One of our best mule deer and whitetail hunts takes place on a 50,000-acre ranch. Conservative management has resulted in superb trophy hunting for both species. The outfitter takes only three hunters a year, and they have been highly successful. Here's how this hunt has produced during the past three years (gross scores):

"If a hunter is after a really big mule deer and doesn't want to go to Mexico, this is the hunt," the outfitter said. We have worked with the outfitter for about 20 years. He outfits on several ranches in eastern Montana, including his family's own property. Hunting is good on all his leases, but this one is special because of the extremely limited number of bucks taken off it each year. A 1x1 hunt (one hunter per guide) is $5,000 with a $5,000 trophy fee.

"Not everybody can afford a hunt like this," the outfitter said. "But those who can are amazed at the numbers and sizes of deer they see. If a guy would be happy with a representative animal, I have places where I can guide hunters for less than half what I must charge on this premium property, but this is the place if you want ther best chance of taking a Boone and Crockett caliber buck."