“mule deer hunt”

Contributor Brad Fenson takes a closer look at a bevy of new optics from Leupold.

Shooting a buck at the beginning of a hunt can be as good—or bad—as shooting one at the end.

Carson Optical's compact, lightweight RD-826 binocular includes all the features of full-sized binos at a price that may surprise you.

A Navy veteran and his buddy discover discounted hunting in Idaho. The program highlights similar efforts by states nationwide to treat resident and nonresident veterans.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is arguably the most popular rifle cartridge of the 21st century, but how does it perform on big game? These detailed accounts include pertinent information such as shot angle, distance, projectile used and more.

In Alberta, hunters like to hold out for big bears. It’s another thing entirely to hold out for a color-phase bear when coal-black, record-book bruins climb into your lap.

Engineers at Browning and Winchester teamed up to create a cartridge that offers magnum performance with a modern high-BC projectile, yet is chambered in a short-action rifle for shorter bolt throw and less weight. The 6.8 Western was designed to be the ultimate long-range cartridge that is capable in any big-game hunting scenario as well as long-range target shooting.

Any of these five cartridges will set you up for a successful mule deer hunt anywhere they reside.

Fifty years ago it was tough to find a mule deer in West Texas, but today it seems like they’re everywhere … unless you’re hunting them, of course. Last year, the author scoured the area’s red rock canyons and mesquite-covered ridges to learn what has led to their abundance.