain mulies, so I will continue to look into it, as well as look into 406.
Thanks
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11-26-2021, 09:59 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Strathmore
Posts: 5,573
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Definitely decent Muleys in 404. Mountain deer hunts more fun in a lot of ways. I've seen them very high in Sept, amount of snow cover later can bring them lower. Usually chinooks blow south slopes clear. Good luck!
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11-28-2021, 01:47 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 42
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Mule deer rare in 404
I filled my wt buck tag easily enough in 404. Spotted a few wt bucks, dozens of wt does, but not a single mule buck. Only one mule doe beside the road close to Mt Lipsett. Over many summers hiking and scouting, only one mule buck, but dozens of wt buck. Very scenic and strenuous WMU to hunt, but not prime for mule deer.
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11-28-2021, 06:40 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,972
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaleScott
Thanks for all of the input.
I definitely know that it would take a lot of homework to find some good bucks up there. I have found a few while hunting elk up there, never anything more than your average 3x3, mind you I wasn’t really looking for them. There is just something that draws me to hunting mountain mulies, so I will continue to look into it, as well as look into 406.
Thanks
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So I don't get it. You join this month, have now made 4 posts total, and you ask the typical new guy question where should I look for X. Instead of being told to do your own how work, scouting etc, guys take the time to actually answer your questions, and in a fair amount of detail. A couple of us provided viable options. Instead of listening you decide to try hunting Mule Deer in 404 anyhow. Why would you even bother wasting everyone's time, were you hoping someone had a secret valley they were going to tell you about that has a huge Mulie in it. That said, I still hope you have a great hunt.
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11-28-2021, 06:59 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,334
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It’s easy to find the prime mule deer valley in the mountains you just have to follow zipper mouth creek it drains out of the valley
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11-28-2021, 07:17 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Near Edmonton
Posts: 14,972
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smoky buck
It’s easy to find the prime mule deer valley in the mountains you just have to follow zipper mouth creek it drains out of the valley
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Ye, I am going back to my stock answer: If you don't want to put in the work I suggest the Safeway on 97St and 137 Ave, Edm. Way easier spot to find meat than tramping around in the bush. (There isn't really a Safeway there anymore and hasn't been for 15 years, just like no one is going to tell you what cut line to sit on for an Elk).
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11-28-2021, 07:21 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: Living On A Lake
Posts: 534
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2
Ye, I am going back to my stock answer: If you don't want to put in the work I suggest the Safeway on 97St and 130 Ave, Edm. Way easier spot to find meat than tramping around in the bush.
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Better Not! lol
Good luck, hope you find your Mulie!
Last edited by North40Rules; 11-28-2021 at 07:27 AM.
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11-28-2021, 09:29 AM
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,619
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Whitetails have moved in to 404,same as many mountain areas.Indian graves was a hot spot for good Mule deer 30 years ago.Its a shame but for some reason (I suspect Cougars) the big eared deer have almost vanished.
I do see some in the early spring though.I think these deer move into the high country until deep snow pushes them down later in the winter.I have had sheep hunters tell me they see them way up there.
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11-28-2021, 09:55 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 616
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean2
So I don't get it. You join this month, have now made 4 posts total, and you ask the typical new guy question where should I look for X. Instead of being told to do your own how work, scouting etc, guys take the time to actually answer your questions, and in a fair amount of detail. A couple of us provided viable options. Instead of listening you decide to try hunting Mule Deer in 404 anyhow. Why would you even bother wasting everyone's time, were you hoping someone had a secret valley they were going to tell you about that has a huge Mulie in it. That said, I still hope you have a great hunt.
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The only thing i saw him asking for was pictures of bucks or stories. He started his post with saying he knows there are easier spots but he wanted to do a mountain hunt.
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11-28-2021, 01:45 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Calgary
Posts: 701
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I saw one 170ish mule buck in that zone about 5-6 years ago and found a few sheds that showed real promise. But mostly I come across skinny 3x3s and the odd 140-150 4x4. It’s a tough place to hunt but it’s beautiful country. Often lots of wolves in the zone.
I don’t care if you hunt mule deer there or not. I might again some day, but I also might not. Everything I’ve read in this thread mostly fits with my experience there.
Good luck.
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11-28-2021, 05:35 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 207
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404 mulie.
A friend was sheep hunting there about 10 year’s ago and came across a giant mulie. Got several pics through spotting scope. It was a clean 4 pt. Very wide. Several angles of photos showed it was likely a 190’s class deer with no obvious deductions. Just like something out of a Cabela’s calendar.
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11-28-2021, 05:37 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Foothills
Posts: 2,337
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The biggest non typical mule deer I have ever seen was in 404. Sure wished I had a tag that year, he was a monster mountain mulie!
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11-28-2021, 06:52 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 5
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What I can gather from most of the replies so far is that the mountains definitely had their fair share of Muleys back in the day, but the numbers have just seemed to decrease as time has went on.
Really is a bit of a shame as they are such a fun animal to chase out on the prairie, and would be nice to throw the mountain element into the mix.
Hopefully one day the numbers will be back to where they once were, but in the meantime we’ll have to deal with what they are.
Even if they aren’t as abundant in 404, It’s still beautiful scenery to hunt them in.
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