Whitetail - Coues Deer

MONTANA RIVERBOTTOM WHITETAILS ONLY $2500
Here is a real bargain priced hunt that normally goes 100 percent success on quality bucks.  This 5-day hunt includes lodging, meals and transportation during the hunt.  Basically this is rifle treestand hunt and hunters can expect bucks in the 130 to 150 class with the possibility for a real wallhanger.  This part of southeastern Montana has produced some monster bucks with some going in the 200-inch class. 

Season normally opens about October 20 and continues up to Thanksgiving.  We expect the guaranteed license to be priced at $960 with a March 15 deadline.  Hunters fly into Billings and rent a car.  This hunt had previously been priced at $3,500.  Hunt WD79.  Pictures from this Hunt.

ALBERTA MONSTER BUCKS
This small outfitter only takes a few hunters each year and a couple hunters have been rebooking the past 10 years.  They are only looking for bucks in the 180 class and normally go home empty.  Last fall he had this same group of 4 and they only killed one buck grossing over 170 inches, but passed on several 150-inch plus bucks.  They immediately rebooked again for 2010.  The outfitter’s neighbor took a 6x7 grossing 215.  He hopes to have 2 more tags for 2010. 

This outfitter is an hour and half north of Edmonton and he hunts 70 percent private farmland and about 30 percent bush.  He mainly hunts the last 2 weeks of November and has 6 tower stands and 4 ground blinds, all heated.  Hunts are Sunday to Sunday, 6 hunting days for $5,000 plus license.  Ranch house accommodations, home cooked meals and Edmonton airport pickup is included. 

He takes one or two archers in late October for $3,500 for 6 days and more days can be added.  He also offers 6-day moose hunts for $4,500 in early November.  Success has been near 100% on bulls in the 30 to 45-inch range.  Hunt WD832.  Pictures from this Hunt.

RARE OPENING ON THIS KANSAS HUNT
The outfitter only takes 3 hunters on his first rifle hunt priced at only $3,950 and the same three HCU customers have had this hunt booked the past few years.  Due to a scheduling problem they cannot do this hunt in 2010, but they have already reserved it for 2011.  That leaves 3 open spots for 2010.  The size of bucks seen has kept this hunt booked, with the better bucks taken grossing in the 170’s.  Nice ranch house accommodations, good stand locations, 5 hunting days starting December 1, with lots of private land for only 3 hunters makes this whitetail hunt premier.  Hunters fly into Manhattan or Kansas City and rent a car.  Hunt WD662.  Pictures from this Hunt.

SASKATCHEWAN HUNT PRODUCING BIG WHITETAILS ONLY $2999
At press time only 1 hunter had not tagged out and the average buck taken grossed an amazing 150 inches.  In 2008 the average was in the mid-140’s with a 85% success rate.  That is doing really well considering Saskatchewan had a couple tough winters over the past 4 years.  This outfitter has 25 tags, but had cut his number of hunters down to improve on age and quality and it is paying off.

6-day rifle whitetail hunts in November are only $2,999 and archery combination hunts for both deer and bear are $3,999 the last week of September.  He has 19 heated box blinds about 8 to 12 feet off the ground.  For his archery hunts he uses ladder stands.  New two story cabin accommodations right on the lake with good fishing.  Deer license is $350 and bear is $200.  Taxes are included along with airport pickup in Saskatoon.  Hunt WD577.  Pictures from this Hunt.

COLORADO EASTERN PLAINS
WHITETAIL OR MULEYS
$2000 WITH $1000 TROPHY FEE
This outfitter has 4,000 private-acres in southeastern Colorado along the famous Purgatory River.  The land has 3 miles of riverbottom and we expect some nice bucks to be taken in 2010. Last fall the rancher’s daughter was after a big whitetail, but it kept hidden the days she could hunt.  She passed on plenty of smaller bucks in the 130 to 140 range and even a good non-typical mule deer, but she took the muley the last day and it grossed 185.

