I am looking for a 2009 Mule Deer hunt. I will be graduating from college (again!) and want to take my Dad out west for a hunt as a gift to him and a reward for myself. I am open to just about anything. I have mostly hunted PA whitetails, with a few trips to NY and OH. Looking for pro's and con's of different states and any other info experienced people have.

Dad will be 68 when we go, but he's in good (great) shape for his age.

Don't be afraid of stating anything too simple, I am going into this blind.

western ND,eastern Montana, NE Colorado,
The ND badlands is awsome for muly.

Colorado is far and away producing the biggest muleys over the last 5 years or so.......might be hard to book a hunt there, and/or may cost a few bucks......

I'd put all my effort into locating a hunt in CO though, wouldn't even consider another state......

North eastern Montana, if you can get a tag............Milk River Outfitters, Eric Albus.

I went to SE Colorado to hunt mulies this past November. It was incredible. I too am a eastern hunter. I saw at least 60 antelope, 30 mulie deer (mostly does) every day. I also saw 20 elk and 3 coyotes during the trip.I ended up shooting a smaller mulie buck to last day. It was the greatest hunting memory I have to date.

As stated earlier Colorado can be expensive for Mulie deer hunts. I did a self guided hunt, but purchased a land owner tag. They run about $2,300+. After you consider lodging, flights, car rental, food, you're looking at $4000+ for one. Its worth every penny

Outside of choosing a state, I would look just as hard as the time the hunt falls. Almost all western states will produce 180-190 class mulies which would be a good buck by almost anyones standards.

Larger mulies will live a more hermit type lifesyle and will normally bed down as the sun starts to sneak its way in for the day. Your chances increase greatly as the rut kicks in.

A November hunt will offer you the best opportunity wherever you choose to hunt......

PS- I might stay away from Wyoming......from what I've read their quality of late has gone way downhill.

I'm sure all states produce 180-190, but how many of that caliber/class? I know colorado is producing far and away the most 200"+ and not just a couple a year, but a bunch!

Well I have been booking hunts here in Colorado for the past 11 years, and the previous person is correct, the biggest bucks taken in the state in the past few years, 10 or more, have been coming from the eastern plains of Colorado. If you go to my website at www.colorado-adventures.com you will see some photos of deer that were taken out there. We consistently produce deer in the 180" class and 200" deer are seen and taken each and every year. Three years ago, I had an archer take a beautiful 210" typical buck with a 37" spread. That is an exceptional buck, but they do live out there, and with a bit of luck, you would have a great chance at a great buck. And don't forget about the monster whitetail bucks out there. We have had clients over the past couple of years take bucks scoring over 180"!! If I can help you out in anyway, let me know. Good luck and congrats on graduation!!

$2300 for a tag, holy crap! Get the elk/deer combo for Montana (somewhere around $600) and chase some high mountain mulies with the added chance of getting an elk.

You can get a guided hunt for right around 4500.00 with the landowner tag included. You will have to pay the price for a Colorado Deer Tag, but the landowner voucher is not something you pay more for. Some outfittersdo charge more for a landowner voucher, but not all, just have to know where to look. This is fully guided, complete with meals, lodging, guide, game care, etc. Not bad for a hunt that can produce 180" and above mulies year after year. Try Mexico for that price, not going to happen. Had a couple of clients that hunted with an outfitter of mine on the back side of Pikes Peak and harvested a 199 5/8" buck, cost of that hunt, 4250.00 plus tag. They went to Mexico this past year and spent 7500.00 and saw a couple of 180" bucks but took nothing home. So if you consider the cost of a Mexico hunt compared to a eastern Colorado hunt, its a no brainer, come to Colorado.