Discover the Largest Deer Ever Caught in Arizona

iStock.com/Kerry Hargrove

Written by Alan Lemus

Updated: June 16, 2023

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Arizona has several parks and mountains that accommodate various deer species. The state’s most common deer include Coues whitetail and mule deer.

The deer hunting season begins toward the end of December, extending to early February for hunters who join the party late. Arizona’s most popular hunting grounds are the Coconino National Forest, Santa Teresa Wilderness, Woolsey Park Wilderness, and Saguaro Lake. 

Adult mule bucks found in Arizona’s hunting spots can grow up to 42 inches tall and weigh about 200 pounds. The average weight of does is 125 pounds.

Arizona attracts trophy hunters across the country as they declare their catch in various contests. Each hunter aims to catch the largest deer and enter the state record, or better, the world record for the largest deer ever caught. Records for deer caught in Arizona are categorized as a non-typical mule, typical mule, non-typical Coues whitetail, and typical Coues whitetail. 

Let’s discover the largest deer ever caught in Arizona and the world. We also learn about other deer caught in Arizona and general facts about deer.

The Largest Deer Ever Caught in Arizona

The largest deer ever caught in Arizona was a non-typical mule, hunted in 1943. The record-holding hunter, William L. Murphy, killed the mule at North Kaibab, AZ, on November 14.

The Kaibab Plateau extends approximately 1,100 square miles. It is situated between Utah and the Grand Canyon border, in the Southwest arid region. Unfortunately, the population of mule deer remains vague in the last century due to the park’s management complexities.

Despite catching the largest deer in Arizona, Murphy was not in the state record until three decades later. The undiscovered information remained unknown until the hunter’s son-in-law, William R. Karam, volunteered the details to the Boone and Crockett Records.

The buck’s score chart showed that it had 33 points of the total score, while its non-typical score was 115-1/8 inches. So, in addition to the buck’s 43-4/8 inches spread, its overall score was 324-1/8, making it the largest deer ever caught in Arizona.

Where is North Kaibab, Arizona, Located on a Map?

North Kaibab, Arizona, is a beautiful destination that offers visitors the opportunity to explore one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world: the Grand Canyon. Located within Grand Canyon National Park, North Kaibab is situated on the plateau north of the canyon and provides access to some of its most breathtaking vistas.

If you are planning a trip to North Kaibab and are wondering where it’s located on a map or how to get there, don’t worry! The park has several entrance points, but for those looking for easy access to North Kaibab specifically, your best bet would be entering through Highway 67. Once inside the park, follow signs leading toward “North Rim” until you arrive at your desired location.

The journey itself is incredibly scenic as well, with winding roads that offer glimpses of awe-inspiring views. As always, when traveling long distances in remote areas like this one, it’s important to ensure you have plenty of gas and provisions since services can be limited along some stretches of road.

Overall, if you’re looking for an unforgettable adventure in one of America’s greatest national parks, then look no further than North Kaibab!

Other Large Deer Caught in Arizona

mule deer

Hunters worldwide, especially in North America, are fascinated with large bucks.

While the non-typical mule deer is the largest ever caught deer in Arizona, other categories like typical mule, typical Coues whitetail, and non-typical Coues whitetail have also produced their respective largest kills. 

Typical Mule Deer 

The largest typical mule deer ever caught in Arizona had an overall score of 216-2/8. The details of its killing remain unknown, whether it was a natural death or an unclaimed hunt. 

The deer was picked up at Coconino National Forest, AZ, in 1994 and placed under the ownership of the B&C National Collection.

Typical Coues’ Whitetail Deer

With 394 entries in Arizona, the typical Coues whitetail deer is a common kill among hunters. The largest deer under this category ever caught within Arizona registered an overall score of 144-1/8. 

The hunter, Ed Stockwell, caught the deer on January 1, 1953, in Pima, AZ. It was later placed under the care of B&C National Collection on loan.

Non-Typical Coues Whitetail Deer 

The largest non-typical Coues whitetail ever caught in Arizona scored 196-2/8. The hunter was Native American, and the location of the kill was Graham, AZ. The deer has since passed down to other owners, B. Howard and D.J. Hollinger.

What is the Largest Deer Ever Caught in the World?

Hunters worldwide, especially in North America, are fascinated with large bucks. The more monstrous the animal looks, the higher the hunter’s chances of breaking the long-standing record of the largest deer of all time.

The most distinctive feature used to describe a deer’s status is its antlers, referred to as the spread. A large spread earns the hunter a badge of honor among their peers. If big enough, they may be exactly what is needed to break the world record.

Hunter John Annett is famous for catching the heaviest buck in the world. The whitetail deer hit an all-time high on the government-certified weighing scale, raising the bar to 431 pounds. But the buck’s live weight was estimated at 540 pounds.

Annett used a bow and arrow to kill the buck in 1977 in Ontario, Canada. Unfortunately, Canadian officials inspecting such kills did not get a chance to do so since the hunters butchered the deer before the authorities arrived. 

This buck broke a previous record of 51 years. It continues to hold the current record 46 years later.

Facts About Deer in Arizona

Animals in Illinois

Arizona has many spots for hunting deer.

Male deer are known as bucks, while female ones are called does. Amazing facts about deer include the presence of antlers in bucks and their absence in does of all species except caribou, also known as reindeer. Below are other facts about deer in Arizona.

Common Species

Arizona has two common deer species: the whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). Both species spread evenly across Arizona’s mountains, parks, and other hunting reserves. 

Population 

Mountain mule deer make up the highest population and live in diverse terrains, from mountainous forests to low and sparse deserts.

