The Mule Deer Double Story: 400" of Antlers on Opening Day with Gray Plunkett

Listen to this episode from The Hunt West Podcast on Spotify. Some hunts you dream about forever. Others just come together in a way you’ll never forget. This episode is one of those. Gray and I headed into steep, gnarly mule deer country with a short window, a couple of backup plans, and low expectations. By the end of opening day, we were standing over not one, but two high-country bucks—mine a true giant, and his a gnarly, heavy buck that any hunter would be thrilled with. In this episode, we relive every part of the hunt: The brutal climb in and the storm that almost broke camp. Spotting a bachelor group of bucks and working into range. The logistics of how we hauled two bucks and camp off the mountain. Why mule deer are such addicting animals—and how this hunt stacked up to elk and turkey seasons past. It’s not just a hunt recap—it’s a story of two good ol' boys working together and chasing deer in country that feels more like sheep hunting than anything else. If you’ve ever wondered why mule deer have such a hold on western hunters, this story says it all. Resources & Links Hunt planning services & booking for 2026: Hunt West Planning Website >> Try the AI Hunt Buddy free this fall—get answers to your hunt questions, even when Jaden’s off-grid. Click here to apply for the Hunt West Unlimited Membership >> Subscribe to the Hunt West Weekly Email Here >> Thanks to Bo DePena, a musician, friend, and avid hunter in Colorado, for the intro and outro for the show.