Book Your Adventure
1-800-346-8747

Blog Posts > Hacks and Tips > Consultant’s Corner with Caleb Sutton: Mule Deer Hunting in the Rut

Consultant’s Corner with Caleb Sutton: Mule Deer Hunting in the Rut

WTA Team

| November 23, 2016

WTA Team
November 23, 2016

WTA Consultant Caleb Sutton shared with us some tips on hunting muleys in the rut.

1. Scouting Deer

Pre-season scouting is critical to success; knowing particular travel corridors and travel routes will help you out in a big way when the deer start rutting hard. Knowing doe groups are (even if you aren’t seeing lots of bucks early) will play a big factor in your rut hunt, since eventually bucks will get with those doe. Understanding multiple access points to enter a canyon, field, tree row, etc. base on what the wind is doing is important.

2. Preparation

Shooting your bow! For spot and stalk muleys I would absolutely feel comfortable out to at least 50 yards which is going to take PRACTICE! I have seen it both ways: I have killed deer at 50+ yards and I have killed them at 10 yards – it just depends on the situation. Capitalize on the areas that you scouted pre-season, but always keep in the back of your mind a few areas that looked good while scouting in case the deer have moved or shifted patterns. Pack light and quiet.

3. Knowing the Situation

Is the buck with a single doe? Is he by himself? Is he with a group of doe? All of these thing will dictate my approach. Best case scenario is obviously a bedded buck by himself or with a single doe; having a group of doe around makes it extremely tough to get in close. Is the deer in a good spot? Obviously, if he is laying in the middle of a wide open field, it’s not too promising, but if he is in tall crp, or just over a bluff or ridge, you will be in business. Use common sense. ALWAYS know the wind.

4. Patience

This is the hardest one for me. There will be times you see the right deer and it is totally not the right situation to make a stalk. Things change, deer move, wind shifts, another hunter may bump some deer, if any of this happens and turns the situation to unfavorable, don’t force it, back out and be patient.

5. Persistance

It’s not always going to work out on the first try, especially if you are being patient. The situation may change, you may get busted, you may not get a shot, there are a number of things that can go wrong, some that are in your control and some that are not. Just do your best to control the controllable. Keep at it, stay smart, use your wits, and shoot straight.

Recent Articles

Apply for Alaska’s Most Coveted Tags

Eric Pawlak November 24, 2025

Remembering Our Dear Friend, Mike Mason

WTA Team November 18, 2025

Limited-Entry Alaska Dall Sheep: North America’s Pinnacle Hunt

Eric Pawlak November 5, 2025

Alaska

Black Bear

Apply for Alaska’s Most Coveted Tags

November 24, 2025

Remembering Our Dear Friend, Mike Mason

November 18, 2025

Alaska

Dall Sheep

Limited-Entry Alaska Dall Sheep: North America’s Pinnacle Hunt

November 5, 2025

Apply for Alaska’s Most Coveted Tags

Most sportsmen don’t think of the draw when contemplating a hunt in Alaska. That’s because, for most of the big…

Remembering Our Dear Friend, Mike Mason

It’s hard to put into words what WTA consultant Mike Mason meant to WTA. He was far from “just a consultant” or a butt in a seat here. He was family. He was reliable in every sense of the word: a steady hand, a loyal friend, and the kind of person who brought warmth and laughter wherever he went. Mike lived his life with quiet strength, humility, and genuine kindness that touched everyone around him.

Born on October 20, 1963, in Kearney, Nebraska, Mike grew up with an undeniable zest for life. He was an athlete, a musician, and above all, a friend to many. After graduating from Sidney High School in 1982, he began what became a lifelong career tied to the outdoors.

Mike spent 35 years at Cabela’s, working his way up from the loading dock to purchasing agent, a role where his passion for fishing found a perfect home. Later, he joined Worldwide Trophy Adventures, where he continued to share his expertise, humor, and heart with his colleagues and clients.

Mike passed away on October 5, 2025, just shy of his 62nd birthday. His life was full, rich with friendships, family, and a love for nature, golf, and Nebraska athletics. He lived independently but never alone, surrounded by the community and people who meant the most to him.

At WTA, Mike was more than a coworker. He was a friend, mentor, and bright spot in every day. We hope that sharing these reflections helps you feel just how special Mike was to our WTA family and how much he will be missed.

A Letter to Mike from Jason Berger

Among all of us, perhaps no one shared a closer friendship with Mike than Jason Berger. The two worked side by side for years and shared an easy camaraderie that could fill any room. Jason’s words, both spoken at Mike’s service and written in a letter to his friend, capture not only who Mike was but how deeply he is missed.

“Mike, this past week has been rough.…

Limited-Entry Alaska Dall Sheep: North America’s Pinnacle Hunt

As the December 15 deadline to apply for Alaska’s most coveted big-game tags approaches, one opportunity stands above all others: limited-entry Dall sheep. If you’ve ever dreamed of pursuing this iconic high-country species, now is the time to apply.

Why this Hunt Matters More than Ever

In the not-too-distant past, Alaska suffered back-to-back-to-back severe weather events that dramatically impacted Dall sheep populations across much of the state, resulting in fewer over-the-counter opportunities and even closures. Hunters have been forced to look to Canada, where hunts are now largely sold out through 2027 and prices have surged beyond $60,000. Even at such outrageous prices, availability is scarce.

This shift has made Alaska’s limited-entry draw areas for Dall sheep one of the most valuable options left for serious hunters. With hunts priced between $28,000 and $35,000, applicants can still access very high-quality white sheep at nearly half the cost of Canadian alternatives.

Exceptional Success Rates

Despite the challenges statewide, the limited-entry regions—managed by very conservative tag allocations—continue to produce outstanding results for the lucky applicants of WTA TAGS:

100% shot opportunity during the past three seasons,
90%+ harvest rates on mature rams,
Some of the largest Dall rams in North America.

For those willing to embrace the physical challenge, this hunt represents the ultimate North American mountain adventure.

Why…