Guided elk hunts, with guaranteed tags on private land, are expensive; elk tags for public lands with limited access can be tough to draw; and competition from other hunters on public land with over-the-counter tags can be maddening, but elk hunting still is a passion that drives hunters from all over the country. Miles Moretti, president of the Mule Deer Foundation, also showed optimism for Kaibab hunters. The fourth season hunter harvest increased by 7.3% in 2019 to 3,231. Mule Deer hunts take place on our private Ranches in Rand, CO. Our hunting units produce the highest number of big mature bucks and a healthy elk population compared to other units in the state. A tough winter in 2016, followed by a drought that lasted more than a year and a half, cut that total by about 20,000 deer, but Utah still remains a top destination for mule deer hunters, according to Covy Jones, big-game coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The average success rate on a deer hunt is 95%, with more than 100% opportunity. Utah took advantage of a combination of favorable weather, aggressive habitat management, and strict regulations to increase its mule deer population by as much as 100,000 from 2008 to 2016, pushing the size of the herd past 380,000 animals. There is no one definitive answer to the question of what caused this difficult season, despite the fact that many factors contributed to it. In the past, hunters could bounce from general unit to general unit during the course of their hunt, but now they can only hunt in the unit for which they have a permit. From applying for tags early in the year, to buying, preparing, and organizing new gear through the summer, to the trip, long or short, to the hunting grounds, to the excitement that makes it almost impossible to sleep the night before opening day, the anticipation of the hunt can be almost as enjoyable as the hunt itself. The number of points required to draw a white-tail deer ranges from 0 to 2, while the number of points required to draw a mule deer ranges from 2 to 6. Home; Deer Hunting . CALL US TODAY (575) 518-8323. You may be able to expect warm weather, but keep in mind that all of that can change if a rare late spring storm strikes. Each fall, hunters from all over the country, and around the world, set their sights on the mountains, valleys, and wide-open spaces of the West in search of adventure, camaraderie, a world-class trophy, and the opportunity to fill the freezer with lean protein. Kevin Steele of Petersen's HUNTING is at the Streamlight booth at SHOT Show 2023 to go over the Bear Trap light from Streamlight. "Many units in the state have special hunts for youth under the age of 18 [must have hunter's safety card]," said Jordan. This part of Colorado is less susceptible to winterkill, and in most of the regions, it has an abundance of agriculture crops and gives bucks the quality feed they need to grow large antlers. Give a Gift
Kali Parmley, Editor-in-chief of Bakccountry Hunter speaks with Bret Maffet of Franchi Firearms to discuss the all new Momentum All Terrain Elite. Gary's 6x6 Scored 332. Petersen's HUNTING Publisher, Kevin Steele is in the CZ booth with Dylan Rice at SHOT Show to talk about CZ 600 Series Trail rifle. For many hunters, wrapping their hands around the thick bases of a tall, wide, heavy mule deer rack is a moment dreams are made of. Not only are hunting licenses among the cheapest in the West and readily available, there are also plenty of bears. Prev. Arizona and New Mexico are home to huge pronghorn bucks, including the current world record, which scored 96-4/8 B&C points and was killed in Socorro County, New Mexico, in 2013. The state is managing individual deer herds vs. a blanket management strategy, so we're already seeing improvements in the state deer herd.". A good hunting plan is required to ensure the success of mule deer hunting. Colorado is looking to do more to prevent CWD, so these upcoming hunting seasons will be used to remove more deer. In some areas, there was more snow in 2019 than in 2018. Muzzleloader Deer - By application - typically draws with 5 points. 1 Go to page. A mule deer can form herds of up to fifty animals, which is unusual. Experience the diversity of a guided mule deer hunt in Colorado with our hunts. You should be able to shoot a 300 yard rifle with accuracy due to the open terrain. For everyone who did not get a tag in 2021, you can breathe a small sigh of relief. The sound of a bugling bull elk or the sight of two monster 6x6s fighting for mountain dominance is a memory that will stay with a hunter for a lifetime. It may not display this or other websites correctly. The best ranches will have both types of terrain on them as once the crops are harvested later in the year, the deer need some place to take refuge. As stated above, second, third, and fourth rifle seasons are all mostly in November. Keep in mind we are non-residents and the tag quota will need to be factored in. This is the easiest rifle tag to draw, but the hunting can be very good. Its one of the best archery hunting in the country, with lots of big bucks and plenty of opportunities to take a trophy. "In 2014, 550 archery tags were distributed for this area, with a season that runs from late August to mid-September. Each of these units is worth the wait and gives the hunter an amazing opportunity at Pope & Young and Boone & Crockett bulls, he said. