DIY Mule Deer? bunch of points in every state...

HuskyMusky

Veteran member
Nov 29, 2011
1,333
183
IL
Considering finally burning some mule deer points, probably have 10plus in every western state, max in WY,
would ideally like an outfitter, but money is a bit tight atm, but would like to benefit from all the points saved up over th years.
Anyone have any thoughts insight on the best diy mule deer state to actually get a nice buck? Thanks.
UT- 16pts (probably not Utah this year tho)
WY- Max 19*
NV- 18
AZ- 18
CO- 19
 
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JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
7,254
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71
Gypsum, Co
I know that Utah, Arizona, and Colorado require a lot more than 10 points for the better units. Unless you are thinking of general season tags where it is a crap shoot as far as quality.
 
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Naturebob

Active Member
Feb 28, 2016
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phoenix, az.
Dang thats nice, I wish I would have done that years ago . From Arizona I only went to 8 Points in Wyoming 6 years ago , gave up then Bought 2 now. Only made it to 4 in Colo. and burned em bout 5 years ago. never did anywhere else . Did hunt Mule Deer in New Mexico bout 5 times. I am 68 now and gona buy a few more in Wyoming or burn em on whitetail. Good Luck! how old are you ? ......................BOB!
 
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JimP

Administrator
Mar 28, 2016
7,254
8,589
71
Gypsum, Co
Dang thats nice, I wish I would have done that years ago . From Arizona I only went to 8 Points in Wyoming 6 years ago , gave up then Bought 2 now. Only made it to 4 in Colo. and burned em bout 5 years ago. never did anywhere else . Did hunt Mule Deer in New Mexico bout 5 times. I am 68 now and gona buy a few more in Wyoming or burn em on whitetail. Good Luck! how old are you ? ......................BOB!
It used to be that you didn't have to spend anything for a point in a number of states, just pay their application fee.

Then they started requiring that you had a hunting license to apply for the draw and to get a point.

It could get expensive applying in a number of states.

I had a qualifying license in Arizona for 15 years before I pulled my head out and started applying for other animals besides my usual javelina tag. If I would of done that I could of easily hunted the late deer season on the Kaibab.
 

HuskyMusky

Veteran member
Nov 29, 2011
1,333
183
IL
Dang thats nice, I wish I would have done that years ago . From Arizona I only went to 8 Points in Wyoming 6 years ago , gave up then Bought 2 now. Only made it to 4 in Colo. and burned em bout 5 years ago. never did anywhere else . Did hunt Mule Deer in New Mexico bout 5 times. I am 68 now and gona buy a few more in Wyoming or burn em on whitetail. Good Luck! how old are you ? ......................BOB!
I'm 44, my father is 70, 71 this fall. we pretty much both have the same amount of points.
 
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Lou (Louis)

Member
Aug 10, 2023
92
67
NorCal
Dang thats nice, I wish I would have done that years ago . From Arizona I only went to 8 Points in Wyoming 6 years ago , gave up then Bought 2 now. Only made it to 4 in Colo. and burned em bout 5 years ago. never did anywhere else . Did hunt Mule Deer in New Mexico bout 5 times. I am 68 now and gona buy a few more in Wyoming or burn em on whitetail. Good Luck! how old are you ? ......................BOB!
May I ask the cost of buying a point?
 

Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,832
2,219
Eastern Nebraska
Thank you, sir!
Pardon me if I'm being dense ☺ : so how many points to draw a decent unit for
-elk?
-pronghorn?
Decent is a matter of opinion and how many points it takes increases yearly. Am area that takes 5 points this year may take 5.5 or 6, or maybe even more next year. No way to predict how many will apply. The premium areas that most consider really good will basically be once in a lifetime draws.
 

Lou (Louis)

Member
Aug 10, 2023
92
67
NorCal
Decent is a matter of opinion and how many points it takes increases yearly. Am area that takes 5 points this year may take 5.5 or 6, or maybe even more next year. No way to predict how many will apply. The premium areas that most consider really good will basically be once in a lifetime draws.
Thank you!
 
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Hilltop

Veteran member
Feb 25, 2014
3,832
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Eastern Nebraska
It's sad but the reality is, people need to make the most of any tag they draw because it may be a decade or 2 or 3 before you get it again. Enjoy those hunts like they are your last. Interest in western hunting is increasing exponentially and money appears to not be a factor.
 

mallardsx2

Veteran member
Jul 8, 2015
3,879
3,167
It's sad but the reality is, people need to make the most of any tag they draw because it may be a decade or 2 or 3 before you get it again. Enjoy those hunts like they are your last. Interest in western hunting is increasing exponentially and money appears to not be a factor.
Kinda sad but almost all of my future hunts at this point are one and done. When I burn points for a species I am done. I will never be able to draw any of these 10 point+ units ever again in my lifetime.
 

Winchester

Veteran member
Mar 27, 2014
2,516
1,891
Woodland Park, Colorado
Considering finally burning some mule deer points, probably have 10plus in every western state, max in WY,
would ideally like an outfitter, but money is a bit tight atm, but would like to benefit from all the points saved up over th years.
Anyone have any thoughts insight on the best diy mule deer state to actually get a nice buck?
CO- 19
PM me if you want to discuss some ideas for Colorado.
 

ScottR

Eastmans' Staff / Moderator
Staff member
Feb 3, 2014
7,863
2,717
www.eastmans.com
Considering finally burning some mule deer points, probably have 10plus in every western state, max in WY,
would ideally like an outfitter, but money is a bit tight atm, but would like to benefit from all the points saved up over th years.
Anyone have any thoughts insight on the best diy mule deer state to actually get a nice buck? Thanks.
UT- 16pts (probably not Utah this year tho)
WY- Max 19*
NV- 18
AZ- 18
CO- 19
Shoot me a message on Wyoming, I have an outfitter partner who would be a good help for you.
 
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