Hi,
I am looking for a mule deer hunt this fall for 2 people. My father and I would like to do a 4 or 5 day hunt. Looking for some great scenery and realistic chance of a 30” mule deer. It has to be before November 15th, that is opening day of deer season in Michigan. Any suggestions?
Thanks,

MC,

Look at my ad for the AZ mule deer.

Mark

PM sent

Where's JFWRC? Did he already sell his mule deer hunts?

Kidding

What type of hunt do you want, what's your budget and did you put in for tags this year?

Any interest in Sonora Mexico in January? The bucks are rutting then and you don't have to worry about the draws

A "realistic" chance at a 30" mulie with no PPs or landowner tag, huh! Do you have any idea what percentage of bucks that are killed in the US every year that meet that stat---try way less than .05%. Just go out there and have a good time and be satisifed with a chance at a 24-25 incher and you will not be disappointed. If a biggy is the only way you will be happy on a hunt I would suggest you are going to be any unhappy camper even on a good guided hunt. It's the experience out there that should get you out there and keep you going back!!! Signed: another Michigander that has hunted Wyoming most every year since 1992 in some good areas and has never seen anything close to a 30" mulie! PS: That suggestion for Mexico in January with DL would probably be your best bet at even coming close to what you are asking.

If you're looking for a good quality guided experience on private land for nice bucks and a downright good time give me a shout but don't expect 30 inches like mentioned before.

I just finished an article for Rocky Mt. Game & Fish magazine on the two bucks below. Neither of them are near 30 inches wide, and the narrowest -- the 7 x7 -- scores 207 5/8. It fit inside the 3X3, which was 26 inches wide. Would you really want to turn either one down because it's not 30 inches??

BTW, they were taken on the North Kaibab during the early season in 2010 by Carrie and Lance Crowther. Lance owns Timberland Outfitters based in Flagstaff.

On opening day of the same hunt, his two paying clients also took outstanding bucks that didn't come close to 30 inches.

I've been hunting mule deer my entire life. What you are looking for is going to be a hard order to fill. I see 3 immediate problems with your quest.

First, you're not allowing enough time. 4 or 5 days is too short. You should plan on spending the entire season hunting if you can manage it. Mulies aren't like whitetails. You may very well spend 4 days just locating a good buck and that doesn't mean when you find it that you can get to it. Since you want 2 such bucks, that complicates matters quite a bit.

Second, 30 inch mulies are not common anywhere. To find 2 in less than a week is going to be tough. No matter where you hunt, 30 inchers are few and far between. Any outfitter that claims he can always find a 30 inch buck is probably a liar. Besides a lot of 30 inch bucks are not as good a trophy as narrower bucks. Often the really wide antlers lack mass and are pretty spindly.

Third, if you really want a big mulie, then shit can the whitetails in Michigan. Mid to late November usually marks the beginning of the mule deer rut in most the Rocky Mountains and that's when you want to be in the field.

I think that maybe you've been brain-washed by what you read in magazines and see on TV. A trophy mulie is often a lot harder to find than a trophy whitetail. If you want a big mulie don't be surprised if it takes a couple years worth of hunting to find. Especially if 30 inches is a deal breaker. Now, if you're willing to accept a good mature buck with 23-26 inches of spread, then we're talking about a different game.

MotorCity - Flags assessment above is pretty accurate!

I would give consideration to hunting with Drummond in Sonora. Drummond has personally guided 22 muley bucks over 200" B&C, including several for us in eastern Colorado! He knows his stuff.

I too have guided LOTS of big muleys over the years (40 - 50 bucks over 180" B&C). Don't assume you just show up and shoot one. I would focus on places where you really can kill a big buck, not just some place where they "occasionally" shoot one, or where they "rarely" shoot one. If you want a couple big bucks, you need to focus your efforts on places where big bucks are consistently produced.

If you are looking for a guided hunt, be prepared to spend some decent money. Big muleys aren't cheap. If you're looking for a DIY hunt, good luck!

Good info from those in the know.....thanks.