One issue that many hunters in Utah have is consistently drawing a mule deer tag and having opportunities every year at nice bucks. Over the last 5 years, I have put in and drawn a Utah mule deer hunt every year. Out of these 5 years, I have tagged out 4 of the 5 years. In addition to tagging out, I have also had a chance at a 160″ or greater sized buck each of those years.
There are a few different hunts that you can draw yearly. It does take some research to figure out what hunt these are. The main hunts that I put in for are archery hunts, because Utah has an extended archery hunt that runs from the end of the archery season and until the end of November. I also live in a part of the extended archery unit, and I know the area really well.
Before I put in for any Utah mule deer hunts, I check the Utah Division of Wildlife’s draw tables. These tables tell you what the odds are of drawing the different mule deer hunts in Utah. It also tells you how many points it takes to draw out in these units.
After I check all the archery tables, I apply for the hunts that have a 99% chance of drawing with 0 points. I don’t really care where the units are that I apply for because, as I mentioned above, I live in an extended archery unit. (I will try to apply for units that are closer to me but if I know I won’t have a lot of time I will apply anywhere.) Utah lets you apply to 3 choices when you put in and any leftover tags go to tags that are the second and third choices if you did not draw your first choice hunt. So if you put in for 3 of the hunts that have a 99% chance of drawing, you are practically guaranteed a tag.
In Utah, you can put in for a general season hunt and a limited entry hunt at the same time. This allows you to put in and draw a limited entry hunt every 15 to 20 years. However, because it takes so long to draw it’s always good to have a hunt like the extended archery that allows you to hunt some bigger bucks every year.
One problem you will face hunting large bucks in the extended archery units is that most of the big bucks grow up in general season units. This makes them very smart, even during the rut. It is incredibly hard to catch up with and kill them. I have had a few opportunities at these large bucks, but so far, they have come out on top. Hopefully, that’ll change soon!
Utah Any Deer Hunts
The extended archery allows you to hunt either sex of mule deer. You can have a lot of good opportunities to hunt and kill a deer. It might not always be a buck, but you are almost guaranteed to find and kill a deer if you are a good archer. It is not uncommon to have at least a doe come within 20 yards of you.
