Besides Arizona, which I will most likely be doing January 2010 for a rut hunt down in the desert.....what states offer a season during December or January? Because of school, these months just work best for me, and I will have to work with what I am given.

Looking into which states have an archery season still open in December. On my budget, it'll need to be private land or relatively cheap tresspassing fees. I am looking to complete a deer slam with my bow, and mulies are my main goal within this. Ill have to try and make do with what is available...and right now that is August or December-January. I can make a 4-5 day trip in October, but that is tied up these next two years.


So, Archery season open for late season.
Public land available to chase them on.
Don't have a preference for hunting style, whatever works best for the terrain hunted.
Just looking to chase a decent buck around with my bow.

I am NOT a big trophy hunter, any respectable 3x3 or 4x4, or possibly smaller, will be MORE than enough to tickle me to death. Looking for a representative buck, but will take nearly any buck better than a yearling forkie.

I used to hunt California alot when i was living there for mule deer, there is some really good hunting in some big country. the good thing is the season is fairly early and the hunting pressure isnt as bad as other states.

http://www.arwhead.com/calhunt/deer1b.pdf

here is some the archery hunts, that are archery only areas, really good hunts for mule deer and blacktails
http://www.arwhead.com/calhunt/deer3b.pdf

Good to hear, I plan on doing just that down the road. Although I was going to switch it from late to early season. I could pull the Mid August opener, and CA would give me a shot at columbian blackies. Thanks a LOT for that archery only list, Ill definately look into those areas.

NM archery mule deer......they have a jan or feb bow hunt....in the rut! you should be applying! you just may hit the lotto...

Would it be any better than the Arizona OTC tags for Jan rut bow hunt? Less hunting pressure I guess. Ill look into it. Im off long enough, I could try and swing both if I got drawn for NM.

Nebraska's muzzleloader and archery season both run till end of December. Some good public ground in the panhandle region and northern sections of the state. If you decide to look this way, yell I can probably help you out.

I think the best AZ archery tags....have now gone to a draw....ie for the strip and kaibab...

You should at least apply for the NM tags....ie their best units are tough to draw, esp that last season archery rut hunt....

Colorado offers a late season deer license on the eastern plains. It is a rifle season but a bow is legal during the rifle season. If you get on private land there will be almost no competition from gun hunters and you have from Dec. 1 to 14th...any year. Some very nice bucks in the grain fields and farm lands.

Idaho has an awesome late season Archery only hunt! It was my favorite hunt all year just cause you see so many deer! Not many peeps know about it either. I only ran into a couple groups of die hard Mule deer hunters. Trust me, If I was home I would have hunted it!