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Muley Deer Hunting

Mule Deer Biology

HISTORY

Class: Mammalia, Order: Artiodactyla. Family: Cervidae, Sub Family: Capreolinae, Genus: Odocoileus, Species: hemionus. The mule deer gets its name from its large mule-like ears, which usually are about one-quarter larger than those of the white-tailed deer.

Mule deer are of considerable economic importance as a big game mammal. Sportsmen prize this unique species for a number of qualities, including large body size, tasty venison, and the ability of mature bucks to develop an attractive and often massive set of antlers. Overall this mammal is one of the most hunted and most prized animals in North America today.

SPECIES OF MULE DEER

There are many mule deer subspecies, and the most common species are the Desert Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus crooki, and the Rocky Mountain Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus hemionus.

Sympatric populations of mule deer and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in western Texas have been found to interbreed and produce hybrid offspring. Genetic analyses indicate that these hybrids are more characteristic of white-tailed deer than of mule deer; thus, it appears that hybridization may be one factor contributing to the displacement of mule deer by white-tailed deer in this region.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

The male mule deer is called a buck, the female a doe and the young are called fawns or yearlings when they are older and still with the doe. Mule deer can weigh between 125 and 330 lbs. Their length with tail is approximately 50" to 85". The height of a mule deer to the shoulder is approximately 3' to 3.5. They have a metatarsal gland 8-12 cm long, narrow, and situated above midpoint of shank. In the summer mule deer have a brown-tan to reddish color, in winter they are more gray-brown. They shed their hair twice a year. The mule deer has white undersides and black on the side of its chin and on top of it's head. Some call muleys the "deer with the deer with the bad toupee". The inside of its ears are white. The black-tipped tail and rump patch are white (black-tailed deer tails are black or brown on top). The buck has antlers with branched tines off the main beam. The doe is smaller and does not have antlers. A mule deer life span in the wild is about 10 years, but Mule Deer have lived up to 25 years in captivity.

Mature bucks normally have four main points on each antler, but beyond the third year there is little or no correlation between the number of points and the age of the deer. Beyond the prime of life, the so-called "Pacific buck" type may develop, which consists of only two points, or a spike, on each side of a large set of antlers.

The age of mule deer can be determined fairly accurately up to about 24 months. At birth the fawn is equipped with upper premolars, the third and fourth lower premolars, the lower canines, and the entire lower incisor series. The second lower premolar may erupt shortly after birth or within the first 60 days. By the age of 3½ months, the first upper molar is functional. At the age of approximately 1 year, the middle lower incisor is shed and replaced by a permanent one. Each permanent incisor is wider than its predecessor. At the age of 15-18 months, the molars erupt and take their place in the series, and at the age of 24-25 months, the premolars are replaced by the permanent dentition.

REPRODUCTION

The mule deer's breeding season begins in October and ends in early February, with the peak occurring in mid to late November. This is also referred to as the "rut", a time when the buck's neck swells and he fights other bucks for dominance. Mule deer reach sexual maturity in 1 1/2 years. A single buck is capable of breeding several does. Does are in heat for about 24 hours, and cycle every 28 days if they are not bred. Fawns are born after a 202 day gestation period, with about half of the young being born between late May and late June. The number of young fawns born can be 1 to 4 with 2 being average. In the spring each doe moves off by herself to select a fawning area, and a buck becomes solitary or joins a small group of bachelors as his antlers develop. The birth interval is 1 year.

The mule deer's reproductive rate of 94 fawns per 100 does is low compared to the whitetail's 140 fawns for every 100 does. Sexual maturity is slow in mule deer and only seven percent of the does breed when they are fawns and only 68 percent of yearling does become pregnant. About 65 percent of pregnant mule deer does carry twins compared to 82 percent of whitetail does having multiple births.

After mating season, bucks lose their antlers when they simply drop off. When a buck has passed its prime, when food is poor or the buck has had an injury the antlers may not fully develop or they may develop in odd ways. A "cactus buck" is one example of a buck who has had an injury and the rack developed oddly.

DIET

Mule deer are considered to be browsers rather than grazers and rely on shrubs as a primary energy source. They are ruminants and digest their food in much the same way as a cow. Mule deer are most active during dawn and dusk, when they venture from protective cover when it is time to feed. High desert areas are where deer love to eat bitterbrush. Look for signs the deer are browsing on this bush. Chamise and mountain whitethorn are other key food plants that deer love. Mule deer are fond of wheat , clover and sunflower patches, and small grain and alfalfa crops within their range.

Livestock management practices can be beneficial or detrimental to deer nutrition. Continuous grazing causes a gradual decline in range condition, reducing livestock nutrition and habitat quality for deer. The absence of livestock over long periods of time can be as detrimental to deer habitat as overgrazing.

DEFENSES/ENEMIES

Mule deer have excellent eyesight, have good hearing due to their large years and also rely upon the sense of smell in detecting danger. Stationary objects are easily overlooked by them, but they readily detect any that are in motion. Their hearing is also very good due to the extremely large ears that they can rotate in any direction. The mule deer can run up to 35 mph (56 kph) for short distances. Donald McLean was able to force one to a speed of 58 km an hour on a dry lake flat in California. After the first short burst of speed, the animal dropped to about 35 km an hour and was badly winded after a chase of less than 1.5 km. The mule deer doesn't usually run like a whitetail deer, instead it "stots" up vertical terrain which makes it very difficult for a predator to follow. Stotting looks like they are using a pogo stick to bounce from one point to the next, some have described it as a high, stiff-legged bounce. In rough, broken country they are at their best. There, the long, high bounds send them over the rocks and brush much faster than the average running animal can go through or around the obstructions. This ability enables the deer to see over vegetation and keep an eye on any approaching danger. The longest bounds are generally made when the animals are going downhill or leaping across gullies. McLean measured two flat jumps that were 5.9 and 7.1 meters, respectively. A downhill bound on a 7% slope measured 8.7 meters. Mule deer can jump an 8-foot fence with ease.

Mule deer have several distinct strategies for avoiding predators. They specializes in detecting danger at a very long range by means of large ears and excellent vision. Males can quickly detect and visually track another animal as far as 600 meters. Once danger is detected, they may choose to hide, or move into cover and cautiously outmaneuver the predator. Another strategy is to depart while the predator is still a long way off and move several miles to another area. Mule deer, instead, may bound rapidly uphill, imposing on pursuing predators an unacceptably high cost per unit time of locomotion. In yet another strategy, they may bound off and then trot away, stopping frequently to gain information on the disturbance. This initial bounding, combined with release of metatarsal scent that inhibits feeding, is highly advantageous in that, by alarming others, it causes other mule deer to bound off as well, reducing the conspicuousness of the deer who bounded off first. This strategy would also trigger group formation. Finally, when a predator closes in, mule deer initiate evasive maneuvers based on sudden unpredictable changes in direction and on placing obstacles between itself and the predator. This strategy, however, does not work against group-hunting predators.

