Colorado 2nd Rifle Mule Deer Hunt
Shared Trip
Active hunting
Exclusive drawonly tags for Colorado's premier mule deer seasonExpert guides navigate diverse terrain during peak rutting activitySingle hunter capacity ensures personalized attention and success
Colorado's 2nd rifle season is hands-down one of the best times to chase mule deer in the Rocky Mountain state. Running from late October into early November, this hunt puts you right in the sweet spot when bucks are getting fired up for the rut. The cooler weather gets these deer moving during daylight hours, and after months of bachelor groups breaking up, mature bucks are starting to show themselves more regularly. This is a draw-only tag situation, which means you're not dealing with the crowds you'd see during over-the-counter seasons. Silver Spur Outfitters has been guiding hunters through some of Colorado's premier mule deer country for years, and they know exactly where to put you when the conditions are right.
This hunt is built for the serious deer hunter who wants a real Colorado experience. You'll be working with experienced guides who've spent countless hours scouting and understand how mule deer move through this specific terrain. The 2nd rifle season timing is perfect because bucks are transitioning from their summer patterns into rut behavior. They're still hitting water sources regularly, but they're also starting to cruise for does, which means more movement and better opportunities. Your guide will have glassed these areas extensively before your arrival, marking bedding areas, travel routes, and feeding zones. Each morning starts before first light with a game plan based on current conditions and recent deer activity. The hunt capacity is limited to just one hunter, so you're getting personalized attention and won't be competing with other clients for the best spots.
Colorado's mule deer country is diverse, and your hunt will likely cover everything from open sage flats to thick timber pockets. The key techniques here revolve around glassing and spot-and-stalk hunting. You'll spend significant time behind quality optics, picking apart likely cover where bucks might be bedded or feeding. The terrain dictates the approach - in open country, it's all about glassing from vantage points and then planning a stalk that uses terrain features to stay hidden. In the timber, you're moving slower and reading sign more carefully. Fresh rubs and scrapes become critical intel during this timeframe. Your guide will have rangefinders, quality glass, and know the wind patterns that can make or break a stalk. The elevation changes in Colorado mule deer habitat mean you need to be in decent physical shape for this hunt. You might be hiking at 7,000 to 10,000 feet, and some of the best bucks are in areas that require a real commitment to reach.
Colorado mule deer are something special, and the 2nd rifle season puts you in prime position to connect with a mature buck. These deer are significantly larger than their whitetail cousins, with mature bucks commonly weighing 200-250 pounds on the hoof. The antler growth in Colorado is legendary - this state consistently produces some of the biggest typical and non-typical mule deer in North America. During the 2nd rifle season, bucks are in peak condition after a summer of good feed, but they haven't been beaten up by the full rut yet. Their coats are thick and prime, perfect for a shoulder mount. Behavior-wise, these deer are incredibly smart and use terrain to their advantage. They'll bed in spots where they can see danger coming from long distances, and their escape routes often involve terrain that's challenging to follow. What makes hunting them so addictive is their unpredictability compared to whitetails. A mature muley might hold tight until you're almost on top of him, or he might spot you at 800 yards and disappear into country you didn't even know existed. The 2nd rifle season timing means you're catching them as they start transitioning into rut behavior, so bucks that have been ghosts all summer might suddenly show up in new areas chasing does.
Colorado's 2nd rifle season is a top-rated opportunity that serious mule deer hunters plan years in advance. The draw odds vary by unit, but this hunt represents one of the best chances to harvest a mature Colorado buck without the pressure of over-the-counter seasons. Silver Spur Outfitters has built their reputation on putting clients in position for success, and their knowledge of local deer patterns is what separates a good hunt from a great one. The single-hunter capacity means you're getting a truly customized experience tailored to your hunting style and fitness level. With no meals included, you have the flexibility to handle your own food preferences and timing, which many experienced hunters prefer. The weather during 2nd rifle season can change quickly in Colorado, so you'll want to be prepared for everything from warm afternoon temperatures to sudden snowstorms that can actually improve hunting conditions. This is your chance to experience world-class mule deer hunting in some of Colorado's most productive units. Tags are awarded through Colorado Parks and Wildlife's draw system, so planning ahead is essential. Book with Silver Spur Outfitters and give yourself the best shot at a Colorado buck that'll look great on the wall and provide stories you'll tell for years.
Colorado mule deer are built for this country - bucks can hit 200+ pounds with those signature big ears and thick necks. They love the transition zones between aspen groves and open parks, especially around 7,000-9,000 feet. During 2nd rifle season, cooler weather gets them moving as pre-rut activity kicks in, making bucks less cautious than usual. What makes muleys special is their unpredictable nature - they'll bound away in that distinctive stotting gait, then stop to look back, giving you a second chance. The meat's lean and flavorful, and a mature buck with a wide, tall rack is hard to beat. Here's the key: glass the edges where timber meets meadows early morning and late evening. Muleys bed in the dark timber but feed in the open, so focus your optics on those transition areas rather than hiking straight into the woods.
Colorado