longbowpilot Report post Posted November 19, 2018 former eastern hunter here but now proud AZ resident and becoming obsessed with desert muleys. Been hunting this week in a desert unit that has pretty thick flats with the palo verde and cholla that is really tough to glass into. Then there are canyon bottoms I've been glassing as well. Only been able to locate a few does so far. Would yall say that desert muleys generally stick to the flats or do you see them more in the canyon bottoms or on hillsides? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flatlander Report post Posted November 19, 2018 9 minutes ago, longbowpilot said: former eastern hunter here but now proud AZ resident and becoming obsessed with desert muleys. Been hunting this week in a desert unit that has pretty thick flats with the palo verde and cholla that is really tough to glass into. Then there are canyon bottoms I've been glassing as well. Only been able to locate a few does so far. Would yall say that desert muleys generally stick to the flats or do you see them more in the canyon bottoms or on hillsides? Desert muleys are where you find them. Patterning them is like trying to pattern a cloud. They seem to like creosote flats. They eat Cholla. Sometimes they bed at the base of little nobs or hills. Sometimes they bed in washes. Sometimes they are on hills or saddles. One thing that is for certain... watch out for snakes. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longbowpilot Report post Posted November 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, Flatlander said: Desert muleys are where you find them. Patterning them is like trying to pattern a cloud. They seem to like creosote flats. They eat Cholla. Sometimes they bed at the base of little nobs or hills. Sometimes they bed in washes. Sometimes they are on hills or saddles. One thing that is for certain... watch out for snakes. That's what I am starting to find out about desert mule deer I guess, it is a tough hunt. Yeah figured rattlesnakes might still be out this time of year. Is there a time of year in southern AZ when you don't really need to worry about them? Do they shut down like Dec.-Feb at least? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oz31p Report post Posted November 19, 2018 9 minutes ago, Flatlander said: Desert muleys are where you find them. Patterning them is like trying to pattern a cloud. I’m stealing this 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattys281 Report post Posted November 19, 2018 Flat stuff is really tough to hunt. I personally prefer the hilly stuff. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 19, 2018 Get high, glass down into the flats at first legal shooting light and last light. Seems like desert mulies like places where they are hard to see or get to. Meaning....all over....and away from roads. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
longbowpilot Report post Posted November 19, 2018 appreciate the tips guys, staying positive and patient with the glassing. After about 2 hours behind glass I feel like my eyes are going to fall out but gotta stick with it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swivelhead Report post Posted November 19, 2018 Long read but revealing. Desert muleys are bean eaters, except when desert finally gets some rain. Mule Deer Food Study.pdf 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted November 19, 2018 I wonder what they ate through the drought this year because their horns are big Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
idgaf Report post Posted November 19, 2018 Usually I still hunt the flats away from vantage points for mature deer, but I can go several days without seeing anything 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jim Report post Posted November 19, 2018 Once the pressure starts they really like big thick mesquite thickets or really thick cholla flats . But it still come down to you find them where you find them. But the best glassing tip I can give is check out where you least expect to find them. I have been surprised many a time looking where they should not be. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreyGhost85 Report post Posted November 19, 2018 1 hour ago, trphyhntr said: I wonder what they ate through the drought this year because their horns are big I bet it is tbe barrel cactus fruit. Seems like therr is usually a pretty good crop of it, even during a drought. When i used to hunt desert mulies, in the dry years we would hunt areas that had more barrel cacti and always did pretty well Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
trphyhntr Report post Posted November 19, 2018 42 minutes ago, GreyGhost85 said: I bet it is tbe barrel cactus fruit. Seems like therr is usually a pretty good crop of it, even during a drought. When i used to hunt desert mulies, in the dry years we would hunt areas that had more barrel cacti and always did pretty well I thought it had something to do with the flowers that dangle off cholla but idk just a guess. Probably just depends on the type of desert they inhabit 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lancetkenyon Report post Posted November 19, 2018 15 hours ago, longbowpilot said: appreciate the tips guys, staying positive and patient with the glassing. After about 2 hours behind glass I feel like my eyes are going to fall out but gotta stick with it. If 2 hours behind optics hurts your eyes, you need better optics for western hunting. I spend 10+ hours behind glass most days scouting and hunting with no eye fatigue. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
creed Report post Posted November 19, 2018 I have been hunting desert mule deer for more years than I care to admit. Dry years look near water, wet years like this it’s like flatlander said, they are where you find them. Good luck cause you’re going to need it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
