Help our group pick our next adventure! Mule deer.

[AMG08]

Stumbled across the forum yesterday when looking into options for our next hunting trip. I like what I see for sure.

Anyways, our group we hunt with is usually 5 or 6 people. We are looking to do some sort of western trip in 2019 with easy to draw or OTC tags. Our works schedules are pretty consistent but sometimes things happen, hence the reason for easy tags. Size of the animals isn't as important to us as the experience.

We know we want to rifle hunt and are open to most anywhere, but will likely be driving from Michigan and Ohio. Preferred species would be mule deer. An outfitter would probably be best for us as I feel like we probably wouldn't have all the gear needed for a DIY hunt. So where would you suggest we start looking into? Any recommended outfitters?

 

[Slugz]

Welcome to EF. When able head on over to the new members section for an intro.

Are you guys building points in any states? WRT Colorado there are many elk options every year. OTC bull two different seasons, cow hunting off the leftover list and cow hunting from the draw in areas that don't require points. Lastly OTC archery cow and bull every year and sometimes some dang good 1st season rifle tags on the leftover list. Deer wise all are via the draw and require points.

 

[2peterhunter]

Apply for MT deer!

 

[hoshour]

Let's see, pay an outfitter $4-$7,000 each or buy a very good set of binos, a tripod, backpack, coolers, good boots, merino wool clothing and rain suit you can use anytime, for about $2,000 - $3,000 and really, if you have hunting and camping gear already, the only ones you really need the first year and probably don't have yet are the good binos and backpack.

If you're careful and buy used you can do that for well under $2,000. If it is just gear holding you back, you may be overestimating the cost. The first year, you don't need everything experienced western hunters have. They didn't buy it all the first year, either.

If you want a wall tent and stove you can rent them from Outdoor Geek for $300 and they will send them where you want. Split the cost.

On the other hand, you can learn a lot from a guide if you have one that is of a mind to teach you. That and local knowledge are better reasons to hire an outfitter, though you may not get much of either with just a drop camp.

 

[Dukslayer26]

Hoshour hit the nail on the head! Mt has some great over the counter tags. Last Nov, four of us went for the first time. We drove from Ca and split gas cost. We did have a side by side which is key. We rented a decent cabin that was only $85 a night total which we split so only $20 a night each. All four years of us killed real nice bucks. My buddy and myself shot 4x4's, my bro shot a nice 3x3 and our other buddy shot a 4x3!!! Can't beat that. Whole trip barely cost us $1,000 a person!!!!!

 

[LCH]

Hoshour hit the nail on the head! Mt has some great over the counter tags. Last Nov, four of us went for the first time. We drove from Ca and split gas cost. We did have a side by side which is key. We rented a decent cabin that was only $85 a night total which we split so only $20 a night each. All four years of us killed real nice bucks. My buddy and myself shot 4x4's, my bro shot a nice 3x3 and our other buddy shot a 4x3!!! Can't beat that. Whole trip barely cost us $1,000 a person!!!!!

Those tags aren't OTC anymore... I've got to think odds are still pretty good though, despite my not drawing this year.

 

[wy-tex]

Buy a PP in Wyoming now and then apply for a not so known region tag for your hunt in Wyoming.
Some areas are close enough to a town that you can stay in a hotel and not have a long drive to hunt. The Forest Service also rents cabins in the forest and they can be very comfortable, just have to reserve well in advance.
Lots of options for you that don't require a guide or outfitter. Many states can meet your needs.