Mule deer - 24hourcampfire

Please refrain from posting any more photos of big mule deer. It profoundly impact my nervous system, resulting in concontrollable twitching, drooling and a sudden urge to spend money applying for tags with very low chances of being drawn.

On the other hand, if any good mulie guides/outfitters need some ink and can talk "discount," I'm your huckleberry.

And no, I have absolutely no shame... when it comes to mule deer.

Originally Posted by Kentucky_Windage

Please refrain from posting any more photos of big mule deer. It profoundly impact my nervous system, resulting in concontrollable twitching, drooling and a sudden urge to spend money applying for tags with very low chances of being drawn.

On the other hand, if any good mulie guides/outfitters need some ink and can talk "discount," I'm your huckleberry.

And no, I have absolutely no shame... when it comes to mule deer.

That would be Mulie Fever, sir.

Your case seems worse than mine. The cure is to kill a wide mule deer with deep forks.

Can't cure an addiction by feeding it what it wants

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

That would be Mulie Fever, sir.

The cure is to kill a wide mule deer with deep forks.

Nope.

That just makes it worse.

JG- I never get tired of looking at your bucks. I gotta figure out a way to get you hunting black bear or north woods MN bucks up here in exchange for a west Texas deer hunt...

Originally Posted by oldslowdog

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

That would be Mulie Fever, sir.

The cure is to kill a wide mule deer with deep forks.

Nope.

That just makes it worse.

Hey, a fix is a fix...

Originally Posted by oldslowdog

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

That would be Mulie Fever, sir.

The cure is to kill a wide mule deer with deep forks.

Nope.

That just makes it worse.

No cure for Mulie fever? Fine by me.

Originally Posted by exbiologist

Can't cure an addiction by feeding it what it wants

Man, isn't that the truth. I've had it for 41 years now.....thank God!

Originally Posted by Birdhog

JG- I never get tired of looking at your bucks. I gotta figure out a way to get you hunting black bear or north woods MN bucks up here in exchange for a west Texas deer hunt...

Tell you what Birdhog.....when our drought subsides and I (with a clear conscience) can take someone out here I may just take you up on that! I've only seen one bear in my life, rummaging through the trash near Cloudcroft, NM.

Originally Posted by JGRaider

Originally Posted by exbiologist

Can't cure an addiction by feeding it what it wants

Man, isn't that the truth. I've had it for 41 years now.....thank God!

JG, 1968 is when it started for me....

Large, old, mature mule deer bucks are one of the most impressive, elusive and rarest big game animals in the entire world. If given the choice of only one big game animal to hunt for the rest of my life, the pick would be automatic...

Originally Posted by scenarshooter

Originally Posted by JGRaider

Originally Posted by exbiologist

Can't cure an addiction by feeding it what it wants

Man, isn't that the truth. I've had it for 41 years now.....thank God!

JG, 1968 is when it started for me....

Large, old, mature mule deer bucks are one of the most impressive, elusive and rarest big game animals in the entire world. If given the choice of only one big game animal to hunt for the rest of my life, the pick would be automatic...

They would be my pick as well, sir.

I know you have some awesome pictures... don't hold out on us.

scenar.....if you ever get an opening I'd appreciate a call (no kidding). Big bucks, Copenhagen, wide open spaces......that's what I'm talking about. It was 1971 for me.

winnie, my crap is AAA, scenar and huntsonora are the big leagues.

Originally Posted by JGRaider

scenar.....if you ever get an opening I'd appreciate a call (no kidding). Big bucks, Copenhagen, wide open spaces......that's what I'm talking about. It was 1971 for me.

Got room for a third?

I am cheap though, Grizzly will work for me.

Originally Posted by JGRaider

winnie, my crap is AAA, scenar and huntsonora are the big leagues.

Uhh...I dunno know about that....Pat and Drummond have a knack for finding big bucks no doubt......But damned few people I know have killed a couple grossing in the 190's or better which is rarified atmosphere.

I have three Wyoming friends who have done it...but mostly they are very hard core trophy hunters and their best bucks represent a lifetime of hunting, spanning in excess of 30+ seasons each....and in good country to boot.

A truly big mule deer is no slouch to kill.I know because I have tried many times.If a guy trultwants a big one,don't plan a hunt;rather plan hunts (plural) .Only with the greatest of fortune, will you kill a really big one on a first and only trip(although it happens.But people hit the lottery on scratch tickets, too).

