COLORADO TROPHY MULEYS $7000
REQUIRES 6 TO 16 POINTS TO DRAW
LANDOWNER VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
2023 – 12 HUNTERS 8 BUCKS AVG 175
2022 – 15 HUNTERS 14 BUCKS AVG 175
2021 – 16 HUNTERS 13 BUCKS AVG 178
The outfitter primarily hunts 3 adjoining units. Two units should only take 6 points to draw the second season and the other unit just 7 points. The third season is tougher, taking about 8 points for two units and 13 for the third unit. The 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.
2023 he had 2 archers kill one buck just over 170 inches. Second season, first rifle mule deer, was 3 for 3, 186, 170 and a 160. Third season rifle deer was 5 for 6, 2 at 180, 2 at 170 and a 160. Fourth season finished up going 0 for 3, hit and lost a high 180’s deer.
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.
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 for around $2,000.
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 2024 openings. This a good opportunity for a hunter with 6 or 7 preference points for a second season mule deer hunt or 9 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
2023 – 35 BUCKS 38 HUNTERS
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.
2023 his 38 hunters tagged 35 bucks and the top bucks grossed 175 and 172. He figured the overall numbers were down about 25% due to the past winter.
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.
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. He also has 3 private ranches totaling over 70,000 private acres available to hunt.
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.
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. At press time 2025 and 2026 had limited openings. Hunt MD219.
#1 MONTANA SUPER MULEY HUNT
FIRST CLASS OPERATION
$8800 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 90 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 $8,800. 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 or airport pickup can be arranged at $400 roundtrip. 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.
SOUTHEASTERN COLORADO MULE DEER
$5500 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.
2023 second season his 2 deer hunters killed one buck. Third season all 3 hunters tagged bucks, best went 175.
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.
They normally run 2 hunts, 5 days 2×1, at $5,500 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. HCU’s Bob Wodzisz has been on this property. Hunt MD554.
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.
2023 second season 5 hunters killed 5 bucks, top one going 190 inches. Third season finished with 9 of the 10 hunters tagging a buck. Top ones went 195 and 2 at 185.
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.
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.
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.
2023 he had 5 hunters kill 3 bucks, nothing huge. Winter of 2022/2023 was really tough on the herd, numbers and quality were down.
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.
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.
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 also enjoy some fantastic duck hunting and fishing. Private cabins or suites for accommodations with prepared meals are included, along with daily transport to the hunting area by boat. He starts about the second week of November and finishes by mid December.
5 days/6 nights is $5,500, 6 days/7 nights are $6,300 or 7 days/8 nights are $6,900. License is $85 plus your deer tag, no taxes. Hunt SD162.