Archery Mule deer

So, I have taken many Whitetail bucks from treestands, but have yet to nail a Muley buck. I have come close 4 times this season but can't seem to seal the deal. I am confident at 50 yards but when it comes time, it seems I wait 1 second too long and the deer takes off. Any advice out there? :)
7,302
mapleton archer
patience , patience , patience.
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MULIES4EVER
Determination. Never give up.
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79Ford
Shoot one second sooner......
j/k

Just be patient, and dont fall asleep in your stand. Or at least sleep with one eye open if you do. :)
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StickFlicker
Shoot when you are at 51 Yards!

You may think that's being a smartass, but I asked Randy Ulmer last year what one thing he has learned that has allowed him to be as successful as he is on mule deer, and that others do that makes them unsuccessful. He told me that it probably wouldn't be a popular answer, but he said he's learned to shoot from a further distance. He said that he consistently blew the stalks on big mule deer, inside of a certain distance. Once he started taking the shot from outside that distance each time he got to that point, he became much more successful.

Marvin
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mapleton archer
"StickFlicker" wrote:Shoot when you are at 51 Yards!

You may think that's being a smartass, but I asked Randy Ulmer last year what one thing he has learned that has allowed him to be as successful as he is on mule deer, and that others do that makes them unsuccessful. He told me that it probably wouldn't be a popular answer, but he said he's learned to shoot from a further distance. He said that he consistently blew the stalks on big mule deer, inside of a certain distance. Once he started taking the shot from outside that distance each time he got to that point, he became much more successful.

Marvin
 Actually really good advice. but make sure you are comfotable and confident at whatever distance you shoot. :thumb
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killerbee
interesting, it's been a while[ like 7 yrs, just a guess] but i can remeber an article that i read that amazed me. being a world champion shooter,at that time he would still not shoot over 50 yrds while huntig. but if anyone can justify it , it would be him.
so how far do you think he will shoot at an animal? i know guys who will gladly "launch" an arrow at 110+ yrds. i think it's insain!! they can hit kill zones at that range all day long on targets, but thats different. just makes me wander if hes changed his ways.no matter, i can still not see myself shooting over 45 yrds. i dont think "I " should shoot any farther. honestly, i dont think anyone should shoot a bow at an animal over 55+ yrds.................. just my 2 cents
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CaliMulieMadman
Good advice guys! I am pretty comfortable at 50 yards. It's just getting beyond the mental game when I am drawn at 50+ yards. I begin to doubt myself. Did I range the buck or did the laser bounce off a twig? Those kinds of questions start going through my mind at the worst times. So my new question is, how do you all get past that mental game? Thanks

Pastor Muliemadman :thumb
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MuleyMadness
I'm not comfortable past about 45 yards either, just me. Yet to bow kill, someday maybe.
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Default Avatar
I've read an article where Randy Ulmer mentioned the importance of being able to shoot out to 50 yards.

It makes me feel confident to know that I have the ability to shoot from 50 yards if needed. I agree there is an ethical distance, but it all boils down to practice, practice, practice.....
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StickFlicker
I don't recall exactly what Randy said as far as the exact range he normally quits stalking and shoots, but it seems to me that it was something like 45 yards. It wasn't farther than 50 yards I don't think. But he said he used to try to get to 20-30 and end up blowing most of his stalks. When he started shooting once he reached 45 instead of trying to push his luck and get closer, he started being a lot more successful. (I wouldn't swear that I have the numbers exactly as he said it, but I think I'm pretty close.

Marvin
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6x6 bull
Amen to the distance. I practice all summer long at up to 60 yards. It makes the 30 yard shot seem easy. I hope for 20 and will shoot out to 50, but that is about as far as I am willing to shoot at an animal.
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Default Avatar
I find that if I hunt mulies in a spot that they travel regularly, I get shots at moving animals. They travel in a businesslike manner and have some place to go and won't stop to feed. Setup closer to where they are going instead of where they are coming from and they will be more likely to stop occasionally and offer shots.
Mark
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HighLander
Keep at it and never give up. That is what I keep telling myself as I struggle also.
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