Bowhunting Mule Deer
By Roy Grace
For some reason I've always adored the mule deer. Whether I'm chasing them in their high altitude-summer range of the Rocky Mountains, or the cactus laden landscape of the Sonoran Desert, they have always been my favorite to pursue with a bow and arrow. Oh, I've hunted other North American big game animals like the majestic wapiti, and they too can be exciting to hunt, especially when the mating ritual takes place and bugles fill the early morning mountain air; but for some reason my thoughts usually drift back to the mule deer. Maybe it's their solitary and often nomadic nature, or their keen eyesight and a sense of hearing that can detect the slightest decibel that draws me to them. Honestly, at least for me, it's simply an animal that represents something lost in today's modern society; a truly wild and free ranging animal that inhabits some of the harshest and roughest country the West has to offer; and to arrow a good one, is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding, challenges a bowhunter can achieve.

Above Timberline Range

Typical above timberline country with sporadic alpine willow patches

One of my favorite places to bowhunt mule deer in the Rocky Mountains is when they are typically in their summer range during the late August to early September archery seasons. Once the snow levels begin to melt (late spring), mule deer from this region will generally follow the snow line up, above timberline, to altitudes more suited for mountain goats than mule deer. But don't let that discourage you; velvet clad mule deer prefer the solitude and ability to utilize their eyesight and hearing to ward off most predators in the wide open alpine high-country above 12,000' in elevation. But where they can see predators from long distances, a bowhunter can also glass them from a distance. There will always be a few deer that remain at lower elevations (7000'-10,000') in the sage/aspen and pine tree country (transition range), but I've found that most bucks in the Rockies' will make their way higher and summer on the abundant feed and water that abounds in this environment.

At first glance, the high-country will resemble parts of Alaska with alpine-like tundra vegetation that grows no higher than your ankle. An occasional grove of Krummholz may be present, signifying an ecological struggle for dominance in an elevation suited for no tree life. But what also grows in this country near 12,000' is alpine willow; a main food source for mule deer during this late summer timeframe. I can't count how many times I've glassed mule deer, above timberline, feeding on willow patches in some of the most beautiful yet roughest country God has ever created. There's an old saying that still holds true, "If you want to kill a big mule deer, go sheep hunting."

Buck arrowed at 12,500'. Note the alpine willow in the background

While the high alpine country represents solitude and beauty in its own right, it is not an adventure for the faint hearted. Some physical conditioning and preparedness is needed if a bowhunter plans on hiking into this type of country with all their daily essentials strapped on their back. While I have a separate article devoted strictly to this topic that I will release later, I can assure you that you don't need to be a triathlon qualifier to have a pleasurable hunt above timberline. Above timberline bowhunts can be very fulfilling, enabling a bowhunter to push themselves to a level they've never experienced. If you are fortunate enough to arrow a mule deer on this type of hunt, at altitudes rarely encountered by most, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever attain.

Transition Range

Buck in the upper level of the transition range in the Kaibab of Northern Arizona

Perhaps one of the most popular geographical areas that bowhunters tend to pursue mule deer is what I refer to as the transition range. This type of terrain generally consists of sagebrush/bitterbrush country that eventually gives way to aspen and conifer stands as you gain elevation. Beginning about 6500', sagebrush/bitterbrush flats are predominant with sporadic juniper stands intermixed. As you climb higher in elevation, ponderosa pine and aspen stands are common all the way up to nearly 10,000', depending on where I'm hunting in the West. When the transition range is the highest country around, in terms of elevation, mule deer can be found throughout this country. Famous areas like Northern Arizona's Kaibab Plateau and Strip, as well as the Uncompahgre Plateau in Colorado are great examples of what I refer to as a "transition range". I enjoy this type of bowhunt as well for different reasons. There's just something about the fresh pungent smell of sagebrush after a quick afternoon thunderstorm, with aspen leaves gently rattling in the background, which makes me forget about the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the natural lullaby that the transition range can provide.

Bowhunting the lower level of the transition range (sagebrush/bitterbrush country) is much like above timberline ranges in that glassing becomes an important factor in successfully spotting mule deer. Perched on high points or ridges, I generally scour the country with quality optics looking for mule deer or often a portion of their velvet covered antlers sticking up from the sagebrush. Generally, in good mule deer range, I find them in bachelor herds ranging from 4-12 bucks during the early bowhunt. While making them much easier to spot in groups, it also creates a problem when I try and sneak in on a particular buck without being detected.

Photo of buck brush on the Kaibab (transition range)

The higher end of the transition range usually gives way to aspen stands and pine trees. While much more difficult to glass long range due to the amount of trees, it is conducive for traditional still-hunting techniques. I prefer this method when bowhunting these terrains, as my shots are generally close. Other bowhunters have been fairly successful by using tree-stands in this type of terrain once they have patterned mule deer to a specific area (trails, saddles, water sources). I'm not much of a stand hunter, so I've never really tried it. But, you can't argue with the success many others have experienced using this tactic.

