What to Know About the AZ Strip Mule Deer Hunt

It's almost 3 million acres of remote land located on the north side of the Grand Canyon, so if you're looking for a combination of beautiful scenery, challenging elevations, and, of course, a trophy mule deer at the end of the day, you need to plan an AZ Strip mule deer hunt this season!

What do you need to know to plan your hunt? Keep reading to learn when the season opens for this area and what to expect if you're up for this challenge this season.

The area is known for providing large, mature bucks. So, while you're in for a challenging hunt, the Arizona Strip is known as one of the best places to hunt mule deer in the world. It's well worth the effort.

What is the Arizona Strip?

As we mentioned, the Arizona Strip is a remote area on the north side of the Grand Canyon known for its challenging terrain. This makes a successful hunt even more rewarding after overcoming a very physical adventure.

When tracking mule deer in this area, you'll encounter plenty of cactus, sagebrush, and red rocky canyons. However, it's a captivating landscape backdrop for glassing and hiking as you look for a buck mule deer to bring home as a reward for your hard work.

Because of the challenging terrain and remote location, many hunters work with guides familiar with the area. These guides scout throughout the summer and early fall to help guide hunters to the best locations for a successful hunt.

When Is the AZ Strip Mule Deer Season?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) regulates hunting seasons and wildlife conservation for the state.

For 2024, the mule deer season for the Arizona Strip (known as Hunting Units 13A and 13B) is split into two seasons: archery and general gun.

Archery season is typically the early fall hunting season, with gun season falling later in the year.

Archery

• 13A: Aug 23 – Sep 12, 2024
• 13B: Aug 23 – Sep 12, 2024

General (Gun)

• 13A: Nov 15 – Nov 24, 2024
• 13B: Nov 8 - Nov 17, 2024

For all open AZ Strip open seasons for mule deer, hunters can take any antlered deer.

What's the Difference Between 13A and 13B?

Other than the season dates, you might wonder how area 13A differs from 13B.

Both offer challenging terrain and big mule deer, but if you want to prioritize your hunt in one area over the other, you should consider a few things.

Area 13A is the Eastern side of the Arizona Strip. Many hunters would say it's a "tougher" hunt compared to 13B. However, they would probably also say the quality of the mule deer in 13A is better than 13B (although, again, both areas deliver some of the best mule deer hunting in the U.S.).

If a bigger buck is your priority, hunting area 13B could be the better choice for you.

Either way, you'll have an experience you won't soon forget, with plenty of stories to share with your hunting buddies later.

How to Get a Tag

You might be excited about the thought of a mule deer hunt through the Arizona Strip (and you should be). However, you'll need to plan ahead to get a tag, as they are very limited, in high demand, and only awarded through a draw process.

The secret about AZ Strip mule deer hunting has long been out, so getting in with a tag is a good chunk of the "challenge" of hunting this area.

For 2024, the available tags are as follows:

Archery

• 13A: 15
• 13B: 20

General (Gun)

• 13A: 40
• 13B: 65

As you can see, not a lot of hunters will be able to hunt the AZ Strip this season — but don't be discouraged if one of these hunts is on your must-do hunting adventures.

How to Apply

Your best chance of getting in on one of these hunts is to apply for the draw!

To apply, you'll need:

1. Your Customer ID
2. A Valid License Number (this is your hunting license)
3. A Four-Digit HUnt Number and Species Selection

You can find the Hunt Number within the AGFD's Hunting Regulations Guide. Make sure you have the correct number so your draw application is applied to the correct hunt.

You'll also need a valid hunting license to complete your application.

Check out this video walk-through of the online draw application process.

The Draw Process

After applying for the draw, you wait to see if you win a tag.

The draw has three phases:
 

1. Bonus Point Pass
2. First-Second Choice Pass
3. Third-Fourth-Fifth Choice Pass

So, you have three opportunities to win a tag every season. If you're not chosen in passes one or two, you have a last chance in phase three. However, if your number isn't called in the last pass, you'll have to apply again next season — unless you act quickly and snag one of the Leftover Permit-Tags that would be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

You Won a Tag. Get Ready to Hunt!

