Colorado Guided Mule Deer Hunts

Gunnison Basin Mule Deer

It's no secret that the Gunnison Basin has the potential to grow some of the biggest bucks in the west! Since we spend countless days in the field in the summer and fall, we are always trying to locate big, mature mule deer.

Our experienced Colorado mule deer hunting guides know the areas and basins that mule deer bucks frequent. We scout throughout the late summer and early fall to find them during the archery and muzzleloader seasons. Later in the fall during rifle seasons, when the deer begin to migrate to lower elevations, we take advantage of our BLM low country permits to hunt areas where bucks are rutting and migrating. We are grateful to be located in a haven for big trophy mule deer. The Gunnison Basin and Colorado Game Management Unit 55, GMU 54, GMU 551 and GMU 67 are some of the most sought after mule deer units in the country.

The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife manage our areas for high buck to doe ratios which allows some our bucks to make it to maturity. The Gunnison basin deer herd is managed to give you a chance at finding older age class, mature bucks. You have a legitimate chance at finding deer in the 165"+ inch Boone and Crockett range. Over the years, we have successfully harvested bucks over 200".

All guided Colorado mule deer hunts are 1x1 guided and 5-days of hunting. Our early and late season mule deer hunting packages (archery, muzzleloader and rifle) include 6-day food and lodging accommodations.

Mule Deer Preference Points

NOTE: The minimum amount of points does not guarantee a tag, but generally, if you add 1 point above the minimum listed below, it guaranteed the current year applicant a tag. Deer tag allocations in the Gunnison Basin can be very volatile based on the previous year's winter conditions, consequently, making the point situation change drastically. This makes it challenging to predict what CPW will allocate on those certain hard winter years. Consequently, we can not guarantee that you will draw the tag, even if you have enough points based on the previous year's draw odds.

Statistics based on 2024 applicants.

Preference Points - Unit 54 Mule Deer Tag

Resident 3rd Rifle, Unit 54 - 5 points (100%)
Non-Resident 3rd Rifle, Unit 54 - 14 points (88%)
Resident 4th Rifle, Unit 54 - 13 points (83%)
Non-Resident 4th Rifle, Unit 54 - 23 points (100%)

Preference Points - Unit 551 Mule Deer Tag

Resident 4th Rifle, Unit 551 - 5 points (89%)
Non-Resident 4th Rifle, Unit 551 - 18 points (67%)

Preference Points - Unit 67 Mule Deer Tag

Resident 3rd Rifle, Unit 67 - 8 points (15%)
Non-Resident 3rd Rifle, Unit 67 - 20 points (50%)
Resident 4th Rifle, Unit 67 - 13 points (38%)
Non-Resident 4th Rifle, Unit 67 - 23 points (100%)

Guided Mule Deer Hunting Rates

5-Day 1x1 Guided Archery, Muzzleloader or Rifle Mule Deer Hunt:

$7,500 per person
Price includes a guide for 5-days, food and lodging
Prices do not include license fees or gratuity

Gratuity is not mandatory but and industry standard and MUCH appreciated! Recommended Gratuity - Guides: 5%-15% of Hunt Cost, Support Staff/Packout Crew: $50 p/p, Head Chef: $50-$100, Asst. Chef: $25-$50.

To make a hunt reservation, you will need to fill out a registration form and we require a deposit of 1/2 the total hunt or $1,000 depending on your preference point situation. The second payment is due by June 15 and final payment is due 30 days prior to the start of your hunt. The deposit is non-refundable unless extraneous circumstances are approved by outfitter and if you do not draw your desired tag, you may roll over your deposit to a future year.

Mule Deer Hunting