Global Sports: Trophy Mule Deer Hunt Offers The Ultimate Adrenaline Kick

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Trophy Mule Deer Hunt Offers The Ultimate Adrenaline Kick

By Patty Goff


The primitive hunter's instinct is as part of mankind's blueprint as procreation. Thousands of years after our ancestors were forced to hunt for food, the challenge to stalk, ambush and conquer is as irresistible as ever. Trophy hunting is one of the ways man can still test his skills, stamina and superiority against nature. In and around the mountains of New Mexico, Trophy mule deer hunt offers the ultimate adrenaline kick.

These two regions are world-renowned for the huge, big-horned mountain mule deer that flourish here. Two to five day hunts on foot or from horseback to score those trophy antlers are increasingly popular. Hunting from horseback has the advantage that hunters can cover vast stretches of this open country with minimum physical effort.

During a typical deer hunt at one of the New Mexico ranches, two hunters are accompanied by a guide. If you want a guide for yourself, it will cost you an additional $150.00. The average success rate on top end bucks in this stunning part of the "Land of Enchantment" is 70%. Most ranches only allow a very limited number of hunters annually to keep it exclusive.

The average price for a 5 day hunt is between $5,500 and R6,500. Apart from scrumptious meals and wild west-like ranch accommodation, the price includes all the basics such as state licencing, tax, landowner tags, guides and transportation. First time hunters can expect to learn a lot about hunting techniques and how to use the deer bleat or grunt to lure the Muleys. Both these callers have the same luring effect and works equally well for males and females.

The mule deer got its name from their huge mule-like ears and are indigenous to the western parts of North America. Although they are believed to have evolved from the much older white-tailed species through cross-breeding with the black-tailed deer, the mule deer has certain unique characteristics. It has larger ears, has a black-tipped tail and is generally also bigger than the white-tailed species. They are also known for their characteristic gait of landing with all four feet at the same time, also known as pronking.

After shedding its antlers around mid-February, it starts to regrow almost immediately. A typical characteristic of the mule deer is the way it moves with all four feet coming down together - called pronking. Adult males weigh on average around 92 kg but trophy specimen can push the scale up to 210 kg. Females are smaller and average between 43 to 90 kg. They are herd animals and especially the does travel in herds of around five.

The mule deer is a herd animal and generally roams in herds of five. Their coveted antlers start to regrow straight after being shed around the middle of February. Strict regulations and innovative measures have been put into place to ensure that their characteristic pronking will still be enjoyed by generations to come.

Besides humans, their major natural enemies are coyotes, gray wolves and mountain lions. Opportunistic feeders such as bobcats, wolverines, American black bears and brown bears mostly prey upon fawns or injured deer. Thanks to altered tag allotments and other joint efforts by most western state game departments in conjunction with conservation groups, the mule deer population has recovered significantly and the hunting record books are healthier than ever.




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