COLORADO TROPHY MULEYS $7500
REQUIRES 6 TO 16 POINTS TO DRAW LANDOWNER VOUCHERS AVAILABLE
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.
2024 he had 3 archers kill a 183 inch buck. One hunter had a 190 class buck at 15 yards but was a head on shot and he did the right thing and passed. The other hunter missed a mid-170’s buck several times.
First rifle 5 hunters killed a 173, 170 and 3 management bucks. Second rifle first half all 5 hunters were management guys. Second half had 5 trophy deer hunters kill 4 bucks, 190, 176, 175 and a big 3×4.
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.
Archery and muzzleloader are $7,500 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 $7,500 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 2025 openings. This is 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 $5750
2024 – 30 BUCKS
32 HUNTERS
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.
2024 his 32 hunters tagged 30 bucks, one guy missed a couple, and the other unsuccessful hunter passed on bucks, he was a repeat hunter. Deer numbers were still down, and most bucks taken were older mature bucks, but antler quality was down mostly due to drought conditions.
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.
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 ar- eas. He also has 3 private ranches totaling over 70,000 private acres available to hunt.
These 4 day hunts guided 2×1 are $5,750 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 was booked full and 2026 had limited openings. 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 SEVER- AL YEARS WAITING TO USE THEM LIKE MANY OTHER STATES. GO TO THE MONTANA FISH AND WILDLIFE WEBSITE.
HONEY HOLE RANCH $25,000 TOP TROPHY MULE DEER ONLY 2 HUNTERS PER YEAR
If you want a chance at a 200 inch deer this is the place. It is a small pri- vate free-range ranch known as the Honey Hole because it is exactly that for big deer and big elk. It is on the Utah/Nevada border and has one of the few water sources.
2024 they had 2 deer hunters, and one killed a monster 9×9 grossing 227 inches. The other hunter got on a buck they estimated to go 210, but it didn’t work out. This buck was still running with a few other 190 plus bucks after the season.
Hunters need to be in good physical condition as the ranch can be steep and rugged. This hunt is for the true trophy hunter targeting bucks in the 200 inch class.
5 days 1×1 is $25,000 for elk or deer with very nice house accommodations. Deer hunts are the third week of October and rifle elk hunts are during the September rut. Hunters need to apply for the tag before the March 1 deadline. Hunt MD255.
SMALL COLORADO OUTFITTER AGRICULTURE AND LOW COUNTRY MULE DEER $6000
This is not a trophy hunt, just a good chance to take a nice representative buck and not be in top shape. Mostly private land along with some BLM makes this a nice relaxing hunt.
2024 first deer rifle season finished with 4 hunters tagging 4 bucks, including an old cactus buck and the rest grossing close to 150 inches. Second season went 2 for 2 on 140 inch type deer.
2023 had 6 hunters on the first rifle and all 6 tagged out, including a nice 170 deer. Second hunt went 3 for 3.
5 day hunt guided 2×1 for $6,000 includes doublewide accommodations and meals. Season is late October into early November. Deer hunters should be able to draw a tag with 1 or
2 points, if not vouchers are available for only $750. Draw deadline is early April. HCU’s Bob Wodzisz has been on this hunt. Hunt MDM554.
COLORADO TROPHY DEER UNIT $6500 BUCKS AVERAGE 175
11 POINTS TO DRAW SECOND SEASON 16 POINTS TO DRAW THIRD SEASON
This is a premier hunt that requires 11 preference points minimum to draw second season or 16 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 $6,500 to $7,000.
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.
2024 second season all 8 hunters tagged out including a 196 inch buck and a 30 inch 3×3 grossed 182. Third season finished 9 for 10 with a few around 180 inches.
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.
5 day hunt guided 2×1 is only $6,500 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 MULE DEER $9800 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.
2024 he only took 6 hunters killing a couple bucks in the 170’s. Numbers are improving after the 2022 winter, and he was seeing some better bucks after the season.
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.
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 Fri-day and include meals priced at $9,800 guided 1×1 or $9,000 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.
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.
2024 second season he only had 1 deer hunter, and he passed on quite a few small bucks, nothing was seen grossing over 140 inches. Third sea- son they got dumped on with 4 feet of snow so no hunts took place.
2023 second season his 2 deer hunters killed one buck. Third season all 3 hunters tagged bucks, best went 175.
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.
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 $4,900 and hunters can also enjoy some fantastic duck hunting and fishing. Private cabins or suites for accommodations with prepared meals are in- cluded, 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 $5,900, 6 days/7 nights are $6,900 or 7 days/8 nights are $7,500. License is $85 plus your deer tag, no taxes. Hunt SD162.
We work with another outfitter that operates out of a lodge with 6 bedrooms, shower and TV. Success has run 100 percent on this 7 day guid- ed hunts in November. One deer limit priced at $7,000 2×1 or $8,500 1×1. Many hunters have taken record book bucks with this outfitter in- cluding the new #3 SCI and #11 Boone and Crockett. Excellent sea duck hunting for many species and fox hunting is also included. Hunters fly into Kodiak and charter to the lodge for about $300 round trip. Hunt SD783. SD783 Hunt Photos.