Summer Mule Deer Strategy: Habitat, Patterns, and Big Buck Data | The Game Trail Ep. 60

In this solo episode, Trail breaks down his complete approach to summer mule deer scouting. He explains where mature bucks spend their summers, the habitat features he prioritizes, and the key reasons certain areas consistently hold older-age-class deer. Trail also shares the exact notes he records on every buck he scouts—from antler characteristics, travel patterns, bedding locations, behavior, and vulnerability factors. These scouting details help build a reliable profile on each deer long before opening day. Trail also offers up the stats behind the best mule deer bucks he's harvested. He analyzes the elevation, slope, aspect and vegetation type for each buck. Whether you're trying to locate your first mature buck or refine your scouting system for bigger deer, this episode is packed with practical ideas and real-world lessons from chasing mule deer in the West.