Story and photos by: Remi Warren If you ask most mule deer hunters when the optimal time to hunt for big bucks is, the obvious answer is during the rut. The rut apparently is a magical time when once previously invisible, nonexistent bucks come out of the woodwork in pursuit of a hot doe. While this may be partially true, there is some error in this logic. Those nonexistent bucks may seem to have appeared out of nowhere, but they were around before the rut, and, most likely, will still be around after the rut. The fact is, big bucks exist outside of the rut, and by adjusting your tactics you could have a chance at that buck of a lifetime. It starts with honing in on big bucks before and after the main rut hits to understand buck behavior. The idea behind this is not to make you discount the rut completely, but to keep you from placing all your eggs in the rut basket. If you only focus on the rut, you will miss out on deer behavior that can be just as good, or even better, than the rut itself.
Bachelor Bucks
In my opinion, hunting early season bachelor bucks can be one of the best times to find and pursue trophy mule deer. During the summer and early fall months, mule deer bucks will group and travel together. These groups can range in numbers anywhere from a couple of bucks to over twenty. Many of the deer in the group share the same general age class, so when you find one big buck it is likely there is more then one trophy within the group. However, some bachelor groups will consist of smaller bucks that have been joined by a larger buck. This larger, dominate buck will travel alone and join younger age class deer for security and safety in numbers. The large buck is not as loyal to the group dynamic and will disappear from the group when trouble brews. The big buck will slip away from the habits of the group only to join another group after an intermitted break from the social deer scene. These types of behaviors are important to remember when hunting bachelor bucks, because it may determine how the bucks are to be hunted. The velvet advantage The velvet advantage comes into play when hunting bachelor groups. Velvet causes deer to spend more time in open areas to protect their sensitive antlers from the thick brush they will call home later in the season. During this time of year, the deer are the easiest to spot because they tend to gravitate in groups toward more open areas. Unlike the rut the deer group by gender, which makes it easy to look over numerous bucks at one time.
Beat the heat The main drawback to hunting bachelor bucks is the hot temperatures of August and September. The hot weather during this time of year limits the majority of deer movement to mornings and evenings. However, this doesn’t mean the deer can’t be hunted all day. As the day progresses, the sun moves across the sky, and in turn also moves the shade. Of course this is obvious, but what it means is the deer must re-bed in order to keep up with the shade. By putting some serious time behind the glass during midday you will be able to locate the bachelor groups you didn’t find during the early morning. When glassing, concentrate your efforts on areas that remain shaded most of the day such as north slopes, timber pockets and cliff bases. When hunting in the early season, think of areas with the coolest temperatures. One of the best
Top to Bottom: This buck Remi took was in a bachelor group of 12 monster bucks. He watched the deer bed from over five miles away before stalking in. Remi took this buck by ambushing a bachelor group of seven bucks. He was able to cutoff the deer as they moved from their bedding area out into a sage flat to feed in the evening.
ways to beat the heat is to gain elevation. Some of the highest buck concentration will be in the area’s highest elevations. This means the regions the deer are hanging in during August and September may not be the same as during the rut. Move in for the kill No one ever said getting within bow range of ten bucks is easy. However, bachelor groups tend to be the most patternable when it comes to mule deer behavior. If you watch the deer you can devise a plan of ambush. This tends to be the most effective method, especially when the deer move from the bedding area to an open feeding area, or vise versa. The ambush allows you to try and cut the deer off in between where they are and where they want to be. A successful ambush involves a combination of knowledge of where the deer may be going and flexibility. It is important to adjust your plan as the deer do. Just because they have followed the same pattern for three days doesn’t mean they will do it exactly the same on the day of your ambush.
By using the heat to your advantage, spotting and stalking bachelor groups can also be extremely successful. With the hot temperatures the deer will bed longer than any other time of the year. The best time to stalk bedded deer is when the buck’s bed is shaded long enough for you to complete your stalk. Most great stalks are ruined by deer that are re-bedding in order to get out of the sun.
October Bucks I would classify an October buck as a buck in between the bachelor herd and the rut. This transition period for mule deer is much like middle school for teenagers. They are caught in between being with their cronies and chasing ladies. By this time, the bucks have lost their velvet and no longer want to stay out in the open. Since they no longer follow the safety in numbers rule, they retreat into heavier cover where they spend the majority of their time alone. This is the main reason big bucks
may seem nonexistent before the rut. It isn’t that they disappear; it is just that they hold different habits while in the transition period. Where to look To hunt deer successfully, look where they hide. During the October phase, many bucks move from the alpine opens to a midlevel range where there is more cover. They choose the heavier cover to feel safe because they are often alone. To remain safe these deer hold a smaller localized pattern that they are familiar with. They will bed where they can keep an eye out for predators while remaining close to some sort of cover. This localized area will have everything the buck needs: food, water and cover. If you spot a good buck in a bachelor group that disappears when he sheds his velvet, odds are he is still close by. Look for a more covered and secure area that might be a little lower in elevation than where the bucks were in the bachelor group. During the bachelor group phase, deer
will hold larger patterns and move greater distances to water, food and bedding. Concentrate your glassing in areas where the buck will have cover as well as food and water near by. How to hunt them October bucks are a serious spot and stalk game. The longer you let your eyes do the walking the more likely you will be to spot that big buck going about his daily routine. Good optics and a lot of patience are a must this time of year.
