Have you dreamed for years of hunting for mule deer with a tent and backpack? It has been said that it's not the hunt that is the greatest challenge, it's getting there. The same goes for true wilderness mule deer hunts. Mule deer thrive in some of the most beautiful,uninhabited areas in the world. Just seeing these majestic creatures and the country they live in is worth the effort to get to them. With that said, here is some advice to make your first backcountry mule deer hunt a success.

Get your body in shape! I'm not talking about walking from the front door to the truck once a day or playing a game of basketball every weekend. To truly enjoy your mule deer hunt, you want to be in the best shape of your life. I understand, depending on your age, that may not be possible, so if that's the case, shoot for the best shape you've been in for the last ten years. The big thing here is to do everything you can. My workout is jogging three to four times a week. I start out walking and jogging about three months before the trip and by the time trip arrives, my goal is to be able to jog for an hour straight. I find this easier than trying to give distances. If you can maintain a jogging pace for an hour, you should be capable of climbing the mountains required for backcountry mule deer hunting. I also swim, lift weights, and hike with a loaded pack (around 45 lbs) in between. All of these are good to build the muscles you'll need on your hunt.

Shoot your rifle. If you pay the money for the tags or outfitter, get in shape, but don't practice with your rifle, you aren't prepared to mule deer hunt. The best case would be to shoot the rifle once a week at ranges out to 300 yards. You need to know the amount of bullet drop at different distances. Start out at the range at 100 yards with a steady sandbag rest. Purchase different brands of ammunition and test them until you find what your gun likes and stick with it. I use Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in 270, but each rifle shoots differently and you need to find the load that works. Once you know where your rifle shoots on the bench, try using shooting sticks, prone position, over your pack and other positions you will encounter in the field. You won't have a bench in the high country and even if you're a great bench shooter, that doesn't make you a great shot in a hunting situation. You will also want to study up on distances at different angles. Most shots at mule deer are up or downhill and hunters have a tendency to miss the deer. Get out and practice some shots downhill and uphill. You'll be amazed at the difference a major angle makes. I also recommend you buy a laser rangefinder and use it at your practice sessions. It is also helpful to learn to judge mule deer in the field. The hunting videos by Mossback Outfitters titled Mulies Gone Wild are an excellent tool for judging trophy mule deer. They give you the B&C or P&Y score after you have seen footage of the bucks on the hoof.

Buy the best gear your budget will allow. There are some great products on the market today. Look for the lightest sturdiest material for your backpacking and clothing items. I will not go into each item, but a few I recommend are: durable, stiff hiking boots - I use Lowa Sheephunter boots, an internal pack - I use a North Face pack, but there are lots on the market, wool socks - I use Smartwool, and light packable rain gear - I use Frogg Toggs. If you are hunting with an outfitter, he has the experience to tell you what you need. Buy the best optics you can afford! I personally use Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 because of their manification and strength, but there are lots of quality optics on the market. I'll say it again, get the best you can afford.

Lastly, watch some great Hunting Videos on the topic. These will get your blood pumping and get you excited to make your trip of a lifetime. They will help motivate you to get your body in the condition to find that mule deer of a lifetime.