From mid-December through March in the North, most whitetails bed over 85% of the time, with the majority of daylight activity occurring just before sunset. When a doe is in estrous she knows she’s a marked gal so she tries to bed in the thickest cover possible, limiting her movement to only emergency situations. So, where they bed allows them to take advantage of their incredible nose. In addition to chewing their cud and dozing, whitetails exhibit many different forms of behavior from ground level. Their ears are always on a swivel – all of this can help deer to better protect themselves from danger. For more information on mule deer hunting with SNS Outfitter & Guides, please check out our mule deer hunting page. To survive winter’s blasts deer gravitate to south facing environments that are out of the wind to take advantage of sunlight. This kind of doe to doe behavior is much more common than that which takes place in buck bedding areas. When the post-rut arrives it is common to find whitetails bedding within 100 yards of prime food sources, if they have adequate bedding cover nearby. When the breeding phase of the rut explodes, nearly all bedding behavior is dictated by the doe. For example, they may live up high during the summer and early fall but by mid-October that country usually has lots of snow and the bucks can’t live in it for long, so they have to drop to secondary ridges or maybe even lower if … Mule Deer Hunting in Wyoming. I’ve also observed whitetails bedded in the same place day after day and month after month. Go here to learn more on how to deer hunt. Mule deer are a large species of deer that live in North America. Our guided mule deer hunts offer the highest opportunity for a trophy you can display with pride. The more they bed, the greater their chance of survival. Mule deer are extremely popular game animals in Utah. September 17, 2020 | Timber 2 Table Articles, May 22, 2019 | Brow Tines and Backstrap. Mule deer bucks are usually bachelored up this time of year. im tryinng to hunt mule deer do they spend the day bedding and feed at night? This is where we cover all things deer hunting, from experts and whitetail trivia to news, gear, and hardcore hunting advice. Just like it’s ridiculous to think deer always walk into the wind, it’s also ridiculous to say that deer ALWAYS do No. It’s the equivalent…, Since the dawn of creation, man has been fascinated by deer antlers. 1. Usually bucks will bed against those solid objects mentioned above, watch downwind, and cover their back (upwind) with their nose. amzn_assoc_linkid = "ae7c57fdf6064a88ed3611cb5c96359a"; Table Mountain Outfitters provides many private leases, which allow you the best opportunity to harvest a trophy animal without the pressure from other deer hunters. In many cases, they bed in locations that provide much less security, too. Maybe it’s because they fear a predator might follow them back to bed of a morning and so they’re more careful in their habits. Mule deer and black-tailed deer (collectively called mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus) are icons of the American West. During the dead of winter in the north, whitetails literally go to the edge of hibernation and may bed most of the time. Head down, nose in the dirt, this buck is fast asleep. Young bucks can either be with the does or with a group of adolescent bucks while the mature bucks seem to hang in their own group or alone. This “system” allows deer to better protect themselves from danger. For example, bucks frequently bed at the end of a ridge on a point. Although deer sometimes sleep with their eyes closed, their other senses are still on high alert. Mature bucks generally choose beds that provide some sort of advantage over predators. Just the opposite is true. Here are eight common bedding habits that mature bucks live and die by. Bedding on these points usually allows them to see, smell and hear danger before it gets close enough to kill them. Focus on a single buck or group of bucks. The buck then stretched his entire body on the ground, like he was dead. They are also usually bachelored up with other bucks of the same age structure. Typically, bucks will bed against these solid objects (logs, rocks, etc. Mule Deer Facts. Why? He is the senior contributing editor for Deer and Deer Hunting magazine and contributing host of their national television show, Deer & Deer Hunting TV, which airs on NBC-Sports network. As might be expected there can be a great deal of social interaction that takes place within a whitetail’s bedding area. With antler’s that can reach up to 200 inches and weigh a staggering 300 pounds, the mule deer is one animal that is worth hunting. Monster Buck Poached in Kentucky and More Deer Hunting News, Try This Deadly Scent Strategy for Late-Season Bucks. Though rare, I’ve seen and photographed (above) what I definitely thought was deep sleep. Regardless, I feel bucks are more “on edge” when returning to their bedding areas than when they leave them. Late-season mule deer hunting is often predicated on watching the weather. How cautious bucks are varies from buck to buck. Our deer blog is one of the longest-running and most popular ones out there. They are the fastest growing bone material known…, A rut activity prediction based on actual hunter data? Because mule deer bucks become extremely vulnerable during the rut, most, though not all, states now limit the availability of tags issued to riflemen during this time. mule deer far outnumber non-migratory deer, maintaining these migrations is critical to sustaining mule deer numbers throughout much of their range. A young buck sparring with a mature buck that is bedded down. Because when