I'm from PA and thinking of planning a western mule deer hunt or possibly a combo elk/mule deer hunt.

Anyone willing to share a great experience and recommend an outfitter?

Thanks.

Are you looking for rifle or archery hunting and what is your trophy potential that would make you happy?

I would want to do a rilfe hunt.

Realistically, I would be happy with a 120"-140" with potential for larger.

I would either do one or the other. Elk or Deer. Some outfitters will try to sell a combo and I think it's very questionable. I booked a hunt with an outfitter for a Elk hunt years ago and noticed I could get a landowner tag also. I asked him about it and he said are we going to Elk hunt or Deer hunt? Craig Boddington wrote about combo Deer/Elk hunts several years ago and said it is very hard to do and be successful. I imagine someone hear will say something to the contrary but it's your money. Having said the above, I have hunted Elk for years and have run into a shooter Mulie, not trophies but a shooter. It's a long way to plus the expense and split your time between the two and end up with zero.

What RAR60 says has merit. Elk/deer is biting off a lot. But... Consider a mule deer/pronghorn combo hunt. I've done a couple in WY with the help of a local buddy and had good success. I'm sure there are outfitters in WY, MT, or other western states that can support this request. Randy might even be able to.

I might be able to help you out in Wyoming with a mule deer or even mule deer/antelope combo. If that would be of interest just let me know.

If you have the time, say two or three weeks, then a deer/elk hunt is doable,as long as you don't turn down decent bulls and bucks. Ive seen some large bucks while elk hunting there..Where I hunt in Colorado, you will see both deer and elk in the same location and the seasons coincide..

Why would that be impossible in that one goes to Africa and shoots a lot more animals than one. I has to do with populations.

I have hunted Mule Deer once. 2015 in Idaho.
I hunted with Dave Melton, Bighorn Outfitters.
http://www.huntidaho.com/
I enjoyed this hunt very much, and had success.
I cannot say how well Dave Melton compares with any other outfitter out there, and there would be many good ones, but he did everything right by me and I would happily book another hunt with his outfit. One thing I learned is the importance of stressing to your outfitter that you must be paired with a willing and competent guide. This aspect alone can make or break a hunt that you put your hard earned money into.
Good luck with your search.

DIY in Eastern Montana on Block management lands is fairly doable hunt and plenty of deer and 120-140 deer is very very attainable
Saves you lots of money

quote:

If you have the time, say two or three weeks, then a deer/elk hunt is doable,as long as you don't turn down decent bulls and bucks.

Ive seen some large bucks while elk hunting there..Where I hunt in Colorado, you will see both deer and elk in the same location and the seasons coincide..

Just an observation here, it will depend somewhat on the area hunted and the outfitter/guide. My experiences in western Colorado pretty much parallel what Mr. Atkinson stated, only real difference being that I was doing it in a week.

The other parameter will be the hunters expectations.

Thank You to everyone for your help. I appreciate all the information!

Going to use that 7 STW? :-)

Goodness willing!

quote:

Originally posted by boarkiller:
DIY in Eastern Montana on Block management lands is fairly doable hunt and plenty of deer and 120-140 deer is very very attainable
Saves you lots of money

Tags are sold out this year.