Mule deer feed on a variety of food sources in the transition range. Bitterbrush (Cliffrose) and Mountain Mahogany are popular food sources at the lower levels of this range as well as other forbs and grasses. As you gain elevation, aspen leaves, buck brush, and lupine are some of their favorite browse. In all the years I've bowhunted the Kaibab Plateau; I have always found mule deer browsing on the abundant lupine patches spread throughout the range.

Water is the key ingredient to finding mule deer in the transition range. Much of the lower elevation of this range is considered desert based on the amount of annual precipitation, so water is a necessity for mule deer survival. I generally try and locate seeps, springs or guzzlers, coupled with their food source, to locate mule deer. Usually, if water is available and food and cover is nearby, I will eventually find mule deer. Now, not all of these areas will produce mule deer. When I bowhunted the Arizona Strip, I was amazed at the amount of acres of prime mule deer country that held all three necessities(food, water, cover); yet I saw few, if any, mule deer in these areas. However, I soon learned that the Strip is close to 5300 square miles and only 2000 mule deer inhabit it. Finding the productive areas that mule deer inhabit on the Strip was crucial to a successful hunt.

Buck feeding on bitter brush & sage in the lower levels of the transition range

The transition range is much easier to bowhunt in terms of physical exertion. Oxygen levels are usually higher, and many of these areas are much flatter compared to above timberline ranges. I'm not suggesting it's very easy to navigate, but it really doesn't compare (physically) with the steep high-country above timberline. What you can experience is much warmer daytime temperatures, especially at the lower level of the transition range, which often requires more hydration and physical exertion in its own right.

Bowhunting the transition range can be very rewarding, as it generally holds larger numbers of mule deer (in good ranges) and provides good access for most bowhunters without a lot of physical exertion.

Sonoran Desert Range

Buck arrowed in Sonoran Desert range

Most bowhunters tend to think of quality mule deer range as the two areas I've previously discussed in this article. And why not; with beautiful mountain flowers and abundant coniferous landscape it's a beautiful place to pursue mule deer. However, those who have ventured to the low desert units of Arizona, New Mexico, and old Mexico alike, have discovered the botanical beauty of the desert in its own right. While the Sonoran Desert regions do not generally hold high concentrations of mule deer like those found in the transition and above timberline ranges, it does offer a chance at quality desert mule deer, even with their overall numbers at an all-time low.

Bowhunting any low desert unit creates a unique experience with not only flatter terrain features but also a variety of plant-life that survives in this arid region. Almost everything that grows in this type of country will either stick, sting, or bite you. However, what also grows in this type of range is mesquite. Mesquite trees produce a bean pod that belongs to the legumes family. It is extremely high in protein and a common food source for desert mule deer. Additionally, a variety of cacti and browse is also found in this region providing enough quality food sources for the mule deer to survive.

Similarly to the transition range, water is a key ingredient to locating mule deer in this desolate country. Unlike most traditional mule deer ranges, July & August are the wet seasons for the Sonoran Desert when the Monsoon season arrives. It is not uncommon for this region to receive 90% of their annual rainfall for the year during this late summer season. Thunderstorms that produce several of inches of rain in a day are often needed to fill crucial water holes and springs for the wildlife that depend on it for survival.

Buck in typical Sonoran Desert range

The Sonoran Desert range is probably the least physically demanding type of bowhunt, as the mule deer tend to live in the flatter regions of the desert where mesquite thickets commonly grow. Since most of these bowhunts are offered during the mating period in late December through the month of January, the weather is usually very nice and fatigue and overexertion is minimal. Typical temperatures range from the low teens in the morning to the mid 60's, depending on the specific region or elevation hunted.

Since mule deer of this region are widely dispersed and their respective food sources are high in protein and minerals, they have the potential to grow very impressive antlers. Furthermore, since this range is not as popular as other ranges I've discussed, mule deer have the potential to reach maturity. I can't count how many giant desert mule deer I've seen over the years in this range that would rival those from some of the most famous mule deer ranges in the West. While not easily bowhunted, the Sonoran Desert range is worth a closer look for those who wish to extend their season into the New Year.

Conclusion
As you can see, I've found mule deer in a variety of ecological and geographical regions. From the above timberline ranges with extreme elevations, the lower transition ranges, all the way down to the low elevation range of the Sonoran Desert; mule deer can be found and bowhunted. It's what makes them so special and challenging to bowhunt. In the next series of articles, I will dedicate specific tactics and strategies I use to bowhunt each of the three different ranges described today. Each of them has their own unique environment that creates different challenges for today's bowhunters. It is this challenge and their nomadic nature that has driven me to pursue them annually for well over 30 years…….and hopefully for 30 more!