you go scouting, you're more likely to educate the deer than if you stay home. They relocate to bedding areas that provide better security and sanctuary. Some biologists feel that whitetails do not have to go into a deep sleep like humans to restore their body. For many mule deer hunters, the desert is the pinnacle of hunting mule deer in a unique setting. This is more common than many hunters believe and occurs from the time velvet peels until antlers are cast. Whitetails are very much aware of all that goes on around them when they are bedded, whether they are chewing their cud or dozing. Charles Alsheimer is an award-winning outdoor writer, nature photographer, lecturer, and whitetail consultant from Bath, New York. Legendary Whitetails’ discovered an opportunity…, The RUT – a unanimous term that sparks excitement, anxiety, and giddiness amongst the deer hunting community. While studies have shown that deer are unaffected by light rain, they are affected by heavy rains. On average a whitetail beds a whopping 70% of the day. That’s just the way it is. Mule deer aren’t elk, weather plays a huge part in where you’ll find big bucks. 7. Once they find a good bedding area, they'll often sleep in the same spot repeatedly. When the cover that you create fails when all critters need it the most -including deer- it's time to find something else. Maybe bucks are restless and hungry by the afternoon and are more apt to throw caution to the wind. So if you can find a good food source close to a thick bedding area, you’ll be in the money for some action. Probably one of the most frequent things they do is groom. Beyond that, based on my experience, bedded bucks are warier of a morning than of an afternoon. And the game gets that much harder. Avey et al. Once I observed a buck that bedded in the normal manner, with his head up. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; The feeding habits of mule deer are highly season-al. Many times I’ve seen deer spend up to an hour just licking their legs and body. Hunters are forever talking about whether eyesight, hearing or smelling is the whitetail’s greatest defense mechanism. I've found deer in the same bedding areas, year after year. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; My experience is that mule deer are nocturnal most of the year, winter excepted. In many ways deer are like people in that they prefer to bed in the same location over and over. They may sleep alone, or they may bed down in groups. One of them is the caliber…, Deer don’t have smartphones with weather apps to forecast what’s to come, but they sure do sense it, and their…, Dating back to ancient times, venison is one high-end choice of meat that leaves memorable thoughts of taste and flavor…. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; Now What? They like to bed down in locations that allow them to take advantage of thermals and prevailing winds. Managers should consider a canopy cover of <40% as the general rule of thumb. Everything changes once those mature deer catch wind (pun intended) of hunters. Watch Their Back Trail But even when they don’t, bucks almost always seem to bed down and watch their back trail for predators. 3. Research conducted at Cornell University by Dr. Aaron Moen suggests that when a whitetail’s heart rate drops to their bedding rate of 72 beats per minute they are probably able to build back body cells, whether their eyes are open or not. During this time it’s all about food and cover. Once the rut is over and winter arrives, a whitetail’s bedding behavior moves into high gear. The more time you can spend watching deer in your area, the more you will learn about their habits and favorite bedding areas. Every whitetail has a different personality. When the breeding phase of the rut explodes, nearly all bedding behavior is dictated by the doe. When it comes to bedding they are definitely creatures of habit if the location provides them with the security they require to survive. Mule deer, black-tailed deer, and white-tailed deer are classified as game animals (WAC 220-400-020). Mule Deer have large ears that move constantly and independently, from whence they get their name, "Mule" or "Burro Deer." amzn_assoc_asins = "B000051ZOA,B06XKRQXKY,B07B51ZJWL,B00LV8QI9M"; Usually deer will bed with their back to the wind. 5 and 6 above. For those who hunt areas where the hunting pressure is relatively controlled, it’s possible to hunt mature deer once the season begins that exhibit this same reckless behavior. After obtaining a permit issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), a property owner or the owner’s immediate family, employee, or tenant may kill a deer on that property if it is damaging crops ( RCW 77.36.030 ). Deer defiantly have certain spots they like to bed. And, it is certainly true that many deer are moved out by drivers without their knowledge. With plenty of Rut Predictions out there…, Yes, we know venison backstrap is absolutely delicious as a stand-alone cut of meat, but every now and then it’s…, There are a handful of age-old debates that will never die among deer hunters. However, this is not to say that they don’t go into what humans refer to as a deep sleep. when do they go to water? Pull up a seat and join us. Though senses help a deer avoid danger, it’s a whitetail’s ability to bed properly that allows them to utilize their senses, so they can keep from getting killed. In order to conserve energy during freezing winter days, a whitetail will spend more of the day bedded down. It isn't as easy for hunters and predators to see deer when half their body is covered up. Some bucks are warier than others. Both proponents and opponents of winter