Depending on how the draw goes…I might be going on a week long mule deer hunt in November. I've never hunted them before and I've just begun my research.
If I draw a tag, I'll be hunting in south-eastern Montana (unit 704). It looks like it will be a mix of wide open areas and more wooded terrain…with lots of hills.
In my mind I picture a typical day being: rise before sunup and hike to my first spot to glass. After some period of time, hike to my next pre-planned vantage point and glass some more. Ideally I'd keep hopping out further from camp each time, then when it gets dark I'd hike back.
I'm here asking questions because I know that the devil is in the details…and I've got zero experience with this part of the country, nor with hunting mule deer. I hunt whitetail every year…my hunting/stalking/shooting skills are very good…this is the foundation I'm building from.
I'll have good gear and I will have studied the topo maps before I go. I understand that glassing is important…and that folks who have never hunted them may do too little of it. What should I expect in terms of time spent glassing vs time hiking? How long do you sit on a spot before you push on?
What type of ground speed should I expect in that type of terrain with a pack and a rifle? 1.5 MPH? 2 MPH?
How long would you sit and glass before hiking to the next spot?
Any thoughts/advice is welcomed. Thanks.
If I draw a tag, I'll be hunting in south-eastern Montana (unit 704). It looks like it will be a mix of wide open areas and more wooded terrain…with lots of hills.
In my mind I picture a typical day being: rise before sunup and hike to my first spot to glass. After some period of time, hike to my next pre-planned vantage point and glass some more. Ideally I'd keep hopping out further from camp each time, then when it gets dark I'd hike back.
I'm here asking questions because I know that the devil is in the details…and I've got zero experience with this part of the country, nor with hunting mule deer. I hunt whitetail every year…my hunting/stalking/shooting skills are very good…this is the foundation I'm building from.
I'll have good gear and I will have studied the topo maps before I go. I understand that glassing is important…and that folks who have never hunted them may do too little of it. What should I expect in terms of time spent glassing vs time hiking? How long do you sit on a spot before you push on?
What type of ground speed should I expect in that type of terrain with a pack and a rifle? 1.5 MPH? 2 MPH?
How long would you sit and glass before hiking to the next spot?
Any thoughts/advice is welcomed. Thanks.