Hunt Hard Outfitters

Hunt Hard Outfitters (HHO) isn't a side hustle—it's what Jeff Lester and his team do year-round. Since 1999, they've been guiding hunters across Eastern Arizona and New Mexico for elk, mule deer, and Coues deer on public, state, and BLM lands.

Lester was born and raised in the White Mountains of Arizona. He started his professional hunting career at 19, working for some of Arizona's largest outfitters. By 1999, he decided to forge his own path and founded HHO with a specific goal: provide personal attention to each client instead of running a volume operation.

"We never overbook or oversell our hunts in order to focus on the individual needs, goals, and desires of our clients."

Their guides aren't just experienced—they're hunters themselves. This isn't optional at HHO. Most guides have taken trophy bulls with clients and on their own hunts. For archery elk hunts specifically, every guide is a seasoned archery hunter.

These two states hold ten North American big game species. HHO focuses on:

• •Archery Elk – 14-day season starting mid-September. Near 100% success over 15 years. 5/7/10-day packages available.
• •Rifle Elk – Late season (starts day after Thanksgiving). 90% success rate. Bulls average 330-340 B&C with potential for 350+.
• •Muzzleloader Elk – October and November hunts. Modern muzzleloaders shoot 300+ yards. Late season hunts mean bulls are in rough, steep canyon country.
• •Mule Deer – Trophy-class bucks in both states. Archery, rifle, and muzzleloader options.
• •Coues Deer – Arizona specialty. Growing in popularity. These small, elusive deer are native only to Arizona, New Mexico, and Sonora Mexico.
• •Youth & Mobility Impaired Hunts – Early October elk hunts with minimal pressure.

New Mexico landowner permits are available and range $6,500–$9,500 depending on unit, weapon, and dates. These allow you to hunt every year if you don't draw the lottery.

• •Arizona: Bonus point lottery. Takes 3–11 years on average to draw, depending on what you apply for. 10% of tags go to out-of-state hunters. You must buy a hunting license annually to be eligible (non-refundable). HHO offers application services for contracted hunters. Application deadline: mid-February.

• •New Mexico: No bonus points—all applicants are equal each year. 84% go to residents, 10% to non-residents contracting with a registered outfitter, 6% to non-residents without an outfitter. Landowner permits available if you don't draw.

Hunt packages vary by season and location. Remote unit hunts include lodging and meals. Local town hunts may require you to book your own hotel and meals (price adjusted accordingly).

Also available: - Meat processing and shipping - Taxidermy services - Preparation of heads and capes for transport - Additional guides (increases odds on certain hunts)

What you arrange: - Vehicle rental to meet the outfitter the day before your hunt

• •$1,500 deposit due immediately upon booking
• •50% balance due 30 days before hunt
• •Final balance due on arrival (cash or same-as-cash; no checks unless sent 3 weeks prior)
• •Landowner permit payments must be sent in full; full refund if permit isn't purchased
• •Deposits are non-refundable but can be applied to future HHO hunts

HHO puts 100% effort into every hunt, but they don't guarantee success. Drought and severe weather are beyond their control and can affect outcomes. Field decisions—the animal you take, terrain you cross, what you eat and drink—are yours to make. HHO's guides field judge and advise, but you make the final call.

Beyond outfitting, HHO manufactures and sells hunting gear designed and built by actual hunters. Current product line includes:

• •Hunting Packs (9 products)
• •Bino Harness (1 product)
• •Apparel (42 products including hoodies, long sleeve, short sleeve, women's, headwear)
• •Accessories (7 products)

All items are built with the field in mind—by people who actually hunt.

HHO provides reference lists upon request. They recommend calling past clients to learn what to expect. For questions about any hunt, contact Jeff Lester directly.