I should have mentioned that the NE part of the state is almost all on your feet hiking, tough wilderness terrain. I've seen grown men who didn't do there cardio during the off season try and hunt this area and after two days were pretty much the camp staff. It is no joke. doing something like crossfit is highly recommended. It would be a waste to spend money to come to an area like that in less than peak shape. Im sure this goes with allot of the quality mule deer hunting in the west. If you did come to Oregon though and If I was in the state at the time I would be happy to help out. My job as a wildland fire fighter pulls me away though, so I'll keep ya posted if you head this way. Good luck!
I agree, start your working out now. Most hunters are in good enough shape to hike around for mulies, but to be able to make a good shot after chasing a Muley all around a mountain takes someone in excellent shape.
My first suggestion is to buy a subscription to Eastman's Hunting/Bowhunting Journal. They give you everything you'll need about each area in every Western state. License prices, application dead lines, drawing odds, the type of deer you can expect in every area of each state, access, etc. Wyoming is a "draw" type state but it's usually fairly easy to draw a tag in most areas, and there are big deer (literally) all over.
Ya i seen that on tv. Thinking about suscribing to EBHJ. Hope they do a good job of putting it together.
When you do draw a tag, or even before you put in, It wouldn't be a bad Idea to call the local Forest Service, BLM, and state game offices to talk to biologist's. Ask about managment, preditation, and goals for the area. Also ask about "Larger" fires (or any other large scale landscape changing event i.e. logging, prescribe burns, blow down ETC.) that may have been in that area in the last 6 or so years. If it was within two years the Deer may not be back in that area so soon. Maybe they will if the precipitation is right. If you get a spot that was burned 3 to 6 years ago it could be a hot bed though, because of the increase in forage due to all the new vegetation that is beginning to renew the forest with little competition from trees. A plant in it's first few years of life will hold more nutrient value than older plants and the deer and elk want to take advantage. Then I would also get on Google Earth or what ever program and begin looking for water, access, ridges, and cover. Same thing as White's im sure. I've found that Mule Deer prefer slower water. I think it's quieter and they can uses one of there dominant sense's, hearing to avoid danger.
Another option to EBJ is Huntin' Fool magazine,a little more detailed in the information and if you know of anyone that has a subscription they may just part with the magazine.
I believe Dubbs was the one who advised this to me over a year ago on a thread...I subscribed...and right on, this mag is great - my favorite read each month now and lots of info on hunting out West.
