COLORADO TROPHY MULEYS $7000
REQUIRES 5 TO 16 POINTS TO DRAW|
LANDOWNER VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
2022 – 15 HUNTERS 14 BUCKS AVG 175
2021 – 16 HUNTERS 13 BUCKS AVG 178
2020 – 18 HUNTERS 13 BUCKS AVG 180
These trophy units do not require all that many preference points
like some other units in Colorado and keep in mind landowner vouchers are generally available. The outfitter primarily hunts 3 adjoining units. Two units should only take 5 points to draw the second season and the other unit just 6 points. The third season is tougher taking about 7 points for two units and 13 for the third unit. Fourth season is over the top requiring 20 and 24 points. Archery tags can normally be drawn with 2 or 3 points. He has private properties varying from mountain country with oakbrush hillsides to agricultural property including alfalfa, hay fields and he also hunts some BLM.
2022 archery season he had 2 hunters tag two beautiful bucks, a 207 and a 180 inch deer. Second season, first rifle mule deer early November, all 6 hunters tagged bucks including a 189, 180, 2 in the 170’s and 2 in the 160’s. Third season, mid-November, over two hunts a total of 9 hunters tagged 8 bucks, including a monster over 200 inches, a 190, couple 180’s, 170’s and smallest was a 160, unsuccessful hunter passed. Fourth season, late November, went 5 for 7 with the best buck going 34 inches wide scoring 186.
2021 his 2 archery mule deer hunters killed 2 monster bucks grossing a 190 plus and a 189. Second season rifle he had 6 kill 5 bucks and the unsuccessful hunter left due to illness. Top buck went 187 and the rest were from the 160’s to 173. Third season was 7 for 7, including a 201, 188, 184, 2 in high 170’s and 2 in the 160’s. Fourth season finished with one hunter killing a 170 inch buck and two hunters went home empty.
Archery and muzzleloader are $7,000 for 5 days guided 1×1, second season rifle is 4 days and third season rifle is 4 days and fourth season is 5 days, all are $7,000 with escalating trophy fees of $500 for every 10 inches over 169; deer harvested gross scoring 170 to 179 inches has a $500 trophy fee added to the price, 180 to 189 is $1,000, 190 to 199 is $1,500 and any buck taken scoring over 200 inches is $2,000. 2 or 3 points are needed to draw an archery tag or landowner vouchers can be purchased from $1,000 to $2,000 unit depending.
Second gun season (first deer rifle) vouchers are sometimes available from $2,000 to $3,000 depending on which unit and private land only tags or unit wide tags, which are priced higher. Third season (second deer rifle) vouchers are $4,000 to $6,500 depending on unit and type. Fourth season vouchers can be anywhere from $6,500 for private land to $10,500 for a unit wide voucher.
Cabin or ranch house accommodations with airport pickup included at Montrose or fly into Grand Junction and rent a car. Early April draw deadline, with limited 2023 openings. We consider this a great opportunity for a hunter with 5 or 6 preference points for a second season mule deer hunt or 8 plus points for third season.
HCU’s Cliff Graham and Bob Wodzisz have hunted with this outfitter. Hunt MD163. MD163 Hunt Photos.
MONTANA MISSOURI BREAKS
MULE DEER 4 DAYS 2X1 $5500
TROPHY PRIVATE RANCH HUNT $6000
2022 – 35 BUCKS 37 HUNTERS
2021 – 39 BUCKS 41 HUNTERS
This outfitter located in eastern Montana hunts the Missouri River Breaks in the Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge. This area is known for high deer numbers on respectable bucks in the 140 to 160 inch class. He also has 3 private ranches where they manage for trophy quality by strictly limiting the number of deer harvested.
2022 the drought had finished but the deer were still down after the hard winter causing poor antler growth. Overall, they finished with 35 bucks for 37 hunters, nothing huge. We expect 2023 to be better.
2021 was a severe drought year causing poor antler growth. His six 4 day hunts produced 39 bucks for 41 hunters.
Most hunts take place in the refuge where the outfitter utilizes Lund boats with 200 hp motors on Fort Peck Lake to access different hunting areas. These 4 day hunts guided 2×1 are $5,500 with ranch house accommodations and meals, starting the third Saturday of October and ending about November 20. Pronghorn can be added for only $1,000 on the first 3 mule deer hunts if you draw a tag.
He has 3 trophy ranches totaling over 70,000 private acres that he will take about 10 deer hunters targeting bucks in the 160 or better class are priced at $6,000 each.
Draw deadline is April 1 and PREFERENCE POINTS CAN BE ACQUIRED JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30. Normally it takes 1 preference point plus you need to purchase an additional point with your application to draw a deer tag. It typically takes 2 or 3 points minimum for pronghorn. 2024 has a few openings on the first rifle deer hunt or reserve a spot now for 2025. Hunt MD219.
