king' s outdoor world - Index

king' s outdoor world - Hunting Illustrated Magazine Dec/Jan 2008 - Coyote Crazy! - Index

ASK MR. MULE DEER
Q. My name is Isaiah and I was
wondering if you could give me
some tips on how to hunt elk and
deer in open country.
Isaiah – via e-mail
A. Open country can be some of
the most diffi cult terrain on which
to stalk deer or elk. One hunting
technique that works well requires
you to observe where the animals
are bedding or feeding by searching
16 HUNTING ILLUSTRATED.com
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for sign such as beds, fresh droppings,
or tracks. Once you fi nd these areas,
set-up within shooting range and wait
for the animals. This way you will not
have to belly crawl your way through
open terrain in order to get in range but,
instead, wait for them to come to you.
Be aware of wind patterns and stay
downwind of your game. Also, breakup
your outline with good camoufl age
like King’s Desert Shadow.
Q. I purchased an out of state,
southeast region deer tag
this year and wanted to
know if you could help me
decide which area to hunt.
I’ve been considering
Diamond Creek, Bear Lake
Plateau and Green Canyon.
The Fish and Game stated that
Bear Lake might be my best
bet, but I really like hunting
timber. Which area, in your
opinion, holds the most animals
and is the best bet to fi ll a tag?
I’m strictly a meat hunter and I’m
looking to have fun and see some
pretty country. Thanks for any
suggestions.
Chuck - East Wenatchee, WA
A. Chuck, like other Western
states, Idaho has experienced a
reduction in mule deer numbers
in the past decade. In recent
times, The Idaho Fish and Game
Department has implemented a
mule deer initiative designed to
increase mule deer numbers
statewide by limiting
motorized vehicle access,
controlling predators,
5MR.MULE DEER5
improving habitat, and cutting deer
tags. It is working and mule deer
numbers are now on the increase.
All the areas in Idaho you mentioned
have stable mule deer numbers.
Your chances of harvesting a buck
will greatly increase the further off
of roads you are. Glass the remote
basins in the early morning and late
evening. Because you like to hunt
the timber, slowly still-hunt the
large, remote timber patches during
the daytime. Many of the deer
will stick to the heavy cover once
the deer catch on that the hunt has
begun.
Q. How do I overcome buck fever
when shooting my bow at a deer?
I can hit targets well, but I lose
my cool when there is a live deer
fi fteen yards away - I’ve missed
two easy shots already this year.
Greg – Lehi, UT
A. Buck fever sets in at different
times for different people. For
myself, buck fever hits the instant
I spot a potential shooter, be it a
trophy mule deer or a cow elk. You
have worked hard to get within bow
range and then you start feeling
performance anxiety. Can I make the
shot? How far is it?
First, practice and
familiarization of your game’s
anatomy will help build the
confi dence you need so that you
can make a shot. Practice at longer
and longer distances and take the
time to assess each shot. Once
you have complete confi dence in
your physical ability, the rest is in