Skip to content
ProHunt
Big Game Odocoileus hemionus

Mule Deer Hunting Guide

Complete Mule Deer hunting guide. Seasons by state, hunting methods, trophy criteria, rut timing, and field care tips for mule deer hunters.

Rut Timing

Nov 10 - Nov 30

Boneless Yield

38%

Scoring

Boone & Crockett

Typical Season Dates

archery

Aug-Sep

muzzleloader

Sep

rifle

Oct-Nov

Note: Exact dates vary by state and management unit. Always verify with your state wildlife agency before purchasing licenses.

Trophy Criteria

Boone & Crockett Minimum

190"

Pope & Young Minimum (Archery)

145"

Where to Hunt Mule Deer

COdraw odds MTdraw odds WYdraw odds IDdraw odds NMdraw odds AZdraw odds UTdraw odds NVdraw odds ORdraw odds WA SD ND NE KS

Meat Yield

Animal Live Weight (avg) Bone-In Yield Boneless Yield Boneless lbs (avg)
buck 210 lbs 50% 38% 80 lbs
doe 140 lbs 50% 38% 53 lbs

Mule Deer Hunting Tools

🦌 Rut Forecast Peak rut dates by state 🎯 Shot Placement Vital zone guides 🎰 Draw Odds Tag odds for 9 states 📈 Activity Predictor Movement forecast by conditions

Other Species Guides

Elk (Wapiti) Whitetail Deer Pronghorn (Antelope) Moose Black Bear Mountain Goat Wild Turkey Bighorn Sheep

Mule Deer Hunting Articles & Guides

Kaibab Plateau country with ponderosa pine and aspen — Unit 12A mule deer habitat
destinations

Arizona Unit 12A Archery Deer: Kaibab

Arizona Strip mesa country at sunset — Unit 13B mule deer habitat
destinations

Arizona Unit 13B Archery: The Strip

Desert plateau country with juniper and distant cliffs — western Unit 9 Arizona hunting country
destinations

Arizona Unit 9 Hunting Guide: Kaibab Desert

Dense Pacific Northwest forest with mountain peaks and morning light
destinations

Washington Deer Hunting: Blacktail, Mule Deer, and Whitetail Options

Mule deer standing in a field of dry grass, Arizona Strip hunting
destinations

Arizona Strip Mule Deer: Hunting the Kaibab Plateau and Vermilion Cliffs

Mule deer buck in velvet on high alpine terrain in Colorado
destinations

Colorado Archery Mule Deer: Late August Tags and High Country Velvet Bucks

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Mule Deer season?
Mule Deer seasons vary by state and weapon type. Typical archery season: Aug-Sep. Rifle season: Oct-Nov. Peak rut is typically Nov 10 - Nov 30.
What is a trophy-class Mule Deer?
Minimum scores for the record books are: Boone & Crockett: 190 inches, Pope & Young (archery): 145 inches. These are all-time minimums — many hunters target smaller, more achievable trophy goals.
How much meat does a Mule Deer yield?
A mature mule deer bull/buck weighs 100–300 lbs live weight. Expect 50% boneless meat yield — roughly 190 lbs of boneless meat from an average animal.
What states can I hunt Mule Deer?
Mule Deer can be hunted in: CO, MT, WY, ID, NM, AZ, UT, NV, OR, WA, SD, ND, NE, KS. Western states like CO, MT, WY are known for their mule deer populations.
When is the Mule Deer rut?
The Mule Deer rut typically peaks during Nov 10 - Nov 30. This is the best time to target large bulls/bucks, as they are more active and less cautious while seeking mates.