If you could pick any area...

[jdunlap]

Hello everyone, this is my first post here, although I have spent a good deal of time lurking and reading old posts. For what it's worth, this is the best forum for Mule deer information out there!

For my first post here, I have a question for all of you...

If you had 3 years to accumulate "preference points" or the like, and were limited to the following criteria:
1. Large amounts of public access / ability to get away from
roads, atv trails, etc.
2. A fairly decent opportunity for a quality rack
3. The ability to pack in and set up a drop camp type setup to
hunt from if we choose to...
4. Any terrain, any elevation is OK, we will be in very good
condition...I've hunted at above 7500ft before (Wyoming Mule
Deer, Bighorn Mts), and have a good idea of what it'll take
to get in the proper physical shape between now and then.
5. The hunt must be a rifle hunt, not archery...

If these were the criteria, which state and "region" or "area" would you choose to hunt for mule deer? I don't want you to give up your honey hole, I'm just looking for a few opinions on which tags you would apply for in my situation...and I'm not interested in a guided hunt or trespass fees. I'll shoot a slightly lesser quality buck before I'll pay for access or a guide.
I find myself in the situation of having up to 3 years to accumulate preference points (Wyoming) or their equivalent (other states), and would like to spend my time accumulating information on one or two areas to focus on...and your opinions would be very valuable to me, as well as very appreciated.
Plus, this could make for interesting discussion!
Thanks a bunch!
Jeremy

 

[travishunter3006]

go hunt stanley idaho.

 

[one_dryboot]

I would hunt colorado! Nuff said!

 

[jdunlap]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. I know everyone will have different opinions on this topic, I just think it'll help eliminate some of the "don't waste your time" areas, and could prove to be useful for several people.
I'll start researching the Idaho suggestion...
Any particular part of Colorado? NW, SE, Central, etc is close enough...
Thanks!
Jeremy

 

[swbuckmaster]

If I could hunt anywhere it would be ATK plant or antelope island with a rifle durrig the rut. That would be a challenging shoot IMHO.:7

Nets are for fish!!

 

[silverstatehunter]

I like the Jarbidge wilderness area 7 Nevada. It is far enough away from the crowds and a perfect spot for a drop hunt. There are some really big deer in there if you look hard enough. Also the Bob Marshall wilderness in Montana is a true wilderness expierence.

 

[nripepi]

Colorado is most likely your best bet, 3 preference points and hunting hard should give you a chance at a decent buck. Depending on where and when you go, there is a good chance you will not need to pack in.

 

[jdunlap]

Thanks for all the help guys, I appreciate it.
While I've been doing my research, I have run across a few references to western Nebraska, specifically the Pine Ridge Region and the Sandhills region.
It looks like there is a good amount of public access there in the form of national grasslands, walk-in areas, and WMA's, although it doesn't look to be in any extremely large chunks, so my "getting away from the crowds" criteria might be difficult to meet...
Does anyone have any input or information on Public Land Mule Deer hunting in Nebraska?
PM would be a fine way to respond as well...
Thanks again for all the help, you guys are really helpful!
Jeremy

 

[justr_86]

Nebraska is really hard if you don't have private to hunt on. We were lucky enough to make friends with a landowner that owns quite a bit of property and have a blast. Public is very very slim pickings, lucky to see a buck let alone one of any size at all.

 

[jdunlap]

Thanks for all the suggestions, and advice. Looks like we're going to take a hard look at Idaho, followed by perhaps Colorado. We also haven't ruled out Wyoming, although I realize it wasn't mentioned by any of you...but I have experience hunting there, and we might return to WY just for the sake of familiarity. I know some good bucks are still to be had there, it just takes a little more work to find them.

If anyone else would like to throw in their $0.10 worth, I'm all ears.

Thanks again for all the help!
Jeremy