Mule Deer hunting has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. When we first started making trips out west in search of bugling elk, mule deer were everywhere.  We didn’t give them the time of day, and now, a big mule deer is a difficult and coveted trophy. The mule deer population has declined to a fraction of its former numbers, but things seemed to have stabilized and good hunting is certainly available. There are basically two types of mule deer hunting, the wilderness of the Rocky Mountain high country or the private ranches of the planes states and Canada.

The wilderness hunts of the lower 48 can typically be done successfully without a guide, but require time, energy and determination. Research an area before you commit to a trip, as some areas are pounded during the gun season and very few bucks survive to maturity. Serious trophy hunters play the lottery game with mule deer too, as the better public-land hunting is in the controlled (lottery) harvest management zones.  A good outfitter will know which of the remote basins holds the most deer and provide comfortable accommodations while hunting them.

The mountains of western Canada hold good mule deer as well, but do-it yourself hunts for nonresidents of Canada are not possible, as a guide is required.  Good outfitters are available in the Canadian Rockies, but we'd rather take our chances in the badlands of southern Alberta. This area is managed for mature deer and produces some of the biggest mule deer on the continent. Chuck Adams shot the world record with a bow in this area several years back. We offer a good hunt with an outfitter in the middle of the best areas, who does very well tagging bucks up to 200 inches.

The mulies of the planes states are certainly easier to get to, but require the rancher’s permission, and usually granted by trespass fees or booking a hunt with an outfitter.  Good outfitters will have huge ranches tied up in multi-year leases, and offer good hunting. The best hunting will be in rugged areas adjacent to irrigated cereal crops and hay fields. Like whitetails, a good mule deer has to survive to his 4th or 5th season to reach their potential. A mature mule deer has some impressive headgear and most midwest whitetail hunters will need to be re-calibrated before a trip. A decent buck will sport a 20 inch (inside) rack with 10-12 inch tines – a monster will push 30 inches with long tines and mass to boot.

Mule deer dwell in large expanses and are usually hunted by classic spot and stalk.  A typical day will start by climbing a good sized ridge in the dark and waiting on 1st light with binoculars and spotting scope. You’ll try to locate animals from long distance, and eventually, a good deer will become visible. You watch him until late morning when he’ll find his bed for the day. Carefully study the terrain for the best approach and landmarks to home in on his exact location before heading in for the stalk.  Most stalks will end in failure, as it’s very difficult to get within good bow range of these big devils, but eventually one of your stalks will work, and you’ll have your opportunity.  Don’t screw it up as they are hard to come by.

Field Judging Mule Deer

Mule deer by nature grow bigger racks than whitetails, which require a little more math to get them evaluated.  Look for a high, wide and heavy set of antlers, which sounds easy, but can be anything but easy. A big mulie will have an ear tip to tip measurement of around 22 inches when alert.  If his inside spread is outside the ears, and has mass and tine length – shoot!  Another characteristic to look at is the depth of the forks.  Look for deep, clearly defined forks. 

      Spot & stalk really good Mulies on private ranches in the eastern plains of Colorado. Hunt during the peak of the November rut when the big dogs are out cruising. One of our better outfitters with several Outfitter of the year awards to his credit. One of the best around, he has my vote for the best in Colorado. You should expect to see and stalk bucks over 170 inches P&Y every day with top-end pushing 200 inches. 

Where: Northeast Colorado – 1-2 hrs northeast of Fort   Collins  

Costs: 6-day 2x1 - $7,000 plus $1,000 trophy fee 

Hunt Schedule for 2021 (Monday thru Saturday)  

Hunt #1) Nov 6 – 11  Hunt #2) Nov 13 – 18    

Hunt #4) Nov 20 – 25     

What is included in hunt cost : 

• Services of licensed professional guide (2x1) for 6 full days of hunting 
• All meals and accommodations (7 nights) during the hunt.
• All the transportation (4x4) needed during the hunt.
• Access to private ranches  
• Field preparation of trophy including skinning and caping.  

What is not included : 

• License – (through the draw or landowner tag)
• Upgrade to 1x1 – ($2,000 – but no trophy fee)   
• Gratuities for the guides or staff 
• Shipping of trophies and taxidermy work 
• Items of personal nature
• Trophy  fee - $1,000   

The tag 

This is a controlled harvest unit, where tags are awarded via the draw, and currently requires at least 4 preference points. You can usually purchase a landowner voucher but cost an additional $1,500.  

