SW New Mexico deer question

[Bowhuntrben]

My son drew a youth deer tag in SW New Mexico in the Gila. In looking over trip reports from others who have had this hunt, I’ve seen a couple of mule deer photos still in velvet. I was wondering if it is normal for mule deer to still be in velvet in late September in that part of the state? It seems late to me, but I really have no experience in that area or with mule deer in general. Just trying to decide if it would be worth getting some velvelok to try to preserve it if we were to get one. Of course, if he got a velvet one, the other option would be to strip it and put the fake stuff on anyway.

 

[Kaitum]

Yes, normal for deer to be in velvet at that time. It has taken me a few years to get used to the timing but everything there is pushed back a couple of months from what I'm used to. The rut, fawn birth, etc all happen a bit later than in the northern Rockies. I see fawns in mid October still with spots.

 

[Nick87]

Been to that area a couple times during mid- Sept. All deer i saw were in velvet. Didn't see too many but the ones I saw were pretty good.

 

[jpc01101]

I’d try velvalock I think and really just try not to touch it. Lift by ear and not the velvet antlers. I have a couple velvet whitetail and they all kept pretty good by just not touching the. Velvet at all.

 

[jbell.preach]

I’d try velvalock I think and really just try not to touch it. Lift by ear and not the velvet antlers. I have a couple velvet whitetail and they all kept pretty good by just not touching the. Velvet at all.

How quickly do you have to spray that stuff on? Do you carry it around with you or leave it in the truck?

 

[jpc01101]

I haven't used it, but I'd say leave in the truck and don't touch the velvet any more than you have to. The two that I've dealt with I didn't touch at all, I carried the cape out by the ears and had great luck getting them to survive (but I went straight to a deep freeze with them).