If one were planning a once in a lifetime Mule Deer hunt, where and with what outfitter would it be?
Thanks for your help.

I wouldn't hire an outfitter, I'd save my preference points for Colorado until I could draw a tag for either area 2, 10 or 201. I've seen some absolute monsters out that way while elk hunting. It will take between 5 and 10 points to get the tag.

Mac

worth, check out these guys

http://www.bearpaw.ab.ca/muledeer_2002.html

I hunted with them last spring for bear and the guides and the area are great. Their success ratio is awsome as well as you can see by their web page.

I've been looking at Maury Jones' outfit for many years--I've never hunted with them,(I'd like to and may one year) but I used to get his newsletter and every year he consistently took some great bucks --I'd check him out-- http://www.jacksonholeoutfitters.com/huntpage.html

[ 01-11-2003, 09:31: Message edited by: csutton7 ]

once in a liftime---missed that--eventhough Maury Jones may be a consideration--Mexico maybe your best bet---with who---Kirk Kelso of Pusch Ridge Outfitters is one guy I've talked too, but there are others--you can go over to www.monstermuleys.com and check it out---keep us posted if you make a decision--nothing is guaranteed when it comes to hunting big muleys, but we all know that--I've hunted with an outfit out of Nevada in the Ruby's twice--haven't shot anything yet--that's the way it goes when you're being specific--they are there as one girl in our hunting party got shots at a real brute--Elko Guide Service--I'll need to find the phone # of the guide you will want to hunt with--the owner Bill Gibson runs two camps, Bill handles the lower camp, but you will want the high camp with George, as there's a better chance for a whoppers out of that one--be prepared for horseback riding and some hiking will be required and weather plays a big part---chris

Worth,
I've hunted the last (2) years with Big Dutch Outfitters in Utah, and have taken (2) nice bucks. Their website is www.bigdutchoutfitters.com
I've seen several 180+ type bucks on (2) of their CWMU's, but was unable to get close to either. Big mule deer are a different animal once they reach 4-5 years of age... If money was no object, I'd definitely go to the Jicarilla Apache Reservation in Northern New Mexico, expect to pay in excess of 10K, but it's the best opportunity for B & C mulies. You can hunt into December, which makes a big difference on trophy mule deer.

Note on Big Dutch Outfitters, they are a class outfit, no question the best outfitters that I've used.

Good luck, let us know if you decide to book anything,
Craig

worth,
I just came back from an Aoudad hunt in West Texas,saw 7 Mule Deer bucks one was 30" the otheres in the 20-24" range.The avereage buck they kill is 7 1/2 years old.The guide is fantastic and everything about our sheep hunt was great (see West Texas Aoudad Hunt Report below)
Our outfitter/guide was Gene Nixon www.desertmountainhunts.com last yeat 2002 they killed a buck that scored 227 BC.Lots of deer,beautiful country,great guide.

Worth,
I booked with Cowboy Heaven Consulting out of Montana last year, He is a booking agent and he has access to numerous guides and outfits. His phone # 1-877-613-0404, this guy is a pleasure to deal with. I will book all my hunts thru him in the future because he knows the good guys from the bad!

Chuck

Worth,

Check out the mule deer hunts on Santa Rosa Island run by Multiple Use Managers. If you can get in(waiting list) and you have a lot of money this appears to be a great hunt. This is the one I want to try but you only have a few years left before they stop hunting on the island.

http://www.mumwildlife.com