feeding believe they have the deer’s best interest in mind. On more than one occasion I’ve seen bucks and does bed, get up to feed, and come right back to the bed they left. 2018 is over and what better way to start 2019 than looking back on some of the…, December is in full swing and that means the temperature isn’t going anywhere but down. The keyword here being light rains. _This is an excerpt from Hunting Editor Andrew McKean's book, How to Hunt Everything, which is available here. They have a sense of smell that is 1000 times the accuracy of the human sense of smell. Legendary Whitetails Team Supports ‘Fox6 Coats For Kids’ For Second Christmas, Legendary Whitetails Helps Support Christmas with the Vets. amzn_assoc_title = "Shed Hunting & Scouting Essentials"; Rather, they bed with their eyes open most of the time and periodically close them for very short periods. Hunters aren’t chasing them at this time and their behavior reflects it. That’s a wrap! They also seek out areas where they can access food. Outside of hunting season — mostly the spring and summer — virtually all mature bucks will bed close to food sources. January 8, 2021 | Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, January 6, 2021 | Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, Consistently Killing Old Deer Demands Attention to Detail. By studying the whitetails on my research facility, I’ve discovered that they do not close their eyes for very long when bedded. I will spend my time focusing on the feeding and bedding areas. Don't go scouting for mule deer this year if scouting, to you, means walking all the trails, and sky-lining yourself on every hilltop to watch for deer.Better to stay home and mow the lawn, wash the car, or take the kids to the lake. Deer sleep in areas that feel safe, places that offer good cover. What’s the most frequent whitetail behavior? amzn_assoc_region = "US"; When bedded they are more in tune with what is going on around them than with any other behavior they exhibit. If they can smell another deer from this far away you can bet they can smell man just as far away if conditions are right. Studies show that deer often go to water before food when they get up in the evenings. Site by Gray Loon. Getting close to mature bucks is a tough task. Bucks that are pressured behave much differently than bucks that are unpressured. For other hunts, please visit our home page. Aside from relying on your gear to help you maximize your efforts, here are a couple of simple tips that can help you find a mature mule deer buck once the weather turns cold. No, this is not a dead deer, but rather a fully stretched out buck taking a snooze. *Do you need some tips for how to find mature buck bedding hotspots? I was able to get within fifteen yards before he came to life and jumped up. They get up to feed. Mature Buck Bedding Opportunity: The End Of Deer Movement. There’s Another Hunter in Your Stand. He is also a contributing editor for Whitetail News and The Christian Bowhunter magazines. Does also look to bed near food sources. Say it ain’t so! That said, most of the time they do practice those two things. By Gary Lewis. This is a very important variable that people often overlook. A hunting license and open season are required to hunt them. Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus, are found throughout Utah in many types of habitats, including neighborhoods and backyards.The animal gets its name from its mule-like ears. (2003) found a mean shrub cover of 37.3% for mule deer in west-central Texas and suggested that managers maintain a lower percent woody cover and encourage native forb growth to enhance mule deer populations. Although no deer movement can begin without recognizing food based doe family group bedding opportunities, no deer movement can end without established buck bedding opportunities. Cold is One Thing, Snow is Another. Trail cams or game cameras are an excellent hobby and tool to observe mule deer habits. Whether you need to know how to test the soil in your food plot, tighten the groups from your crossbow, or scope out the latest on that big buck you saw online, you've landed around the right campfire. This is often directly related to the terrain type. After a few minutes his head began to bob. On the other hand lactating does and rutting bucks may bed far less, so the 70% figure is a rough, year-round average. It is the smallest member of the deer family in Utah. The deer you can find during the summer months are typically in the same area during the hunt. In late spring to early fall, deer quickly gain weight and build up fat reserves by foraging heavily on the mast, leaves, and stems of trees and shrubs, as well as forbs and grasses. Traditional Italian Lasagna with Ground Elk Meat Sauce, 12 Reasons Why Your Venison Tastes Like Hell, The Benelli Super Black Eagle: One of History's Great Duck Guns, 14 Deer Hunting Myths Even Experienced Hunters Believe, 5 Things to Know About Muzzleloader Accuracy. It’s very difficult to do without an understanding of buck bedding behavior. Once I have found deer or tracks around a water source, I set up trail cameras and let them do the work for me. The best deer bedding cover for holding whitetails all year long, needs to be standing when many forms of wildlife need it the most - during the late Fall and Winter months! Universal Success. There’s a difference in hunting deer and hunting mature bucks. Try reading,"Scouting Deer Bedding Areas". Sign up for offers, new arrivals and more! Scouting Sweet Spots for Mule Deer. Through studies done here at our deer research facility, we’ve come to realize that whitetail bucks can smell does from at least 400 yards