Still Hunting Mule Deer: How to Find Big Bucks in Thick Cover One – Remi Warren
October can be one of the toughest times of year to find mature mule deer bucks. It’s also when many of the easier-to-draw deer seasons take place.
Bucks that were visible all summer suddenly seem to disappear. But they haven’t vanished. They’ve just changed their behavior and finding them requires changing your tactics.
One of my favorite ways to hunt this time of year is still hunting, or what I like to call bush stalking.
Why Mature Bucks Disappear in October
October is a time of preparation for the rut. Mature bucks are conserving energy before the breeding season, when they’ll spend weeks traveling, chasing does, fighting, and burning through their reserves.
Bucks that spent the summer feeding in open alpine basins have often moved into thicker timber and more secluded areas. They’re moving less, feeding in cover, and spending very little time exposed.
I’ve found that mature bucks in October often seek out the roughest, most secluded pockets of country. In heavily hunted areas, these are frequently the places other hunters avoid.
To consistently find these deer, you have to go where they’re hiding.
Still Hunting: Slow Down and Glass More
Still hunting is the process of moving slowly and methodically through cover, trying to spot a deer before it spots you.
Think about how you approach a bedded buck on a final stalk. Every step is calculated. You’re watching where you put your feet and trying to make as little noise as possible.
Still hunting uses those same principles, just over larger areas.
The biggest mistake hunters make is moving too fast.
When I’m still hunting timber, I spend more time looking than walking. I might only be able to see 30 to 100 yards, but I’m constantly using my binoculars.
In fact, when I’m still hunting, I probably glass as much as when I’m glassing open country.
Before taking a few steps, I scan everything I can see. Then I bring up my binoculars and pick apart the cover.
I prefer lower-magnification binoculars with a wide field of view. I’ll constantly adjust the focus to pick out objects at different distances through the trees.
Don’t assume something is too close to glass. I’ve spotted plenty of animals with binoculars that I would have overlooked with my naked eye.
Quiet Your Gear and Play the Wind
Noise and wind are two of the biggest factors in still hunting success.
I like to use a smaller, lightweight pack when hunting thick timber. I’ll cinch everything down, wrap noisy equipment in extra clothing, and avoid having gear strapped to the outside where it can catch on branches.
I also prefer quiet clothing and lightweight boots with flexible soles. The stiffer the boot, the harder it can be to move quietly.
Most importantly, always approach likely bedding areas with the wind in your favor.
Look for north-facing timbered slopes, benches, thick mahogany pockets, and secluded draws.
When you start finding fresh tracks or droppings, slow down even more. You’re likely getting into an area deer are actively using.
Look for Small Openings and Clear Shooting Lanes
One of the biggest challenges of still hunting is finding a clear shot.
You might spot a buck through the trees, but that doesn’t mean you have an opening for a bullet or arrow.
I like to keep my rifle scope on low magnification when hunting thick timber and look for small shooting lanes before making a move.
Sometimes getting lower to the ground creates an opening beneath the branches.
But never force a shot through brush. A clear, unobstructed path is essential.
Let the Conditions Dictate Your Hunt
Still hunting can be especially effective during warm, dry October conditions when bucks aren’t moving much, but weather can change everything. An early snowstorm might get deer moving and bring bucks back into places where traditional glassing becomes more effective.
I like to combine still hunting with what I call tight glassing—using short-distance vantage points to look into timber pockets, burns, and small openings that are difficult to see from farther away. The key is staying adaptable.
When mature bucks stop showing themselves in the open, stop waiting for them to appear.
Get into the cover, slow down, use your binoculars constantly, and start looking for the deer that don’t want to be found.