This 5-day hunt is only $2,000 with a $1,000 trophy fee and includes motel accommodations, but the hunter picks up his own meals at one of the restaurants in Trinidad.  Draw deadline is mid-April and the odds have been very high.  Hunt WD/MD680.  Pictures from this Hunt.

ALBERTA FARMLAND BUCKS $5000
At press time they had taken 5 bucks for 6 hunters and they grossed 160, 158, 156, 153 and 148, the unsuccessful hunter missed 2.  In 2008 his 12 rifle hunters took 11 bucks and one guy crippled a buck.   Best buck went 195 typical, followed by a 182, with the rest scoring from 151 to 158 except for one in the 140’s.  This hunt consistently produces great bucks in this agricultural region near Stettler, between Calgary and Edmonton. The outfitter uses treestands as well as putting on drives in riverbottoms and using vehicles to cover country. 

He likes to take 4 hunters a week during the last 3 weeks of November.  6-day hunts guided 2x1 are $5,000.  Nice cabin accommodations, meals, and airport pickup in Edmonton.  He also offers a 6-day combination hunt for both whitetail and mule deer for $9,000 and the average muley grosses near 180.  Mule deer only is $7,500.  License is $350 plus 5% tax.  Very limited openings.  Hunt WD883. 
Pictures from this Hunt.

BARGAIN PRICED KANSAS TROPHY HUNT
This outfitter has 30,000 private-acres along the Caney River in southeastern Kansas.  It is cattle country and has more of a rough hill country terrain. 

He will take up to about 12 bowhunters per year and at press time his 7 hunters had crippled 8 and recovered only 2.  Both bucks taken would gross score in the 140 to 150-inch range.  The rifle hunt had not yet taken place and he was going to take only 6 hunters total.  In 2008 the best rifle buck grossed 187 and they did take a 200-inch deer a couple years ago. Typically you should get an opportunity on a 135 to 155-inch deer and a few will get a chance at the 160 and up class. 

Bowhunts start the last week of October and continue through the rut in November.  5-day hunt, but if you arrive early in the day you can hunt that evening and he allows you to hunt the morning of departure so you can get in 6 days.  Price is $2,750 and includes lodging, meals and guide service.

Rifle hunts are $3,500 and start the first Wednesday in December.  The first hunt is 5 days and the second hunt is 6 days.  He has 28 enclosed stands on stilts with sliding windows that are totally weatherproof and plenty of lock-on, ladder stands or double bull blinds setup for his hunters.  This is a small outfitter that is serious on taking trophy quality bucks.  Draw deadline is May 31 and there are normally tags leftover.  License and tag total about $400, no tax.  Hunters fly into Wichita or Tulsa and rent a car.  Limited availability.  Hunt WD723.  Pictures from this Hunt.

TOP SASKATCHEWAN WHITETAIL HUNT
This is one of the best producing Saskatchewan hunts we are aware of.  He operates 2 adjoining areas in some of the best whitetail country Saskatchewan has to offer for a total of over 300,000 acres.  This area has fantastic genetics and HCU customers have taken several bucks in the 180-inch category on up to over 200 inches on this property.

In 2009 he had 6 archery hunters and they tagged 5 bucks grossing from 130 to 150 and 2 muzzleloader hunters scored on 150 to 160-inch bucks.  At press time he had 25 rifle hunters take 23 bucks, with the top 2 grossing in the 160’s.  Average was about 143 and several big bucks up to 180-inch were on trail cameras.

In 2008 his 33 hunters scored on 28 bucks averaging 145-inch Boone and Crockett.  The best buck taken gross scored 180.  He also took 6 archery hunters and they all took bucks including a 160 and 2 more in the 150’s.

