Step 1: Study the State

The first step in hunting a new state is learning the intricacies of it. Where are the strongest deer herds? What are the hunting regulations? When are the season dates? How should you plan uniquely for this destination?

Study the state’s hunting regulations. Learn the ins and outs of hunting here. Determine what challenges are ahead, and what you need to do to overcome these.

Speaking of challenges, hunters should know that mule deer populations are down throughout Wyoming, but especially in certain areas. There are fewer mule deer in Wyoming today than in decades past. According to a report from the Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD), numbers are down significantly.

“Historically, mule deer were relatively uncommon in the early 1900s,” said WGFD. “Due to favorable conditions, populations surged in the 1950s and 1960s and reached historic highs. The most recent population peak occurred in 1991, with around 578,000 mule deer in the state. However, by 2023, this number has declined to an estimated 216,000 animals. Sharp declines in mule deer have occurred throughout western North America, most notably due to habitat loss and degradation along with changing weather patterns.”

“Seems like less deer, at least, according to the old timers, people who live here, and even the Game & Fish,” concurred Chad Chance, a Whitetail Properties land specialist in Wyoming. “We’ve had some harsh winters. Two winters ago, on the western side of the continental divide, they dropped tags by 75% because there was so much winter kill and the snow and blizzards we had that winter. So, they reduced the tags they gave out by that much."

According to WGFD, climate, competition, disease, habitat loss, predation, weather, and other factors influence this. Because of these issues, they’ve made changes to what you can and can’t harvest.

“In some places, they’ve done an antler point restriction,” Chance said. “That’s because they’re trying to build the herd back up. Instead of shooting spikes and two by twos, some areas are four points or better. That seems to be helping, and helping the size of the deer, too. We’re still not seeing as many deer, but we are seeing better quality deer.”

Step 2: Draw the Tag

Of course, Wyoming is a draw state. It takes time to draw a tag here. “You must put in every year to get points,” Chance said. “Depending on the regions you’re looking to hunt, you might be looking at five to 15 years [before you’ll draw a tag]. Start early, because it will take a while to draw one.”

Know where you want to hunt, too. Understand the ins and outs of each unit. Find what makes areas good, or not good. Naturally, there are many elements of this, including hunting private land vs. public land, hunting with an outfitter or not, and more. There are many decisions to be made.

“You can put in for an area every year,” Chance continued. “Say they’re giving out 20 non-resident tags in an area, 20-25% of these (four to five of them) go based on random luck. So, you could get drawn your first time putting in. You might be one of the tags that’s random luck. But the others are based off points.”

Step 3: Prep and Practice

Whenever you finally draw a tag, it’s time to work. (Hopefully you were already preparing before drawing a tag, but if not, there’s still time.)

Start by getting in shape. This isn’t an easy hunt. It requires effort, and much of that is physical exertion. Being fit and ready in body and mind is crucial.

Then, optimize your hunting gear. Choose a good rifle that’s up to the task, such as Benelli’s new LUPO series. Pack quality hunting clothing that keeps you concealed, dry, and warm, such as Sitka. But equally important, are good optics.

“You must have good glass — good binos and a good scope,” Chance said. “It’s not uncommon to take shots 300-, 400-, and 500-yard shots on big mule deer out here. You can see that far, and those deer can see you that far, too. So, good glass is key.”

Also, learn to make difficult shots. “Continue to shoot,” Chance said. “These aren’t 50-yard shots you’re getting, especially for most mule deer you’ll be hunting.”

Practice long range shots, shooting in the wind, taking shots with vast changes in elevation, and more. “Get used to shooting in the wind,” Chance said. “It’s probably going to be windy where you’re mule deer hunting.”

Step 4: Find a Buck

With research completed, tag in hand, and planning and prep complete, it’s time to hunt. Now, go find a buck. Scout with efficiency. Get the job done.

Of course, different parts of the country have different habitat types. Location dictates where they bed. “Find these mule deer bedded in shade — deep draws, big and tall sagebrush, large cuts, and big cliff edges,” Chance said.

It also influences where deer feed. Some are ag deer, much like whitetails. “It can change a lot depending on what you’re doing and what time of year you’re doing it,” Chance said. “We have plains bucks that are basically eating in alfalfa and hay fields. These are farms. Then, if you go for timberline bucks, you could be at 9,000 to 10,000 feet. They’re right along the snow line. So, there are a lot of different tactics based on where you hunt in the state, and when.

“If they’re closer to some of the bigger ag areas, you’ll see big mule deer in sugar beet fields, alfalfa fields, cornfields, etc.,” Chance continued. “But if you’re remote, away from town, and away from ag fields, they’re basically eating sage brush and grasses, which is like what the cattle and elk are eating. A lot of these sages are high in protein.”

Don’t forget about water, either. “Water is huge,” Chance said. “The deer are not far from water. Some will be next to water, but these big bucks will go 2 miles away from it, just to come back to it. They don’t want to sit next to it. They will, but only if it’s a super private area.

“A lot of our water here is seasonal,” Chance continued. “We have a lot of springs that people don’t know about. There is a lot of hidden water. So, scout early. Because if you can find water sources in deep draws with shade, you’re probably going to find deer.”

Once you’ve found the right pieces of the puzzle, start glassing. “Sideways doesn’t help because you can’t see down into where they’re bedded,” Chance said. “You either must be up high looking down or down low looking up. These are the two best tactics.

“Most guys hunt mule deer in the sagebrush, the big breaks, canyons, rocks, and stuff like that,” Chance continued. “This kind of hunting takes 200-, 300-, and 400-plus-yard stuff. You’re glassing from 1,000 yards away and making a stalk.”

Step 5: Make the Shot

Once in range, settle in. If the deer is calm, take your time. Don’t rush it. Wait for a good shot, and then execute. Make the shot count, and you just might take home a trophy Wyoming mule deer.