HUNTERS INTERESTED IN MONTANA MULE DEER AND OR PRONGHORN NEED TO ACQUIRE PREFERENCE POINTS FROM JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30. MULE DEER TYPICALLY TAKES A MINIMUM OF 1 PREFERENCE POINT PLUS YOU NEED TO PURCHASE AN ADDITIONAL POINT WITH YOUR APPLICATION. PRONGHORN CAN BE DRAWN WITH 2 OR 3 POINTS BUT ARE STILL NOT A GUARANTEE. ONLY 3 POINTS CAN BE ACCUMULATED BEFORE USING THEM OR THEY ARE CANCELLED OUT, SO YOU CANNOT SAVE FOR SEVERAL YEARS WAITING TO USE THEM LIKE MANY OTHER STATES. GO TO THE MONTANA FISH AND WILDLIFE WEBSITE.
MONTANA SUPER MULEY HUNT
FIRST CLASS OPERATION
$8500 2X1 5 DAYS
This outfitter has about 200,000 private acres located in the Miles City area of southeastern Montana.
They run about 45 mule deer hunters per year and typically maintain a 95 percent success rate. They specifically target deer in the 5 1/2 year or older age bracket. They do not want to shoot young deer even if they score well. The average buck harvested is in the mid 160’s and they normally will take a few deer reaching the 180 mark.
5 day hunts guided 2×1 and running from late October to Thanksgiving are $8,500. If you draw a pronghorn tag it can be combined with mule deer on the first 3 hunts for an additional $1,000. Super nice lodge accommodations, great meals, along with camp camaraderie makes this a class hunt.
Draw deadline is April 1 and PREFERENCE POINTS CAN BE ACQUIRED JULY 1 TO SEPTEMBER 30. Normally it takes 1 preference point plus you need to purchase an additional point with your application to draw a deer tag. It typically takes 2 or 3 points minimum for pronghorn. Due to repeat bookings openings are very limited. Hunters fly into Billings and rent a car for the 1 hour drive. Call ahead to get on the schedule and get your preference point. HCU’s Cliff Graham and Bob Wodzisz have hunted with this outfit. Hunt MD79.
AFFORDABLE $4000 MULE DEER
UTAH CWMU MANAGEMENT HUNT
NO DRAW – VOUCHER INCLUDED
This 7,800 acre ranch conducts trophy elk and mule deer hunts and they also do 8 to 10 management deer hunts per year. The northeastern Utah ranch is in the Controlled Wildlife Management Unit so they receive vouchers from the state, guaranteed tags, and can hunt from September 1 to October 31. Since the ranch is managed for trophy deer, they want big 3×3 and 3×2 bucks taken out of the gene pool. These are big mature bucks that will never be a 4×4, so they do not want them breeding.
They offer a serious inexpensive hunt for these mature bucks at only $4,000 for 5 days. This is a high success great adventure for an exceptionally good price on a beautiful setting.
2022 management hunters finished 10 for 11 and the unsuccessful hunter hit and lost his buck.
2021 all 6 management hunters killed bucks, mostly mature bucks from 2×2 up to 3×4.
Accommodations are trailers in a park where they can take ATV’s right into the hunting area or motel accommodations at $80 per night. Hunts are Monday to Friday and include meals. Not included is license and tax. Hunting is mostly done by using pickup trucks and Ranger UTV’s with plenty of glassing and spot and stalk.
Licenses are guaranteed, NO DRAW, landowner vouchers are included in the price. Airport pickup at SLC is included. HCU’s Cliff Graham and Bob Wodzisz have been on this ranch. Hunt MDMG830.
SEPTEMBER 1-5 VELVET MULEY HUNT
UTAH 20,000 ACRE RANCH
5 DAYS 1X1 $6500
The outfitter’s family owns this 20,000 acre ranch in southeastern Utah and it is in the CWMU program, Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit, allowing hunters to use rifles September 1 when the bucks are still in velvet and in bachelor groups. It can be one of the most productive times to hunt a trophy muley. This $6,500 hunt is on one of the most scenic ranches you will ever hunt and has mule deer that will gross 180 to 200 inches but having an opportunity at that caliber of bucks is difficult.
2022 first week of September produced 4 bucks for all 4 hunters. Best buck grossed in the 170’s. The public hunter killed a 188 inch buck.
2021 all 5 hunters the first week of September killed bucks, but nothing huge. All in the 150 to 160’s class.
2020 first hunt went 6 for 6, top 2 bucks just broke the 170 mark.
5 hunting days guided 1×1 with cabin accommodations will be $6,500. Nice lodging, home cooked meals and the ranch is picturesque with high deer numbers. Hunters fly into Grand Junction and rent a car. Availability has been marginal due to repeat bookings, next opening is in 2024 or 2025. HCU’s Craig Green has hunted this ranch. Hunt MDGE72. MDGE72 Hunt Photos.
SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO MULE DEER
$5000 2X1 5 DAYS
This outfitter has over 50,000 private acres in southeastern Colorado near Trinidad. He runs a small outfit and typically only takes 4 to 6 muley hunters per year. Opportunity continues at 100 percent and hunters can expect bucks in the 140 to 165 inch category with bigger bucks on the property.
