Best West Texas Mule Deer Hunts
Mule deer hunting has always been popular, but over the last several years hunting mule deer has become one of the most popular hunts in North America. West Texas mule deer hunts have always been popular, but as the popularity of hunting mule deer across North America has grown, so has the popularity of hunting mule deer in West Texas.
All of the mule deer tags in Texas are over the counter, and the ranch where I hunt West Texas mule deer has special permits issued by the state call Managed Land Deer Permits (MLDP). This ranch is 96 sections (61,440 acres) between Marfa and Valentine and with the MLDPs we’re able to hunt from the first Saturday in November through the last Sunday in January. Like I do with all of my ranches, I limit the number of hunters and West Texas mule deer harvested each year. I typically only harvest 4 West Texas mule deer off of this ranch and historically have 100% shot opportunity.
IMPORTANT: Because West Texas mule deer tags are over the counter, and because I limit the number of West Texas mule deer hunts I sell, these hunts always sell out. Plan on booking a year in advance to make sure you get one of my West Texas mule deer hunts.
West Texas mule deer are native game animals in Texas and the general hunting season is always the first week after Thanksgiving with a weekend on each end. The West Texas mule deer rut isn’t until late December and January, so luckily for us, the ranch I hunt has MLDPs allowing us to rifle hunt the mule deer rut. Hunting the rut for West Texas mule deer greatly increases our chances of seeing the big, mature bucks (6 + years old) that we are after.
We will be hunting at a working cattle ranch. There is frequent traffic on roads around the ranch, exposing the mule deer to the sights and sounds of vehicles daily. These West Texas mule deer are less spooked by vehicles allowing us to look over numerous animals and get within 200-250 yards of most.
Texas Mule Deer Hunts – Who is this hunt for:
My West Texas mule deer hunts are done out of my Jeep Scrambler, which has a seat in the bed of the vehicle. The roads around the ranch are typical ranch roads that are usually kept in decent condition, except during the rainy season when road maintenance becomes difficult to keep up with.
We spend the majority of our time hunting West Texas Mule deer out of a vehicle, this hunt is great for the novice hunter, the experienced hunter that may not be as agile as before, or anyone in between.
Texas Mule Deer Hunts Price: $7500
Deposit: $3750
Make sure to read my FAQs before you book. It has all the details about my hunts.
Included in all West Texas Mule Deer Hunts:
- 5 days/4 nights
- 1 Mule Deer Buck
- Guide
- Meals
- Lodging
- Transportation around the ranch
- Field care of your trophy
Not included in West Texas Mule Deer Hunts:
- Valid Texas Hunting License (General Non-Resident Hunting – Type 105 – $315 or Resident Hunting – Type 101 – $25)
- Gratuities
- Transportation to the ranch
- Skinning, caping, quartering of your trophy
- Drinks other than coffee and water
Additional services available for all West Texas Mule Deer Hunts:
- Predator hunting – no cost
- Javelina hunting (after harvesting West Texas Mule Deer) – $600/each (limit 2 per TPWD regulations)
- Aoudad hunting (after harvesting West Texas Mule Deer) – $3750/each
About Texas Mule Deer
West Texas mule deer are desert mule deer (crooki sub-species). They are called mule deer because of their big ears, like the ears of a mule. Mule deer are more grey in color than whitetail and they have a white tail with a black tip. They earn their nickname, Grey Ghost, because of their grey color, and tendency to just hunker down and hide when spotted/spooked.
Mature West Texas mule deer bucks weigh 200-250lbs, live weight, and typically sport forked 4×4 racks that are about 22-26” wide. West Texas mule deer can be found from about 4,000’, the desert floor, to over 6,500’, the tops of the mountains. The West Texas mule deer rut from mid-late December to mid-late January.
Mule Deer Hunts in Texas
Since my mule deer hunts in Texas are on a 96-section working cattle ranch all of my hunts are done out of a vehicle. This country is so big, that without the vehicle this hunt would be almost impossible. These West Texas mule deer are much more accustomed to seeing vehicles, versus people, so most of the shots are right from the vehicle, or in very close proximity to the vehicle.
A typical day hunting West Texas mule deer begins with us leaving the house just before sunrise, or right at sunrise. We hunt all morning until we’re ready for a break and then we find a place for lunch. Lunch is prepared by my cook and put in the cooler in the vehicle. After lunch, we are back in the vehicle in search of a big mature West Texas mule deer and his harem. Since the mature West Texas mule deer are so big, I would recommend a 7mm, or bigger, caliber.
Mule Deer Hunting Packing List
Please note that some of these links are affiliate links and I earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I use myself and found to be useful.
Since we hunt West Texas mule deer in late December and early January you’re going to want to pack for cold weather. Winters out in West Texas can be pretty raw at times. The days are typically sunny but it can be cold and windy, and if it’s cloudy on top of being cold and windy you’re going to want to have a lot of layers. I prefer to wear wool when hunting in the mountains, but if you like synthetic that will work also. “Cotton kills” in the mountains, so leave the cotton at home unless you plan to wear it around camp.
Here’s my suggested packing list:
- Valid TX hunting license
- Rain gear
- Backpack – a water bladder in your pack is helpful
- Comfortable boots/shoes
- Snake boots (I typically wear snake boots to keep the cactus/thorns/brush off my legs)
- Binoculars
- Jeans/Pants/Insulated Overalls (Lighter weight pants for the Spring/Summer and heavier weight for the Fall/Winter)
- Camo shirts: Long Sleeve Shirts & Insulated Long Sleeve Shirts
- Jacket/Coat
- Hunting Gloves
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Chapstick
- Insect Repellent Sawyer Permethrin
- Rifle & Ammo or Bow & Arrows
- Uninsulated & Insulated underwear
- Darn tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion socks are my favorite. They last close to forever!
- Comfortable camp clothes
- Personal Toiletries & Medicines
Also make sure to take a look at my recommended hunting gear list.
Mule Deer Hunting Regions in West Texas
The ranch where I hunt my West Texas mule deer is 96 sections between Marfa and Valentine in West Texas.
Texas mule deer are amazing animals and a great hunt, whether you are a beginner or an experienced hunter. Don’t wait too long, my Texas mule deer hunts fill up quickly and you should reserve your spot as soon as possible.
by 
