Do you dream of backpack hunting mule deer far from the nearest road or highway? It has been said that its not hunting sheep that is the best part of the adventure, its where the bighorn sheep live. The same thing is true for wilderness mule deer hunts. Mule deer live and grow in some of the more stunning, isolated areas in the world. Just visiting these awe-inspiring beasts and the area they live in is worth all the effort. With that said, here is some advice to ensure your first backcountry mule deer hunt is a great one.

First, and perhaps most importantly, get in shape! And I'm not just talking about walking to your mailbox once a day or playing a game of basketball on weekends. In order to truly enjoy your mule deer hunt, you will need to be in the best shape possible. I do understand, that depending on how old you are, that may not be an option, so if that's the case, aim for the best shape you've been in the past five years. The important thing here is to do what you can. Personally, my workout program is going for a run three to four times every week. I start out walking and work up to jogging three months before I go on the trip, and by the time the trip arrives, my goal is to be able to jog for at least an hour straight. I've realized this is easier than trying to give a distance. If you can build up a jogging pace for at least an hour, you should be fit to climb the mountains required for mule deer hunting. In addition to jogging, I jump rope, hike, ride a bike, and walk with my loaded pack (around 50 lbs) . All of these activities are excellent to build the strength you will need on your hunt.

Second, practice shooting your hunting rifle. The best case would be to shoot the rifle at least once a week at distances of 300 yards. You will want to know where your rifle is going to shoot at various distances. Begin at the 100 yard range with a solid mechanical rest. Experiment with different types of ammo until you figure out what your particular rifle prefers and stick with it. I like to use Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in 270, but each rifle fires differently and you should find out what works best for you. After you identify where the hunting rifle shoots on the practice range, try shooting sticks, prone position, over your pack and other positions that you might come across on the hunt. You won't have access to a bench in the real hunt and even if you are good at bench shooting, that does not make you a good shooter during a hunting situation. You'll also want to work on angles vs. distances. Generally shots made at mule deer are either up or downhill and hunters have a tendency to shoot over the deer. Get out and practice some shots both uphill and downhill. You'll be amazed at how much difference an angle makes. I also urge you buy a laser rangefinder to use at practice sessions. It's also helpful to learn how to judge mule deer around the field. Hunting movies by Mossback titled Mulies Gone Wild are a great tool for learning how to judge bucks. They give you the score after you've watched footage of the bucks on the hoof.

Third, pick up the best equipment you can manage to afford. There are excellent products on the market. Look for the lightest weight, yet sturdiest material you can find for your clothing and backpacking items. I don't want to go into detail with each item, but a few suggestions are: light packable rain gear I use Frogg Toggs, an internal pack I use a North Face pack, but there are several to choose from, wool socks I use Smartwool, and durable hiking books - I use Lowa Sheephunter boots. If you hunt with an outfitter, ask for a list of what to bring and make sure to follow it. Get good quality optics! I like to use Brunton Epochs in 10.5x43 because of their light weight and magnification, but there are several different good optics available. I'll say it again, pick up the best equipment you can.

Lastly, rent or buy some good mule deer <a href="http://www.huntingvideosonline.com">hunting videos</a>. These will help to get your blood pumping and get you excited about finding a big muley. They will make you want to get in shape during the off season and find the perfect deer once the season is open.

David Dukat is the owner of www.huntingvideosonline.com and is an avid hunter.