I like timber and edges for blacktail. No West Side mulies, that may have been your typo, meaning east side.

I hate modern rifle deer season, so I hunt muzzle loader. Pretty successful at it too. No crowds, deer aren't spooked, better weather in the early season, and a good chance to hunt in snow during the late season. Makes you hunt harder as well, as you need to close the distance and make your one shot count.