I couldn’t see with my eyes, even as close as 15 yards. More still hunts are unsuccessful not because the animal isn’t there, but because the hunter rushes. They feel like they have seen everything so they blow through the rest of the hunt.
Although I find glassing to be the most successful method this time of year, still hunting is another great option. Since the deer will be in heavier cover, still hunting is a way to effectively hunt an area that can’t be glassed.
When glassing, it is important to get comfortable. When using your binos, sit down and support your back against something solid. Lock your elbows into your body or brace them on your legs. Think of how a tripod works; the more points of your body you have on the ground, or a solid rest, the more stable you will be. If you are wearing a ball cap, hold the binoculars to the brim of your hat. This is just one more touch point for added stability. The more comfortable you are and the more stable you are, the easier it is to spot deer.
To still hunt effectively you can’t just walk through a big bucks bedroom hoping to kick him up. Taking your time is the key. When still hunting always start with the wind at your face. Take one step then glass in every direction with your binoculars. Even though you may not be able to see far, binoculars while still hunting help you pick out the tiniest details. I have been saved numerous times by catching a hair patch of a deer that
If you choose to still hunt it is a good idea to have another hunter posted watching the backdoor. Big bucks have a knack of circling hunters and going out where the hunter came in.
Getting Steady
Top to bottom: Jason Warren and Brett Hinckley pose with two awesome 195+ in. October bucks they harvested. These bucks were taken by spot and stalk. Brett’s buck was in the bachelor group with Remi’s buck earlier in the season (top photo two pages back). Brett found this deer in the same area just a lower elevation. Remi poses with a buck that was taken by still hunting heavy timber
Migration Bucks
Bachelor groups once again When hunting migration bucks, Even after the regular season deer will often be together in comes to an end many states have heavy concentrations. Since the hunts that extend past the rut and deer are living close together the into the winter months. The majorbucks will again group up. The ity of these hunts target areas that rut has passed and safety in numsupport large mule deer herds on a bers is the name of the game once seasonal winter range. This can be again. The deer will fall into patan awesome time to pursue trophy terns and habits much like bachelor bucks. With a little research, areas bucks in the summer months. Once can be found that allow hunters again the deers routine becomes the opportunity to hunt deer during more an effect of the environment this stage. than anything else. The big bucks will be out in the open longer beHow to find the big buck cause this is where the majority of When looking for migration bucks the food source is. first remember these deer are in the area because the weather has How to hunt the migration forced them out of their mounNot all deer migrate at the same tain home. Bucks at this time are time. This means that an area that focused on winter survival. This may hold two deer one day may means sunny hillsides are your hold 50 the next. When looking best bet. Look for canyons that for deer during a migration hunt, provide not only forage and sunlook for areas that deer will be able light, but a natural wind break as to survive the winter. pay close well. Keep in mind trees provide attention to where you have spotprotection from snow for bedding, ted deer in the past, even if it is but fully timbered draws may not only a few. As more deer migrate provide enough sunlight for subdown they tend to go to the areas stantial forage. Look for draws that where other deer already are. Keep provide not only a food source but tabs on those areas where you cover as well. have seen bucks, even if the bucks you see are small. As the migration progresses the big bucks will come down later, grouping up with the smaller deer that have already established an area.
Optics
When it comes to mule deer, optics can be worth their weight in gold. If you are purchasing new optics go with the best that you can afford. When looking to buy or when comparing different binoculars go to the store at dusk and ask if you can test them outside. Low light/ outdoors is really the only way to compare optics. All binoculars look great when staring at the mounted elk 20 feet away in the store.
Big bucks do exist outside of the rut. Chasing bachelor groups, October bucks, and migration bucks can not only increase your chance at that buck of a lifetime but extend your hunting season as well. Of course, hunting during the rut definitely has its advantages, however, it is not the only time of year to find that monster buck. By chasing deer during different times of the year you have a chance to target deer behavior you don’t see in mid-November. Those big bucks are out there, and by adjusting your tactics, harvesting a big buck doesn’t have to be dependent on a good rut.
Breaking it Down When glassing I systematically dissect the mountain. I like to first glass the spots most likely for a deer to be, such as openings and springs. Next I scan the entire mountain in a sweeping fashion looking for deer that stand out and are easy to spot. After that I dissect the mountain into quadrants. At this stage I look for the deer that may be in the shadows or in cover. I take my time and meticulously inspect every part of the imaginary quadrant before moving on. At this stage I use a combination of glassing through the spotting scope as well as looking through the binoculars. Being able to glass efficiently is the number one key factor to finding monster bucks.
State Info: This chart includes application deadlines, Fish and
Game contact information, and some suggested units to look into. This can help serve as a research starting point to hunting big bucks in other states. By applying in other states you may be able to extend your hunting season by hunting deer when your state does not have an open season. For more information on hunts and season dates check out each states website.
Top to Bottom: Dan Warren took this high racked buck on a migration hunt. Remi took this great buck in late December on the winter range. He watched where a few little bucks were hanging out and a week later took this buck in the same place. This deer was in a bachelor group of 16 bucks.