I agree with Pat's comments about hunting them.The big one's are so different from the immature animals,they are almost like a different species,and indeed have to be hunted a bit differently,as well.

I'm guessing Winnie doesn't have $5000 to spend on a deer hunt so that leaves public land which makes finding a big deer a little bit tougher.

Sam thats true.

Winnie - I tag a mulie buck most years - but none of mine come close to the great bucks already posted in photos here. Enjoy the hunt, just realize that 28" 4x4's aren't in every canyon.

ExBio - that dark photo - the doggone thing looks like a bull elk! What a set of antlers. My goodness.

Guy

[quote=exbiologist]
[Linked Image]

Same buck?

Originally Posted by GuyM

Winnie - I tag a mulie buck most years - but none of mine come close to the great bucks already posted in photos here. Enjoy the hunt, just realize that 28" 4x4's aren't in every canyon.

ExBio - that dark photo - the doggone thing looks like a bull elk! What a set of antlers. My goodness.

Guy

I would settle for as 30" 4x4..

I realize the chances of me shooting a big buck are slim... it seeing one would be awesome.

I thought the same thing about that buck. Looks like he was sired by a elk.

Just admiring him, as he lay.....

[Linked Image
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JG: Great buck! Lotsa character on that one...

Originally Posted by rosco1

[quote=exbiologist]
[Linked Image]

Same buck?

Different years, and times of year (obviously), but same hill, so I've wondered if they were the same, and if not are probably closely related.

Winnie1300,

Since you're in CA, try to get a tag for X11 or X12, the area west of Bridgeport. There's a trail that'll take you about 12 miles into the Eastern Sierra. There are huge bucks in there, but drawing a tag for that area ain't exactly a sure bet.

I'm going to do that, sir. I didn't think about next year and me hunting California.

I'm sure I could go out during fall if I have the time off to chase a tom, some doves, and pheasant with the GF.

I'll put in for an X tag. Who knows? I might be the lucky one that gets picked.

I only saw this buck twice during late summer 2011. Never found him last fall. I'm hoping he's still around somewhere.

This one is on the wall....one of those most elusive bucks I've ever hunted.

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

I'm going to do that, sir. I didn't think about next year and me hunting California.

I'm sure I could go out during fall if I have the time off to chase a tom, some doves, and pheasant with the GF.

I'll put in for an X tag. Who knows? I might be the lucky one that gets picked.

Do you realize Laguna is full of chit?

Montana's Crazy Mountains from about 25 years ago. One of my old hunting pals from Massachusetts. Not a huge buck, but a nice public land mule deer for his first buck.

Originally Posted by Tanner

Shayne, start putting in for Colorado mule deer.... you've got a buddy here that'll be happy to show you a few spots.

Hey Tanner, I have 5 preference points for Colorado mule deer....................just sayin'

My younger brother with a near perfectly symetrical buck. Some of you Bozeman guys will know his hat....

Public land in Eastern Montana. This buck was 9 1/2 years old.

That's a cool pic.

Travis

Matched pair from a heavy old buck. Spring of 2004.

I've posted these before, but I repeat myself ever day to my crew so you guys might as well suffer too. [Linked Image]

Originally Posted by 300MAG

Originally Posted by Tanner

Shayne, start putting in for Colorado mule deer.... you've got a buddy here that'll be happy to show you a few spots.

Hey Tanner, I have 5 preference points for Colorado mule deer....................just sayin'

Send me a PM when you want to come out!

Originally Posted by scenarshooter

Public land in Eastern Montana. This buck was 9 1/2 years old.

That's a beauty!

Been to WY ,ID , CO unguided and guided and have yet to get a "good" one. They are my curse and my obsession with them has no end in sight , save sheep my favorite big game , and there are some nice ones here!

Originally Posted by scenarshooter

My younger brother with a near perfectly symetrical buck. Some of you Bozeman guys will know his hat....

spent a few evenings there back in the day... as well as the Crystal down the street.

Rocking R went up a few years back... was a local landmark

Originally Posted by Rancho_Loco

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

I'm going to do that, sir. I didn't think about next year and me hunting California.

I'm sure I could go out during fall if I have the time off to chase a tom, some doves, and pheasant with the GF.

I'll put in for an X tag. Who knows? I might be the lucky one that gets picked.

