Arizona Mule Deer Guides & Outfitters
Desert Mule Deer Hunts
Arizona
Guided Hunts also offers hunting packages for desert mule deer,
primarily in southern Arizona. Southern Arizona mule deer
bucks typically do not have much record book potential, but they
can provide a great hunt for the first-time mule deer hunter or the
hunter wanting a true desert deer hunt. If
you need your desert mule deer for the slam, this can be a very
unique and exciting desert hunting experience. Although there is
potential to harvest larger, the mature Arizona
desert mule deer bucks that we typically harvest in our hunt areas have racks
from 18 to 25 inches wide and have 3 to 5 points per side.
Considering this is the desert, deer densities cannot be high in such a dry environment. But, our guides have mastered the techniques and have done their scouting homework so that our hunters can see a significant number of deer, again, considering it is the desert. Our hunting style is the spot and stalk method. We hike to a good vantage point where a couple square miles can be seen at one time. Most of our mule deer hunting is done with our eyes through tripod-mounted optics. Once a good mule deer buck is spotted, we make our move from the vantage point for the final stalk. The terrain is very open, therefore rifle shots are usually over 300 yards and archery shots might exceed 50 yards. There may be a great deal of hiking involved, so hunters are encouraged to condition themselves to the best of their ability before arriving.
Our rifle season desert mule deer hunts are up to 4 days in duration and are conducted in early November. Rifle Season Tags are on a draw basis, but typically fair odds of drawing the tag. The application deadline for the deer draw is June 13, 2023.
Opportunities have been 100% for rifle desert mule deer hunts!
Licenses and Tags
Rifle Mule Deer Tags are by a lottery draw system with an online application process starting in May with a June 13 deadline. The desert species of mule deer has fair draw odds.
Archery deer tags are over-the-counter for residents. Nonresident archery deer tags are limited and available online on a first-come, first-served basis December 1st at 12am. Nonresident archery deer tags sell out within hours, so it's vital to get online at 12am.
Hunting license fees: $37.00 (Resident) and $160.00 (NonRes). All draw applicants need to purchase a nonrefundable Arizona hunting license in order to apply.
Deer Tag Fees: $58 (Res) and $315 (NonRes)
Our 2023 Season Dates for Desert Mule Deer
Our Rifle Season Dates:
Nov 3-7, 2023
2023 HUNT RATES
for
Desert Mule Deer
| Mule Deer Hunt Options | # Days | RATE |
| Rifle Desert Mule Deer (2 on 1) | up to 4* | $3,500.00/person |
| Rifle Desert Mule Deer (1 on 1) | upto 4* | $4,000.00/person |
Choose a "Hunter to Guide Ratio" of either 1-on-1 or 2-on-1. The 1 on 1 rate means one hunter per guide. The 2 on 1 rate means two hunters per guide. If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.
Guide-Only Option: Take off $300.00 from normal rate
Non-Hunter Fee: Some hunters like to bring along a buddy to camp and share the experience while they hunt. There might be an option to invite one person as a non-hunter or observer while on your guided mule deer hunt. Non-hunter space is very limited. Based upon availability. Mule Deer Hunt Non-Hunter Fee: $1,000.00
Description of Mule Deer Hunts
Rifle Mule Deer Hunts: Includes complimentary accommodations (tent camps), complimentary meals, a guide, skinning, packing out animal, up to *4 days of hunting. Choose a "Hunter to Guide Ratio" of either 1-on-1 or 2-on-1. The 1 on 1 rate means one hunter per guide. The 2 on 1 rate means two hunters per guide. If choosing 2 on 1, you must bring the other hunter to share the guide with.
* Hunters arrive in camp the day prior to hunting and depart camp about noon on the last day of hunting. Hunters depart sooner if they tag out early. Rifle seasons start Friday morning through Monday with hunters meeting us on Thursday. So, it's best if flying non-resident hunters arrive in Arizona the evening prior to meeting us (two days before hunting), rent an SUV from the airport, get a hotel room and we will meet the next day about noon in the hunt area about 2 hours from the Tucson Airport or 4 hours from the Phoenix Airport. These are the closest major airports. Flying hunters can follow us to camp with their rental vehicle. Flights should be scheduled to depart the morning after the hunt. More details on the general info page.
Accommodations:
Our complimentary accommodations are basic southwestern
style outfitter tent camps which are often located many miles from
civilization. Sleeping quarters for big game hunts are typically in
deluxe outfitter tents, unless noted otherwise. If you are looking for a hunt with fancy lodges, this is NOT the hunt for you!
Tent camps are used because we stay in remote areas. The
deluxe tents consist of large outfitter Kodiak Canvas brand tents. The size of our tents are tall and spacious
inside; typically 10X10 or 10X14 and stand 6.5 feet tall. The tents
are equipped with heaters during the colder months. Cots with thick
pads are provided, but all hunters must bring their own sleeping
bags. For those that own a camping trailer and would like to bring
it to camp to stay in are more than welcome to do so, but we cannot
discount the hunt any. It must be short and high
enough for ground clearance on rough, rocky dirt roads. Please ask for road
conditions before bringing one.
Video of our typical
camp.
Hunters should note that mule deer live in the lower desert mountains. Hunters are encouraged to condition themselves to the best of their ability in order to increase their odds for success. We do not use or own horses and pack animals. If you are looking for a horseback hunt, this is NOT the hunt for you.
Additional Information
Rifle Mule Deer Hunt Booking Info: The first step for a rifle season mule deer hunt is to apply for rifle tags and licenses in May. Hunters must apply for timeframe choices within a given area. The Outfitter will recommend the preferred hunt numbers to use in the draw. Odds for drawing rifle season desert mule deer tags are fair at around 50%. Once drawn, you will sign a contract and submit a 50% deposit. The remaining balance is due at least 21 days prior to the hunt. All monies paid are nonrefundable.We recommend cancellation insurance for all of our guests. Visit our policy page for more details. If you already drew a southern AZ rifle season deer tag, give us a call or email. A 50% deposit is also required for those that already drew tags. The remainder is due 21 days prior.
Other Costs and Considerations that are the hunter's responsibility: Licenses and tags, transporting yourself to/from the camp, rental vehicle, butchering, transporting your meat/hide/trophy to home, taxidermy, hotel stay before/after the hunt (if flying) are some other things to consider and are the hunter's responsibility. Gratuity for your guide is gladly accepted and is customary (15% is typical).
Space is limited, so book early! We usually only accomodate up to four 1-on-1 hunters in camp at a time, so book early.
Non-Hunter Fee: Some hunters like to bring along a buddy to camp and share the experience while they hunt. There might be an option to invite one person as a non-hunter or observer while on your guided mule deer hunt. Non-hunter space is very limited. Based upon availability. Mule Deer Hunt Non-Hunter Fee: $1,000.00
Be sure you visit our general info page.
Our Arizona Mule Deer Hunting Photos
John with a great southern AZ desert mule deer buck. It was his first-ever mule deer. Video of hunt
Dave with a nice desert mule deer that he shot at 255 yards. This is Dave's first big game animal!
Mike from PA shot a nice southern Arizona desert mule deer with his .300 WSM
Mark with his southern Arizona desert mule deer.
Eli with his first mule deer. He shot this desert buck at 258 yards with a .300 WSM!
Jim from Michigan took this buck with a .300 Win Mag at 450 yards during our Southern Arizona hunt.
Anthony from CA with an Arizona Desert Mule Deer taken during the January rut season using a bow.
Twelve year-old Bryce with his first deer!
John with a Southern Arizona desert mule deer.
