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Arizona Mule Deer Guides & Outfitters

Desert Mule Deer Hunts

 

arizona archery mule deer hunting guides outfitters huntsArizona Guided Hunts also offers hunting options for the desert mule deer, primarily in southern Arizona.  Mule deer hunting in Southern Arizona can provide a great opportunity for the first-time mule deer hunter or the hunter wanting a true desert mule deer to complete their slam.  If you need your desert mule deer for the slam, this is a very unique and exciting hunting experience amongst desert terrain. Although there is potential to harvest bucks wih larger racks, the mature Arizona desert mule deer bucks that we typically harvest in our hunt areas have racks from 18 to 25 inches wide and have 3 to 5 points per side.

Considering this is the desert, deer densities cannot be high in such a dry environment.  But, our guides have mastered the techniques and have done their scouting homework so that our hunters can see a significant number of deer, again, considering it is the desert. Our hunting style is the spot and stalk method. We hike to a good vantage point where a couple square miles can be seen at one time. Most of our mule deer hunting is done with our eyes through tripod-mounted optics. Once a good mule deer buck is spotted, we make our move from the vantage point for the final stalk. The terrain is very open, therefore rifle shots are usually over 300 yards and archery shots might exceed 50 yards. There may be a great deal of hiking involved, so hunters are encouraged to condition themselves to the best of their ability before arriving.

Our rifle season desert mule deer hunts are up to 4 days in duration and are conducted in early November. Rifle Season Tags are on a draw basis, but typically fair odds of drawing the tag. The application deadline for the deer draw is June 11, 2024.

Our archery mule deer hunts are up to 5 days in duration and are conducted in mid December through January. Archery deer tags are OTC for residents and limited for non-residents by a first-come, first-serve process.

Opportunities have been 100% for rifle desert mule deer hunts with an extremely high success! Opportunities to release arrows on archery mule deer hunts is extremely high!

 

Licenses and Tags

Rifle Mule Deer Tags are by a lottery draw system with an online application process starting in May with a June 11 deadline. The desert species of mule deer has fair draw odds.

Archery deer tags are over-the-counter for residents.  Nonresident archery deer tags are limited and available online on a first-come, first-served basis November 2nd at 8am.  Nonresident archery deer tags sell out within hours, so it's vital to get online at 8am. 

Hunting license fees: $37.00 (Resident) and $160.00 (NonRes).  All draw applicants need to purchase a nonrefundable Arizona hunting license in order to apply.

Deer Tag Fees: $58 (Res) and $315 (NonRes)

 

Our 2024-25 Season Dates for Desert Mule Deer

Our Rifle Season Dates:

Nov 1-6, 2024

Our Archery Season Dates:

Dec 13, 2024 - Jan 31, 2025

2024 RATES

for

Desert Mule Deer Hunt

 

Mule Deer Hunt Options # Days RATE
Desert Mule Deer (2 on 1) up to 4* $3,000.00/person
Desert Mule Deer (1 on 1) up to 4* $4,000.00/person
Archery Mule Deer (1 on 1) up to 5* $4,000.00/person

Choose a "Hunter to Guide Ratio" of either 1-on-1 or 2-on-1. The 1 on 1 rate means one hunter per guide. The 2 on 1 rate means two hunters per guide.  If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.

Non-Hunter Fee: Some hunters like to bring along a buddy to camp and share the experience while they hunt. There might be an option to invite one person as a non-hunter or observer while on your guided mule deer hunt.  Non-hunter space is very limited.  Based upon availability.  Mule Deer Hunt Non-Hunter Fee: $1,000.00

Description of Mule Deer Hunts

Desert Mule Deer Hunts: Includes complimentary accommodations (tent camps), complimentary meals, a guide, skinning, packing out animal, up to *4 days of hunting for rifle season or up to 5 days for archery season. Choose a "Hunter to Guide Ratio" of either 1-on-1 or 2-on-1. The 1 on 1 rate means one hunter per guide. The 2 on 1 rate means two hunters per guide.  If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.