Do you realize Laguna is full of chit?

I noticed he is new... Came around since I've been off.

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

I'm going to do that, sir. I didn't think about next year and me hunting California.

I'm sure I could go out during fall if I have the time off to chase a tom, some doves, and pheasant with the GF.

I'll put in for an X tag. Who knows? I might be the lucky one that gets picked.

Best of luck to you. I hope you're drawn. I've given up trying to get a tag for what I think is X12. It does have huge mulies. There are a zillion bears up there as well, & they're huge. If you're drawn, bring a fishing pole. The state record brown trout came out of Twin Lakes just outside of Bridgeport.

Best of luck,

Tom

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

Originally Posted by Rancho_Loco

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

I'm going to do that, sir. I didn't think about next year and me hunting California.

I'm sure I could go out during fall if I have the time off to chase a tom, some doves, and pheasant with the GF.

I'll put in for an X tag. Who knows? I might be the lucky one that gets picked.

Do you realize Laguna is full of chit?

I noticed he is new... Came around since I've been off.

Winnie1300,

Check this out & tell me who's full of chit.

Rancho is loco for a reason.

Originally Posted by Kentucky_Windage

Please refrain from posting any more photos of big mule deer. It profoundly impact my nervous system, resulting in concontrollable twitching, drooling and a sudden urge to spend money applying for tags with very low chances of being drawn.

On the other hand, if any good mulie guides/outfitters need some ink and can talk "discount," I'm your huckleberry.

And no, I have absolutely no shame... when it comes to mule deer.

No schitt, that first page was devastating.

Originally Posted by Laguna

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

Originally Posted by Rancho_Loco

Originally Posted by Winnie1300

I'm going to do that, sir. I didn't think about next year and me hunting California.

I'm sure I could go out during fall if I have the time off to chase a tom, some doves, and pheasant with the GF.

I'll put in for an X tag. Who knows? I might be the lucky one that gets picked.

Do you realize Laguna is full of chit?

I noticed he is new... Came around since I've been off.

Winnie1300,

Check this out & tell me who's full of chit.

Rancho is loco for a reason.

I checked the link for Mono Basin Outfitters. That pic was taken in the foothills southeast of Bridgeport west of Bodie. The pasture land in the left side of the photo gave it away. A lot of the big bucks are taken from the foothills like the ones in the photo. Also, there is no X-11 zone in Kali. X-12 is a very desirable zone and not easy to draw unless you're lucky enough to pull a random tag. I drew that tag around a 10 years ago, unfortunately I didn't get one.

tdbob,

It's been many a year since I've hunted CA. I think the last tag I drew was in the 80's for X-4. After years of not drawing, I have concentrated on Rocky Mountain states. Utah used to be a sure bet. Now you need preference points to get drawn there.

While the biggest deer I have ever seen have been in Wyoming & Utah, Colorado, too, CA has some huge bucks.

That's why I keep putting in for G-3. A fantasy pick, if drawn and with winter weather there's a good chance of getting something huge coming out of Kings Canyon/Sequoia NP.

Hi tdbob,

CA does have huge mule deer. But it's hard as hell in a state with 30+ million people to draw a tag where one has a chance at a trophy. That's why I've given up. It's too frustrating.

I fish in the Eastern Sierra. While I don't see a lot of bucks during summer months, I have seen a few that I wish I could hunt. There are some bruisers in the Eastern Sierra. But on the whole, mule deer are bigger in Rocky Mountain states.

Some 30 years ago CA was supposed to commit to improving the quality of its trophy herd, but as far as I know, there's not a single CA mule deer in B&C. I'm sure CA's mountain lion hunting ban has something to do with it. And God knows, bears in the Eastern Sierra don't get 500lbs & better dining only on trout.

It's very frustrating here in Kali,too many libtards. We'd have terrific lion hunting if it was allowed. I love the eastern Sierra for the great trout fishing, backpacking and skiing. We still have pretty good bird hunting, but you're right that the state has done nothing to improve herd quality. A lot of the eastern Sierra is getting too developed that is impacting the wintering grounds for the mule deer and affecting the hunting. I love my state; the people on the other hand, not so much. Seems most of my big game hunting for the last decade is now done out of state in Utah. Before I leave this state, I'll get a lifetime hunting license and continue to put in for G3 mule deer, big horn sheep and Tule elk tags, all of which would be like winning the lottery.