Best Mule Deer state?!?

You'd probably want to steer clear of the western towns around the parks. Jackson, Cody, etc. Beautiful country but too many tourists and the cost of property or a home is SKY high. That's one of the factors that had me retire back to my native Michigan upon retirement as I realized I could never afford the type of property I wanted to build my retirement home on in that part of Wyo. However, that situation did benefit me personally as I was able to sell my home out there at a ridiculous high price and get the place I dreamed of back here in the UP of Michigan which in reality is a great place in its own right.
 

2rocky

Active Member
Sep 10, 2012
290
0
My only contribution:

Live where you want to LIVE
Work where you want to WORK
and you will be able to hunt where you want to hunt regardless of the other two.

Every state West of the 100th Parallel has big deer (even California). I would not pigeon hole myself into a state simply because of the status as a trophy deer state. Instead I would build my career to allow me to apply for, and go on hunts in long shot units across numerous states, and build my hunting skill near home in OTC units with long seasons.

The best unit is the one you know.
 

firebeck

Very Active Member
Sep 5, 2012
540
0
Southwest Idaho
My only contribution:

Live where you want to LIVE
Work where you want to WORK
and you will be able to hunt where you want to hunt regardless of the other two.

Every state West of the 100th Parallel has big deer (even California). I would not pigeon hole myself into a state simply because of the status as a trophy deer state. Instead I would build my career to allow me to apply for, and go on hunts in long shot units across numerous states, and build my hunting skill near home in OTC units with long seasons.

The best unit is the one you know.
My thoughts exactly.
 

hawkerpayne

New Member
Aug 10, 2014
10
0
My only contribution:

Live where you want to LIVE
Work where you want to WORK
and you will be able to hunt where you want to hunt regardless of the other two.

Every state West of the 100th Parallel has big deer (even California). I would not pigeon hole myself into a state simply because of the status as a trophy deer state. Instead I would build my career to allow me to apply for, and go on hunts in long shot units across numerous states, and build my hunting skill near home in OTC units with long seasons.

The best unit is the one you know.
That is exactly the paradox that I am in. I'm looking for that place. I can't literally get a job anywhere. I am looking for that place. Any guidance on where that place is? Or just an idea on the area?
 

MWScott72

Active Member
Jan 27, 2012
220
0
West Jordan, UT
Don't think I haven't considered that or at least spending May - Nov out there, enough to be a resident and hunt all fall. But when you get some grandkids, you'll understand why they are the best thing about life.

When you have a bunch of little ones that absolutely light up when they see you and then come runnin' to throw their arms around your neck and ask you to spend time with them, well, nothing compares to that.
Now here is a guy that gets it. Good for you Hoshour - I hope I will be so lucky when I get a few more years under my belt.
 

MWScott72

Active Member
Jan 27, 2012
220
0
West Jordan, UT
As to the OP's question, I would vote for WY hands down as a resident hunter. Everything you could ever want to hunt and first class outdoor recreational opportunities on top of that. MT is a close second (as a resident hunter), but doesn't have the speed goats that WY does.

As a non-resident I'd vote WY tops as well. Probably put ID second even though I've never hunted there, but the opportunities abound. I gave up on MT when they jacked their prices. They don't even get a glance when I'm sending out my applications.
 

2rocky

Active Member
Sep 10, 2012
290
0
Fire Beck , I went to school with the Tindall boys. You ever run into them?
 

2rocky

Active Member
Sep 10, 2012
290
0
That is exactly the paradox that I am in. I'm looking for that place. I can't literally get a job anywhere. I am looking for that place. Any guidance on where that place is? Or just an idea on the area?
HP...When you aren't hunting, what do you like to do?

Do you want to rent or buy a home?
Do you want to go out to the bars every night?
Do you want to meet the girl of your dreams and marry her?
Do you want to go to professional sporting events?
Do you want to be part of the volunteer fire dept in a small community?
Do you want a house in the city or country on agricultural ground, or the deep woods?
Do you like the Desert?
Do you like Snow?
Do you want to have a boat and spend the summer on the water?
Do you want to commute to work?

A quiz to start.

All of these kind of questions are going to determine if you are happy the remaining 49 weeks a year when you aren't big game hunting.

I live in (outside) a city of 70,000 and am active in the community of about 2500 people. I drive my kids to school on my way to work. I work in an industry where my clients have known my family for 3 generations, and our kids play basketball together. The closest Mule Deer is probably 3 hours away, and it is 5 hours to wilderness and public land.

I manage to Hunt out of state 2 or 3 weeks a year. Mainly because I have a career where I have paid vacation. I could hunt more close to home if I wanted but I'm happy with annual traveling hunting trips. 15 years ago I lived in Mule deer country but time and money (because of industry and pay scale) did not let me hunt deer that were literally in my backyard.

Moving out of Good hunting country actually allowed me to hunt more.