Hunting Big Mule Deer: How to Take the Best Buck of Your Life

This is a book that every deer hunter should read. It contains important, practical information that is rarely discussed in other mule deer hunting literature and helps to dispel a few popular myths.Before I go further, I have a disclaimer. The author is a friend of mine and my name even appears in the book a few times. That aside, I’ll try to be as objective as possible with this review.The book is written in a tone and style that feels more like conversation over a cup of coffee than the archetypical how-to book. The first section introduces the author with childhood hunting stories and goes on to illustrate how he became the committed mule deer hunter he is today. I think most readers will appreciate the casual feel and find this book easy to read.Field judging, mental and physical preparation, tag research, gear, and strategies fill up the remaining pages. Most books cover these topics to some degree; where this book stands out is the practical approach taken to all of them. For example, the author doesn’t advise some superhuman workout regimen or tell you the only way to take a good buck is by spending 10 days in a bivy in November living off of protein bars and chia seeds. The advice given throughout the book can be put to use by most people with some patience and motivation.That is not to say the book contains some magical, easy formula for hunting mule deer. Actually, it contains just the opposite; the author devotes a sizable portion to tried-and-true (but difficult-to-master) techniques that receive little mention in most of today’s literature. If you were to read magazine articles and some (but not all) of the books written on mule deer, you would probably come away with the impression that merely buying an expensive set of optics and sitting on a vantage point will inevitably result in a notched tag. As the author explains, there several additional skills that hunters need to consistently take big mule deer, and he describes each in detail along with a story of how the technique has worked for him.As I said, this book is a very practical resource for mule deer hunters. That should come as no surprise if you know Robby Denning. He has hunted mule deer in several western states during all phases of the season for the last 30+ years. He has had a few “good” tags, but more often than not has been on OTC public land hunts. The author’s perspective is about as close to the average guy as anything I’ve read, and readers will find the book easy to relate to in that aspect.His experience is another matter, and you only have to casually flip through the photos to see he definitely qualified to write a book such as this. Robby Denning has killed some great mule deer. In the field, he implements the very same tactics he describes in Hunting Big Mule Deer. You can believe me on that because as I said, I’ve hunted with the guy.This is not a “state-specific” book and can be put to use all over the West. It doesn’t contain a bunch of filler penned for the purpose of inflating an ego nor does it try to reinvent the wheel. Quite simply, this book provides an honest blueprint for finding, hunting, and killing big mule deer. That is not to say novice mule deer hunters won’t find this book useful. All mule deer abide by the biology and habits described in this book, and techniques for big deer will put you within gun range of a lot of average-sized bucks as well. I strongly doubt that any hunter will feel this book is not worth the price or the time it takes to read.

Very engaging I love the way the stories were mixed in with the tips. I like thet you get to learn about who the author is and it’s clear to me he is genuine.

A good book about a mule deer hunter and his tactics for hunting big bucks. He doesn't claim to know everything and recognizes those people that have taught him techniques, as well as other hunters that are dedicated to consistently killing big mule deer today. I would have given it 5 stars, but found some grammar issues. The book is motivation for hunters who want to kill big mule deer.

I’m getting ready for my third season hunting mule deer. Last year I passed up a lot of bucks in archery season having seen once nice wide 160-170” buck on public. He disappeared on me for a week and at last light I spotted him as he was on his way to water with 30 does. Smart one he was. Robbies book here lays out some tactics we may already know, and others new to me. After reading I feel I need to improve my optics game, and the book really goes into depth now binoculars can reveal deer that are right in front of you. My cheap vortex diamondbacks have helped some, but on one hunt I borrowed a pair of vipers and instantly saw animals two miles out I couldn’t see with my binos. I’m looking forward to put this knowledge and new binoculars to the test this upcoming archery season- I drew an archery tag in NM and a general combo in Montana.

I really enjoyed and learned a lot from the book. I am a whitetail hunter who has been successful taking eight 150" or bigger mature bucks on my own over the last 16yrs. I was lucky enough to take a 200" muley a few years back on a guided hunt (cheaper hunt, not the kind where you expect a chance at a deer like that) and have been hooked on muleys since. This book as well as those by Mike Eastman, David Long, and others have helped me develop an idea of how to take a mature muley on my own. It's a little surprising to me how many of the tactics used in this book are ones I have used on whitetail in the past with success. I guess hunters are enough alike in our tactics that big deer everywhere use some of the same methods to outwit us. I've been a member of Robby's forum Rokslide for a while now and he has been very helpful, answered a few questions for me, and seems like a great guy. He is the kind of person I want to support with money from my hunting budget, if he writes more books I'll likely buy them.

This is one of, if not the best, big buck books I've ever read. Roddy Denning is a wonderful writer, sucking in the reader in every story he tells with beautiful detail, making you feel as though you are right next to him in the moment and makes every technique he describes easy to understand and follow. I will be reading this book every year before deer season for the rest of my life and would encourage everyone to do the same as there is something in here for every body despite your level of experience.

If you want the truth about hunting big Mule Deer this is the book for you. Robby didn’t pull any punches or sugar coat any aspect of what it takes. I enjoyed the stories that cement the theories to something tangible.I still smile when I think of what my expectations of this book were going to be. If you know anything about Robby Denning he is a god fearing man. Sort of expected, roll the beads, kneel down and let the shooting began!But the first 100 pages is a true slap in the face of truth and honesty. Not packed with the feel good idea of gosh, golly, how easy it can be if you just! The reality is gosh, golly, it is going to be the hardest thing you have ever done. But if you stick to these ideas, you will have a chance.

I have been a serious mule deer hunter for many years, this book is excellent, a great resource for beginners to experts. I think this is the best book available on mule deer, and I’ve tried to read them all.

Great read. Full of useful info.

Terrific book providing great insight to deer hunting. Hugh volume of information to improve your hunting approach and strategy. Well worth reading.

Awesome info

good book,only 1 third of the way threw it though!!

Robby Denning manages to write an entire book about mule deer hunting without stating or touching on any tangible facts but instead uses all encompassing statements like don’t give up or try harder.There are some tidbits in the book but these would probably also be in other books, along with a lot more helpful information.