Mule Deer are excellent swimmers but hardly ever use this means of escape. Mule deer bucks will use their antlers as protection from predators. Mule deer will also protect themselves by rearing up and slashing out with their front hooves. The fawn's survival strategy is based on its protective coloration, its ability to remain motionless as danger approaches, and its small amount of scent which makes finding it difficult for predators.

Mule deer are also very vocal if they want to send an alarm signal to other deer. Mule deer will stomp their feet just like a whitetail deer to warn other deer or to get the unrecognized danger to move. Some say this is out of fear or defiance but I've stomped back when the deer couldn't see me and they went back to feeding. It may just be a challenge of "Who's there?" Muleys also will snort or exhale loudly as a danger warning.

Major predators on mule deer are mountain lions, which are deer eating machines, coyotes, golden eagles, feral dogs, bears and bobcats.

RANGE

Western North America with true Rocky Mountain Mule Deer in the Rockies, black-tailed deer are on the Pacific Coast and desert mule deer are in northern Mexico and southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Mule deer occur over most of North America west of the 100th meridian from 23 degrees to 60 degrees N. The eastern edge of the usual range extends from southwestern Saskatchewan through central North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and western Texas. Isolated occurrences have been reported from Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. Major gaps in geographic distribution are in southern Nevada, southeastern California, southwestern Arizona, and the Great Salt Lake desert region.

HABITAT

Unlike whitetails that thrive in areas of dense cover with good concealment, mule deer are more apt to be found in association with more open upland habitats. The classic mule deer habitat is rough, steep canyons sparsely vegetated with brushy pockets that carve their way down through open grasslands. Mule deer occupy to some extent almost all types of habitat within their range but, in general, they seem to prefer the more arid, open situations in which sagebrush, juniper, pinyon pine, yellow pine, bitter brush, mountain mahogany, and such plants predominate.

If the winter is severe with low temperatures and deep snows, the deer "yard up", or gather together, in areas that provide for most of their needs. Many deer in a group are able to break trails in deep snow more efficiently than a single deer can, which allows each individual to conserve needed energy to fight off the cold.

Seasonal movements involving migrations from higher elevations (summer ranges) to lower winter ranges are associated, in part, with decreasing temperatures, severe snowstorms, and snow depths that reduce mobility and food supply. Deep snows ultimately limit useable range to a fraction of the total. Mule deer in the arid southwest may migrate in response to rainfall patterns.

DAILY LIFE

Mule deer of both sexes normally do most of their feeding in early morning before sunrise or in late afternoon and evening after sundown. They spend the middle of the day bedded down in cool, secluded places. In summer, the bucks retire as soon as the sun shines where they are feeding and go to the dense shade of some grove to bed down for the day. In general, mature bucks prefer rocky ridges for bedding grounds because there they seem to feel more secure from the approach of danger. Does and fawns are more likely to bed down in the open. In winter, however, they often seek out sunny places well screened on at least three sides by vegetation. At night, they usually bed down in the open away from trees and bushes.

The social system of mule deer consists of clans of females related by maternal descent. Males disperse as individuals or congregate in groups of unrelated individuals. During winter and spring, the stability of female clans and male groups is maintained with dominance hierarchies. Increases in strife and alarm behavior, and decreases in play among fawns, occur as population density increases.

Communication among mule deer is done by the sebaceous and sudoriferous secretory cells of five integumentary glands. The cells of each gland produce specific scents (pheromones) that elicit specific reactions in conspecifics. The metatarsal gland produces an alarm pheromone, the tarsal gland aids in mutual recognition, the interdigital gland leaves a scent trail, and the function of the tail gland is unknown. Urine has a pheromone function at all ages and for both sexes. It is deposited on tufts of hair surrounding the tarsal glands. In fawns, it functions as a distress signal, while in adults, it functions as a threat signal.

DISEASES

Ticks, lice, and nasal bots are parasites commonly found on and in mule deer. Most deer commonly harbor light infestations of ticks and nasal blots, but not at levels high enough to present a health problem to the deer. Likewise, internal parasites, especially stomach worms, are common but are not at sufficient levels to cause clinical symptoms. However, the concentration of individuals at feeding sites increases the potential for disease transmission. Because disease-causing organisms can be transmitted through the soil, supplemental feed should not be placed on the ground. Some type of trough should be used and, ideally, the feeding site should be relocated every year or two. Evidence of exposure to bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been documented in mule deer. The most common disease agent among mule deer appears to be warts.

Today the major news headlines is about Chronic Wasting Disease, often referred to as CWD. CWD is a disease unique to North America. On our continent, it has been found in wild deer and or elk in Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Saskatchewan. In captive deer and or elk, it has been found in Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Saskatchewan and Alberta.. CWD appears to be a prion disease that attacks the central nervous system and causes fatal damage to the brain of white-tailed deer, mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk. CWD is similar to, but significantly different from, scrapie (documented in domestic sheep for over 400 years), Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE and often referred to as mad cow disease) and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease found in humans. All of these diseases attack the central nervous system and cause small holes to form in the brains of infected animals.

There is currently no scientific evidence that CWD has or can spread to humans, either through contact with infected animals or by eating the meat of infected animals. The Center for Disease Control has conducted an exhaustive study of CWD and human risk and has stated: “The risk of infection with the CWD agent among hunters is extremely small, if it exists at all”. However, as we are still learning about this disease, state wildlife agencies recommend that hunters take precautions to limit risks. First and foremost, do not harvest any animal that appears sick or is acting strange. Note the animal’s location and contact the state personnel. Avoid cutting or puncturing the spinal cords or brains of animals taken in the areas where CWD occurs. Do not use house-hold utensils to field dress or process your deer. Wear rubber or latex gloves when handling any harvested animal. You should also make sure about your states current regulations regarding the importation of deer or elk meat from outside your state. Some states are also considering testing all or some of the animals taken during the hunt season for CWD.

In the later stages of infection, deer and elk infected with CWD will show signs of progressive weight loss, listlessness, excessive salivation and urination, increased water intake, depression and, eventually, death. Animals can be infected with CWD for months or years before outward signs of infection are evident.

Mule Deer Scouting and Hunting

DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST

You can start your scouting right at home by obtaining maps, aerial photos and info from biologists and other hunters who have been in the area you are planning to hunt. USFS maps may be obtained by visiting or calling one of the USFS offices. The maps are generally about $4.00 or $7.00 for waterproof maps. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps can usually be obtained from drafting/engineering stores or backpacking stores or ordered online here USGS Topo maps.  If you would like info on aerial photos, computer topo map programs and how to download free topo maps off the Internet I have this on my webpage here: aerial photos or topo maps. Also you can check Topozone and Terraserver for online topo maps and aerial photos. Start networking with people who work in your target area. Hikers are another source of good info. A piece of info can come from anyone and it's another piece of the puzzle to finding the muley you want to hunt.

