Arizona Mule Deer Hunting - Unmatched in Quality and Opportunity!
The Mule deer is Arizona’s most widespread big game species, found from high mountains to desert foothills. They prefer broken terrain with brush cover, especially pinyon-juniper and desert transition zones. Known for their large ears and bounding gait, mule deer hunting can be challenging due to low densities and wide-ranging movement.
We have been very fortunate to harvest trophy quality mule deer in excess of 200” across the entire state, from the Arizona Strip (Units 13A and 13B) and Kaibab Plateau (Units 12 A and B) to southern Arizona. There are excellent mule deer hunting opportunities statewide depending on how long you want to wait for a tag. Arizona still has a lottery draw system (See Getting Tags in AZ page) so there is always a chance.
Shadow Valley Outfitters would be proud to be part of your next mule deer hunting adventure!
Tags in central and southern Arizona can be drawn with little to no bonus points. Hunters can expect to hunt 140-160" deer from a trophy potential standpoint with potential for larger.
Our 5-7 day statewide (not Kaibab or AZ Strip) mule deer hunts range from $4,000 to $6,500.
Shadow Valley Outfitters guide Hunter Larson with a 215 inch velvet buck killed during the 2019 late rifle hunt.
The Arizona Strip—nearly 3 million acres north of the Grand Canyon—is one of the most remote and coveted mule deer hunting regions in the West. Limited access and minimal human pressure have created exceptional habitat for Mule deer, allowing bucks to reach full maturity and develop world-class genetics.
Native Americans have a long history of living in this area and developed a trail used for trade that became one of the main ways for settlers to access the Strip. Those who decided to stick around in the tough terrain used it for sheep and cattle ranches. The population of humans is still few and far between today, making the Arizona Strip prime habitat for mule deer and other game species.
You'll find red rock canyons, cactus, and sagebrush in abundance here. The canyons and high elevation make for great mule deer habitat however, this means hunters should be prepared for a physical hunt and time spent in the wilderness. The beautiful terrain makes for a great backdrop as you're glassing for your trophy buck!
Hunting Units 13A and 13B, the Strip offers early archery and rut rifle opportunities. While deer densities are low, the payoff is the chance at truly elite buck of a lifetime and the chance to mature bucks in rugged country defined by red rock canyons, sagebrush flats, and vast glassing terrain.
Success here demands preparation, persistence, and experience. Our team invests extensive time scouting throughout the summer and fall, utilizing a dedicated network of guides and spotters to consistently locate and pursue top-end deer.
Since 2016, we’ve guided hunters to 15 bucks over 200 inches, including multiple deer exceeding 215 inches and two over 245 inches.
For hunters seeking a true Western trophy mule deer experience, the Arizona Strip stands in a class of its own.
Prices - 10 day AZ Strip hunts range from $8,500 (single guide) to $15,000 (two guides).
The Kaibab Plateau is world-renowned for producing some of the largest Mule deer bucks not only in Arizona, but across the United States. Among serious trophy hunters, the Kaibab is widely considered one of the finest mule deer hunting destinations anywhere in the West.
With a long and distinguished history, the Kaibab has consistently produced exceptional bucks year after year. Its unique genetics have filled the Boone and Crockett Club record books with world-class deer featuring extras, cheaters, stickers, splits, and unmatched character.
Today, mule deer populations on the Kaibab are thriving. Hunters can expect to see multiple quality bucks each day, creating a true spot-and-judge experience. Success on these hunts comes down to patience, experience, and making the right decision when the moment presents itself—something our guides specialize in.
For those fortunate enough to draw a late-season Kaibab rifle tag, the reward is one of the ultimate Western mule deer hunting experiences—a rare opportunity to pursue truly exceptional bucks in one of the most iconic hunting areas in North America. Our team has been fortunate to guide many bucks over 200 inches.
Prices - Our 5-10 day Kaibab hunts range from $4,500 to $8,500.
Pat Overson with his great typical taken with Shadow Valley Outfitters in 2021
Our entire operation on the Kaibab is based off team work and extensive scouting efforts. We have a small group of exclusive guides who specialize in the Kaibab whom we trust to get the work done the right way. Our guides spend considerable time on the Kaibab plateau scouting in prep for hunts to get our hunters in a position to harvest the best buck possible.
Brent Curtis with his archery Kaibab Mule Deer from 2020 taken with Shadow Valley Outfitters
Archery hunts on the Kaibab Plateau offer the first opportunity of the season to pursue some of the area’s best mule deer bucks, typically beginning in mid to late August.
During this time, bucks remain in bachelor groups and follow consistent daily patterns, creating an ideal window for early-season success. Our hunting approach includes a combination of:
These hunts provide a realistic opportunity to harvest a mature Arizona mule deer without the long wait often associated with late-season rifle tags.
We generally target bucks in the 180”+ class, with the potential for exceptional deer exceeding the 200-inch mark.
August on the Kaibab is a special time to be in the field. Hunters can expect to pursue deer across Arizona’s largest stands of aspen trees, along with beautiful mixed conifer forests on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.
Guided Kaibab archery hunts offer more than just an opportunity at a trophy—they deliver a memorable, immersive hunting experience in one of the most iconic landscapes in the West.
Tim P with a fantastic Kaibab Muzzleloader buck
Muzzleloader hunts on the Kaibab Plateau are limited in number but offer exceptional trophy potential. With fewer tags issued, hunters experience low pressure and higher-quality opportunities.
At Shadow Valley Outfitters, we’ve taken multiple mule deer bucks in the 190”+ class and maintain a 100% opportunity rate on these hunts.
For those lucky enough to draw, this is a rare chance to pursue top-end bucks in one of Arizona’s premier mule deer units. We have custom long range muzzleloaders available to rent if you need one!
Brian Coover with his big Late season Kaibab buck taken with Shadow Valley Outfitters
Late season Kaibab deer hunts are some of the most sought after tags in the West. Tags in units 12A east, 12A west, and 12b west are highly coveted and give hunters a chance at a true giant buck, but only if you know where to look.
Shadow Valley Outfitters team of guides has decades of experience guiding late season hunts on the Kaibab. Our team has been fortunate to guide many bucks over 200 inches. We take a very limited amount of hunters so we can focus on the quality of bucks we harvest instead of the quantity of bucks.
We have the same guides on earlier Kaibab hunts which gives them nearly 30 days in the unit prior the late season hunter arrival. We love hunting for the biggest bucks and will push our hunters to pursue bucks of the highest caliber. Many hunters will pass on bucks they would have never imagined passing, while pursuing a Kaibab monarch.
