January Mule Deer
Contributors to this thread:New Mexico
From: New Mexico hunter
23-Sep-19
Hey fellas, I got a January deer tag, have never hunted mule deer in January first time with a bow. Desert environment around 6500\7000’ elevation. Any tips, threads, videos that could help a brotha out?
From: HDE
23-Sep-19
Depends on the unit. You wouldn't hunt unit 2B the same way as unit 34...
From: butcherboy
23-Sep-19
Help a what out?
From: Trophyhill
25-Sep-19
Glass alot, move slow. Does have saved many a big bucks life. Start practicing long range shooting. Your hunt may just start at 50 yards and only get further from there.
From: gene so
19-Feb-20
Hello Trophyhill, I hunted 2 b some years ago with a rifle. Saw more deer than any other deer hunt in my life, but since it was the full moon, nothing to get excited about. Many years ago I was a Senior member of the P&Y and am returning to archery for a January 2b bowhunt. I have been told that with snow pushing deer down from Colorado and also deer migrating out of the Jicarilla that this can be a truly memorable hunt. I have been told about cold weather, but was raised in Minnesota and hunted there during the winter. I was also told about how crunchy the snow is in cold weather here in N.M., and that hoping to be in the right place on a sagebrush flat during feeding time is almost a total waste of time. This is what I have heard. Can you add anything to what little I know about this area? I do have a miniature, well insulated camper and 4wd for this hunt and would be spending the entire time there, since the opportunity to take a really big mulie there has got to be significant. I have seen images of deer taken from the Jicarilla in the last five years and just shook my head at the quality of game gotten for the price paid. Thank you, Gene So
From: Trophyhill
19-Feb-20
Hey Gene, I've never hunted there. I typically hunt in the southern part of the state. But if they are rutting up there in January, a bowhunter ought to be able to get on some biguns. I know it's colder there than where I hunt. The times it's snowed where I hunt further south, the snow will freeze over night, and be super loud and crunchy. I've had deer bust out after them hearing a single step in that crunchy crap from 500 yards. I would definitely be dressed or prepared to be dressed for the cold and practice shooting with extra clothing on. Wish I could be more help.
From: strictly Bow
22-Feb-20
if you look at number of licenses in 2 B,especially when compared to 2 c you can see why quality has diminished a lot in the last twenty years. I think 2b is overrated. I have hunted both units in dec, most recently 2 c. I would suggest hunting the south.and se part of the unit near 2 c border.
From: splitlimb13
22-Feb-20
"I think 2b is overrated." Agree 100%