SCOUTING TRIP

Plan to make at least one visit to your hunting area to prescout and become familiar with the terrain and logistics like hiking time, where to camp, where to glass from etc. This is also the time to hike in, set up and glass for deer. The more time you spend in the deer's backyard the better the odds of you having a successful hunt. Find the saddles and escape routes. If hunting on public ground, knowing where the other hunters will approach from can tell you where to set up to intercept the escaping deer. Determine where and what the deer are feeding on. Knowing where the deer water, especially in drought conditions can pay off. Burn some boot leather and explore as much of the country as you can. Drag that no good brother-in-law along to help in scouring the hillsides.

GLASSING

Since most of western muley country is open land, glassing is the best way to cover lots of ground and not spook the deer. To glass all day you need to stay as comfortable as possible. If you are going to use a spotting scope, get the best waterproof glass you can afford. Swarovski, Leupold, Nikon and Kowa all make good spotters. The better glass will provide less eye strain, which can ruin a hunt. Some guides and hunters use 10 x 42 or bigger binos to search hillsides and then the spotter for a closer peek. Get yourself a nice chair and put your binos or spotter on a good tripod, you'll have a better time looking for deer. Bogan Manfrotto makes great tripods and monopods. 'Grippit' makes a strap and mount to mount your binos on a tripod for more stability for $29.99. Don't skimp when buying your binos either. Swarovski, Leica, Leupold, Nikon and Zeiss all make quality waterproof binos. Crooked Horn Outfitters makes a good bino chest harness to keep your binos close to you chest when you peek over ridges or crawl on a stalk. Keep your optics dust and smudge free with a LensPen. You can also drop by the local camera shop to get some camera lens cleaning spray and cloth for your binos and spotter, your eyes will love you for this.

Muleys are creatures of the edges. You can glass the edges of burns, crop fields, clear cuts and meadows to find feeding deer. Keeping track of wildfire burns is a good way to find where the deer are eating the new browse. Even if the burn is recent and the hillside looks like a burnt moon landscape, a good rain shower will have the new green spouts popping out all over. The best time to glass is the first hour and last hour of daylight. Be in place on a high vantage point before daylight to have the best chance to spot a nice buck.

Mule deer of both sexes normally do most of their feeding in early morning before sunrise or in late afternoon and evening after sundown. They spend the middle of the day bedded down in cool, secluded places. In summer, the bucks retire as soon as the sun shines where they are feeding and go to the dense shade of some grove to bed down for the day. In general, mature bucks prefer rocky ridges for bedding grounds because there they seem to feel more secure from the approach of danger. Does and fawns are more likely to bed down in the open. In winter, however, they often seek out sunny places well screened on at least three sides by vegetation. At night, they usually bed down in the open away from trees and bushes.

Scouting/Hunting with Topo Maps

You can scout with topo maps by identifying areas or locations that need to be checked for sign. These areas include natural funnels or choke points, bedding and feeding areas, saddles, benches and water holes.

Funnels - The topo map on the right shows 2 good funnels. The deer are reluctant to drop down the steep muddy sides of the river and don't want to cross the open crop field.

If the wind is from the south or southeast, I set up at point #1 to keep my wind off the funnel trails. If the wind is from the north or northwest, I move to point # 2 and let my scent blow into the crop field. These funnels are about 50 yards wide and there are 3 distinct trails the deer use. 1 trail follows the river, 1 follows the edge of the field and the 3rd trail goes right smack down the middle.

Saddles - are a natural travel funnels and escape routes for deer and elk between two high points of ground. The topo map on the right also shows where a mulie buck was bedded. Muley bucks like to bed on the very tops, or at least upper portions, of ridges when not bothered by hunters. A saddle can just be a dip in the elevation between two ridges or mountain peaks, they don't have to be a drastic change in elevation.

Older mature bucks will often have a young 3 point buck hanging around with them as a sentry. If you see a 3 point, look hard for the bigger buck nearby. When alerted to danger, the younger buck will usually be the first to stand up to check out the disturbance, leaving the older buck to wait for the signal to scram.

Muleys like to have a view when they bed and will bed on steep slopes. Elk, on the other hand prefer benches to bed on. Muleys like to bed behind small bushes, short trees, rocks or anything that will give them a little better hide. Most muleys look below for danger more than above, so get on the same level or above them to do a stalk.

Benches - Elk and muleys like to hang out around benches. Look for cliffs, rock slides, and dark timber for good escape cover.

Stay tuned, more topo map scouting to come ....

Another good place to learn about topo maps is at this link to an article by Dr. Mark Timney on the Bowsite. Topo Map Info.

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Calling and Rattling Muleys

Huh? You can call and rattle muleys like whitetails? Yup, you sure can since they get more than a little goofy when the rut hits, just like a whitetail deer does. I moved to the west from Missouri and when I started carrying my rattling antlers and grunt tube year ago people thought I was a bit addled. After seeing and hearing of my buddy's and my success people are not so sure I've lost my mind anymore. You still don't see many people using this muley hunting technique in the west so the deer are suckers for it in most areas since they've never been exposed to it before. The best place to learn the sounds of rattling or calling is to actually watch live deer either in the filed or at a game farm. You can also buy videos, CDs and cassette tapes that help teach how to make the calls and how to rattle.

RATTLING

Rattling works best when the rut is kicking in. Since everybody loves to come watch a fight, tickling antlers together and making loud scuffling sounds in the brush just draws deer in for a peek. You'll get bucks and does coming in and you have to be ready for a quick shot, having a partner do the rattling or shooting helps keep your job simple. The bucks will sometimes circle downwind like a coyote to catch your scent so watch the downwind area from your position well. Setting up on a little rise helps you you have a good view of any approaching animals. You can also set a buddy up 100 yards downwind to catch the sneakers.

You can also rattle or grunt near areas where bedded deer are. Many times you know the deer are in a god forgiven pile of brush or rocks but you'll just spoke them out the backside if you creep in on the crunchy ground cover. If you don't have all day to wait for them to come out for a drink or food, try a grunt or rattle. Dominant bucks will either answer your challenge or herd their does off away from you. Be careful, as some bucks will come on the run with their hackles up wanting to put the hurt on something. You can also use this technique to get the deer to move out slowly enough so your partner can get a shot on the other side instead of the deer bailing out in high gear.

I start of a rattling sequence by just slightly tickling the tines of the antlers together for a minute or two. Then I'll repeat the sequence every 15 minutes or so. If I know the bucks are really fighting to establish their dominance in the area I'll smash the antlers together harder to simulate a nastier fight. One note, this also can send the subordinate bucks heading for the hills if they just had their butts whipped the day before.

