MIKE'S OUTFITTING
2001 MULE DEER RIFLE HUNT REPORT

We had another great year for trophy bucks taking 8 big muleys for 9 hunters for a 90% kill success. We could have easily had 100%. The one unsuccessful hunter saw at least 25 different bucks and passed on a few 160 to 170 class bucks in search of a huge 180, which is fine with us. Some hunters saw as many as 40 different bucks in 3 days in spite of very warm, windy weather. A few days were in the 70's F slowing down deer movement and rut activity and making for some tough hunting. The buck quality was good but down a bit from other years possibly because of the drought we've been experiencing. We still saw several giants and killed a few of them.

The best buck killed was by Rex Indra from California with a huge 196 non-typical. It hasa typical frame of only 146 but has 50 inches of perfectly matched side to side non-typical points and good mass throughout. It was a buck that we were very familiar with and the guide Blaine had been trying to get it for hunters for 2 years. The next best buck was shot by Dewey Adkison from Texas on his 4th mule deer hunt with us. It scored just under 180 with heavy gnarled bases and a wide frame. It is a mainly typical, non-typical. He took it with a hurried offhand shot at 60 yards after several miles of hiking the hills. Some other bucks that Dewey and his son Steve have killed with us have scored 191 non-typical, 190 non-typical, 180-30 inch wide typical and a heavy, tall 171 typical. This 2001 buck will make a great addition to their collection. One of the other good bucks killed this year was a beautiful, symmetrical 165 incher taken by Mark Wayne out of Texas. The deer had unusually long, curved 6 inch brow tines including an additional point and was just too unique looking to pass up. Mark killed it with one 40 yard shot. Some of the other bucks taken were a good looking 26 inch wide 4*4 by Kevin Denney from North Carolina and a long tined muley taken by Terry Parker from Texas with one perfect 100 yard offhand shot. Lyle Hach and Brian Dunn from Wisconsin and Scott Dodds from Texas all took nice mature bucks too. Quite a few good bucks were seen on the last hunt so next year should be as good or better than 2001.

Thanks to everybody who came mule deer hunting with us and made it an enjoyable and rewarding season. The hunts would not be so successful without dedicated sharp eyed and long time guides such as Blaine W alburger, Jim Schnell, and Blair Stuber. They really appreciate your generosity and always accurate shooting.

The year 2002 and 2003 are booking up quickly so call right away if you want to reserve a spot and receive the 2001 prices. We also have a few bear hunts open for spring 2002 and 2003. We hope to see you up here soon.

Yours Truly, Mike Ukrainetz