Oct 2, 2026 · 1h 25m
A mule deer hunt tests precision, patience, and preparation
Ep. 940: Janis's Backcountry Mule Deer | 12 in '26
Janis Putelis’s hunt shows how equipment, terrain, ethics, and physical readiness converge when a difficult shot finally appears.
- 1Careful e-scouting narrows promising country, but hunters still have to inspect terrain, wind, and access in person.
- 2Janis waited for the buck to stand because brush obscured its vitals, making patience central to an ethical shot.
- 3The hunt’s real finish came with a demanding pack-out, gratitude for public land, and respect for the harvested animal.
Don't miss
Janis explains why he waited for a bedded buck to stand, refusing a shot while brush obscured the animal’s vitals.
The brief
Janis Putelis answers questions about his 2026 high-country mule deer hunt, from rifle and suppressor choices to camping, conditioning, and the realities of carrying a deer out.
The conversation treats gear as a tool rather than a gatekeeper: e-scouting, overlooked terrain, and physical preparation matter more than simply buying expensive equipment or hiking farthest.
The central decision comes when Janis reaches a bedded buck but waits because brush obscures the vitals, choosing a standing shot he can evaluate more safely.
After the shot, the hosts examine cross-canyon wind, recoil, and staying on the scope, showing how small technical details can shape both accuracy and follow-up options.
The hunt ends with a roughly 70-pound pack-out, a food offering to honor the animal, and gratitude for public land, family support, and the opportunity to hunt.