Arizona’s estimated population of deer is 160,000, with approximately 50,000-60,000 whitetail deer.

Lifespan 

Wild deer have a lifespan of 3-10 years, some living up to 20 years under proper care. The relatively short lifespan of deer is attributed to many predators within their habitats. 

Additionally, human activities such as hunting have led to a massive decline in deer populations.

Predators 

The main predators of Arizonian deer are wolves, bears, mountain lions, and humans.

Arizona is also home to other predatory animals, like bobcats and coyotes, posing a threat to the deer population.

Speed

Deer are sprinters and can jump over 30 feet forward and 10 feet upward. The average deer sprints approximately 30 miles per hour.

Another fun fact about deer’s speed is their ability to swim approximately 15 miles per hour when evading predators. This speed is higher than the Olympics’ fastest swimmer.

Hunting Grounds for Deer in Arizona

As mentioned earlier, Arizona has many spots for hunting deer. In addition, you can hunt in private reserves of public land as long as you adhere to the state’s hunting guidelines.

Here are some of the common hunting spots to look out for in Arizona.

Peacock Mountains

The Peacock Mountains occupy a relatively small area compared to other hunting reserves in Arizona. But it has a high deer population, increasing your chances of catching a buck or a doe.

These mountains are well-covered with vegetation, enabling the existence of animal species such as deer. You can catch mule deer or whitetails since they are the most common in the region.

Music Mountain

The density of deer in the Music Mountains is estimated to be as high as in Peacock Mountains. This estimation is not a wonder because the mountains border each other.

Music Mountains are covered under Unit 15A of game management in Arizona. They extend toward Grand Wash Cliffs to the south. 

The hunting season peaks towards the beginning of January, and you can use bows or shotguns. While the fields appear rugged and parched, it is easy to locate a buck or two every short distance. 

Hunting in these mountains is rewarding as you are unlikely to go home without a kill.

The Grand Canyon

Some of Arizona’s finest deer trophies are products of the Grand Canyon. As a result, some hunters have argued that it should be separated into two hunting regions, the south and the north. 

The management of the northern side of the Grand Canyon is well organized, ensuring the deer units stay within the set quantity and quality. But the southern part lacks proper management, leaving the hunters to unlimited tag quantity.

There are minimal limitations and conditions applied in these mountains regarding rifles. But archery hunts are more encouraged as they increase your chances of catching more mature bucks.

Coconino National Forest

A two-hour-30-minute drive from the Valley will land you in the Coconino National Forest in the northern part of Arizona. The productive vegetation in the two-million-acre land is home to many wild animals, including deer. 

Santa Teresa Wilderness

If you are an experienced hunter seeking a thrilling adventure, visit the remote and vegetative Santa Teresa Wilderness. The 26,000-acre region creates a large rugged space where many wild animals inhabit, giving you more hunting choices.

Located about three hours from Arizona’s metro, the Santa Teresa Wilderness has many trails leading to mountain lions, bears, and deer hideouts. Ensure your hunting skills are well-sharpened to an advanced level, as catching wildlife in this region requires experience.

Woolsey Park Wilderness

Woolsey Park Wilderness is a breathtaking region 30 miles off Phoenix. Despite its relatively limited space of 64,000, it harbors a high density of game, among them the mule deer. If you are a Phoenix resident, a short drive to Woolsey Park gives you access to top hunting spots for a day trip well spent. It is a recommended place to catch trophy deer.

Guidelines for Hunting Deer in Arizona

The deer-hunting seasons are differentiated by unit. The major hunting activities officially commence at different times — from August-September and December-January.

Securing a hunting spot may require you to do more than simply own a bow or shotgun, considering the various guidelines you must follow. Essential requirements for a deer hunter include a deer tag and a hunting license.

You must also be aware of the category under which you will be hunting to ensure you meet the set terms and conditions. For example, you can get a permit for the general hunt, muzzleloader hunt, and archery-only hunt. 

Other hunting categories include the CHAMP and youth-only hunt, whose permit tags are applicable through a draw. 

The archery-only hunting category requires you to get a crossbow permit, as explained in section R-12-4-216 of the hunting permits code. However, you can also opt for bow and arrow, which do not require a separate weapon permit.

Likewise, you must follow the R-12-4-101 definition to understand the acceptable muzzleloader weapons in the muzzleloader hunt. The R-12-4-304 prescription lists pre-charged pneumatic weapons, arrows, bows, crossbows, and firearms you can carry for the general hunt.

To qualify for the youth-only hunting category, one must be older than 10 years and younger than 18. Hunters between 10-13 years are obliged first to undergo and complete the hunter education course. 

After the course, a director must approve the youths and clear them for hunting as required under ARS 17-333.2(C). Youths not hunting under the youths-only section pay higher fees than those registered to hunt under the category.

Areas restricted to hunting in Arizona include golf courses, airports, county reserves, county parks, municipal reserves, and municipal parks. 

Key Takeaways 

The largest deer ever caught in Arizona was a non-typical mule deer which was undiscovered until about three decades later. The hunter caught it at the Kaibab Plateau and left it under the ownership of his son-in-law, who volunteered the information to authorities.

Arizona is a beautiful state with vast hunting opportunities. The parks and mountains have many animal species, making it easy to land your arrow or bullet on a deer.

Remember to adhere to the guidelines and get the necessary permits before embarking on a hunting spree.


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About the Author

Alan Lemus

Alan is a freelance writer and an avid traveler. He specializes in travel content. When he visits home he enjoys spending time with his family Rottie, Opie.

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