Hey guys

I'm currently planning a trip to across the pond next year around January. I'll probably be spending about 3 weeks touring LA, NY and possibly the SHOT show in Vegas.

I was wondering if there's any chance to hunt a whitetail or a mule deer during this time. It doesn't have to be anything fancy with all the bells and whistles. Just a nice mature buck.

Any one have ideas on where I should start looking and the pricing ranges as I have absolutely no clue.

Also I'll probably need to rent a rifle.

Many thanks
MD

I believe in the area you are going most deer hunts will be not be open season for hunting. You could look at Texas for possibilities. Hope this helps.

quote:

Originally posted by Brian Clark:
I believe in the area you are going most deer hunts will be not be open season for hunting. You could look at Texas for possibilities. Hope this helps.

Thanks for the help.

Is Texas the only option? I'm also open to traveling as long as it doesn't become excessive and expensive.

Sorry for all the questions. Just trying to fulfill a boyhood dream for a whitetail or mule deer

Cheers
MD

There is a special 'after season' trophy mule deer hunt offered by a New Mexico outfitter. The tag (license) is over-the-counter. I went on the hunt in January of 2013 and shot a nice buck. The hunt was a bonus from my employer for 30 years with the company. Unfortunately it's very expensive, I believe about $5500. I'm sure the outfitter would be able to provide a rifle for you to use.

At the time of year you listed, I think your options are going to be limited.

Hunts at that time frame in Texas will be limited to White tails and on High Fence properties.

Most but not all states seasons are over by January. You might try Alabama. Their rut is usually in January.

In Texas we can hunt whitetail until the end of February on managed lands property. Prices for a three day management hunt usually run somewhere in the neighborhood of $1500 to $5000 depending on the size of the deer. License cost is around $350.

Whitetails and Mule deer are very much competition animals in the US. Because of that they tend to be more expensive. If that doesn't work out, you might consider something else to hunt.

I expect there are many options for farm type exotic hunts in Texas, plus there are many Bison Hunts scattered about, again a farm type hunt.

I do know for a fact that January is prime Mountain lion time here in north Idaho. You could add Bobcat to that hunt as well.

That's about all the options for big game I can think of where getting a tag will not be an issue.

quote:

Originally posted by M16:
In Texas we can hunt whitetail until the end of February on managed lands property. Prices for a three day management hunt usually run somewhere in the neighborhood of $1500 to $5000 depending on the size of the deer. License cost is around $350.

Thanks M16!

Can you recommend any good outfitters in Texas?

Iowa's late season muzzleloader deer season runs till January 10. It is a good time to hunt mature whitetail bucks. It is a limited draw hunt you would have to apply.

Another option would be free-range mountain Barbary sheep, Aoudad, hunt in either Texas or New Mexico. Seasons are still open in January. Not cheap, probably 5K+, but trophy quality can be outstanding. Just do an online search on Barbary Sheep in the two states.

I think cougar in the indian reservations in NM is prime time is not it?

You can hunt whitetail in the FL Panhandle until the end of Feb with a muzzleloader. Pretty easy to tie a deer hunt in with a hog hunt in FL. I was stationed in Pensacola for 4 years and I took a couple of bucks every year.

But, the problem with FL deer is that they will be small. Hard to find a good buck unless you can get on private property. The best buck I personally got in FL was a 6 pt that weighed 155 live weight.

You can hunt free-range cow elk in Utah (close to Las Vegas) in Jan. Not a buck hunt, but probably could find something in the $1,000 range or less.

Do you know Reon von Tonden up in Marken?

He makes the trip and ends up at the SCI Convention.

Just a thought, but you could arrive in time to attend Dallas Safari Club, then see the sights, then finish with the four day SCI Convention.

Both are open to non-members.

Rich

Sonora Mexico is a short flight from Las Vegas. January is prime time for mule deer and coues.