Freaking Nevada !!!

Daxter · Dec 27, 2006

I just started putting in last year for deer and antelope and I am starting to doubt whether I should stick with it. I don't mind paying to apply in ID because I know that I can still get a general tag (even though there are no points). I paid $170 to apply in NV and then found out that I have to buy an additinal upland stamp even if I just want to go hunt birds! For you guys that have hunted NV, is it worth it? I am worried that by the time I have the points to draw a decent unit the whole state will have burned up and turned to pure cheatgrass, or the state will change the rules on me and charge $1500 for the deer tag. In the light of the risks and uncertainty is it worth the money to keep applying? Give me your take on the future of deer hunting in NV. Thanks.

Dax

chasemike · Dec 27, 2006

If you want to hunt in Nevada, you do. I have five points for deer, elk, & antelope, will be waiting for few more years.Mike

unclebuck · Dec 27, 2006

I have 8 points for deer and 5 for antelope, drew deer my first year with 0 points. Hope 07 is the year , you never know.

fatrooster · Dec 27, 2006

Daxter, check the draw odds when you choose the areas you put in for. I've seen 3 to 1 odds for nonresidents in the muzzleloader draws in some areas which was the same as a resident. If you do your homework you can find some good draw odds that might make it a liitle more worth your time and money. I can't really compare NV to other states because I've only hunted Nevada for the last 10 years other than one trip to Idaho. I do know that there are lots of bucks out there but I personally had trouble finding anything over the 170 class for the last two years and I hunt hard and do a lot of glassing and bivvy hunting. I will say that the overall age class of bucks was better this year than last year and I expect to see some nice 4 to 5 year old bucks running around this year. I hope this helps. fatrooster.

BigFin · Dec 27, 2006

Dax:

Don't waste your money. I applied for many years. I drew another deer tag in '06 and elk in '05. If I were you, I would not apply, so guys like me will have better odds at having the hunt of a lifetime.

Even though when asked, I recommend that no other nonresidents apply in NV, I intend to do so myself. I must be really stupid (trust me, I am), or I must really enjoy vast expanses of wild ground to chase mature animals, all for a very reasonable price.

I hope you draw some day, so long as it isn't a tag I was trying to get. Good luck!

Big Fin

P.S. Even the "marginal" units in NV are better than most units in other states.

"Hunt when you can - You're gonna' run out of health before you run out of money!"

jims · Dec 27, 2006

Just like any other draw it comes down to which units you apply and how lucky you are in the draw! Obviously the reknown units that Garth and others advertise as having super bucks are likely going to take years to draw. Other lesser known units where you may have to work harder to find the few giant bucks that exist may take fewer years to draw.

I believe I have about 9 bonus pts going in to this years draw and still don't think I have a very good chance of drawing the premier muley units. At $142/yr for a license plus other fees I am asking myself the same question! I'm in it too far now to quit and am hoping they don't up the price more than it already is! Maybe this is the year! 10 years x $150/year adds up to a lot of cash but I guess it still is cheaper than most guided hunts!

Califelkslayer · Dec 27, 2006

My recommendation is if you are buying the license, apply for ALL species. When Nv went to the internet application, draw odds got tougher but I was able to apply for 2 species of sheep (now 3) elk, deer and antelope. Spread you hunting license fee over 6 applications and its only $25.00 per.

Before I could only afford deer and antelope. I couldn't sent them $1,000.00 for elk, and $2,000.00 for two species of sheep. Now its $1,200.00 if you draw but at least I can afford to apply.

As far as the $10.00 upland bird stamp. Thats the price of a box of shells, $.05 raise in the price of diesel for one trip, etc. DO NOT HUNT CHUKAR IN NEVADA, IT SUCKS ANYWAYS! j/k

COSA · Dec 28, 2006

Like previously said, If your only applying for the high profile units like 33 and 231, its likley going to be a long wait. There's a lot of units in the central and northern part of the state that offer a lot better odds of drawing and good hunting as well.

jims · Dec 28, 2006

At almost $300/yr to apply for all species NV is truly a "rich mans" state to apply for nonres! It makes me gasp for air when I think what it may cost 10 years from now! 10 yrs x $300 is enough cash for a guided hunt for some species or just about enough for an unguided Alaska trip.