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Deer Hunts - Colorado is know for its trophy mule deer, and we've got some of the best bucks in our units. Colorado-Gunnison Basin Mule Deer (Units 54, 55, 66, 67) - Worldwide Trophy Adventures. Might want to think about the Sange De Cristo Range.above 11,600'and get in shape. Additional days are available as season permits for $700 per day per hunter. June 30, 2023, 8pm MT - Bear, deer, elk, & pronghorn limited license application deadline (Secondary Draw) Montanas Block Management Program opens more than 500,000 additional acres of private land to walk-in public hunting in the region, which is home to the highest concentrations of elk in the state, produces huge bulls, and is responsible for approximately 50 percent of the states elk harvest each year. ], but I'll warn you: Early hunts on the Kaibab are extremely tough because of high hunting pressure and lack of rut activity. Every mule deer tag can be purchased during the big game draw for a limited number of exceptions. Predator Hunting with .17 Caliber Rifle: Pros and Cons, The Only Three Guns You Need to Go Hunting, Federal Terminal Ascent Hunting Bullet: Field Review, What To Do When Your Rifle Breaks While On a Hunt, Tested Tough - Modern Zeiss Sports Optics, struggling North American big-game species. But with so much public land and so many different types of terrain, it can be hard to know where to start. According to Arizona Strip Guides LLC, the Unit 13A archery mule deer hunt is one of the best in the world. First, remember that Colorado offers over-the-counter (OTC) elk licenses for many units during the archery, second rifle and third rifle seasons. "I think the number one mule deer state for people to be building points in is Colorado," Pawlak said. Mike Ornoski has bowhunted in Arizona for more than 35 years. All Rights Reserved. The best mule . . Look up your draw odds on Monster Muleys and you will see where you stand. Our Memberships Include The Most Accurate Draw Odds Available, Join Now! Go. "Hunt in units where you don't need a lot of points to draw a tag, that way you can learn the unit and learn the deer so you can come back and have a more productive hunt each time.". The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) was founded in 1988 as the first official nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of Odocoileus hemionus black-tailed deer and mule deer. The mule deer is a native Western North American species found west of the 100th meridian between 23 and 60 degrees north; a buck mule deer weighs 130 to 280 pounds; its name derives from its large ears that resemble those of a mule. With licenses down almost 1/3, you can attribute at least 2 points in most units to lower license totals. Lots of good ones other than the real popular ones if you get back and away you'll find good mulies almost everywhere. Put in for the early season high country buck hunt. Also nearby, you can also enjoy some exceptional post-hunt trout fishing on the banks of the San Juan river. Colorado: Colorado has a mule deer population between 400,000 and 450,000 animals, and this state has produced more record mule deer than any other. Well take care of you every step of the way to ensure you have the best chance at success when your big moment comes. 970-250-0569. trophyhunts@gmail.com. If we hunt in other units, we use a variety of other accommodations. . One note for Colorado is that point creep isnt nearly as bad in this state as others because of the wide array of options. By Josh Dahlke. During the 2019 hunting season, 28,310 deer were harvested across the state. "There are big deer from the eastern plains to the western slope, with a mixture of private and public hunting land. ", For trophy hunters, Pawlak shared some helpful hints: "I really like the units in eastern Nevada around the towns of Ely and Pioche. To find more answers to our frequently asked questions click over to our FAQ page. Our Loco Mountain Ranch hunts are CO High Altitude Hunting at its best, with the ranch starting at 9,000 feet and going up to 11,300 feet. We exclusively hunt GMU 76, 77, 78, and 771. Petersen's HUNTING Publisher, Kevin Steele is in the CZ booth with Dylan Rice at SHOT Show to talk about CZ 600 Series Trail rifle. ", Point System: modified bonus point and preference point, Application Fee/Terms: non-float state; $65 hunting license (nonrefundable); $10/species application fee; deer permit prices if drawn: $268 general, $568 premium limited entry (Henry Mountains and Paunsaugunt units) or $468 regular limited entry, Application Deadline: first week of March. In 2010, Utah had the second highest number of typical mule deer taken in the United States. Mule Deer Hunting In Western Colorado. What should someone with 8 Mulie preference points do then? Dream destinations include the Arizona Strip (units 13A and 13B) or Kaibab Plateau (units 12A East, 12A West, and 12B), but the drawing odds are long, sometimes in the low single digits, Ornoski said. Since then, MDF has gathered the grassroots support of more than 150 chapters with nearly 50,000 members nationwide. Using the Colorado Hunting Map to keep track of your progress is the simplest way to do so. Hunt over tens of thousands of private acres in beautiful southwestern Colorado. Photo Gallery. The extremely later season dates in 2021 appear to indicate that things may only get worse. A lot of time will be spent glassing several places that hold deer and looking for bucks that might be starting to think about the rut. Ornoski said elk hunters with patience should consider looking at Arizona units 1, 3A/3C, 9, 10, 23N, and 27, which typically are extremely hard to draw. 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