He has heated box blinds both on the ground and elevated about 10 feet.  The one area has private cabins where the hunters eat their meals at the lodge and in the other area he has a large cabin in the woods for accommodations.  6-day hunts starting in early November are $4,900 and INCLUDE LICENSE AND TAX.  Airport pickup in Saskatoon is $300 or rent a car.  Hunt WD208.  Pictures from this Hunt.

SOUTH DAKOTA WHITETAIL HAVEN
Success has run basically 100% on bucks averaging from 130 to 140 Boone and Crockett gross score, with the top bucks breaking 150.  Very high deer numbers make this a fun exciting hunt and you can apply for a second tag and legally take 2 bucks on this hunt. 

5-day 2x1 hunt from November 6 to 28 is $2,950.  5-day bowhunt is $2,850 from September 19 to October 2.  If you have a second buck tag the trophy fee is $1,000.  In 2009 his 6 archers took 5 bucks including a monster buck netting over 160, the unsuccessful hunter crippled a nice buck.  At press time his 12 rifle hunters had all scored and the best buck grossed over 140, including a couple mule deer.  In 2008 his 23 rifle hunters took 29 bucks, two unsuccessful hunters missed 5 bucks.

He has 50,000 private acres located near Howes and he has some access to tribal ground.  Lodging is a doublewide, 2 bedrooms with bunks, 2 baths and satellite TV.  Mostly lock-on treestands and climbing sticks for stands with some pop-up blinds and a few feeders.  August 1 draw deadline with leftovers tags normally available up to October.  Airport pickup at Rapid City included.  Hunt WD605. 
Pictures from this Hunt.

KANSAS MUZZLELOADER, ARCHERY AND RIFLE HUNTS
UNGUIDED $2500/SEMI-GUIDED $3000/GUIDED $3750
This outfitter has 25,000 acres of some of the top private-land leases available in units 8 and 9.  He offers a full service guided 5-day rifle hunt for $3,750 or a semi-guided price of $3,000, which includes the same lodge accommodations, meals, property and blinds, but the hunter drives himself to and from his stand.  His unguided hunts are $2,500 and hunters provide their own lodging and meals.  He supplies the stands and shows you around.

In 2009 he hosted 7 muzzleloader hunters and they scored on 3 bucks including a monster 5x5 grossing 183 Boone and Crockett. His 10 archers took 5 bucks averaging 140 inches, crippling one with 100% opportunity.  Rifle season was not completed at press time.  

6-day muzzleloader hunts are $3,750 or semi-guided, when you drive yourself to and from your stand, is only $3,000.  Kansas allows scoped in-line muzzleloaders with no limit on magnification.  Season opens mid-September. 

6-day archery hunts are $3,000 or drive yourself to the stands for $2,500, remember same Accommodations and meals on either hunt. 

Hunters fly into Kansas City and rent a car.  May 31 draw deadline.  Hunt WD565. 
Pictures from this Hunt.

NEBRASKA WHITETAILS OR MULE DEER
ARCHERY $1995 OR RIFLE $2895
This outfitter has over 80,000 private-acres northwest of North Platte.  The area holds both whitetails and mule deer giving hunters their choice of either species on this 4-day rifle hunt priced at only $2,895.  Last fall 25 hunters took 23 bucks, including 11 mule deer averaging 150 inches.  The top 3 bucks grossed over 160.  The top 2 whitetails grossed 160 and 156, with an overall average of 135 to 140.  This mid-November rut hunt guided 2x1 includes ranch house accommodations and meals.

Archery hunts are the last week of October and the first week of November.  6-day hunt is only $1,995 guided 2x1 with house accommodations and meals included.  Whitetail archery hunters use ladder stands and tripods at center pivots, while mule deer hunts are mostly spot and stalk.  Last fall his 8 hunters took 5 muleys and 1 whitetail buck. 

He also runs a mid-December muzzleloader hunt for 5 days at $2,195.  Nebraska now allows scopes on muzzleloaders.  Fly to Denver and rent a car or if you fly into North Platte and they provide airport pickup.  Hunt WD/MD565.  Pictures from this Hunt.