                                       Prices subject to change without prior notice 

                         Contact Close Encounters for availability and current pricing 

                                                           Tom Close (715) 554 – 3302

 Spot & stalk Mule Deer on private ranches in the southwestern plains of Colorado near Mancos. This is a new hunt for us, but we’re excited to add it to the mix, as its run by a young, hard-charging outfitter with good ground. This is a full-service, all-inclusive hunt with good young guides, and a nice lodge.  He has 30 different pieces of ground under lease in the open ranchland and irrigated farm fields of southwest Colorado near. Properties range in size from several hundred acres to several thousand acres.   Hunters can expect to be hunting different properties every day or every other day depending on activity.   

This area has a good Deer population and you can expect to see 20 – 30 deer every day.  They have lots of mediocre Bucks, but if you hunt hard and grind it out, you can expect a shot at a buck over 160 inches. They shot 2 bucks in 2018 that green scored over 200 inches.   

Where: Southwest Colorado in Montezuma & Dolores Counties 

CO Big Game Units 72/73 & 71/711  

Costs: 5-day 1x1 guided hunt - $6,500  

Hunt Schedule for 2019  

Colorado 1st  9-day rifle season

Hunt 1: Oct 12 - 16     

Colorado 2nd 9-day rifle season 

Hunt 1: Oct 19 – 23 

Hunt 2: Oct 23 - 27      

Colorado 3rd 9-day rifle season 

Hunt 1: Nov 2 – 6 

Hunt 2: Nov 6 – 10    

Hunt #4) Colorado 4th5-day rifle season

Hunt 1: Nov 13 – 17      

What is included in hunt cost : 

• Services of licensed professional guide (1x1) for 5 full days of hunting 
• All meals and accommodations (6 nights) during the hunt.
• All the transportation (4x4) needed during the hunt.
• Access to private ranches  
• Field preparation of trophy including skinning and caping.  

What is not included : 

• License – (through the draw or landowner tag)   
• Gratuities for the guides or staff 
• Shipping of trophies and taxidermy work 
• Items of personal nature
• Upgrade      to include Elk 
  • Trophy       fee - $1,000   

The Tag 

This is a controlled harvest unit, and each season has different draw (minimum preference points) requirements. This is how it stacked  

Colorado 1st rifle season  (0-1 preference point)    

Colorado 2nd rifle season  (0-1 preference point)  

Colorado 3rd rifle season (2-3 preference points) 

Colorado 4th rifle season (4-5 preference points) 

You can usually purchase a landowner voucher – varies from $1,500 - $4,000.  

                                      Prices subject to change without prior notice 

                      Contact Close Encounters for availability and current pricing 

                                                Tom Close (715) 554 – 3302

   Classic Spot and stalk rifle hunt in the rolling sage / and badlands in the Missouri Breaks / Milk River of northeastern Montana. These hunts are conducted primarily within the property lines of private ranches with modest hunting pressure, which translates into good hunting. There’s a good supply of nice mature Bucks and our expectation is that nearly everyone will have an opportunity at a good (24” 4x4) deer. Some will get shots at something much bigger. This is a fully guided, all inclusive hunt with well established outfitter.  Accommodations (Cabins) on the ranch with good, hearty home-cooked meals. 

Where: West of Glasgow, Montana  

Costs: $3,600 Deposit: $1,500     

Openings for 2020 (entire season) – work with the outfitter to determine dates 

Approximately Oct 20  thru Nov 25

 (MFWP formula season = 37 days ending Sunday after Thanksgiving, Sat start)  

How to get the tag 

A nonresident Deer “A” tag (either sex / either species) is available only thru the drawing or leftover tags (if available) after the draw. 

1) Apply for the Big Bame Combo (Elk & Deer)

a. Sell back the Elk portion – 80% of the Elk portion refunded – subject to change 

2) Apply to Deer “A” only license. 

The Deer A license has been easy to draw, with 100% draw in recent years but the last few years, but we expect a stronger demand for the Deer “A” only license, and do not expect 100% draw rates in near future.. Therefore, we recommend clients apply for the Big Game Combination License to ensure drawing a tag. 

What is included in hunt cost : 

• Services of licensed      professional guide (2x1) for 5 full days of hunting 
• All meals and      accommodations (6 nights) during the hunt.
• All the      transportation (4x4) needed during the hunt.
• Access to private      ranches  
• Field preparation      of trophy including gutting / skinning & transportation back to the      camp  
• Assistance with      license / drawing application  

What is not included : 

• License -      available on arrival via drawing
• Upgrade to 1x1 -      $500   
• Gratuities for the      guides or staff  
• Meat processing      and Taxidermy work  
• Round trip transportation      from home to camp. 

                                      Prices subject to change without prior notice 

                      Contact Close Encounters for availability and current pricing 

                                                Tom Close (715) 554 – 3302