Archery High Country Muleys 2024

[Hunt4more]

I am planning my 2024 trip and would like to burn my 4 points on a unit for high country archery Mule Deer while I still can. I would like to hunt 54 and my buddy who is relatively new to archery hunting, has agreed to join. My question is how available would an early season 54 archery voucher be and what prices have those typically traded at?

 

[TKMulePacker]

That might be a tough find. Last year hunt code DM054O1A (which i assume is the hunt code youre applying for?) had 5 unrestricted land owner tags issued in the draw. Dont recall seeing any on either of the voucher marketplaces last year.

 

[lostinOregon]

Those are hard to find on the open market. I watch the market pretty close and haven’t seen one of those in years.

 

[nripepi]

Maybe he could get an elk tag instead?

 

[Mallardsx2]

^^He’s going to need to get lucky or have a couple points to get a 54 elk tag.

 

[TKMulePacker]

Maybe he could get an elk tag instead?

No OTC elk for this unit. EE054O1A took 2pts for nonres 37% draw and 3 NR Pts for guaranteed draw.

 

[The_Coloradoboy]

As someone who guides in unit 54… the high country deer hunt has become extremely poor. Very few deer in the high basins anymore. Majority of the deer live in the lower country year round now days.

 

[Sambo_1503]

As someone who guides in unit 54… the high country deer hunt has become extremely poor. Very few deer in the high basins anymore. Majority of the deer live in the lower country year round now days.

That’s interesting. I’ve observed the same thing in other high country units. It seems as recreation and hunting pressure has increased the deer numbers in the high country have noticeably decreased.

 

[Bluehair]

Or they may being killed on the winter range during the rut.

 

[AZGuy]

74 still has a few in the high country but it is not like it once was.

 

[HntHrdr]

That’s interesting. I’ve observed the same thing in other high country units. It seems as recreation and hunting pressure has increased the deer numbers in the high country have noticeably decreased.

Some basins in front range country that look like awesome habitat but are the most used wilderness in the lower 48 are all but void of deer these days… I think it’s from just too much human activity 24/7 as well and not all alpine will hold summer range bucks…