TEN SECRETS FOR TAKING MOUNTAIN MULE DEER
Secrets No. 9 & 10 for Bagging Trophy Mule Deer
 Editor’s
Note: Last week I hunted with Chad Schearer of Central
Montana Outfitters, a guide for 14 years to mule deer,
antelope, elk, bear and fish. He also has an unusual
talent of knowing how to get out-of-shape, overweight,
middle-aged-plus hunters within range to take shots
at the game they're hunting. This week Schearer, who
has had his own outfitting business for 10 years, tells
us the secrets of how to take those trophy mountain
mule deer that so many hunters want to bag. Schearer
serves on the pro staffs for CVA Muzzle Loaders, Mossy
Oak Camouflage, Knight & Hale Game Calls, Trophy
Rock Minerals, Buck Knives, Montana Decoys and Fred
Bear Archery.
9) Know how to shoot accurately at long ranges. Many
times when you're hunting mule deer, you'll be hunting
in open country and have to take a long shot. So, make
sure you have a good rest for your gun before you take
the shot. With a muzzle loader, you may be shooting
200 yards or 300 yards with a conventional rifle. Therefore
a good rest is critical to making an accurate shot.
I put Harris Bipods on all my rifles so I can make sure
I have
a steady rest. I also use Harris shooting sticks when
I can't take a prone shot. I also carry a quality backpack
with me so that I can lay my gun on my back- pack and
have an even more-stable rest for my gun. I like the
Crooked Horn Outfitters Pro Guide Pack. I've also used
rocks for a rest and even my Bushnell binoculars. I
try to avoid using trees for rests. Often a hunter will
see a tree and lay his gun across a limb to take a shot.
However, any type of wind will move that tree and often
affect your shot.
Besides a rest, I also carry other equipment with me
in my daypack when I'm mule deer hunting. I usually
take two Buck Knives for caping, like the Buck Caping
Knife, and the Buck Alpha Hunter for skinning and gutting.
I also carry surgical gloves with me for cleaning the
deer in the field. I carry a GPS, extra batteries, a
headlamp and a flashlight. I like the headlamp by Streamlight.
I carry survival gear, first aid gear and snacks with
me in my pack and always plenty of water.
 10)
Make sure you have your rifle sighted in properly. I'm
a big fan of the .270, and I advise all my hunters that
regardless of the caliber of the gun you choose to hunt
with, make sure you can shoot it accurately out to 200
yards with a black-powder rifle and 300 to 400 yards
with a conventional rifle. I recommend that the gun
be sighted in at 1-1/2 inches to 2-inches high at 100
yards. I like to sight in like this because you may
get a shot at less than 100 yards. So, you don't want
your rifle sighted-in too high, and if you have a deer
at 200 or more yards, you don't really have to hold
over very much.
Also remember that mule deer are very-big animals.
They'll usually field dress from 190 to 210 pounds.
They are very blocky and very muscular. So, anytime
you have an opportunity for a follow-up shot, always
take that follow-up shot. If the deer is still standing
after your shot, go ahead, and take the second shot.
Too, I usually carry a pack frame with me. Then if the
deer are down in a hole, I can bone the deer out and
pack him out.
 Remember
that many of the better outfitters are booked-up for
a year or more in advance. So, ask your outfitter, when
you book a hunt, questions that are important to you
to make your hunt the best it can be. You can have a
great mule deer hunt and take a really trophy animal
if you follow this advice.
To learn more about hunting trophy mule deer, you can
contact Chad Schearer at P.O. Box 6655, Great Falls,
MT 59406; (406) 727-4478 (home); (406) 799-7984 (cell);
email him chad@centralmontanaoutfitters.com;
www.centralmontanaoutfitters.com.
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