I am looking for a mule deer hunt in 2026. I have draw points in most western states, but maybe not enough?? What options would I have for a good (160ish) potential?
Thanks,
David

You need to be more specific. What state(s)? How many points do you have in these states, etc.? Are you going to DIY or with outfitter. There is this thing called point creep that's affecting point holders. What points you could draw with last year might take one or two more this year.
An example, I have one point less than maximum(18) and been trying to draw in WY in a lesser unit just to get them burnt and for three years. No luck

Give a list of the State, type of points you have and the number of those points. I'll help if I can. (Some states have multiple types of deer points)

Rar60- What type of hunt are you looking for? Early, rut, desert, truck, hiking? It sounds like you have a good handle on what you are after and outside of a handful of units, you should have a tag soon.

RAR60

Has it right more information needed

quote:

Originally posted by MC:
Give a list of the State, type of points you have and the number of those points. I'll help if I can. (Some states have multiple types of deer points)

Rar60- What type of hunt are you looking for? Early, rut, desert, truck, hiking? It sounds like you have a good handle on what you are after and outside of a handful of units, you should have a tag soon.

The draw I was referring to is Mule Deer Wyoming and I planned on DIY. I also have the same for Antelope and can pretty well draw what I want but until it doesn't conflict with my NM Elk hunt I'll just keep buying.
In the past, it was a good thing to bank points in various states every year to help maximize having a tag every year. That has changed by what the various Game and Fish have done to skew it more to residents and their coffers.
The best thing to do is burn the points in a lesser unit if you can and go hunting.
The big dilemma I have is, I have 6 or 7 points in CO for Elk, Deer and Antelope. With the Californication of Colorado. I don't/won't step foot in that state.

If you have a bonus point bank in Arizona, for large mule deer, units 12A, East And West, Late hunt. 13A and 13B are premium and mule deer in the mid 200's is not abnormal. But drawing is very difficult. !2A, East and West are far easier draw than the Arizona Strip units, 13A & B.

As a resident, I can draw the 12A units with around 9 BP or so. I have hunted it twice and killed twice.first was 191 the second was about 170, last day buck.