The age old survival instinct to hunt for food has never really disappeared from mankind's psyche. The excitement of the hunt, tracking down a wild animal and the final ambush still enthrall mankind. Today, trophy hunting is one of the most popular outdoor sports. The outstretched mountainous regions of Northwest and Southwest New Mexico offer some of the best locations for trophy mule deer hunt.
Hunting expeditions in these beautiful rocky mountains are probably the closest one can get to a true wild west experience. At some ranches, hunters have the choice to hunt from horseback, which enables them to cover vast areas without exhausting themselves. The views from some of these ranches are breathtaking and includes stretches of high prairie grass, rivers, rocky and forested canyons as well as mountain ranges such as Sierra Grande Mountain. This exquisite land is home to some of the largest rocky mountain mule deer.
During a typical deer hunt at one of the New Mexico ranches, two hunters are accompanied by a guide. If you want a guide for yourself, it will cost you an additional $150.00. The average success rate on top end bucks in this stunning part of the "Land of Enchantment" is 70%. Most ranches only allow a very limited number of hunters annually to keep it exclusive.
A five day hunt can cost you anything from $5,500 to $6,500. Prices include all necessary landowner tags, state licenses, state tax, meals, lodging, guides and transportation around the ranch. Game processing, taxidermy and gratuities will cost you extra.
The mule deer got its name from their huge mule-like ears and are indigenous to the western parts of North America. Although they are believed to have evolved from the much older white-tailed species through cross-breeding with the black-tailed deer, the mule deer has certain unique characteristics. It has larger ears, has a black-tipped tail and is generally also bigger than the white-tailed species. They are also known for their characteristic gait of landing with all four feet at the same time, also known as pronking.
These animals have a keen sense of smell - especially when upwind. Hunters should always study the wind directions before trying to approach a herd. Hunters are usually allowed some help in the form of products such as Mule Deer Urine Spray and Scent Eliminator to get close to a trophy specimen or to move into a secure stand without being detected.
To lure the big males that tip the scales at 200 kg and more, one can also effectively use equipment such as the deer bleat or grunt that imitate their sound. Both work equally effective with males and females. Specimen whose antlers reach a whopping 190 plus inches, are the most coveted trophies.
Since a serious decline in their numbers in the 1990's, several measures have been implemented to save this species from becoming extinct. Apart from humans, the mountain lion, gray wolves and coyotes pose the biggest threat. Thanks to altered tag allotments and other joint conservation efforts, the mule deer population has rebound and more records than ever are documented.
Hunting expeditions in these beautiful rocky mountains are probably the closest one can get to a true wild west experience. At some ranches, hunters have the choice to hunt from horseback, which enables them to cover vast areas without exhausting themselves. The views from some of these ranches are breathtaking and includes stretches of high prairie grass, rivers, rocky and forested canyons as well as mountain ranges such as Sierra Grande Mountain. This exquisite land is home to some of the largest rocky mountain mule deer.
During a typical deer hunt at one of the New Mexico ranches, two hunters are accompanied by a guide. If you want a guide for yourself, it will cost you an additional $150.00. The average success rate on top end bucks in this stunning part of the "Land of Enchantment" is 70%. Most ranches only allow a very limited number of hunters annually to keep it exclusive.
A five day hunt can cost you anything from $5,500 to $6,500. Prices include all necessary landowner tags, state licenses, state tax, meals, lodging, guides and transportation around the ranch. Game processing, taxidermy and gratuities will cost you extra.
The mule deer got its name from their huge mule-like ears and are indigenous to the western parts of North America. Although they are believed to have evolved from the much older white-tailed species through cross-breeding with the black-tailed deer, the mule deer has certain unique characteristics. It has larger ears, has a black-tipped tail and is generally also bigger than the white-tailed species. They are also known for their characteristic gait of landing with all four feet at the same time, also known as pronking.
These animals have a keen sense of smell - especially when upwind. Hunters should always study the wind directions before trying to approach a herd. Hunters are usually allowed some help in the form of products such as Mule Deer Urine Spray and Scent Eliminator to get close to a trophy specimen or to move into a secure stand without being detected.
To lure the big males that tip the scales at 200 kg and more, one can also effectively use equipment such as the deer bleat or grunt that imitate their sound. Both work equally effective with males and females. Specimen whose antlers reach a whopping 190 plus inches, are the most coveted trophies.
Since a serious decline in their numbers in the 1990's, several measures have been implemented to save this species from becoming extinct. Apart from humans, the mountain lion, gray wolves and coyotes pose the biggest threat. Thanks to altered tag allotments and other joint conservation efforts, the mule deer population has rebound and more records than ever are documented.
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