New Mexico is known for producing big mule deer, but a Burlington man recently found out how big they can really be. Chad Hedman was hunting private land in New Mexico when he harvested a monster of a muley.
"The truth is, it was probably the easiest stalk I ever made," said Hedman. "I spotted him lying in the tall sage about 300 yards away. You could just see the top of his rack sticking up. We had a breeze in our face, got within 150 yards and put the rifle on the sticks."
Hedman's guide used a call to get the big mule deer to raise up slightly. That was all Hedman needed.
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Chad Hedman, Burlington, with a trophy mule deer taken recently in New Mexico.
"I got one in his shoulder and dropped him right on the spot. I didn't know how big he was until we got up to him, then we saw how big he really was!" said Hedman. "We were really happy. It was probably one of the most exciting animals I've ever harvested."
Hedman said his previous best was a 4x4 North Dakota whitetail taken with a muzzleloader that scored about 150. His latest mule deer was green scored gross, typical, at 196. The minimum for Boone and Crockett is 190.