TEXAS WHITETAILS $3750
This outfitter has 2 ranches totaling over 30,000 private-acres, all free-range, located 30 miles south of San Angelo.  At press time the top bucks gross scored right at 150.  You can sit in your tower stand and look over plenty of bucks before pulling the trigger on this hunt.  High deer numbers, nice comfortable ranch house lodging, good weather and fun guides make up the recipe for a very enjoyable hunt. 

4-day hunt starting the first weekend of November is $3,750 and runs to mid-December.  Openings are very limited due to repeat customers.  Some have been hunting with this outfitter for the past 12 years.  Airport pickup in San Angelo included.  Hunt WD233.  Pictures from this Hunt.

IOWA TOPS FOR BIG WHITETAILS
Iowa has always been one of our favorite states for big bucks.  Here is an outfitter that has about 4,000 private-acres in southwest Iowa that has not had any pressure.  He runs most of his hunts in Missouri along the Iowa border and has not pushed the Iowa hunts since everyone keeps rebooking in Missouri.  He plans on taking 5 late season muzzleloader hunters up there after Christmas in 2009.  In 2008 he had 2 archers and they scored on 140 and 135-inch bucks.

5-day archery hunts October 20 to the end of November are $2,650 and shotgun or muzzleloader December 1 to 5 and 8 to 16 is $3,300.  Nice lodge accommodations on the Missouri side include meals and guide service.  Gun hunters can expect to draw a tag with 1 preference point and bowhunters usually need 2.  Draw deadline May 5.  Call us to apply for the $11 preference point.  Plan ahead and get your points, it is easy to draw.  Hunters fly into Kansas City and rent a car for the 2 hour drive.  Hunt WD225.  Pictures from this Hunt.

SMALL ALBERTA OUTFITTER
This outfitter only takes a few hunters per year and the personal attention pays off.  Last fall his 2 hunters shot early and were done in 3 days, taking a couple non-typical bucks.  The outfitter was seeing some nice bucks including a buck with a 30-inch spread and a 24-inch buck with long tines, both should be there for the 2010 season.  In 2008 all 3 hunters took nice bucks.

This hunt takes place north of Edmonton in some great whitetail bush country.  Over the years success has been running near 100 percent on bucks averaging in the 150 class.  His hunters have taken bucks up to 200 inches.  Most bucks taken are old mature deer with good mass.

6-day hunts from November 13 to 25 are $5,350.  Nice accommodations, lodge, meals, box blinds with propane heat and airport pickup in Edmonton can be arranged for $100 making this a very nice enjoyable hunt in a trophy area.  Hunt WD975.  Pictures from this Hunt.

HUNT NEBRASKA’S MID-WEST BUCKS ONLY $2000
This rancher offers two 4-day self-guided hunts on private property that have been 100% success on bucks averaging gross scores from 130 to 140 and a few have gone over 150 Boone and Crockett.  He normally takes up to 4 hunters per year and he has a couple permanent blinds that can accompany two hunters each.  The first hunt he wants hunters to stay on stand and the second hunt after a day or two you can do some spot and stalk hunting. 

The Nebraska rifle season is generally from about November 14 to 22. This hunt takes place in the northwestern part of the state in Pine Ridge country.  Hunters fly into Rapid City and are responsible for their own motel and restaurant meals.  Last fall HCU customers took a couple good bucks in the 150-class and have rebooked the ranch for 2010.  2 spots remain for 2011.  HCU’s Bob Wodzisz has visited this ranch.  Hunt WD327.  Pictures from this Hunt.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TEXAS
WHITETAIL MANAGEMENT HUNT $2500
This outfitter has a free-range trophy whitetail hunt near San Angelo on 65,000 private-acres.  He has too many mature 8 pointers and needs to cull them from the gene pool.  He will run a 3-day hunt just before and after Christmas for only $2,500 and if you have a group of 4 he will work a discount.  This hunt is for the largest 8-point you see, no trophy fees or size limitation.  Included are ranch house accommodations, guide service, meals and airport pickup at San Angelo.  HCU’s Jim Bernardin has hunted this ranch.  Hunt WDMG157.  Pictures from this Hunt.

