Best State for Public Land Trophy Muleys

[TXBRASS]

Friend and I are wanting to go after a big muley again. We bought a license 2 years in a row to get points and were drawn for AZ in 2019. We hunted 5 days hard and he saw a couple buck and killed one (medium size) and I saw one spike all week long.

We want to try somewhere else but looking for feedback on where we could get drawn within a year or two and be able to see some bucks. We aren't looking for a 200' buck but want the opportunity to get something with nice head gear. We are up for paying a guide as well to increase our chances, but don't want to pay the high price of private land.

Any recommendations on where to begin looking or an outfitter you'd recommend? We want to gun hunt only and stay in the USA.

Any direction would be appreciated.


Thanks!

[JTeLarkin08]

Colorado archery is gonna be your only option for within a couple years, unless you find a big buck on a Arizona OTC tag.

Most high country units in Colorado will have at least a few 180” bucks in them.


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[TXBRASS]

Colorado archery is gonna be your only option for within a couple years, unless you find a big buck on a Arizona OTC tag.

Most high country units in Colorado will have at least a few 180” bucks in them.


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What about rifle options?

[CrownKiller14]

Idaho. I'd find and outfitter you like and they'll be able to tell you more about tag timelines. Possible OTC.

[TXBRASS]

Idaho. I'd find and outfitter you like and they'll be able to tell you more about tag timelines. Possible OTC.

Thank you!

[sotx]

I strongly suggest becoming a member of Huntin Fool then give them a call. Great bunch and will answer all your questions and line you out on where and who to go with.

[JTeLarkin08]

Colorado archery is gonna be your only option for within a couple years, unless you find a big buck on a Arizona OTC tag.

Most high country units in Colorado will have at least a few 180” bucks in them.


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I dont know anywhere your gonna draw a rifle tag in a real good unit within a couple years.. But I also dont research rifle hunting. I know there are a few hunts in colorado but they are gonna be tough..

[jaker_cc]

On a couple year timeframe you can apply to New Mexico and Idaho and hope to get lucky. Most other states except Arizona otc archery or Colorado high country archery tags are going to be years out. There is always the opportunity to buy a Land Owner tag in Colorado but those are getting steep. Public land big bucks take years of commitment in my experience unless you just luck into a great tag in a random draw state

[Mossback]

Buy Supertag raffle entries . In all seriousness Jaker_CC pretty much nailed it. If I wanted to go after a 175+ in the next cpl yrs and wasn't opposed to guided I would be calling outfitters in Eastern plains Co and getting on the schedule to build the points needed if any. They should have LO tags as well that can be purchased. Competing with all the outfitters and their minions on public land these days to find big ones is a tall task, it can be done though.

[tdwinklr]

Colorado used to have OTC tags for public. I don't know about now but several of us took a trip to San Juan area around Cortez. Beautiful place, the scenery was worth it and we saw lots of mulies, a couple guys in our group killed nice ones. 6 out of 8 of us got deer. I had a chance at what I would consider trophy-class but couldn't get the shot off before the group with him scattered.

[7sdad]

Canada?

[diamond10x]

CO unlike other states there is a legitimate chance at finding a trophy 180+ in most units. Heck you can find pockets that’ll produce quality bucks in most states in easy to draw units just takes time and effort. I’ve killed a higher number of quality bucks on second choice tags in lesser known units than quality bucks in more well known units.

Mule deer, especially a mature trophy, is unlike any other deer species. I’m obsessed with sheep but mule deer are what I enjoy and spend most of my time out of state hunting for. Like said above, the easiest and quickest way to get a trophy is going to be a plains hunt in eastern CO. If you are set on a getting a good buck on public it can be done, just takes time and effort.