Arizona has some great top tier mule deer units & here are the best Arizona Rifle Mule Deer Rut Hunts for the 2022 season:

• Unit 13B (Arizona Strip)  Dates: 11/4-11/13 *Best genetics in the state of Arizona but the age class is down slightly from years past.  Most serious hunters will hunt for 190+ bucks with a handful of bucks being taken over 210″.    There are 70 tags being given (-10 from 2021) & the dates are toward the beginning of the rut, so pray for cold weather.
• Unit 13A (Arizona Strip) Dates: 11/11-11/20 * Great genetics but not as much deer habitat as you would think for a unit of it’s size.   Most serious hunters will hunt for 190+ bucks with a few bucks being taken over 200″.  The dates are in a great spot to hit the rut & there are only 40 tags this season (-10 from 2021).
• Unit 12AW (Kaibab) Dates: 11/18-11/27 *Great genetics but the age class is down from the glory days.  You will see a lot of deer on this hunt & it’s a full blown rut mule deer hunt.   Very fun hunt with only 40 tags that can yield bucks over 200″ but most serious hunters will be foolish to not shoot a buck in the 190’s.
• Unit 12BW Dates:  11/18-11/27 *Good genetics in this area which is less popular when compared to the above units.  180+ mule deer is a solid expectation for the more serious hunters but 190+ may be possible.  These hunt dates put this hunt in the middle of the rut, so older bucks will be more vulnerable.
• Unit 10 Dates:  12/9-12/31 *Solid genetics & age class can make this a sleeper NEW hunt with only 15 tags.   Mule Deer SOUTH of the Grand Canyon rut later than the deer North of it, so the December dates are right during the middle of the rut!   180″ bucks will be great for this hunt with the possiblity of a few 190+ bucks.  FYI-Don’t expect to see a lot of deer as the numbers are low.
• Unit 3A & 3C Dates:  12/9-12/31 *Solid genetics in this unit & some good bucks have been taken in the past. Mule Deer SOUTH of the Grand Canyon rut later than the deer North of it, so the December dates are right during the middle of the rut!  HEAVY snow can be an issue with these dates & unit.   180+ is a solid buck on this hunt with only 10 tags being offered.

Honorable Mention:

• Unit 12AE Dates:  11/18-11/27
• Unit 12B Dates: 11/18-11/27
• Unit 7&9 Dates: 12/9-12/31
• Unit 23 Dates: 12/9-12/31