ALBERTA BOWHUNT AVERAGES 150
6 DAYS ONLY $2500
This includes lodging, meals, guide service and airport pickup in Edmonton.  6-day hunt in late September and the first 2 weeks of October, with up to 4 hunters per week. 

Last fall he had 6 archers take 3 bucks, a 157, 153 and a broken racked buck that should have scored in the high 150’s.  In 2008 he took 3 archery mule deer hunters that also had a whitetail tag.  They took a 152-inch whitetail, hit one and missed 2.  The outfitter then went out himself and took a 163-inch whitetail after missing a 175 with a 10-inch drop-tine.  In 2007 his bowhunter took a 178 whitetail.

This whitetail archery hunt is a tremendous bargain.  Archery mule deer average over 170 and is $4,500 with very limited openings.  Hunt WDB883.  Pictures from this Hunt.

NEBRASKA CORNFIELD BUCKS
This hunt typically runs 100% success on nice Nebraska whitetails gross scoring in the 140-class and up into the 170’s. This outfitter/rancher owns 3,000 private-acres along the Niobrara River and he normally only takes about 5 hunters on this 5-day mid-November rifle rut hunt for $3,750.  Nice bed and breakfast accommodations on the ranch, meals and guide service included.  6-day archery trespass fees in October are $2,500 and hunters take care of their own lodging and meals.  He usually only takes one or two bowhunters per year and success has been 100% the past couple years.  Hunters fly into Rapid City and rent a car.  Space is very limited due to repeat bookings.  Hunt WD5.  Pictures from this Hunt.

HIGH FENCE TEXAS WHITETAIL RANCH
This HCU exclusive has been a fantastic hunt and all past HCU customers have rebooked this hunt and had nothing but praise for the operation, quality and numbers of deer, fantastic accommodations with black angus steaks grilling over the mesquite fire.  This outfitter has 1,200 acres under high fence in the Texas panhandle near the town of Clarendon.  Arrive on a Thursday, hunt Friday, Saturday, Sunday and depart on Monday.  Three hunting days are priced very economically at $3,000 and that includes nice accommodations, food and guide service. 

A management buck of 8 or 9-points and gross scoring less than 150 Boone and Crockett can be taken with no kill fee.  Deer grossing from 150 up to 169 Boone and Crockett points have a trophy fee of $2,000.  Top trophy bucks scoring over 170 have a $4,500 trophy fee.  Limit of one deer per hunter.

HCU’s Scott Steinkruger has been on this ranch several times and he reports it as being quite a hunt.  The outfitter owns the ranch and with all the brush many bucks are seen for the first time during the rut.  Quail hunting or red stag can be included with this hunt.  Texas non-resident license is $300.  Hunters are met in Amarillo.  Very limited openings.  Hunt WDP806.  Pictures from this Hunt.

COUES DEER HUNT IN OLD MEXICO
Our recommendation is if you haven’t tried a Mexico coues deer hunt you are missing out on a special adventure.  Everyone should hunt Mexico at least once.  It is a great experience and fun hunt.

This coues deer outfitter had a slow year in 2009 due partially to guiding several young hunters but in 2008 he had a tremendous year.  Of the 8 bucks taken they took a 135, 2 at 120, 116, 115, with the smallest grossing an impressive 90 Boone and Crockett points. 

He offers 5-day rut hunts in Sonora the last week of December and the first week of January guided 1x1 for $4,500 and includes license, paperwork, gun usage and airport pickup in Hermosillo.  HCU’s Bob Wodzisz and Cliff Graham have been on this hunt. Hunt WD760.  Pictures from this Hunt.