* Hunters arrive in camp the day prior to hunting and depart camp about noon on the last day of hunting. Hunters depart sooner if they tag out early.  Rifle seasons always start on a Friday morning and go through Monday, with hunters meeting us on Thursday.  So, it's best if flying non-resident hunters arrive in Arizona the evening prior to meeting us (two days before hunting), rent an SUV from the airport, get a hotel room and we will meet the next day about noon in the hunt area about 2 hours from the Tucson Airport or 4 hours from the Phoenix Airport.  These are the closest major airports.  Flying hunters can follow us to camp with their rental vehicle. Flights should be scheduled to depart the morning after the hunt. More details on the general info page.

arizona outfitter tent campAccommodations: Our complimentary accommodations are basic southwestern style outfitter tent camps which are often located many miles from civilization. Sleeping quarters for big game hunts are typically in deluxe outfitter tents, unless noted otherwise.  If you are looking for a hunt with fancy lodges, this is NOT the hunt for you!  Tent camps are used because we stay in remote areas.  The deluxe tents consist of large outfitter Kodiak Canvas brand tents.  The size of our tents are tall and spacious inside; typically 10X10 or 10X14 and stand 6.5 feet tall. The tents are equipped with heaters during the colder months. Cots with thick pads are provided, but all hunters must bring their own sleeping bags. For those that own a camping trailer and would like to bring it to camp to stay in are more than welcome to do so, but we cannot discount the hunt any for doing so. It must be high enough for ground clearance on rough, rocky dirt roads. Please ask for road conditions before bringing one.   Video of our typical camp.

Hunters should note that mule deer live in the lower desert mountains. Hunters are encouraged to condition themselves to the best of their ability in order to increase their odds for success. We do not use or own horses and pack animals. If you are looking for a horseback hunt, this is NOT the hunt for you.

Additional Information

Rifle Mule Deer Hunt Booking Info: The first step for a rifle season mule deer hunt is to apply for rifle tags and licenses in May. Hunters must apply for timeframe choices within a given area. The Outfitter will recommend the preferred hunt numbers to use in the draw. Odds for drawing rifle season desert mule deer tags are fair at around 50%. Once drawn, you will sign a contract and submit a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is due at least 21 days prior to the hunt. All monies paid are nonrefundable.We recommend cancellation insurance for all of our guests. Visit our policy page for more details. If you already drew a southern AZ rifle season deer tag, give us a call or email. A 50% deposit is also required for those that already drew tags. The remainder is due 21 days prior.

Archery Mule Deer Booking Info: Archery deer tags are over-the-counter for residents.  Nonresident archery deer tags are limited and available online on a first-come, first-served basis November 2nd at 8am.  Nonresident archery deer tags sell out within hours, so it's vital to get online at 8am.  Non-residents must get a tag before booking the archery hunt! We can point you in the right direction, if needed.

Other Costs and Considerations that are the hunter's responsibility: Licenses and tags, transporting yourself to/from the camp, rental vehicle, butchering, transporting your meat/hide/trophy to home, taxidermy, hotel stay before/after the hunt (if flying) are some other things to consider and are the hunter's responsibility. Gratuity for your guide is gladly accepted and is customary (15% is typical).

Space is limited, so book early! We usually only accomodate up to four 1-on-1 hunters in camp at a time, so book early.

Non-Hunter Fee: Some hunters like to bring along a buddy to camp and share the experience while they hunt. There might be an option to invite one person as a non-hunter or observer while on your guided mule deer hunt.  Non-hunter space is very limited.  Based upon availability.  Mule Deer Hunt Non-Hunter Fee: $1,000.00

Be sure you visit our general info page.

Our Arizona Mule Deer Hunting Photos

 

arizona desert mule deer hunting guided hunt

John with a great southern AZ desert mule deer buck. It was his first-ever mule deer. Video of hunt

 

arizona desert mule deer hunting guides outfitters

Dave with a nice desert mule deer that he shot at 255 yards. This is Dave's first big game animal!

 

arizona desert mule deer hunting guides outfitters

Mike from PA shot a nice southern Arizona desert mule deer with his .300 WSM

 

arizona desert mule deer hunting guides outfitters

Mark with his southern Arizona desert mule deer.

 

arizona mule deer hunting hunt guides 

Eli with his first mule deer.  He shot this desert buck at 258 yards with a .300 WSM!

 

arizona mule deer hunting guides outfitters

Jim from Michigan took this buck with a .300 Win Mag at 450 yards during our Southern Arizona hunt.

 

arizona mule deer guides hunts

Anthony from CA with an Arizona Desert Mule Deer taken during the January rut season using a bow.

 

arizona mule deer hunting guides outfitters hunts

Twelve year-old Bryce with his first deer!

 

arizona desert mule deer hunting

John with a Southern Arizona desert mule deer.

 

 

 

Contact the Outfitter

 


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