Mule Deer Outfitter Recommendations?

[Deep Six]

Hey everyone!

As we all know, life is a fleeting thing. My grandfather was recently bed ridden at the age of 89 and he is now getting around with a wheel chair when he can manage to get out of bed at all. Seeing this, I realized that he had never achieved his dream of bagging an elk (he had gone once, but they got skunked and snowed out). He sadly won't ever get that chance (but he does have plenty of huge whitetails), but it leaves me wanting to take my father on one of his bucket list hunts before it's off the table for him as well.

He turns 65 this year and can get around pretty well, but does have some knee issues that may prevent him from going too extreme, so I was wondering what you all might recommend for us?

We are in Texas, but I'd like to get him onto something where he can feel that he earned his buck, without putting him in a hospital, lol. Not sure what states might be the best in that regard. Obviously, I would like a decent deer for him, but honestly I'd mostly like to just spend a night out under the stars with my father while I still have him.

Appreciate any advice in advance!

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Look into New Mexico.

SE part of the state is Sandhills like the TX Panhandle. Not crazy draw odds but not easy either.

Cloudcroft/Alamagordo/Lincoln Nat. Forest area offers some easier draw odds but you’ll need to work for a big buck. Road access is pretty good in there too.


Wyoming isn’t a bad option either, some easier to draw general tags that offer a good opportunity at a respectable 4x4.

Idaho offers some decent hunts but terrain can get rough in a hurry depending on the unit. I’d you dad is a Vet he can get some really cheap licenses and tags but has to try and get a lucky random number on tag day.

Colorado is all draw but some decent areas. Will probably take a few years of points to draw.

 

[Deep Six]

Look into New Mexico.

SE part of the state is Sandhills like the TX Panhandle. Not crazy draw odds but not easy either.

Cloudcroft/Alamagordo/Lincoln Nat. Forest area offers some easier draw odds but you’ll need to work for a big buck. Road access is pretty good in there too.


Wyoming isn’t a bad option either, some easier to draw general tags that offer a good opportunity at a respectable 4x4.

Idaho offers some decent hunts but terrain can get rough in a hurry depending on the unit. I’d you dad is a Vet he can get some really cheap licenses and tags but has to try and get a lucky random number on tag day.

Colorado is all draw but some decent areas. Will probably take a few years of points to draw.

Appreciate the insight!

I'm a veteran, but he is not. I'll take a look at some of those areas and see if I can't figure out a plan.

Thank you!

 

[wesheltonj]

I will second New Mexico. While it can be a little pricey some places, the terrain is not bad even in the high mountains of northern New Mexico.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Appreciate the insight!

I'm a veteran, but he is not. I'll take a look at some of those areas and see if I can't figure out a plan.

Thank you!

If you both get into the Idaho wait queue that day you should be able to buy similar area/quota. There’s a very limited number of discounted DAV type tags but they cover some larger areas. It save you a few bucks but the seasons over lap

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

@Deep Six , I just booked an aoudad hunt for 2026 with Wildlife Systems. They've been in business for almost 40 years, so they must me doing something right. They have a good reputation. They also offer mule deer hunts, based out ranches around Marathon, TX. Their website has "Call for prices" on both the elk and mule deer hunts, which leads me to believe it might be a bit pricey. The trade off though, since you are in Texas, you can likely drive to the hunt.

Mule Deer - Wildlife Systems Inc

Mule Deer Texas is one of the overlooked, best kept secrets in the mule deer hunting world and Wildlife Systems offers excellent hunting opportunities on multiple private ranches in West Texas. Our mule deer hunts take place in a region where the subspecies is classified as desert mule deer...

www.wildlifesystems.com

 

[Betterinthebush]

Brady Loveless with Lonetree Outfitters in Utah.

Guided Utah Mountain Lion Hunts

Personally guided Mountain Lion and Black Bear hunts in Utah and Nevada. Guaranteed Landowner Tags and Conservation Permits.

www.lonetreeoutfitters.com

I can personally vouch for Brady. We hunted Mountain lion and Bobbers together and he came up to Alaska and hunted for two weeks with me for moose. The man is a class act and works his tail off. His clients knock down some monster mulies. HTH

 

[pilar]

Northeast Mexico at https://lapalmosa.com

They are good folks and have both muledeer, elk , bighorn sheep
And are easy access from Texas

 

[Rem280]

Highly recommend these folks. Smaller operation with a ton of deer. PM if u have any questions. https://www.armellscreekoutfitters.com/

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

Brady Loveless with Lonetree Outfitters in Utah.

Guided Utah Mountain Lion Hunts

Personally guided Mountain Lion and Black Bear hunts in Utah and Nevada. Guaranteed Landowner Tags and Conservation Permits.

www.lonetreeoutfitters.com

I can personally vouch for Brady. We hunted Mountain lion and Bobbers together and he came up to Alaska and hunted for two weeks with me for moose. The man is a class act and works his tail off. His clients knock down some monster mulies. HTH

The only challenge with Utah is getting a tag. One either needs to get insanely lucky (someone has to), build a lot of years worth of points (this was my 17th year applying), or be willing to shell out some serious coin for a CWMU landowner voucher. I can point anyone interested to a CWMU tag that's presently available, but expect to pay similar costs for the tag (doesn't include guiding) as you would for a 10 Day Trophy Elephant in Zim with Day rates and trophy fees.

There are some easier to draw management or cactus buck tags but sometimes the challenge with those hunts are you're searching for a needle in a haystack deer wise. Typically these tags are offered in some of the top end, most managed units like the Paunsagant to help further improve the trophy quality. It'd be a heck of a cool hunt but imagine seeing multiple 180 and 200+ class deer rutting, that you need to pass looking for a velvet buck. You've also got the general buck season in some of the lesser managed areas, and more physically demanding units.

 

[Jeff505]

@Deep Six , I just booked an aoudad hunt for 2026 with Wildlife Systems. They've been in business for almost 40 years, so they must me doing something right. They have a good reputation. They also offer mule deer hunts, based out ranches around Marathon, TX. Their website has "Call for prices" on both the elk and mule deer hunts, which leads me to believe it might be a bit pricey. The trade off though, since you are in Texas, you can likely drive to the hunt.

Mule Deer - Wildlife Systems Inc

Mule Deer Texas is one of the overlooked, best kept secrets in the mule deer hunting world and Wildlife Systems offers excellent hunting opportunities on multiple private ranches in West Texas. Our mule deer hunts take place in a region where the subspecies is classified as desert mule deer...

www.wildlifesystems.com

I would second Wildlife systems, the desert mule deer prices might be high but it would seems that this would be less physically demanding. The have a wide variety of hunts across texas. Good luck.

 

[3chunter]

Oklahoma panhandle?