Deer

The start of the whitetail rut depends on the photoperiod, a decrease in daylight, not on temperature. As this biological trigger remains consistent, peak rut-chasing dates remain strikingly similar year to year, regardless of weather patterns.

Mule deer have larger ears (mule-like, 6- 8" long), bifurcating antlers that fork twice, white rumps with a black-tipped tail, and a stiff-legged "stotting" gait when running away. Whitetails, by contrast, have smaller ears, single-beam antlers with tines off one main beam, brown rumps, and a flagging white tail that lifts straight up when fleeing.

A deer bleat is a soft, drawn-out vocalization made by does and fawns. They use it as a contact call. Bleats range from short single notes (i.e., a routine contact) to longer estrus bleats (i.e., when does are in heat during the rut).

Five must-know deer calls include the contact bleat (low-volume doe-to-fawn communication), estrus bleat (does in heat during rut), buck grunt (territorial/aggression), snort-wheeze (buck challenge), and rattling (simulated buck fight).

Deer antlers are worth $8–$15 per pound for brown (Grade A) antlers and $4–$8 per pound for white (weathered, Grade B) antlers in 2026 dealer markets. A typical 4-5 lb pair of whitetail sheds nets $30-$70.

RutCast is a powerful HuntWise rut-prediction feature that provides high-probability peak rut timing for your intended hunting zones based on photoperiod (day length), historical local rut data, and regional patterns.

With the help of an app like HuntWise, planning a successful deer hunt involves a five-stage process:

E-scouting mule deer in Colorado involves targeting high-altitude, south-facing slopes, basins, and alpine areas in summer/early fall, and shifting focus to lower-elevation sagebrush, oak brush, and pinyon-juniper benches during late-season migration.

Mule deer hunts are best planned 1 to 2 years in advance. The process includes selecting a reputable outfitter that aligns with your hunting needs, securing tags (typically through state draws), and defining your trophy goals.

Use a hunting app (like HuntWise) to find public land by turning on Government Lands or Public Hunting map layers. Zoom out to see regional tracts (e.g., WMAs or National Forests), zoom in to check boundaries, and download offline maps before you hike.

To find mule deer in Wyoming, focus your e-scouting on transition areas where mountainous inclines meet agricultural areas, sagebrush foothills, and riparian bottoms. These zones are especially prevalent in the southern Absarokas (Units 117–120) and the Bighorn Mountains.

Clover is an essential forage in any deer food plot due to its high protein content (up to 35%), palatability, and longevity, as it can thrive for several years if carefully managed. From spring to summer, clover provides crucial nutrition for antler growth in bucks and lactation in does.