Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game "Out west" fact or fiction?

Rock chuck Maine and northern New England whitetail numbers are actually low density,and not numerous compared to states like much of New York, PA etc.

But the state has a lot of unoccupied wilderness type country, big woods, rough winters, mountains etc. Even though densities are low the bucks will move a lot in big country during the day;mostly there is no one around....

We do not have crowded hunting conditions in Northern New England and success rates on a mature buck are well under 10%. Hunting during the rut does no harm.

I have done some rut hunting for mule deer.....they seem to lose all caution and are a bit too easy with a CF rifle,although I guess not always.

3.5 year old bucks of either species can get pretty stupid here in MT during the rut. The older ones are pretty smart usually. I don't think one is easier than the other, but a 3.5 YO mule deer with decent genetics is a "big one" to a lot of people, which I think gives mule deer their reputation for being easier.

belly deep I think you're right.

Out West - FACT! LOL

All but perhaps 3 of the mule deer I've taken were under 300 yards. Laser wasn't working for two of them and didn't have one for the other, which was back in the 80's. Google Earth suggests 290-320 for the two and about 330-360 for the other. The majority have been much closer, most under 200 yards, with a couple inside 15 yards.

If coming from out of state I'd recommend any rifle capable of 300 yard or longer shots that you can handle well - which is to say I'd leave my .30-30 and other leverguns (.44 Mag, .375 Win, .45-70) at home. Although I've taken mulies with my .300WM, it wasn't needed. As to a scope, I have 3-9x and a sprinkling of 4.5-14x on my bolt rifles. Both work fine but I've never needed the 14x. My advice would be 3-9x with a drop-compensating reticle or knobs and a good pair of binocs.

A .243 Win would be at the bottom of my list for a combined elk/deer hunt but .243's have taken lots of both species. If it was all I had I wouldn't have any problem heading west for mulies armed only with my .257 Roberts and a 100g TTSX, 115g AB or 120g A-Frame or Partition. Over the years I've often considered the .270 Win to arguably be the best choice for a dedicated deer rifle. If coming from out of state for a mule deer only hunt my .280 Rem or 7mm RM with 140g TTSX or AB bullets and a 3-9x compensating scope would be my first choice.

Daughter #1 got a deer tag this year and will be using her .308 Win and a 3-9x Burris Fullfield II with Ballistic Plex reticle during Colorado's combined deer/elk season, as well as for Wyoming antelope. Bullet choice is yet to be determined but we have loads worked up for 130g TTSX and 150g AB. Whichever she shoots best will get the nod for all.

Short answer: Got something between a .243 Win and a .300WM with a decent scope? Bring it.

Well since I go back east to hunt mule deer, my perspective is... pretty much in line with Shrap, Ingwe, BobinNH, JG and a bunch of other experienced mule deer hunters. Been traveling and am late to this discussion. Pretty much all has been said, and well. Shrap had it right: hunting is what you make of it. (including how far you shoot).

For folks who consider long range shots at mule deer axiomatic: remember that bow hunters are killing bucks in the same area.

My longest mule deer: (that I can remember) 260 yards.

Closest mule deer: 40 feet (on a 180 class buck). I've got a dozen or two under 50 yards.

Average: Getting longer in recent years as I take the easier-to-get longer shots rather than crawl around in brush. Is probably now over 75 yards. Purely hunting style/choices. You can shoot across a wide open flat or ease through that little strip of weeds and brush along a ditch or a trace of creek.