Looking for Excellent Outfitter in Nebraska for 24' Mule Deer Hunt

[Dobeman289]

I am brand new here, and admit I don't know much about Mule Deer. I have hunted whitetails in IA and IL for many years, but never have I traveled beyond my "home" states to hunt. Neither have I ever used an outfitter, so I want to get this right the first time by doing my research well ahead of schedule. I am in very good physical condition and could handle anything that is thrown at me (at least at the moment). Just like everyone else I would like to harvest the largest buck I can, which generally requires good land and an exceptional guide. I have searched the site here and have found some information, which I will be following up on, but much is from older posts. I would really like to get comments from those of you who have had experience with outfitters in NW Nebraska (my understanding of where the best hunting for Muleys is there). I would be hunting with my muzzleloader in December. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[whiteantlertip]

Why not hunt un your on and save a bunch of money . There is lots of public ground in NW Nebraska to hunt , and during Muzz. not near the hunting pressure as in the early rifle season . Tags are easy to get in that area . The Pine Ridge area has both WT and Muleys . There is 24 inch muleys there but you will have to get the leg work in to find them. Good luck on your venture

 

[DaveD]

These guys are pretty popular - https://www.deermeadowsoutfitters.com/

Might have to wait for 2025 though.

 

[Dobeman289]

Why not hunt un your on and save a bunch of money . There is lots of public ground in NW Nebraska to hunt , and during Muzz. not near the hunting pressure as in the early rifle season . Tags are easy to get in that area . The Pine Ridge area has both WT and Muleys . There is 24 inch muleys there but you will have to get the leg work in to find them. Good luck on your venture

I have read that the public hunting in Nebraska is extremely pressured, that is why I was looking to find an outfitter.

 

[Dobeman289]

These guys are pretty popular - https://www.deermeadowsoutfitters.com/

Might have to wait for 2025 though.

I have read this, checked out the website. I am trying to put a short list together and then start making phone calls. 2025 would be fine. I have many hunts on my bucket list-bear, elk, cougar, wolf, axis deer, red stag, to name a few. Hoping to take one each year in the future. I have four years until I retire, but would like to get a jump on the list now, should something happen health-wise where I wouldn't be able to get out and take these trips.

 

[Nebraskahunter]

I have read that the public hunting in Nebraska is extremely pressured, that is why I was looking to find an outfitter.

Nebraska public is pretty tough business unless your able to put in a ton of time scouting.

The 2 I would recommend are Spring Meadows and Heartland Pride. Spring Meadows targets big mature bucks.

You’re best chances for a big buck would be during the November firearm season or early archery. December hunts can be pretty tough with or w/o an outfitter.

It’s your choice, but I’d shy away from deer meadows the quality has gone downhill with them selling more hunts. Is a landowner tag in eastern Colorado out? Much better quality of deer.

 

[Stillwater165]

Pine Ridge is now in the mule deer conservation area….. which is about 10 to 15 years or longer overdue ! Hunted it the last 3 years both rifle and muzzleloader before the switch , place was a joke ! I’ve spent a lot of time in the area in general for work in the last ten years also. Hate to sound like the broken record along with many other places but it’s a dead horse. Even peeking around out in the private ground I’ve never seen a place so void of deer anywhere in my life. Granted it can and does still happen , it’s gonna take some very major changes and time to help anything. I’ve also looked at a ton of outfitters , can’t say as I’d ever pay north of 5 grand to shoot a spindly horn 3x4 but that’s a lot of what I see in the trophy pictures. Just my personal observations but I’d look to a different state entirely. Colorado possibly ……

 

[Dobeman289]

Pine Ridge is now in the mule deer conservation area….. which is about 10 to 15 years or longer overdue ! Hunted it the last 3 years both rifle and muzzleloader before the switch , place was a joke ! I’ve spent a lot of time in the area in general for work in the last ten years also. Hate to sound like the broken record along with many other places but it’s a dead horse. Even peeking around out in the private ground I’ve never seen a place so void of deer anywhere in my life. Granted it can and does still happen , it’s gonna take some very major changes and time to help anything. I’ve also looked at a ton of outfitters , can’t say as I’d ever pay north of 5 grand to shoot a spindly horn 3x4 but that’s a lot of what I see in the trophy pictures. Just my personal observations but I’d look to a different state entirely. Colorado possibly ……

Sounds like that might be whaI will have to do

 

[Dobeman289]

Nebraska public is pretty tough business unless your able to put in a ton of time scouting.



The 2 I would recommend are Spring Meadows and Heartland Pride. Spring Meadows targets big mature bucks.



You’re best chances for a big buck would be during the November firearm season or early archery. December hunts can be pretty tough with or w/o an outfitter.



It’s your choice, but I’d shy away from deer meadows the quality has gone downhill with them selling more hunts. Is a landowner tag in eastern Colorado out? Much better quality of deer.


Nothing is out of the question

 

[littlebull209338]

Nebraska: Snake River Connection..Ted Sasse
Colorado eastern Plains: Nine Mile Guest Ranch..Rocky Pappas

 

[Dobeman289]

Nebraska: Snake River Connection..Ted Sasse
Colorado eastern Plains: Nine Mile Guest Ranch..Rocky Pappas

Have you hunted at those, word of mouth, ect??

 

[littlebull209338]

I have hunted many times with both. You won't be disappointed if you can get booked.

 

[Dobeman289]

I have hunted many times with both. You won't be disappointed if you can get booked.

Thank you very much-I will look into both.

 

[Sparks Shooter]

24’ mule deer are tough to find these days. ?

I don’t know much about Nebraska but I know you could find what you’re looking for in WY or CO———SS

 

[Dobeman289]

24’ mule deer are tough to find these days. ?

I don’t know much about Nebraska but I know you could find what you’re looking for in WY or CO———SS

I was obviously referring to the 2024 hunting season. The only reason I was looking at Nebraska was the December muzzleloader season. I teach high school (for the next 4yrs) and December would be ideal. I could hold off on the mule deer hunt, acquiring points in CO, and go after I retire (just looked at the deer hunting dates in CO, and that is precisely what I would have to do. I couldn't take a week off of school. Being a teacher provides a lot of time off, but not during most of the hunting seasons. Maybe go on one of my other bucket list hunts, like mountain lion in December? I will post that in another forum. Not ruling out Nebraska yet though.

 

[SHB]

You'll get done with NE and say :


"That was a waste of time and money."


And you can't get it back. Nothing makes you feel dumber.

 

[DaveD]

You'll get done with NE and say :


"That was a waste of time and money."


And you can't get it back. Nothing makes you feel dumber.

Yeah, definitely no big deer in NE.

 

[Dobeman289]

???- I don't know what to do.

 

[Bigwiffy]

I'm with Sparks Shooter when you do kill that 24 footer how are you going to get him home?

 

[270Whatelse]

Oklahoma

 

[30Hart]

Sent you a pm, I can help with several of your bucket list species.

 

[Dobeman289]

Oklahoma

Ok, ha ha-I teach high school, so over the years I have developed pretty tough skin. Guide me in the right direction for good hunting and I can take anything