FAWN BAWL CALL

Another call that can work to bring deer in closer to you is the fawn bawl. Does are naturally maternalistic and they will respond to the sounds of a distressed fawn, even if it's not theirs. If the does are with bucks they will drag the bucks along with them usually. I once watched a whitetail buck chase a young fawn during the rut with the fawn bawling like it was having it's toe nails pulled out. I could hear the fawn coming 1/2 mile away. Every deer in the woods came out to see what all the screaming was about, some of them were bedded nearby and I never knew they were there. The fawn bawl will wear you out since it full blast calling at high volume. I don't think you can overblow a fawn bawl call after hearing that little fawn that morning in the Missouri woods.

DOE BLEAT CALL

All deer make bleat calls but does seem to do it the most. They bleat when lost or as a contact call to say, "Hey, where you at?" to another deer. The deer bleat is kind of like a cluck to a turkey. I've seen the bleat be really soft where you had to be very close to the deer to hear it and I've also watched a doe stand out in a meadow bleating so the whole hillside could hear her. She was looking for her fawn that had drifted away from her to come back into sight.

GRUNT CALL

So how do you call with a grunt tube? I start off with just a short little grunt with my voice to see if anything is in close. After that I'll get louder to cover more area. Rutting bucks make all kinds of strange grunts, usually longer and deeper in tone and duration. You can use your own voice for a grunt call like the Indians did many years ago if you don't want to dangle a grunt tube around your neck on a lanyard or have to dig in your pack for it every time you need it. Just say the word "butt" and draw it out real long. Make the "utt" sound stretch out a bit. Don't do this in front of your dog or wife/boyfriend, they may never get over the sight.

One note, this also can send the subordinate bucks heading for the hills if they just had their butts whipped the day before and think the grunting is the same buck coming back for some more head butting.

WHERE TO GET A GRUNT CALL, FAWN BAWL CALL OR RATTLING ANTLERS

You can get these calls and sets of rattling antlers at the links I have provided below in the "Links" section under gear and calls. You can make your own grunt calls as they are similar to duck calls with a metal or plastic reed inside a housing. Rattling antlers you can make from sheds or antlers cut off from bucks you take. I like the bigger racks since they sound the best but any size will work. I grind off the bottom burr of the antler and smooth out a section so my hands won't get blisters or cuts while smashing them together. Wear gloves while you rattle as you will goof and smack your fingers. I also drill a small hole through the base of each antler and run a small nylon cord through them so I can hang them if in a treestand or on my pack.

CALLING SAFETY

With all these calls you have to maintain some awareness as to what is around you since other animals like bears, coyotes, bobcats and cougars will sometimes come in for a peek at what all the racket is about. Be VERY careful with rattling antlers while hunting, if you fall on them the sharp tines will poke into you which can be fatal. Some guys grind the points down so they are not as dangerous but I think it affects the sound too much. There are also rattling bags which simulate the sounds of rattling antlers pretty close and are safer and easier to carry.

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Mule Deer Tracking and Recovery

When you take your shot with your bow or rifle, mark the spot where you shot from and where the animal was. This will help in finding any blood or hair sign to start your tracking. Studying deer hides can help you identify any hair that may have been cut by the bullet or broadhead to pinpoint the area on the deer where your bullet hit.

Bright pink frothy blood - means a lung hit and the deer shouldn't go far.

Bright red blood - indicates a muscle hit which can be a minor wound. Also look for bone fragments which can tell you if you hit a leg bone or muscle.

Stinky green or brown paunch material - means a gut shot and you should let this animal bed down and stiffen up. 4 to 6 hours in cold, 8 hours in warm weather.

Some tips on tracking wounded game

1 and only 1 guy on the blood trail, preferably your best tracker. Keep the shooter nearby and ready in case the animal bolts from a bed, it may be your only chance to finish the job.

Use a camping lantern like a Coleman with a light reflector, they make blood really stand out at night.

Mark your trail so you can look behind yourself and get an idea of the travel route of your animal. You can use orange marker tape but PLEASE go back and remove all of that fluorescent tape when you are done. Use TP which just disappears in the first rain but if working in say snow, use the orange tape.

Sit down and take a break and have a snack or just relax. You need to calm down some and not push the animal by taking off after him immediately. If someone is with you, have him do the tracking as he is probably calmer and less likely to be in a hurry as you are.

Animals dump their bowels when they get weak so look for scat. They also will start circling like a dog when they lay down to die.

Animals that aren't hit real bad will double back a lot to shake you off their trail. While tracking watch for the animal's double back trail so you don't miss it or wipe it out. Bears love to do this along with deer.

Learn how to grid search. When all seems lost, look in creek bottoms and ravines. I've found many animals that dropped into them and just couldn't get out and they died there.

Keep an eye out for buzzards and crows, many times they will give up a kill.

Use a dog if legal, they are way more efficient at tracking. Deer Search has tracking dogs available if you don't have access in many states.

Have some hydrogen peroxide in squirt bottles handy when you get down to small blood drops or specks, it makes the blood bubble on contact. Put some bright green food coloring in you hydrogen peroxide to make the bubbles show up better.

Starlight Bloodhound, used in squirt bottles like hydrogen peroxide, is spendy but shows up faint blood trail really well, even in water.

Learn how to track by reading tracking books and practicing, it's great fun for the kids too.

Learn how to tell where you hit the animal by the hair the broadhead or bullet cut when it was first hit. You can do this by keeping the hair and matching it up too a hide. The impact site can tell you a whole bunch, like if you should wait (gut shot), or if you have a fatally hit animal. If you're an archer, try to find your arrow, it will tell you exactly where you hit your game at.

Mule Deer Meat Care

Durwood Hollis has a book called "Complete Game Care Guide". Try B&B Sportsman Supply - 11321 N. 215 E. - Demotte, IN. 46310. Call 1-800-401-9090 or 219-345-4840.

You can also get these game care pamphlets from the University of Wyoming, Bulletin Room, Box 3313, Laramie, WY. 82071.

Field, R.A., 1973. Aging Big Game, Ag Extension Bulletin B-513R.

Field, R.A., 1973. The Mule Deer Carcass, Ag Extension Bulletin B-589.

Field, R.A., 1973. Skinning and Boning Big Game, Ag Extension Bulletin B-884R.

Pocket Guide to Field Dressing Game. Steve Gilbert - $12.95, plastic, spiral-bound, 3 5/8 x 4 1/2 x 1/4, 26 pages, fully illustrated, ISBN 1-886127-19-0, Item #P144.

FORMULAS FOR ESTIMATING WEIGHT

Live weight X 78% = field dress weight X 75% = Hanging Weight X 75% = edible meat weight

Example: 100 Lbs. live weight X 78% = 78 Lbs. field dressed weight X 75% = 58 Lbs. hanging weight X 75% = 43 Lbs. edible meat.

Field dressed is body cavity cleaned out (no heart, lungs, intestines, etc.)

Hanging weight is the field dressed deer minus the head, feet and hide.

Edible meat weight will vary depending upon: How the deer is processed and How many times the deer was shot and what part(s) of the deer was shot. For Example, if the whole deer is boned out completely, you will receive approximately 50% to 60% of the hanging weight in edible meat.

