First time hunting Mule Deer

Hello, I am taking my 75 year old father to northern Utah this fall to hunt Mule Deer. Neither of us have ever hunted mule deer and neither of us have been to Utah. I have always hunted white tail with my father. His largest white tail after hunting over 65 years is only a small six point or 3x3. I am not sure due to his health how many years he has left let alone hunting years. So this year I decided to take him out west mule deer hunting. We both shoot 30-06 rifles with 180 grain core lock rounds. I bought him a new scope it is a Nikon 4x16x50. I will take him to the range a few times over the summer and get him sighted in. I was wondering if anyone had any good advice from expierience that I should know about. We are going through a guide service. Southcreek outfitters. I would appreciate any advice or help I could get as this is going to be a one time ordeal at least for my father and I want it to be as good as I can get it to be. Thanks for your time. Bob
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The Ox
i would just say practice shooting long ranges and short so you are very comfortable with your guns and with havin a a guide you dont need to worry about the scouting factor so just make sure you can shoot and have fun and goodluck. o a good pair of binoculars are always nice too
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NotEnufTags
As I started reading your post I was a little worried when you said northern Utah, until I got to the part that you said you'll have a guide. A large portion of the northern unit is private land. It can be difficult to find a good public land area for an out of stater. With the guide secured, I echo Ox, just practice your shots so that your ready when the guide gets you on a good buck. Good luck to you both. It has the beginings of a great father and sons hunting story. Be sure to post it when that time comes.

::wel to the madness.
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NotEnufTags
P.S.

180 grain 30.06 core locked is more than enough for the muleys. That's the round I use for elk. The same bullet in 150 grain will give you a flatter trajectory. You'll want to be fully confident out to 200 yards, and know how you gun performs out to 300.
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Default Avatar
Harvey. Hope your hunt goes well. It might just go great with good deer in very good range, say 50 to 125 yards. This would be the best.

However, I would suggest that you both practice target aquisition in your scope out to 300 yards. It might sound funny, but it is difficult if you haven't done it to find deer in the scope at 200 yards if you aren't used to doing it.

The guide might be able to get you to 250 yards but no further. So, practice.

Also, you might be at 185 with only five seconds to aquire and take the shot, this is difficult so practice. Do it with a rest in different shooting positions.

good luck.
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AGCHAWK
Good point 4x4. That was the toughest part of teaching my oldest son to shoot. He couldn't seem to aquire the target once he got the rifle up.

Heck, who am I kidding?! There have been times when I've spotted a buck, through my rifle up....and couldn't find the dang thing in the scope! I guess it happens to the best of us.
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silvertip-co
You need to use 165 or 168 gr in your '06 so you can knock em down flat out to 600 yards. Good luck on your hunt. 150 is too lt for wind out here and 180 is ok for grizzly or elk. Best energy at long range is 165- 168.
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ridgetop
"silvertip-co" wrote:You need to use 165 or 168 gr in your '06 so you can knock em down flat out to 600 yards. Good luck on your hunt. 150 is too lt for wind out here and 180 is ok for grizzly or elk. Best energy at long range is 165- 168.
 Everything I have read has said this to be true for the best round in 30-06. Practice shooting a pellet gun with a scope at birds or berrys in thick trees. This will help pinpoint your crosshairs and is cheap and more safe to shoot. I also will hunt rabbits and coyotes with my rifle. If you can follow those critters in your scope, then big game is a piece of cake. Good luck.
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