Looking to start planning a diy mule deer hunt this year and was looking for some feedback. I've grown heavy interest the last few months to make it a goal this year but, I'm seeing pretty much every state is draw except a couple otc archery hunts. I would preferably go with a rifle to have more odds in my favor. I'm not totally against chasing them with archery. The only state that makes sense to me for a possible leftover/otc tag for rifle would be Colorado. I've done read Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Idaho and after a while they all start running together and get confusing. So, with that bein said does anybody have any knowledge as to how the second draw or later works for Colorado for rifle. I do not have any preference points so I know that will hurt me for the better units but, I'm hoping I can get in on a unit without preference points. I appreciate any and all info.

You should not have any issue drawing a second season deer tag in any unit in or around the Flattops Wilderness. 4th season tag for non resident will take you about 10 years unless you can find a landowner wanting to sell a tag. Some are good for private only while others will allow you to hunt BLM. This is Colorado I am referring to above.

Montana is not a bad option. SE Montana is not as hard to draw with zero points and terrain is more forgiving.

NE Wyoming units are not hard to draw with no points either but you can not go into the general draw. You have to pony up the extra $ and apply on the special tag option.

All that being said. I have done it on foot and horse unguided and i have hunted them from the truck with a guide driving. Go guided! You only have a few short days to make it happen and getting a mule deer out of even slightly ruff terrain is not like dealing with our whitetails. They are big heavy animals.

Send me a pm if you are interested in a reasonable guided hunt in Montana.

Last time I applied, drawing second in 12,13,23,24 is about 50/50 with no points. I stopped a couple of years ago with the “Qualifying License “ requirement. Squeezing extra money out of you.