Here's a table to estimate your deer's live weight. Measure the girth just behind the front legs, around the heart.

MEAT CARE TIPS

Cheap meat bags. You can get cheap cloth mattress covers at military surplus stores that have a draw string on one end and they'll cover a whole deer.

CWD

There is currently no scientific evidence that CWD has or can spread to humans, either through contact with infected animals or by eating the meat of infected animals. The Center for Disease Control has conducted an exhaustive study of CWD and human risk and has stated: “The risk of infection with the CWD agent among hunters is extremely small, if it exists at all”. However, as we are still learning about this disease, state wildlife agencies recommend that hunters take precautions to limit risks. First and foremost, do not harvest any animal that appears sick or is acting strange. Note the animal’s location and contact the state personnel. Avoid cutting or puncturing the spinal cords or brains of animals taken in the areas where CWD occurs. Do not use house-hold utensils to field dress or process your deer. Wear rubber or latex gloves when handling any harvested animal. You should also make sure about your states current regulations regarding the importation of deer or elk meat from outside your state. Some states are also considering testing all or some of the animals taken during the hunt season for CWD.

Sources

Anderson, A. E. 1984. Odocoileus hemionus. Mammalian Species, No. 219, Pp. 1-9. American Society of Mammalogists, New York.
Cantu, Ruben and Calvin Richardson. Mule Deer Management in Texas. Austin, Texas. Pp. 1-22. 1997.
Davis, William B. and David J. Schmidly. The Mammals of Texas. Austin, Texas. Pp. 278-281. 1994.
Geist, V. 1981. Behavior: adaptive strategies in mule deer. Pp. 157-224, in Mule and Black-tailed deer of North America (O. C. Wallmo, ed.). Univ. Nebraska Press, Lincoln, xvii + 605 pp.
Kucera, T. E. 1978. Social behavior and breeding system of the Desert mule deer. J. Mamm., 59:463-476.
The Mule Deer Of Texas ....
Nebrasksa Mule Deer .... Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Short, H.L. 1981. Nutrition and metabolism. Pp. 99-127, in Mule and Black-tailed deer of North America (O. C. Wallmo, ed.). Univ. Nebraska Press, Lincoln, xvii + 605 pp.
Wallmo, O. C. 1981. Mule and Black-tailed deer distribution and habitats. Pp. 1-25, in Mule and Black-tailed deer of North America (O. C. Wallmo, ed.). Univ. Nebraska Press, Lincoln, xvii + 605 pp.
Wilson, Don E. and Sue Ruff. The Smithsonian Book of North American Mammals. Washington, D.C. Pp 329-331. 1999.

Mule Deer Hunting Links

Ammo/Reloading

Accurate Reloading .... Saeed's great talk forum on reloading.
Alliant Powder (formerly Hercules) .... check out the online reloading data.
Barnes .... They make great bullets.
Berger Bullets .... Some of the best bullets made.
Cheaper Than Dirt .... Shooting supplies and hunting gear.
Dillon Precision Products .... One of the best reloading companies.
Federal Ammo ....
Graf and Sons Inc. .... The reloading authority.
Hodgdon Powder Company .... Reloading powder.
Hornady .... Bullets and reloading equipment.
Lapua .... Makers of match grade ammo and Vihtavuori powders.
Lee Precision Inc. .... The Lee family has been providing affordable reloading products since 1958.
MEC .... Reloading equipment.
Midsouth Shooters Supply Co. .... Your complete source for shooting accessories and supplies.
Midway USA .... The world's largest mail order shooting and reloading superstore.
Nosler .... Maker of the famous 'Partition bullets'.
Powder Valley .... Offering the finest in reloading components at the best possible price.
Precision Reloading Inc. .... Unique and hard to find reloading products.
RCBS .... If you're into reloading, bookmark this page now. All the info you need to be a top-notch re-loader is right here:
Redding Reloading Equipment ....
Remington .... Guns and ammo.
Sierra Bullets .... Bullets.
Speer .... Bullets.
Western Powders .... Western Powders is the largest Master Distributor of reloading powders in North America. We carry a full line of smokeless and black powders, and have also released our own line of high-performance, smokeless powders called RAMSHOT.
Widener's .... Here you will find great deals on all your hunting needs. From Ammunition to Powder. Featuring all the top name products such as Hornady, Nosler, Remington, RCBS, REDDING, SPEER, Winchester and much more.
Winchester Ammo .... Makers of great ammo.

Blinds

The All-Terrain Umbrella Blind .... The All Terrain Umbrella Blind is a uniquely designed and patented camouflage blind that can be set up quickly and quietly, camouflaging the person or persons behind it.
Ameristep Pop-Up Blinds .... Portable camo blinds.
Avery .... Cerex and burlap camo blind material.
Bowsniper Blind Co. ....Compact blinds that mount to a shotgun or bow.
Buckwing ..... They make blinds, archery gear and camo umbrellas.
Double Bull Archery L.L.C. .... Makers of the popular ICE Blind, a portable camo blind.
GameTracker Portable Pop Up Hunting Blind ....
High Racks .... They have brackets for hunters to effectively add branches and camo to any stand, blind or hunting location with ease.
Hunters Equipment .... They offer a full line of deer stands, game blinds, and game feeders.
Hunters Specialties (H.S.) .... They have burlap, nylon and Cerex camo blind material and portable hunting blinds.
Invisiblind .... Portable camo blind.
Isometric Hunting Blinds .... Portable hunting blinds.
Klinger Pop Top Blind ....
Little Big Horn .... Camo tree blinds and Pac-Lounge.
Quick Pro Blinds .... Portable hunting blinds.
Oak Hollow Products .... Portable hunting blinds. 309 Old Highway 9, Waukon, IA 52172 (319) 568-4075. You can order the blinds here.
P & M Concealment Products Inc. .... Portable blinds.
Ultimate Hunting Blind .... Portable and expandable hunting blinds.
Underbrush .... Portable blinds and 3-D Leafy Camo Wear.
Wolf Den Hunting Products .... Portable hunting blinds.

