affordable mule deer hunt or moose

nhbuck1 · December 11, 2016, 01:44:00 PM

does anyone know of any affordable moose or mule deer hunts? i checked with some outfitters online and theyare a fortune.

Michael Arnette · December 11, 2016, 01:56:00 PM

Do it yourself for mule deer. 4 easy steps
1: draw tag
2: drive out west
3: look through expensive glass until your eyes pop out
4: drive home with or without antleres but always dreaming about the next hunt

Michael Arnette · December 11, 2016, 01:58:00 PM

Or you can go buy an elk tag and have every imaginable shot at trophy mule deer but not be able to shoot anything lol

nhbuck1 · December 11, 2016, 02:07:00 PM

id love to do elk as well just dont know how to get into it without an outfitter

BlacktailBowhunter · December 11, 2016, 02:16:00 PM

DIY hunts are a piece of cake. Nevada, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming offer great options. Shoot me a pm with your number and I'll get you started.

Ulysseys · December 11, 2016, 03:01:00 PM

In 2 posts Michael Arnette literally wrote the book on diy western hunting

centaur · December 11, 2016, 03:31:00 PM

Guided mule deer=expensive.
DIY mule deer=not too bad on the wallet
Moose=

longbow fanatic 1 · December 11, 2016, 04:25:00 PM

How much money is affordable for your budget? The biggest part of DIY hunts is the research you do. Figuring out draw odds, game populations, whose numbers can fluctuated with disease and winter kills, within the units you want to hunt as well as public hunting land availability within those units are just a few things to consider. If you really research the game & fish websites, you can discover how you can purchase OTC archery tags (which many states have available) and their maps show the units where large tracts of public lands or private lands are open to hunters.

This year me and a friend drove to WY for a week long hunt. Not including tag costs and items purchased prior to the hunt, we only spend $500 (each) for gas, lodging and food. About as cheap a hunt as I could imagine.

nhbuck1 · December 11, 2016, 04:39:00 PM

if i can spend around 1000 total id be happy, looking for something for me and my dad to do

December 11, 2016, 04:41:00 PM

DIY mule deer. I took my BMW out a target area in Colorado. While we were taking an off the bike looking through the big binos, eating lunch break, a mule deer showed himself about 80 yards away. It slowly walked up to us. When it got close I handed it half a glazed doughnut and he ate it. He looked at my wife and she gave him part of a pecan roll. He sniffed around and then went on his way. I have never figured this out , we were miles from no where and no where near a park. Mule deer were a lot harder to find that fall and not even bakery goods would get them to come in close enough for a shot or a meet and greet. I always wanted to do a central Canada moose hunt moose hunt, but after a couple of very scary close calls on canoe trips, I no longer wanted to shoot a moose.

longbow fanatic 1 · December 11, 2016, 05:01:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by nhbuck1:
if i can spend around 1000 total id be happy, looking for something for me and my dad to do

If you have the gear, like backpacks, binoculars, game bags, gps and all the necessities of a DIY hunt, you could definitely do a hunt for a grand.

Mike Vines · December 11, 2016, 05:35:00 PM

Here is some reading for you. This was a really fun hunt and one I will be doing again in the not to distant future...

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=129117;p=1

Irish Archer · December 11, 2016, 06:01:00 PM

He's my suggestion on the subject, at least for easterners heading out west. Do whatever you have to do to slot TWO weeks for a trip like that. THREE would be better if you can work that out. Most working type people usually can't.

You can chew the heck out of ONE week just driving out, and back, setting up a good camp, and getting a decent understanding of the lay of the land you're going to hunt.

You'll already have bought your tag, the cost of gas will already be covered, and another weeks food will be your only extra cost.

One week just is not long enough, in my opinion, but if that's all you have, that's all you have. But you're gonna want that extra week when you see how fast it goes.

Hoosierarcher88 · December 11, 2016, 07:19:00 PM

A mule deer and an elk are deffinitely 2 of my bucket list animals, as well as a black bear and sone hogs. Outfitters are just too pricey for me and have no clue where to look for a good diy hunt(id even be happy with diy hog). But i live in indiana so its just deer, turkey and small game for me.

nhbuck1 · December 11, 2016, 07:21:00 PM

now where do u go to find over the counter tags?

4dogs · December 11, 2016, 08:45:00 PM

In Colorado all deer are draw. Have to put in for your tag by April. You can buy elk tags over the counter for a lot of the state. Any wall mart, sporting goods store, some gas stations etc...

karrow · December 11, 2016, 09:38:00 PM

western Kansas has plenty of mule deer, and lots of public ground. I would bet it would be as cheap or cheaper then some of the other states mentioned. if your on a tight budget DIY is thee only way to go. other states would be Nebraska, and the Dakotas

Matty · December 11, 2016, 10:47:00 PM

MOST of the units in Colorado are OTC. AND many are 1 point units where you can apply and get same year. All of Colorado is draw only for mulies like others have already stated. But you can draw Most units same year especially those that are OTC elk
on a $1000 the tags will eat up the majority of your budget. If you hunt both. Deer only it will be about $400. I think that's For most western states. Non res.
If your not including that in the cost $1000 will take you a long way. Especially splitting the tab. Again like others have said. Take a good amount of time to do it. Especially if you are UN able to scout. I live in CO and I scout most weekends from April-August just looking for low traffic areas.
Good luck. And if I can help you in any way pm me.

Michael Arnette · December 11, 2016, 11:41:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by nhbuck1:
now where do u go to find over the counter tags?

South Dakota

Michael Arnette · December 11, 2016, 11:42:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by karrow:
western Kansas has plenty of mule deer, and lots of public ground. I would bet it would be as cheap or cheaper then some of the other states mentioned. if your on a tight budget DIY is thee only way to go. other states would be Nebraska, and the Dakotas

Non residents are not allowed over the counter mule deer permits in Kansas. And they are very hard to draw