I am in the very early stages of planning a hunt. I am from western oklahoma. I have been hunting whitetails all my life. I am wanting to get into mule deer hunting. I have been reading eastmans and watching the shows for years. I am wanting to do a public land DIY Hunt. I have been looking at colorado for hunting. Would you suggest going to colorado, or what state would you recomend for a first time mule deer hunter? My brother is wanting to go with me. We are both in good shape in our mid to late 20's. Thanks for any input on helping me get started with my hunt planning.
Wanting to do a public land DIY Hunt
- Thread starter Ranchhand02
- Start date
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
Colorado is a great state for a first time mulie hunter. Eastern Montana is another good option, but tags are more expensive.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Lots of Mulies here in Colorado, like most other states with pref pts, some of the really great units are a little hard to draw. There are no otc tags here for deer, everything is draw. Check out the state Dept of Wildlife webpage and check out the statistics, will give you a realistic idea of just how many PPTs some of the units take. We basically have 4 deer seasons for rifle and seperate seasons for archery & frontstuffers. The later rifle seasons (3rd & esoecially 4th) are generally tougher to draw as they are a lot closer to the rut. We also have seperate private land tags in a lot of units, easier to draw, but you need permission and can only hunt private land with them.
Keep in touch and I'll try to help you as much as I can, altho most of my experience is on the western slope.
Keep in touch and I'll try to help you as much as I can, altho most of my experience is on the western slope.
Thanks for the info. I deffinetly want to hunt with a rifle for my first hunt. I read the MRS in the magazine and it looks like I will have to apply for a few years to build up enough points to draw a tag. What units would you recomend? What do you think the odds are of taging a buck on a public land hunt?
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Public land hunts can be great in the right area, especially wilderness areas. If you like to eat venison, I would apply for the buck tag as first choice knowing you'll get a point for not drawing, then I would apply for a doe tag as 2nd choice. This will give you an opportinity to see the area and hunt too. I don't see anywhere you are from, keep in touch.
I live in western oklahoma. What area would you recomend applying for? I get plenty of venison from my local whitetails. We are allowed 8 regular season tags, and 1 holiday bonus doe.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
We have Whitetails everywhere where I live. I have a group of does that come through right by my house all the time. We get two buck tags and 7 doe tags a year.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
trkytrack2
Active Member
DIY Mule Deer hunt
You might want to look into a "trade-a-hunt" deal with some of these western hunters.
You might want to look into a "trade-a-hunt" deal with some of these western hunters.
Old Hunter
Banned
Bitterroot Bulls
Veteran member
The deal is you take me hunting, I take you hunting. CO mule deer for OH Whitetail, etc. Just an informal agreement between hunters.
As far as I know, states don't offer any license trades, or anything like that.
As far as I know, states don't offer any license trades, or anything like that.
FullDraw24
New Member
Ranchhand, I am from Tulsa and I will probably be hunting Mulies with the bow this August in SC Colorado. I have the points to draw and am pretty certain I am going to make the move to put in for the tag this year for the unit I go. It's at 12000 ft. PM me and we can talk more about it.
brandenbowhunter
Member
Becareful...you have to be friends and no money can change hands..otherwise you can be hit with a guiding without a licsense...just a little heads up...you are legel if you pay for everything yourself and don't tip or pay anyone for it...
Branden is rite. That's why it's a trade hunt. I've done it here in Nv before. A good way to make contacts and meet new friends and open other opportunities.
Yep. Starting in 2011 all "guides" in Oklahoma have to have a permit. If no money changes hands then you are not considered a guide.