Bow Equipment

Action Archery.com .... Targets, decoys, calls and more. JHO sponsor.
Archery Headquarters .... Online retailer for archery supplies.
B&B Achery and Bowhunting Books .... Books and videos on archery and bowhunting.
Bear Archery .... Makers of excellent bows and bow equipment. Fred Bear is a legend of the bowhunting world.
Ben Pearson Bow info .... Great place to look up info on old Ben Pearson bows, broadheads, arrow boxes and logos.
Black Widow Bows .... Fine bows and arrows.
Bowhunters Discount Warehouse .... As of 7/2001 their website is closed.
Bowhunter Magazine  .... The site of the number one bowhunting magazine.
Bowhunting.net .... The Bowhunting Netcenter.
Bowsite .... If you're a bowhunter, this is one place you have to check out.
Don Brown Traditional Archery ....
California Archery Web .... Webring of California archery shops.
Custom Feathers .... David Mitchell. 6117 Highway 190, Chillicothe, MO 64601. Phone #s: 660-646-6630 (Work), 660-646-0469 (Home-eves.), 660-646-9703 (FAX), & 1-888-353-8246 (Orders only). He makes custom arrows using fresh turkey wing primaries and some secondaries. Most fletching is natural, but he'll custom dye colors on large orders. He also buys wings, fans, and beards, so you might be able to work a trade.
Dink's Feather Shop .... They make custom arrows and sells supplies. Murraysville, WV. Ph # 304-273-3485.
Easton .... Fine arrows and other gear.
edersbow .... Online bowhunting magazine.
The Essentials Of Archery .... Original printing 1942 (This document has been liberally transcribed from the 1953 edition). "How to Use and Make Bows and Arrows" by L. E. Stemmler , Manorville, L.I., N.Y.
EXTERIOR BALLISTICS OF BOWS AND ARROWS .... By W. J. Rheingans.
Game Tracker .... String tracking system. 3476 Eastman Drive Flushing, MI 48433 Phone (800)241-4833 Fax (810)733-2077
Hidden Wolf Woolens .... Sorry folks, this company closed the middle of 2000.
High Mountain Archery Equipment Sales .... they carry Gold Tip, Bow Tech, Champion, PSE, Jennings, Hoyt, Golden Key, Sims, Archers Choice, and many other quality products.
How to strip turkey feathers .... If you want to make your own barred feather fletchings.
Hoyt USA Bows .... Makers of fine bows and bowhunting equipment.
International Bowhunting Organization .... The IBO is a non profit organization founded in 1984. Their intent is to provide a means by which all persons, interested in the sport, can unite to ensure ours and our children's rights to the pursuit of bowhunting.
Jackson's Archery and Hunting Page .... Check out this San Diego California bowhunters website. Lots of good info and links here.
Magnus Broadheads .... I use these broadheads and they shoot well and are very tough.
Martin Archery .... Good bows.
The National Archery Association .... National governing body for U.S. Olympic archery.
Primitve Archer ..... Good forum and quarterly magazine.
Professional Bowhunters Society ....
PSE Archery .... Bows and other archery gear.
RibTek Broadheads .... Good tough broadheads.
Sky Archery .... This is the legendary Earl Hoyt's archery company that makes excellent longbows and recurve bows.
Stickbow .... Your traditional archery connection.
Tammy Jo's Archery Supplies .... Custom flemish-twist bowstrings for recurves and longbows.
Trackmaster Arrow Tracking System .... Radio signal arrow recovery system.
Traditional Bowhunter Magazine .... 6 issues per year of good traditional bow info.

Camo and Clothing

10X Wear .... Camo
Advantage Camo ....
Aervoe-Pacific Co. .... Camouflage paint in all the military colors. Best supplier I've found for painting your equipment. P.O. Box 483, Gardnerville, NV., 89410, ph# 800-227-0196.
ASAT Camo .... Tel# 423-531-7110 or you can email them at ASATCAMO@BELLSOUTH.NET.
Beartooth Products .... 3 piece camo kit for shotguns.
Brigade Quartermasters .... Outdoor gear, military issue gear, GPS, everything you need.
Bug Out Outdoorwear .... Bug nets and suits.
Bushlan Camo .... Camo clothing.
Bush Rag Camouflage Systems .... Camo ghillies.
Camo Skin .... Removable camo overlays for shotguns.
Camovision Eyewear .... You can see out, game can't see in. UV protected, patented, durable frames. I tried a pair of these and I found they kept the sun out real good but it was like looking through a thick screen door. Too distracting for me.
Columbia Sportswear Co. ....
DK Flatwoods Camo .... 3D camo
DownWind 3D Camo ....
Hidden Wolf Woolens .... Quality, Service, Dedication- Unexcelled -For your camouflage clothing needs.
Image Country Camouflage .... Camo.
Lacrosse .... Excellent boots and waders.
LongBeard Industries L.L.C. .... Makers of the "The Backpack Recliner" .
.C. C. Filson .... For 102 years, Filson has been supplying rugged clothing for extreme conditions out of doors.
Mossy Oak .... America's most effective concealment system.
Natural Gear Camo ....
Polar Wrap .... Great clothing to keep your face and head warm.
Predator Camo ....
Permanone .... Spray this on your clothes to kill ticks, chiggers and other bugs. Not a repellent like "Off" or "Repel", it actually kills the darn creepy crawlies. PERMETHRIN is the generic name of the active ingredient. It is a natural pesticide from pyretherum (African flower in the daisy family) and the active ingredient is permanone. It is used on cloths only because if applied to the skin, it mixes with oils and sweat and becomes useless. It is harmless but some people may be sensitive to it. It goes by several brand names, Permanone being the most common. Once applied properly, it binds to the fabrics and lasts a minimum of two weeks, even through several washings. Another brand is called Duranon and you can get it for $3.66 for a 6 oz. can at Wing Supply.
Ranger Joe's .... Military, Law enforcement and outdoor gear.
Rancho Safari .... Camo ghillies.
Raven Wear Canada Ltd. .... Extreme cold camo clothing.
Realtree .... Excellent camo.
Rightnour Manufacturing Co. Inc. (RMC) .... Archery and Muzzleloading supplies, turkey vests, unique Non-Typical shotgun sling.
Scent-Lok .... Camo clothing and scent control suits.
Schnee's Boot's .... These guys make the best cold weather elk boots I've ever owned. I like the 'air bob' soles.
Sleeping Indian Design .... Wool and cotton camo clothing
Stick N' Limbs Camo ....
Trebark Camo ....
Underbrush .... Portable blinds and 3-D Leafy Camo Wear.
Woolrich .... Fine wool clothing.

Gear

Bass Pro Shop .... One of the biggest hunting and fishing gear suppliers. Stop by one of their 'Outdoor World' stores, you'll be amazed. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Brigade Quartermasters .... Outdoor gear, military issue gear, GPS, everything you need.
Cabela's .... One of the biggest retailers of outdoor and hunting gear. They have calls, decoys, shells, sights, blinds camo and tons more.
Gamesaver .... Better than pepper, fights bacteria growth in warm weather. Concentrated for taking into the field.
Ranger Joe's .... Military, Law enforcement and outdoor gear.
REI ....The biggest outdoor store on the net.
Shomer-tec .... Law enforcement and military equipment. Box 28070, Bellingham, WA. 98228 ph# 360-733-6214. Call for free catalog.
U.S. Cavalry .... World's finest military and adventure equipment.