When you get a tag, you're in for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, you want to maximize every possibility of bringing home a trophy from your AZ Strip mule deer hunt.

Hunting the Strip means you'll be in some of the most "backcountry" land you'll ever encounter on a deer hunt. It's remote, rugged, and challenging for even the most "in shape" hunters.

Depending on when you hunt, It can also be extremely hot, very cold, or a mix of both.

You'll need the right gear and preparation to be able to make it through the terrain and then make your way back out with a mule harvest in tow.

Pack the Right Gear

Your gear list will change depending on whether you're hunting in the early or late season.

You'll need your take method, depending on the season you're hunting (i.e., your bow or your firearm). You'll also need any gear or accessories that help you hunt with your bow or rifle (arrows, ammunition, a bow sling, rifle scope, etc.)

Then, you'll need additional gear for a successful trek and hunt. Pack for a backcountry survival adventure and the time of year, and you'll be just fine.

These items could include:

• Rangefinder or Binoculars
• A Glassing Tripod and Spotting Scope
• Knife and Sharpener
• A Flashlight or Headlamp
• Your Tag and License
• Water and Snacks
• Camo and Clothing Layers (depending on the season)
• Personal items
• Rain Gear
• First Aid Kit
• Field Dressing Kit
• The HuntWise App

Every item on your gear list should support backcountry survival, executing your shot, and bringing home your trophy — and that includes your HuntWise app.

Scout the Strip

Even if you plan your hunt with a guide, you'll want to have HuntWise with you before your trip and while you hunt.

Not only will the GPS mapping help you know your location throughout your adventure, but spending time in the app to e-scout the terrain and potential mule deer bedding or feeding locations can help you work more closely with your guide to find a big buck.

With the hunting app's 3-D mapping and the new LiDAR map layer, you'll have a good understanding of areas 13A and 13B before you arrive on site. You can also mark spots of interest in the app and confer with your guides before your trek.

If you don't plan to hunt with a guide, HuntWise becomes an even more valuable tool for you when hunting the AZ Strip. You can mark your path into your hunt area — both before you arrive and as you walk further into the terrain — and take note of your exit, as well. Plus, with WindCast, you'll have accurate weather forecasting information to make sure you have the exact clothing and gear you need for your hunt.

HuntCast delivers insights into animal behavior based on the time of year related to your hunt. With real-time insights, you'll have the information you need in your hands to plan a hunt when and where you're most likely to bring down a big mule deer buck.

Get in Shape

We've mentioned the terrain, but it's worth emphasizing that a mule deer hunt in the Arizona Strip is not for the faint of heart. It's different than a duck or even a local deer hunt, where you can spend a free afternoon with your buddies outdoors and probably see some action.

While we believe almost any hunter can do it, it's not something that you just wake up one day, decide to do, and head out into the wilderness.

If you're not in good physical condition, you'll likely struggle walking through the area before you even spot your first deer. As part of your pre-season prep, you'll need to get in shape for a backcountry hunt by adding hiking (with a weighted pack), lunges, squats, and box step-ups to your exercise routine so you're ready for the tough conditions of the AZ Strip.

Get HuntWise Now and Plan Your Hunt

An AZ Strip mule deer hunt may or may not be on your list for 2024. Whether it is or not, you're likely hunting closer to home — and potentially more than once — for deer season.

We believe every hunt should be successful, even if "success" is time in the field scouting, learning the land, spotting deer signs, and thinking about the next time you can head out again. That's why we deliver the ultimate hunting app for hunters to use for e-scouting, studying the terrain, marking hunt areas, sharing locations and markers with hunting buddies, tracking weather and animal behavior, and more.

Your most helpful hunting tool is the palm of your hand — but you have to download it first! So, before your next hunt, make sure you have it. You can try the app — free — for your first week.