How long does mule deer rut last?
three to four weeks
The bulk of the mule deer rut lasts three to four weeks. During this time, the older breeding bucks lose much of their physical strength, often break antler points and receive tears in their coats from fighting, and frequently appear listless and dazed near the end of the cycle.
Where is the best mule deer hunting in Colorado?
GMU’s within Las Animas County and Pueblo County have the highest number of Boone and Crockett mule deer entries for the southeast region. Typically, those GMUs closest to the Arkansas River have better potential for trophy whitetail bucks and they provide good public land access.
What month does the mule deer rut occur?
If you start with June 7 and count backwards 205 days for gestation, that would place the peak rut dates in the mountain states during the week surrounding November 14. As a general rule, the mule deer fawning period is later as you travel south.
Where are the biggest mule deer in Colorado?
Even into the 1980s, the White River herd in western Colorado’s Piceance Basin ranked among the country’s largest, estimated at more than 100,000 deer, unofficially qualifying it as the largest and most productive migratory mule deer herd on the continent.
What triggers mule deer rut?
In mule deer, the hormone melatonin is produced by the pineal gland in response to the onset of darkness. When it reaches a certain level in the blood it induces estrus in does.
Where can I find mule deer pre rut?
Deer are rarely found more than 1.5 miles from water, even where habitat would otherwise seem ideal. “Mule deer can have trouble finding surface water,” said Heather O’Brien, a state biologist in central Wyoming. “Look for seeps. You can spot them when you’re glassing the foothills by looking for aspens or willows.
What state has the best mule deer hunting?
5 Best States for Mule Deer Hunting
- Colorado. Colorado is widely regarded as the nation’s top mule deer destination.
- Idaho. Idaho runs a close second to Colorado when it comes to mule deer hunting.
- Montana. Montana has a lot of country and lot of mule deer.
- Wyoming.
- Nebraska.
What is the best unit in Colorado for mule deer?
Units 62/65 are located in SW Colorado and are great places to find mule deer in numbers.
What are the best mule deer units in Colorado?
Billy Creek State Wildlife Area GMU’s 62/65 Units 62/65 are located in SW Colorado and are great places to find mule deer in numbers. Billy Creek SWA is a great starting point as it’s a fantastic, easily accessible hunt. Surrounded by the Cimarron Range and the mighty San Juans, this area is chock full of quality deer.
How do you hunt a mule deer rut?
There’s a ton of different tactics for hunting the rut/late season, but here are six of the ones that can exponentially increase your success.
- Find the does, find the bucks.
- Research backwards.
- Get away from the crowds.
- Hunt near private land borders.
- Glass and glass some more!
- Think outside the box.
Can you hunt mule deer in Colorado?
2. When is the best time to hunt Mule Deer in Colorado? Deer seasons in Colorado begin with archery and then muzzleloader in September. Rifle seasons begin toward the end of October and run through mid to late-November.
Does Colorado have OTC mule deer tags?
Unlike elk in Colorado, there are no over-the-counter licenses for mule deer. All mule deer tags are issued in the annual big game draw. The application deadline is the first Tuesday in April.
When do mule deer go into the rut?
When do mule deer go into the rut? If a buck is lucky enough to survive the hunting seasons, then he gets to enjoy the rut. A doe that is old enough to breed will begin to come into estrus between October and January depending on the area they live in; northern mule deer go into rut in mid-October and mule deer in Mexico rut in January.
How high does Colorado mule deer get?
We are hunting the Eastern Plains of Colorado for huge Mule Deer and Whitetail Deer. We target mature bucks scoring in the 190″+ with a real possibility at 200+” for Mule Deer, and 160+” for our Whitetail Deer Bucks.
What is the best mule deer unit in Colorado?
motroutfisher. Ok guys,if you had 13 PP for deer,where would you burn them?
Do mule deer hunt in day or night?
Time of Day: The best time of day to hunt mule deer is in the first hours of morning when the deer who have been feeding throughout the night can be seen heading back to their bedding areas. Temperature: Similar to other deer species, mule deer are the most active during the coolest parts of the day including the early morning and evening hours.