Guides/Outfitters

Arizona Big Game Hunting .... Duwane Adams has a full service Arizona based guiding and outfitting business. They hunt Arizona statewide and Mexico for several different species. They have been in the guiding business for the past 20 years and have developed a high quality trophy hunting experience. They offer trophy quality elk, mule deer, and coues deer hunts that are second to none and at competitive prices!
Arizona Wildlife Outfitting .... Don Martin has hunts for bighorn sheep, buffalo, antelope, elk, mule deer, Coues deer, javelina, mountain lion, turkey and predators.
Desert Bull .... Do it yourself hunts in Arizona. If you are thinking of trying it this year, you have found the right place. We can help you plan the hunt of a lifetime. Whether you want to hunt Elk, Deer, or Antelope in the fall or Javelina or Merriam's Turkey in the spring, Desert Bull can help you make your hunting trip to Arizona an unforgettable one.
Dry Creek Outfitters ... is a professional hunting guide and outfitting service. We specialize in Trophy Desert Bighorn Sheep hunts in Arizona, California, Utah and Texas. We also offer hunts for Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, Coues Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Elk, Pronghorn Antelope, Javelina, and Bear. We are fully licensed, bonded, insured, and permitted. We have a full time team of professional, knowledgeable guides. We have also filmed, edited and produced a video called "Hunting Desert Bighorn Sheep." It includes two different sheep hunts and information on how to find and field judge rams as well as instructions on how to video tape game through your spotting scope. It is currently for sale on our website and through the new FNAWS Mercantile catalog
Mesquite Country Outfitters .... Offers fully guided hunts for whitetail deer, mule deer, turkey, bobwhite and blue quail, dove, wild hogs, and varmints on the 165,000 acre Pitchfork Ranch in Dickens and King counties of Texas.
Pusch Ridge Outfitters .... We are an Arizona based outfitting business that outfits and guides in Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico. We are proud of the fact that we consistently produce trophies of the highest quality for our clients. Several have qualified for the Boone and Crockett all-time record book, as well as the Pope and Young, Safari Club International, and Longhunter Society books.
Southwestern Hound Adventures .... is your headquarters for outdoor fun, outdoor video products and great pictures. If a quality hunt for Western Big Game is on your wish list we can make it happen. We specialize in Bear and Lion hunts with hounds and now have a video of the bear action you can expect.
Know of any other good mule deer guides or outfitters? If you do, drop us an email at

Guns/Gun Supplies

Americase .... Gun cases since 1985.
Beretta .... Firearms.
Boyt Harness Co. .... Gun cases.
Ed Brown Products .... High performance bolt-action rifles and 1911 handguns for those who expect the best.
Brownells .... Great supplier of gun parts.
Browning .... Firearms.
B-Square .... has been manufacturing and marketing a full line of premium quality scopes mounts, accessories and gunsmithing tools for over 40 years..
CanjarTriggers. M. H. Canjar Co. 500 E. 45th Ave.,Denver, CO 80216, Voice: (303) 295-2638.
Doskocil .... Gun cases.
Galati International.com .... Your number one source for shooting and gun accessories including Rifle Cases, Range Bags, Holsters, Shotgun Accessories, Knives, Soft Air Guns, Scopes, Night Vision, T-Shirts and Much More.
Gamaliel Shooting Supply .... Whatever you need - rifle scopes, reloading supplies or gun accessories we've got them all at Gamaliel Shooting Supply! We have all the types of rifle scopes, reloading supplies, and gun accessories you need for hunting and target shooting.
Gunbroker.com .... Worlds largest sport shooting and hunting auction.
Gun Guard .... Good rifle, bow and pistol cases. Some case have wheels which are real handy in the airport.
Gun Tests.com .... They have a no holds barred gun review website and magazine that is very objective. If it sucks, they say so and why. No 3 to 3 1/2 out of 4 stars for every gun they review like you see in NAHC or Guns and Ammo. They have no ads in their review so they are not worried about stepping on toes.
Impact Case Company .... Gun cases.
Knight Muzzleloaders .... Firearms.
Kolpin .... Gun cases.
Lazzeroni .... Great rifles.
Lilja Precision Rifle Barrels .... Great barrels and lots of info on long range shooting.
Marlin Firearms Co. .... Great firearms.
McMillan .... Makers of tough dependable rifle stocks.
Michael's .... Makers of Butler Creek and Uncle Mike's gun supplies.
Midsouth Shooters Supply Co. .... Your complete source for shooting accessories and supplies.
Midway USA .... The world's largest mail order shooting and reloading superstore.
MTM Case-Gard .... Ammo and accessory boxes, gun cleaning vises and target stands.
The Almost Complete List of Muzzle Loading and Buckskinning Links ....
Muzzleloader Magazine .... The publication for black powder shooters.
Northwest Security Products .... Cases, holsters, pouches and more from Alaska.
Plano ..... Gun cases.
Quake Industries .... For years I've searched for a rifle sling that wouldn't slide off my shoulder. I finally found the Holy Grail here at Quaker Industries, called the "Claw". They also make super rifle swivels that don't squeak, scope covers and recoil pads.
Remington .... Firearms.
Ruger .... Firearms.
Sako .... Firearms.
Shilen .... Makers of excellent rifle barrels.
Sinclair International .... We are a 16 year old, Indiana based company which specializes in high quality products designed for precision rifle shooters.
SKB .... Gun cases.
Sniper Country .... A great site for long range shooting. They have reviews on scopes, rangefinders, moly bullet coating and tons of other info. Lots of military and law enforcement shooters hang out here.
Tactical Intervention Specialists ....  Precision rifle accessories. Mike has come up with a great new sling too. Stop by his website and see some of the goodies there.
Thompsom/Center Arms .... Whether a Traditional or a Modern In-Line... T/C has it all.
Timney Trigger .... Timney Manufacturing, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest trigger manufacturers in the world. Founded in 1946, Timney prides itself on the quality of precision machining and workmanship that goes into each and every Timney product.
Traditions Performance Muzzleloading Weatherby ....
Tuffpak .... Tuffpak is the only multi-gun case of its kind. Whether you're going for a weekend or a month, taking 1 rifle or 5 shotguns .
Weatherby .... Fine rifles and shotguns.
Winchester .... Firearms.

