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Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are a common deer species of the western United States. They are typically found west of the Missouri River in the Great Plains, into the Rocky Mountains, and along the Pacific Coast as far north as the coastal islands of Alaska and as far south as southern Baja California.
Where do you find mule deer?
For the best place to find mule deer, pick a good vantage point and look to the shade. Mulies typically favor the shade, but don’t let that keep you from glassing into every possible location. As you plan out when and where to glass, consider where the mule deer spends most of their time living.
What state has the most mule deer?
Colorado is widely regarded as the nation’s top mule deer destination. Due to extremely good mule deer habitat with plenty of food and sound management practices by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the state has the largest mule deer population in the country.
Where do you find mule deer sheds?
Don’t let the elevation factor scare you away. Although elk and mule deer definitely look for elevated hideouts when seeking winter refuge, they also gravitate toward large mesas, and sagebrush basins. Research regions characterized by minimal snow and feeding areas for the animals.
Do mule deer live in Canada?
Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are distributed throughout western North America from the coastal islands of Alaska, down the West Coast to southern Baja Mexico and from the northern border of the Mexican state of Zacatecas, up through the Great Plains to the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta, British.
Where are the biggest mule deer found?
Colorado: Colorado is king no matter how you slice the data. It puts out the most and biggest record mule deer bucks of any state in the country.
What is mule deer favorite food?
Grasses and grain crops are choice foods for mule deer. The green forage of bluegrass, cheatgrass, needlegrass and other grasses, oats, rye, and wheat are attractive wherever available in late fall, winter, and early spring.
What is the lifespan of a mule deer?
Mule deer usually live 9 to 11 years in the wild. For decades, western Colorado has been home to some of the country’s largest mule deer herds.
Does mule deer taste like whitetail?
Mule deer are usually up higher, and often in sagebrush, with a “gamier” flavor than whitetail. I don’t mind eating either one, but whitetail usually is tastier and more tender to me.
Are there mule deer in Texas?
Approximately 80–85 percent of the mule deer in Texas inhabit the Trans-Pecos Region while the remainder are found in the Panhandle and western Edwards Plateau regions (Fig. 1). the Trans-Pecos to Randall and Armstrong counties. This region is the most ecologically and vegetatively diverse area in Texas.
Why do deer drop their antlers?
Antlers grow from a pedicle, which is the attachment point to the animal’s skull. When a buck’s testosterone levels drop after the rut or mating season, a new bone cell called an osteoclast removes the existing bone tissue between the pedicle and antlers, causing them to fall off.
How much is a deer shed worth?
First-year mule deer sheds go for an average of $8 to $15 per pound. (Large antlers are more per pound than small ones.) Most antler crafters from the East and Midwest buy their sheds from Western brokers because of accessibility.
Where is the best places to find deer sheds?
Creeks, fences, ditches, roads, and thick overhanging branches are all great places to find sheds hanging around. Often that little jolt or bump is all they need to drop.
Are there mule deer in Minnesota?
Mule deer are generally found in western North America. Seeing mule deer in Minnesota is not unheard of, but it is certainly not a common occurrence in this portion of the state. “In my work area, mule deer are very rare,” Kotts said. “In the 1990s, I saw a small mule deer buck that was shot near Hancock.
Are there mule deer in Wisconsin?
Mule deer are an unprotected species here in Wisconsin. So they can be legally harvested with a hunting license. The DNR says the a gun hunter harvested a Mule Deer in southwestern Wisconsin, back in 1988.
Are there mule deer in Arkansas?
There are no mule deer in Arkansas.” She continued, “In recent years, I’ve made special trips to New Mexico to work on improving the habitat there.”Feb 2, 2012.
What state has the biggest deer?
1. Wisconsin. According to Boone and Crockett, Wisconsin is the number one largest big buck state with 1,822 total entries. This state has six counties in the top 20 United States counties.
What was the biggest mule deer ever killed?
B&C World’s Record – Typical Mule Deer SCORE: 226 4/8. LOCATION: Dolores County, Colorado. HUNTER: Doug Burris, Jr. OWNER: Cabela’s, Inc. DATE: 1972.
How big is the biggest deer in the world?
The largest deer is the Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas). A bull standing 2.34 m (7 ft 8 in) tall between pegs and weighing an estimated 816 kg (1,800 lb) was shot in the Yukon Territory of Canada in September 1897.
What is a deer’s favorite smell?
Doe urine in the liquid form is probably the most common attractant scent used by deer hunters. It is good for calming deer’s nerves and piquing their curiosity, since it simulates a new deer in the area. Since it is a common smell in the woods, it very seldom scares deer—bucks or does.
What attracts deer the most?
Food Plots Plants that typically attract deer include red clover, chicory, and orchard grass. Certain high-protein crops, such as peas, soybeans, turnips, alfalfa, sorghum, kale, or corn, are also attractants that the animals enjoy feeding on. Deer like the nutritious nuts that come from chestnuts and acorns as well.
Do mule deer need water every day?
Mule deer, like most large mammals, need water almost daily. Over the course of a 24-hour period, they gulp approximately 4 quarts–more during oppressive autumn heat. In the Southwest, the opportunity for water-hole encounters increases given the scarcity of water.
