Taylor Blanchette British Columbia, Canada

Saskatchewan Archery Mule Deer Hunt

I have had the privilege of hunting many big game species across Canada but no other species consumes as much of my brain as mule deer. To say I am obsessed with mule deer hunting with a bow would be an understatement. I have cut my teeth chasing the magnificent mule deer with the stick and string across the wide open landscapes of the Saskatchewan prairie. My gear list has been made with years of trial and error and careful consideration. I hope you find this list helpful in preparation for your next archery mule deer hunt on the great prairies.

Location: Saskatchewan | Pursuit: Mule Deer | Season: Early Season Archery

May contain sponsored links*

Optics

The optics I take on a archery mule deer hunt have to be the of the highest quality. whether I'm looking through my binos in search of a couple inches of exposes tines of a bedded buck in the brush, or field judging tine length of a buck from my truck with my spotting scope and window mount. I wait all year for the two short months of archery season and when the moment of truth comes I want to be looking through quality glass I can count on

Maven B.2 Binoculars 9x45

Marsupial Gear Enclosed Binocular Pack

Marsupial Enclosed with range finder pouch, small accessory pocket and bow hanger hooks(the best bino harness on the market, sleek and quiet when in close to bedded bucks, the bow hanging hooks are handy for hands free glassing).

Swarovski ATS 65mm Spotting Scope

One the the highest performing 65mm scope you can buy, clear, rugged and dependable.

Swarovski 25-50-xWW Eyepiece

Vanguard VEO 2 235CB w/ Ball Head

Lightest tripod I could find that reached a height I can stand and glass with, although i do prefer a pan head over a ball head and am looking to upgrade in the future.

Sig Sauer KILO2000 Rangefinder

This rangefinder is cheap and it works fantastically. The yardage reads out quickly and cleanly. This rangefinder had been discontinued but Sig offers a wide variety of other rangefinder options.

MAGVIEW PHONE PLATE

S1 SPOTTING SCOPE ADAPTER-S1

A new product to me but one that I think will be my go-to digiscoping setup.

Marcupial Gear Spudz Ultra Lens Cloth

Backpacks & Gear

Kuiu Pro Hunting Pack Kit 3600

This pack really shines for this hunt, its light and hold the perfect amount of gear for a day hunt.

Knives

Tyto Knives 1.1 Replaceable Blade Knife

Kifaru Logo Tyto Knife

This is my backup knife. I always have it in my bino harness.

Buck Knives PakLite Knife

Hydration

HYDRATION RESERVOIR

Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 1 Liter

Humangear CapCap Nalgene Lid

Lights

Petzl - ACTIK CORE Headlamp

PETZL, CORE Rechargeable Battery

PETZL, e+LITE Emergency Headlamp

This is my backup headlamp and it is always in my bino harness.

Streamlight MicroStream Flashlight

This flashlight is one that I always keep in my kill kit.

Safety & First Aid

Garmin In Reach Mini

Every outdoorsman should own some type of satellite communication device.

SAMSUNG Galaxy S21

Adventure Medic Kit 0.5

BIC Lighter

I wrap with duct tape.

Leukotape

I use leukotape for blisters.

Gear Aid Tenacious Tape

Pyro Putty 2 Oz Can Waterproof Fire Starters

Kuiu Large Quarter Game Bags

Kuiu Bones-Out Game Bag

x1 These game bags perform well but I will be upgrading to a more compact and lightweight game bag like the Argali.

Camping Equipment

The style of Mule deer hunting requires a mobile camp setup and I regularly truck camp or I run a light and fast camp setup so I can put up and take down quickly and then I can make it the next coulee to glass for sunrise.

Seek Outside Silex Tent

Enlightened Equipment Revelation 30 Degree Wide Quilt

This the the lightest and most versatile mild weather option I could find.

Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Extreme Cold-Weather Insulated Sleeping Pad, Tapered

This is the most comfortable three-season pad I have tried; I have never slept better in the outdoors.

Nitecore NB10000 Battery Pack

This pack is the lightest backup battery pack you can buy.

Toaks 750ML Titanium Pot

A lightweight stove setup that fits a small gas canister and Soto Windmaster Stove.

Soto Windmaster Stove

The best lightweight gas stove I've used for trying to boil water in whipping winds.

Small MSR IsoPro Fuel Canister for Backpacking and Camping Stoves

TOAKS Titanium Long Handle Spoon with Polished Bowl

PEAX SISSY STIX - Backcountry Z

Super light but not as durable as I'd hope, I have broken a set of these.

Food & Nutrition

I eat high quality nutrient dense foods year-round. Mule deer hunting is no exception. When hiking all day, I am burning a ton of calories and I pack lightweight calorie dense food to fuel me all day.

Supplements

IGNITE TRAIL PACKS

Pedialyte Electrolyte Packs

Whey Isolate Protein

Freeze Dried Meals

Peak refuel granola for breakfast and a peak refuel meal for dinner before bed (these are the tastiest and nutritious dehydrated meals you can buy).

Peak Refuel Granola Breakfasts

Peak Refuel Dinners

Starbucks VIA Instant Coffee

Gotta have coffee.

Clothing

When stalking early season archery Mule deer in the prairies stealth and whisper quiet clothing are vital for success.

Baselayers

Sitka Core Lightweight Hoody

The built-in face mask is awesome for concealment and sun protection.

Kuiu Gila LS Hoody

An awesome lightweight base layer when sun protection is needed.

Sitka Core Lightweight Bottom

These bottoms are usually not needed but light enough to take if needed.

Insulation/ Midlayers

Kuiu Peleton 97 Fleece Zip-T Hoodie

This hoodie has the highest warmth-to-weight ratio.

Stone Glacier Helio Hoody

A super quiet lightweight layer for mild weather.

Outerwear

Kuiu Kenai Hooded Jacket

This jacket is usually not needed but it's light enough to bring just in case. It's also super quiet and capable of bow hunting in it.

Pants

SITKA Gear Men's Apex Hunting Pant

Super quiet pants final approach stalks.

Kuiu Kutana Stretch Woven Pants

These are my favorite early-season pants although they aren't as quiet as I'd like for final stalks.

Rain Gear

Rain gear is not normally needed but I bring my Helly Hanson impertech rain jacket although a lighter packable option like the Sitka Flash Pullover would make a better choice.

Helly Hansen Impertech Waterproof Jacket

Footwear

MOUNTAIN EXTREME NON-INSULATED

Stalkasins Custom Stalking Moccasins

These things are sweet, take off your boots and slip these on for a dead quiet and no more picking out thorns and cactus out of your feet.

Smart Wool PHD Hunt Light Cushion Socks

Kuiu Strongwool Hybrid Crew Socks

Superfeet Hunt Merino Insoles

These are amazing but unfortunately discontinued.

Headwear

Kuiu Peleton 97 Fleece Beanie

So light you don't know you have it in your pack.

Kuiu Icon Cap

Kuiu Gila Airmesh Boonie

Lightweight and awesome for keeping the sun off while sitting for hours waiting for a buck to stand up.

Kuiu Ultra Merino Neck Gaiter

This lives in my pack year round, super versatile.

Archery Equipment

Accurate, Quiet and deadly

Bow

Bowtech Reign 7

Back Gold Pro 3 Pin

Hardcore Buckle Foldback

Quad Exodus Broadhead

Flies straight and kills everything that they hit.

Rhinehard 18in1 Broadhead Target

Pelican Air Bow Case

The most premium and rugged bow case on the market.

Quivilizer

Easton Axis 300 Spine Arrow

AAE Max Stealth 4 Fletch

50 Grain Brass Insert

Iron Will Titanium Collar