away. Deer also tend to be creatures of habit. They get up to drink. It takes lots of patience and lots of practice to find a deer … This is the AVERAGE, and the 70% figure does not apply throughout the year. They do so because of lack of fear. So, just because deer are bedded and resting doesn’t mean their guard is down. This allows them to see below and smell their intruder before it sees them. Mule deer lack front teeth; they just have a hard palate. Bedded does nursing their fawns is another behavior I’ve observed in the woods. It’s certainly an endeavor that isn’t accomplished without sound judgment, attention to detail, habitat awareness, terrain-reading abilities, and skill. Preferring to rely on concealment when available, they'll often wait until a hunter is right on top of them before breaking for alternative cover. However, when mature deer do feed during the day, it’s generally within 100 to 150 yards of their bedding area. Foreign sounds put them on alert in a second and they can easily differentiate between the footsteps of man and animal. Nevertheless, since these majestic creatures share their inhabitants with coyotes and mountain lions, they are not easy to take down. Go here to learn about bedding habits of mature deer. Does will often interact and groom each other in bedding areas. Alsheimer was born and raised on a farm and has devoted his life to photography, writing and lecturing about the wonders of God’s creation. Watching deer from a distance and seeing where they like to bed will teach you a lot about an area. They get up to relieve themselves. SOCIOLOGY - Sitting by and watching mule deer die from starvation is not something most of us are willing to do. When a doe is in estrous she knows she’s a marked gal so she tries to bed in the thickest cover possible, limiting her movement to only emergency situations. This normally occurs shortly after the birthing process and takes place when the doe is bedded and the fawn wants to nurse. Whitetails use this resting time to bathe by licking themselves. It is to work to the advantage of any other drivers in the area. His specialty – both as a writer and photographer – is the white-tailed deer. In an effort to ensure…, Legendary is helping share some holiday joy and warmth with Milwaukee area veterans this Christmas. That's why I am here to share some of my best mule deer hunting tips with you. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; The mule deer habit of stopping to reconnoiter after it has jumped from its midday bed. With this in mind it’s important for hunters and deer/land managers to realize the role a deer’s bedding habits can play when it comes to land development, food source layout and hunting opportunities. They move less during daylight. The amazing thing is that the buck appeared to have his eyes open the whole time. They do not run as other deer, but have a peculiar and distinctive bounding leap (stotting) over distances up to 8 yards, with … This gives them additional cover and helps shield their presence from predators. While they look like their relative, the whitetail deer, this species lives mostly in the western United States.. You can differentiate them from their whitetail cousin by looking at their ears. Males grow forked antlers that have 8 to 10 points and spread as much as 4 feet (1.2 m). During mid-day bedding hours however, mule deer by nature, will often hold tight, particularly those taking refuge in cover. These deer have large ears, which look very much like those of a mule. The mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a deer indigenous to western North America; it is named for its ears, which are large like those of the mule.Two subspecies of mule deer are grouped into the black-tailed deer.. I’ve also observed subordinate bucks sparring with bedded mature bucks. 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May also call us anytime at 307-266-4229 or request a free brochure kind of doe to doe is. And young bucks — will often hold tight, particularly those taking refuge in cover t go into humans... Is an award-winning Outdoor writer, nature photographer, lecturer, and is. Are highly season-al on average a whitetail ’ s pace during this phase of longest-running. Route year after year vast and beautiful in ways other landscapes are not easy take! Of habit if the location provides them with the Vets head began to bob predicated on watching the.... Get up in food sources, try this Deadly Scent Strategy for bucks... This phase of the same route year after year on alert in a second and they easily! And month after month bedding habits that mature bucks will bed close to bucks. Those mature deer catch wind ( pun intended ) mule deer bedding habits hunters of smell will move less than 50 throughout. 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Arrivals and more deer hunting page | Timber 2 Table Articles, may 22 2019! Habits of mature deer catch wind ( pun intended ) of hunters side of this activity. To survive winter ’ s a difference in hunting deer and black-tailed deer ( called. Other object that 's why I am here to learn about their habits and favorite bedding areas that better. Hunting mature bucks of their range just have a sense of smell that is times... Cud and dozing, whitetails literally go to the edge of a ridge on a buck! A result, bucks often bed much closer to food sources that water falls by wayside... Are typically in the same location over and winter arrives, a whitetail ’ s about! Their inhabitants with coyotes and mountain lions, they 'll often sleep in that. Within fifteen yards before he came to life and jumped up to hunt.... 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