Southeastern Whitetail hunter wants a Mule Deer

Im looking into booking a Mule Deer hunt. I found one guide in the Rio Arriba area of New Mexico that offers some different camping/guiding packages that I like. One option is a self guided hunt with outfitted drop camp and scouting information. I'm good in the woods and can handle the cooking, but have never hunted in this area of the world (or anything like it) nor have I ever hunted Mule Deer. I know Whitetails in the think stuff very well, but that is it. I feel, however, that with a little scouting information and some good maps, I could handle glassing and stalking on my own. Am I being nieve here? Would I be wasteing $1,200 trying to save $2,000? They offer a package with two days of guided hunting and the remaining three being self guided. Presumably I could go out and do the same thing I did with the guide for the last three days. This option runs about $1,200 more than the drop camp option. I would like any opinions/advice you can offer. Is there another area of the country at which I should be looking. I thought NM may be a bit easier going terrain as I am a flatlander with a desk job and am not particularly fit (although some conditioning would be on the intinerary). Where should I go and what should I book? Thanks!