A guided mule deer hunt can be a great way to get into a wilderness area and get into deer fast. When you lack the knowledge of an area and don’t have a lot of time, leaving it to the pros may be a viable option for you. Of course, this service comes with a price.
A guided mule deer hunt in Idaho can cost between $3600-$7000 based on various factors such as modes of transportation into the hunting area. If you want to do it yourself, the non-resident license and tag will cost $536.75. This is not including other costs such as transportation into the state from your home location.
There are also many other factors to consider. Different outfitters have different areas of operation. This means different units may be a general season tag or a unit where you have to draw.
Remoteness is also a factor.
If the area you are going to be hunting is in a designated wilderness area, that means that no motorized vehicles are permitted.
So you are going to have to be transported by foot, horse, or plane. As you can imagine these all have different costs.
In certain units within the operational areas of various outfitters, there may be chances for “trophy” sized mule deer. While there are many great bucks out there in any unit, certain regions have been known for trophy-sized gene pools.
Outfitters may charge a premium for these areas. This is usually the same scenario in many of the western states that hold mule deer.
Guided Idaho Hunt
Guided hunts are a good option for someone who might meet the following description:
- Hunter who has never gone hunting before
- Hunter who has never got a trophy-sized animal before
- If you have more money than time
- If you want to hunt a new area and are not familiar with the area
- If you just want to hunt a new area and want to go with someone who knows what they are doing
Whatever your reasons are for looking into a guided hunt, one thing is for sure. These guys know their trade and the areas in which they hunt.
So How Much Does It Cost?
Let’s take a look at an Idaho-based outfitter. The following figures are based on their 2022 prices for mule deer hunting:
Wilderness Rifle Hunts
| 1 on 1 Hunt: Meaning that it is just the hunter and the guide | $7,700 plus tax |
| 2 on 1 Hunt | $6,500 plus tax |
| 7 Days Fall Hunt |
Trophy Deer Hunts (Controlled Unit)
| 1 on 2 Hunt | $12,500 plus tax |
| Air Taxi | $ 450 per flight |
| Flying out the meat | $ 200 |
Flight + Rental Car
Some other costs to consider when planning a guided hunt would be transportation into the nearest major airport and then to camp. Keep in mind, that hunting guide base camps are not going to be near cities with rental car places, so you will have to pay for the rental the entire trip.
Some guide services may pick you up at the airport. It all depends on the outfitter.
Leave A Tip
Remember that just like any other service, a generous tip is expected for your guide. Guiding is a demanding job, and whether you are successful or not, the guide worked very hard to even the odds for you.
Gear: Another cost would be buying any gear that you don’t already have. Check out this guide.
Do It Yourself
Like many western states, the amount of public land in Idaho is immense.
A non-resident can easily acquire a tag and go out on his own and find a mule deer with sufficient research. Essentially, the cost of mule deer hunting on your own as an out-of-state resident would look something like this:
- Gas to get to Idaho
- Hotels along the way
- License and Tags
- Non-Resident License $185
- Mule Deer Tag $351.75
Hybrid
Another option that is sometimes overlooked by hunters is a hybrid option of going out hunting. There are guides that offer different aspects of hunting as a stand-alone package.
For example, you could hire a guide service to fly you into an area and drop you off. This is great if you have already scouted out a place and want to hunt it by yourself and simply need a ride into a remote area.
Similarly, you can find outfitters that will help you pack into a place with horses so you don’t have to haul in everything on your back.
There are outfitters that will offer you a guided map. Yes, they will sell you a map with guided points and areas of interest to a unit that has been known for good mule deer hunting.
You will need to ensure you have all your own gear and that you have the appropriate tags and licenses before buying this map.
Call The Outfitter
The best way to find out the costs for your exact desires and situation is to call your guide. They do this year after year.
They can guide you on exactly what to bring for the time of year and probably can help you pinpoint your costs based on where you live.
There are all kinds of packages that they offer as well. Hunting and fishing combos and other types of game to be pursued such as Wolf, Cougar, Bear, Turkey, Elk, and Moose.
Here are some Idaho-based outfitters to consider:
- Shattuck Creek Outfitters
- Mile High Outfitters
- Bearpaw Outfitters
- Wild Idaho Outfitters
- Idaho Wilderness Company
Idaho Fish and Game
As always every hunter should be kept up to date on the latest regulations in big game hunting. If you ever have questions, please reach out to the state game management department and ask them.
That is what they do. Many fish and game employees are biologists and avid sportsmen themselves and have a wealth of knowledge to draw from.
The pricing mentioned in this article is based on the 2022 season and can fluctuate in the future.
If you enjoyed this article, here are some more helpful articles from Pinetrees And Solitude.
- What You Need For An Idaho Mule Deer Hunt
- Catch Mule Deer While They Are Active
- What Should I Bring Elk Hunting? Idaho List
- Hunting Elk In Timber: Tactics To Even The Odds
(This article was originally published on Pintreesandsolitude.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.)