2022 second season he had 3 deer hunters kill 3 bucks, a nice 175 inch deer and 2 around 160. Third season he had 2 deer hunters, and both tagged kind of cool bucks but not good on score.
2021 he took 4 hunters second season, and they killed 3 bucks in the 160 to 165 class and the unsuccessful hunter missed a buck.
They normally run 2 hunts, 5 days 2×1, at $5,000 from mid-October to early November. Basic ranch house accommodations with meals and hunters fly into Colorado Springs or Denver and rent a car for the 2 or 3 hour drive. Deer hunters should be able to draw a tag with 0 points, if not vouchers are available for only $750. Draw deadline is early April. Next available opening is 2024. HCU’s Bob Wodzisz has been on this property. Hunt MD554.
UTAH CWMU TROPHY MULE DEER
$9000 1X1 VOUCHER INCLUDED
This small personal outfit normally does 6 or 7 trophy mule deer per year plus some management hunts on this northeastern Utah private ranch in the CWMU program allowing them to hunt from September 1 to November 1.
2022 his 7 hunters tagged 6 bucks, best was a 188 inch, 2 in the 170’s, 2 in the 160’s and a big 3×3 buck. The unsuccessful hunter passed on a 170’s deer.
2021 his 6 hunters killed 4 bucks ranging in the 160’s and 170’s. A couple big bucks were seen but not taken.
2020 had 6 hunters kill 3 bucks, nothing huge best went high 170’s. Had a hunter pass on 2 bucks in the 180’s.
Accommodations are trailers in a park where they can take ATV’s right into the hunting area or motel accommodations at $80 per night. Hunts are Monday to Friday and include meals priced at $9,000 guided 1×1 or $8,500 for 2×1, plus license and tax. Hunting is mostly done by using pickup trucks and Ranger UTV’s with plenty of glassing and spot and stalk.
Licenses are guaranteed, NO DRAW, landowner vouchers are included in the price. Airport pickup at SLC is included. HCU’s Cliff Graham and Bob Wodzisz have been on this ranch. Hunt MD830.
COLORADO TROPHY DEER UNIT $6000
BUCKS AVERAGE 175
11 POINTS TO DRAW SECOND SEASON
15 POINTS TO DRAW THIRD SEASON
This is a premier hunt that requires 11 preference points minimum to draw second season or 15 for third season. If you have the points this is the hunt you need to be on. Landowner vouchers are sometimes available, but they are normally at least $4,500 to $6,000.
The outfitter is top notch with great guides and plenty of private land to hunt besides BLM. This outfitter owns ranchland, and they can hunt some terrific low ranch properties owned by their relatives and neighbors.
2022 second season 6 hunters tagged 5 bucks all in the mid 170’s. Third season 11 hunters killed 9 bucks from 170 to 190 and a 30 inch 180 plus was missed.
2021 second season went 4 for 4, 3 grossed in the high 180’s plus a 30 inch 3 point. Third season was 5 for 7 including a monster 210 typical, 193, 183, 30 inch 3×4 and a high 170’s buck. HCU’s Cliff Graham and his buddy passed on bucks.
5 day hunt guided 2×1 is only $6,000 with cabin accommodations and airport pickup can be arranged in Grand Junction for $150. HCU’s Cliff Graham has hunted with this outfit several times. April 3rd deadline. Hunt MD21. MD21 Hunt Photos.
WYOMING HARD TO DRAW UNITS
MULE DEER, ELK, PRONGHORN
$4,500 MULE DEER 5 DAYS 1X1
This small personal outfitter operates in southwestern Wyoming just outside of Rock Springs. He specializes in hard to draw hunts mainly for big mule deer, elk and pronghorn. 4 and 5 day 1X1 hunts range from $3,500 to $5,500 and the hunter pays for his own motel and restaurant meals. These are tough units to draw and normally require a minimum of 13 points. He only had one elk hunter last year and he took a 340 bull. His last three deer hunters killed a 184, 178 and a small last day buck. Pronghorn hunts normally produce bucks in the 78 to 82 inch class with some bigger.
Elk draw deadline is January 31 and both deer and pronghorn is May 30. Call us if you are interested and we can go over more details. Hunt MD371.
HUNT KODIAK ISLAND
SITKA BLACKTAIL/DUCKS/FISHING
HCU works with 2 Kodiak Island outfitters offering Sitka blacktail deer along with ducks and fishing. This can be a physically demanding hunt so hunters should be in shape.
This outfitter offers a 4 day unguided hunt for $4,500 and hunters can take up to 3 bucks and also enjoy some fantastic duck hunting and fishing. Private cabins or suites for accommodations with prepared meals are included, along with daily transport to hunting area by boat. He starts about the second week of November and finishes by early December.
5 days/6 nights is $5,500 or 6 days/7 nights are $6,300. License is $85 and deer tags are $300 each, no taxes. Hunt SD162.