Utah
Spend enough time around mule deer, and you realize they’re not just animals fading into the brush — they’re talking. Not with words, of course, but with posture, movement, and subtle signs that can tell you exactly what they’re thinking — if you know how to read them.
Whether you’re lining up a stalk on a high-country buck or just watching a herd from across a canyon, understanding mule deer body language can give you a major edge. It’s the difference between blowing your chance or slipping in close for a clean shot. It’s the difference between a deer that disappears and one that hangs around just a little too long.
Ask any seasoned hunter what makes for a great mule deer season, and you’ll likely hear the same answers: good weather, time to scout, a solid tag — and deer. Lots of deer.
What some hunters overlook, though, is that seeing more mule deer doesn’t just come down to luck or draw odds. It comes down to habitat — and behind that habitat, there’s often a crew of conservationists, biologists, and volunteers working to make the ground better for deer and the people who hunt them. That’s where the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) steps in.
If you want to understand the pressure mule deer are under these days, don’t look to the Rockies or the high sage basins of Montana — head straight into the heart of the Great Basin. This sprawling region covers much of Nevada and western Utah, and while it may look vast and empty, for mule deer it’s ground zero for one of the most dramatic population declines in the West.
Vietnamese bánh mì are definitely in the running for my favorite sandwich of all time. They have that perfect balance of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy, meaty and herbaceous… I just can’t get enough. That’s why I make them at home quite often, and like to change up what I put on them on the regular.
Every hunter who purchases a license or tag plays a part in conserving mule deer. Conservation tags, and the revenue they generate, are the lifeblood of state wildlife agencies and the foundation of mule deer management across the West.
At the Mule Deer Foundation, we’re proud to work with corporate partners who not only believe in our mission but build gear tough enough to support it in the wild. One of those partners is Badlands Gear—a brand known for rugged reliability, innovative design, and a relentless focus on performance in the backcountry.
This quick and easy recipe is bursting with flavor and makes for an excellent, well-balanced lunch or dinner. The recipe can easily be doubled to serve more people as well.
There’s a moment every mule deer hunter lives for. You’re glassing a far ridgeline, the sun just tipping over the peaks, and you catch movement. A buck. Big-bodied, ears alert, antlers catching light. But the question starts burning right away: How big is he? And more importantly — is he the one?
f you’re planning a mule deer hunt out West, one of the first big questions you’ll face isn’t where to go — it’s what to bring. Rifle or bow? It’s a decision that shapes your entire hunt: when you’ll be in the field, how close you’ll need to get, and even how likely you are to notch that tag.
I’ve hunted mule deer with both — and both have their place. But they demand different mindsets, different skills, and different kinds of grit.
Wildlife of the west are facing increasing threats to their continued existence. Grace understands the importance of protecting this wildlife and the habitats that they rely on. She is passionate about ensuring that future generations can spot a mule deer in the sagebrush sea. Or see a herd of pronghorn run freely across the landscape. It’s up to all of us to work together to give back to the landscapes and wildlife that are an integral part of our American identity
In the backcountry, gear either works or it slows you down. That’s why Tricer was created by hunters who needed lightweight, durable, and reliable gear that performs in real hunting conditions.
Every once in a while, I like to masochistically challenge myself by eating something stupidly spicy. I’ve never truly understood why I (and many others) get these cravings which provide nothing but hurt… Must be something broken in our brains!
I got that desire recently, which happened to coincide with a strong hankering for a burger. Smashing my two desires together into a spicy-as-all-get-out burger would allow me to get two birds stoned at once, so to speak.