Aimpoint .... As the choice of the U.S. Army and elite forces around the world, Aimpoint sights offer high performance, military-proven technology and rugged durability. Aimpoint's both-eyes-open, heads-up, rapid target acquisition and superior accuracy deliver unmatched precision for a variety of applications.
Backpack Hunter .... Sorry to say it, but Don "Backpack Hunter" has shut down his website after many years.
Bear Basin .... Good prices on binos, scopes and rangefinders.
B & H .... The Professional's source for tripods, photo gear, and video.
Brunton .... Makers of the 'Eterna' and 'Lite-Tech' line of binos. They also make compasses, wind meters, and survey gear.
Burris .... Fine American made scopes and binos.
Bushnell .... Scopes, binos, and Yardage Pro rangefinder.
Bogen .... Distributors for 'Gitzo' and 'Manfrotto' tripods.
Canon .... Makers of binos.
Celestron .... Makers of binos and scopes.
Crooked Horn Outfitters .... They make a bino harness that works real good for $19.99.
Custom Ophthalmics .... Manufactures custom lenses to correct astigmatism. These small lenses are made to your prescription and fitted into the eyecup of your binoculars to let you remove your glasses while viewing. For more information: 11603 Hampstead Drive, Fredericksburg, VA. 22407 . PH# 1-540-786-9276 voice/fax, e-mail:102171,2300@Compuserve.com
Deutsche Optik .... Retailers of 'Wild' and 'Barr & Stroud' rangefinders, Leitz Intel Analyst Magnifiers, Visulette Aspheric Magnifiers, Hensoldt binos, Optolyth scopes and binos, and WWII military optics.
Doctor-Optic Technologies Inc. .... Makers of great scopes and binos. Contact them at: 4685 Boulder Highway, Suite A, Las Vegas, NV 89121 USA, PH# 1-800-290-3634, 1-702-898-7161, (fax) 1-702-898-3737.
D & R Sports .... Good prices on binos, scopes and rangefinders.
Eagle Optics .... Online Retailer of name brand optics, also good info on scopes and binos specifications.
Fujinon .... Makers of fine scopes and binos. They also make the 'Staboscope', a bino that you can use at night and while moving.
Global Mart .... Online retailer for Tasco scopes and rangefinders, Bushnell, and ITT Night vision.
'Grippit' .... With this strap and mount, you can mount your binos on a tripod for more stability. $29.99.
HawkEyes International .... Online retailer of binos, scopes, laser sights, and night vision.
HI VIZ Fiber Optic Sights ....
Kahles .... Kahles Riflescope Manufacturing Company of Vienna, Austria is one of the premier rifle scope manufacturers in the world. With over 100 years of optical engineering behind every scope they make, Kahles has always been known by professional guides and hunters as "One of the very best and most rugged rifle scopes".
Kowa .... One of the better scope and bino makers.
Leica .... Fine German binos and scopes.
LensPen .... LensPen is a lens cleaning device that uses a carbon-based cleaning compound. Also has a little brush on the other end to aid in removing debris.
Leupold .... Fine American made optics.
Meade .... Makers of fine binos, scopes, CCD cameras, and microscopes.
Minolta .... Makers of binos.
Nikon .... Great binos and scopes.
OP/TECH USA .... Long been known for their comfortable binocular and camera straps. They have branched out into several other products of interest that are available via retailers: Fashion Strap: binocular and camera strap, E-Z Comfort Strap: binocular and camera strap, Soft Pouch: binocular and scope covers, Bino Caps: binocular, scope, and camera lens caps, Tripod Strap: tripod strap, Tripod Leg Wraps: Cordura covered foam leg wraps. For more information: PH# 1-800-251-7815 or 1-406-388-1377
Optolyth  .... Fine German optics. Contact: SCM Corporation, (distributor), PO Box 7518 San Diego, CA 92167 USA, PH# 1-800-225-9407, (fax) 1-619-692-8199.
Orion .... Online retailer of binos and scopes.
Pentax .... Makers of binos.
Redfield .... Scopes and mount.
Schmidt & Bender .... Fine German optics.
ScopLevel .... ScopLevel is a device that dramatically increases your shooting accuracy by dramatically reducing CANTING. Check out the effects of canting and what ScopLevel does to reduce it's effect at this website.
Segway-Industries home of the Reticule Leveler .... Segway Industries manufactures and sells the easiest-to-use scope alignment tool ever developed for gun owners and gunsmiths.
Shepherd Scopes Ltd. .... This scope gives you a one shot zero and accurate range-finding. Dual reticule system allows for better accuracy and reliability.
Simmons .... Good scopes and binos. Blount is the maker of this line of optics.
Springfield Armory .... For more than a decade, Springfield Armory™ has been providing high quality, proprietary counter-sniper sighting systems to the world's most demanding customers. Now with eight Government Models™ to choose from, Springfield provides outdoor, severe duty telescopic sights designed to meet the most extreme performance demands of serious law enforcement personnel and hunters world wide.
Steiner .... Pioneer Research is the maker and importer of Steiner optics. They also make dive cameras.
S.W.F.A. Inc. .... Great prices on scopes, binos and rangefinders.
Swarovski.... Fine Austrian optics
Swift Instruments Inc. .... Makers of excellent binos, scopes, magnifiers, opera glasses, and weather instruments.
Tasco .... Makers of binos, scopes, and rangefinders.
Tru_Glo .... Make fiber optic sights.
US Optics .... They design and build special purpose riflescopes for, Military and Law Enforcement, sniper and tactical use. Also, riflescopes for competition and Varmint shooting.
V-Vax Products residual oil remover .... The best lens cleaning solution since alcohol. A lot of optics shops use it and it's available at retailers all over. Leica and Zeiss use it to clean all of the internal components prior to assembly of their binoculars. For more information: V-Vax Products, 1507 Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622. PH# 1-312-276-1747, (fax) 1-312-276-0909.
Weaver .... Fine scopes. Blount is the maker of this product.
Wholesale Hunter .... Good prices on binos, scopes and rangefinders.
Williams Optics .... Telescopes, mounts and camera adapters.
Zeiss .... Fine binos and scopes.

Organizations

Boone and Crockett Club .... Promoting wildlife conservation and 'fair chase hunting'.
Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) .... Offers weekend skills clinics to women throughout North America. Explore our pages and discover  what's waiting in the great outdoors!
Deersearch Inc. .... Dedicated to tracking wounded big game with leashed dogs. Check this site out, to see if you can help.
Hunters for the Hungry .... A great nationwide effort for sportsmen to donate extra game meat to help those in need.
Hunt Of A Lifetime .... is a nonprofit organization that grants hunting and fishing adventures to children who have been diagnosed with terminal or life threatening illnesses. We are making a difference. We need your help.
International Hunter Education Association .... Hunter Education classes explore a variety of topics, including wildlife identification, landowner relations, outdoor survival skills, wildlife management, field care of game, and more. Volunteers teach all types of hunter safety, including the use of various modern firearms, black powder, and bow and arrow.
Mule Deer Foundation .... If you love to hunt Mule deer, they could use your support.
North American Shed Hunters Club .... The largest web site in the world for serious hard core trophy hunters.
Pope and Young Club .... Dedicated To The Protection Of Our Bowhunting Heritage And North America's Wildlife.
National Rifle Association .... If you're a gun owner, you really need to join, to maintain your 2nd amendment right to bear arms.
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance .... The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Alliance is a huge grassroots effort to give hunters and anglers a stronger collective voice. It's an alliance of individual sportsmen and women, plus national conservation groups, as well as local and regional clubs and organizations who care about the future of wildlife and outdoor activities on the 192 million acres of National Forests and grasslands.
Safari Club International .... Advocate for 45 million hunters and wildlife conservation worldwide.