ElmerFudd · Dec 28, 2006

A couple of guys I know are just buying landowner deer tags. And for the units they hunt, it statistically is cheaper to buy the landowner tag than go through the draws and figure on average luck to draw. Plus they can go every year they want. I know NV preys on hunting addicts, at around $300 per year nonrefundable just to apply for everything, but what do you do? I guess there are more expensive addictions out there. And I would hate to die knowing I did not do everything legal, short of coughing up the big bucks for Mexico, to try to hunt a desert bighorn in my lifetime.

NMHUNTNUTT1 · Dec 28, 2006

Its sure changed since I lived there back in the early 90s'. We would draw every year , guess I took it for granted as I may never get to hunt the Silver state again...

boneaddict · Dec 28, 2006

Its really no different than any other state. Get in the points race, stick to the points race and hopefully have a hunt of a lifetime. Odds are you are wasting your money. But....there are alot of other things out there that are a waste of money as well. I just recommend that you don't sit down with a calculator, and add it all up.

mevertsen · Dec 28, 2006

The way I look at it, its cheap. I an a NV resident. I spend about $140 a year on hunting license, bird stamps, lion tag, and trout stamp. Add on to that the species I apply for. That comes out to about what, $.40 a day? I know people who spend $4+ on a cup of coffee everyday!! Now, I am not a non res, so don't have to fork out the extra doe, but if you want to hunt, you apply. I have also looked at other states, and except for Idaho, there aren't many left where you are playing the odds and throwing money into the state. Hunt the state you live in, apply for other states where you want to hunt, and hope for the best. If you don't want to apply any more, let the other guys have a better chance.

BTW - The upland bird stamp seems to be doing ok, there are a lot of guzzlers in the state that were in need of repair, and the stamp helps pay a full time crew to repair them.

Later,

Marcial

Daxter · Dec 28, 2006

Thanks for the replies. Some good advice, and some advice worth what I paid for it. If I can just convince my wife it is a good idea I am ready to keep playing the odds. However, I still think it is lame to make non-residents buy an additional stamp to hunt birds after I already bought a $140 license that I am not going to use at all. I gotta gripe a little. Good luck to everyone in the upcoming draws.

Dax

DidIDraw · Dec 29, 2006

Dax

We all feel your pain. It gets more expensive every year to apply in various states.

Nevada is a great place to play the points game because they square your points for the draw (i.e. 5 points squared = 25 plus this year = 26 chances to draw). This will dramatically improve your chances once you get into it a few years especially if you do a little research and find some sleeper units that have good odds.

I've been building points in several states for about six years now and this last season I drew four good tags and took three above average animals. But the best part is now that I'm this far along I can be careful where I apply and have a very good chance at a high quality hunt every year for the next 6-8 years.

Best of luck to you in the draws.

Wes · Dec 29, 2006

This is how the Nevada point system works. Nevada does square your points as DIDIDRAW sayes. 5x5+1 for the current year = 26, For every point you are given one random draw number. The draw numbers range from 1000 to 99,000,000. They then take your LOWEST draw number and thats the number that goes into the tag draw, then thay draw numericaly from 1000 on. You don't have 25 chances in the draw, you have 25 chance to draw a low draw number. You only have one chance in the tag drawing. If all of your numbers are high you're SOL
Wes

Califelkslayer · Jan 2, 2007

Ditto the guzzler work Marcial. No problem paying money if its used properly. Personally, I believe Nevada does the best all around job of any state. Quality hunting and trophy quality on all species. Almost any unit can produce a buck, bull, goat or ram you'd be proud of. You are dangerous the first year you apply. Start sending sheep apps to Wy, Mt, Ut, Az, Id and see how far in the toilet your budget is.

NOW Colorado just changed the rules again after I've played the game for 13 years. Not sure if the point banking will be around this year so I can draw an above average archery hunt for a few years. My current pet peeve.

jvgunner · Jan 7, 2007

I think it's unconstitutional to require you to buy a licence even though you don't get a tag. Hunting is progressivly going towards the rich, but i put in for most of the western states although neveda is not one of them. GO GET'UM BOY'S

Zim · Jan 7, 2007

I'm just really glad I drew an elk tag and had a primo hunt last year. I know hit a jackpot and got my money's worth now no matter what I do in several years to come. Sure will make it easier to send off my $300/year investment. Also I will draw a mulie tag very soon as I'm near max points. Anything else is a bonus.

Very glad I ponied up for everything I could 2 years before they went to cheap points. Ran into a cash surplus back then.