Big mule deer find the safety they like in extremely steep, treacherous terrain. Photo by Angelo Nogara.

If you're up for the challenge of a high-country adventure, then mulies are the deer to hunt.

Extreme elevation, sheer vertical terrain, and high alpine basins surrounded by rimrock are what mountain mulies call home. These big bucks use every bit of the terrain to their advantage, astonishing you with their ability to circumnavigate areas where you would think only goats and sheep could survive. Their sure-footedness and ability to detect the slightest movements miles away are what makes them so difficult to hunt and places them at the top of Western hunters' lists.

While on a hunt, I often stand in amazement, looking up at the majestic chiseled peaks that lie above me. I wonder if they harbor the mountain monarchs that have filled my dreams for so many months. If you've found yourself doing the same, you're not alone. There's something to be said about a hunter's desire to climb the tallest mountains in search of game.

Is it to see what's there? Admire its one-of-a-kind view of the landscape below? Or is it the challenge of facing the mountain to persevere against overwhelming odds?

I think it's all of the above. This is a magical place with its own unique climate, ultimate views and unforgiving terrain. Now throw big mule deer bucks into the mix, and you're ready for an adventure of a lifetime.

If you want to hunt true mountain mulies, you'll need to focus your efforts on the highest peaks exceeding timberline. That could mean hunting at elevations of up to 12,000 feet and above. To do so, you must be in ultimate physical condition, and prepared to match wits with some of the mountains' wisest inhabitants.

It's no cakewalk by any means, and there's no room for error in this treacherous terrain. Those who aren't prepared usually return home with an unpunched tag. Whether or not you're successful in taking a buck, after this type of adventure we all share a true respect for the mountains and the majestic mule deer that call them home.

EARLY-SEASON BUCKS
During the months of late summer and early fall, mule deer bucks are very easy to spot in open areas above the timberline, where they travel in small bachelor groups. At this time of year, their well-disciplined survival skills are compromised, largely due to the following factors.