I am in the military and I'm staioned on the west coast. My father and uncles are on the east coast. we wanted to meet somewhere out west to hunt for Mule deer. We were looking for somewhere with open hunting where four people could hunt for a moderate price. does this exist? please advise me.

thanks
Joe

Hello, Jigga - Welcome to the board.

Quite a few of the western states (where mule deer reside) are on a draw system. Colo. and New Mex. still have over-the-counter nonresident permits.

Either state would probably be the "central" meeting place for you. There's National Forest and BLM lands available in both states for public hunting. The one I'm most familiar with is the Gila National Forest and Gila Wilderness areas in western NM. Lots of forest roads for access (lots of hunters, also).

My suggestion would be to log onto whatever state intrests you, game and fish site. They'll have hunt area maps and mailing packets for nonres inquiries. Forest and BLM maps are available from lots of sources - the government particularily. Also, once you've figured out a general area of interest, a phone call to the local post office, game warden or sheriff's office can usually result in names/phone #'s of landowners known to be receptive to hunting on their property. They can also supply motel and resturant info as well.

You can still buy a mule deer tag in Idaho over the counter. Though our mule deer are not at the population level we had ten years ago there is still lots of public land that is open to both in and out of state hunters. Check with Idaho Fish and Game on the web, they have a good site and a followup call will get you most of the information you need on where to hunt. Units 11 and 11a have been good mulie producers over the last few years.

Its too late in most states... For MT you need to have applications in May 1st. Doe tags are $80 for non residents... you'll need a conservation license and hunting access enhancement, $14 and $2...

http://www.fwp.state.mt.us

Hello, Jigga - Welcome to the board.

Quite a few of the western states (where mule deer reside) are on a draw system. Colo. and New Mex. still have over-the-counter nonresident permits.

Several years ago Colo. went to a complete drawing system for deer licenses and only doe tags left over after the draw could be purchased over-the-counter. Last year some left over buck tags were available over-the-counter after the draw, but only for a few units - mostly (only?) units where CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) has been found. The reduced harvest resulting from limited licenses has improved the size of the bucks I see in the units I hunt.

There are still general license deer tags and elk tags for nonresidents in wyoming. Many of these areas that are general licenses are usually high population areas. Chances of getting an animal are descent. Not sure what the cost is for an out of stater but it isn't all that bad.

Have Fun.

At this point it probably is too late to get a Mule deer license in most Rocky Mountain states.

Consider a Whitetail deer hunt in the states just West of the Mississippi; Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, or the Dakotas. An internet search will turn up many farms and ranches that advertise for hunters. Some offer a place to stay, others would recommend nearby motels. You would also most likely have the additional opportunity to hunt phesants, grouse, maybe even waterfoul. The cost will most likely be considerably less than a guided mountain hunt.

I hunt in Colorado every year. In my opinion, a Rocky Mountain hunt requires planning at least a year in advance. Yes. There is a lot of public land out there, but access is a big problem. Landowners guard their property lines with intense interest. You will not be successful in going out there and knocking on doors seeking premission to hunt. Unless you are very familiar with the area, an outfitter is essential. Forest Service trail head parking areas are very crowded during hunting season. If you don't have horses you will be sharing the walk in hunting areas with a lot of other blaze orange vests.

Based on your timelines and group locales, you might want to look into a Texas Whitail "package-hunt" scenario.

Texas is where I have taken clients and associattes that have wanted to "get-together" for a week-or-so, of hunting. I have been there twice, it is a very hunter friendly state, and the weather in the Fall-Winter is much milder than where I hunt in Iowa in November and December.

Opening day of Slug-Season in Central Iowa is rough... :D .

Colorado will post their leftover licences on July 27th if anyone is interested. Thats how I've been getting mine for the last couple of years.

mercmarine
I'll betcha opening day in Nebraska is about as ruff. (around O'Neill) I lived there for 2 years and got to hunt with the wife's uncle. HOLY COW it's a wonder more people didn't geet shot than deer. I positioned myself on the end of a ridge in the dark and come daylight I never saw so much orange!!!!

Indian Reservations have their own license and access rules. Tribal Council has authority-NOT the state. Lower Brule Reservation in S. Dakota offers mule deer, elk, antelope hunts for a fair price. Fishing on Missouri for walleye is available. Pheasant hunts on nearby lands is outstanding. I suggest contact them soon.

Some tribes have reputations that are less than ideal. Always call the State Attorney General office for info about current complaints before booking a hunt.
TR

I think in MT it's kind of a split deal. Ole Hank Williams Jr. got in a jam one year because he missed the deadline to get a nonresident licence. Ended up hunting on an Indian reservation and the state fish cops got real mad at him. :o I disremember what all happened as it was a couple thousand sleeps ago.