Where to Apply

NM_Muley_Hunter · Jan 29, 2004

I know similar questions have probably been asked here, but I did a search and could not find any answers - so please bear with me.

Let me give you a little background info. My brother, a friend and I have been hunting muleys for 6 years now in Unit 34 of New Mexico. We have never hunted muleys anywhere else or applied for any tags. Any of you familiar with Unit 34 will know that it is not the best hunting location. There are tons of hunters, and almost no place that you can go to get more than a mile from the roads. After several years of fumbling about, we are finally learning how to hunt these deer. Now that we have a little experience, we would like to begin applying, at least for preference points, in other states, or considering areas where decent OTC tags are available.

We have no limitation as far as where we are willing to go, but I guess Arizona or Colorado (or even a different area of New Mexico) would be best because they are closest. We would probably prefer either a drop camp or a do it yourself hunt. We don't mind hiking far or climbing high. As far as trophy quality, we would like to find some place with a high likelihood that we could each have an opportunity at something between 20 and 25 inches, and the potential for each of us to leave with a 25 inch or greater buck (potential, not guarantee). In 7 years of hunting and scouting unit 34, I have only ever seen 4 bucks that I thought would go over 25 inches. Something with a little better odds would be nice.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

springbear · Jan 29, 2004

NM muly, That sounds like some hard hunting! I am from Idaho, and I can say that almost any unit up here has the potetial to produse 25 inch bucks. If a guy is willing to hold out and put some miles on; I would say that you would have to settle for a 25 inch buck....
I doubt that anybody on this site is going to give you the location of their honey holes.
That being said I bet you can find your own spot. Most if not all states have harvest info by unit or area, check the fish and game web sites. they also will have draw odds of the units. I suggest that you print off a bunch of these pages for various states and units and get with your huntin buds and pick a tag or tags to put in for. I usually put in for a really hard to draw unit if I am not planning on hunting mulys and if I draw the permit then I change my plans. The key is picking a unit that produces "nice" bucks and has fair chances of drawing the tag.
It sounds to me like you are fed up with hinting around mobs of people. Look for roadless areas or wilderness or just big chunks of national forests.
good luck.

kevclyde · Jan 29, 2004

try north dakota . you could shoot a descent buck 25- 27 fairly easy. just drawing the tag is the tuff part.good luck.

Coach Hunt · Jan 29, 2004

Howdy,

I quit hunting 34 about 10 or 12 years ago. I never saw a 25" buck in there, and I probably never will. The genetics just are not there!

My suggestion is two fold, so take your pick. South and West of 34 is an area commonly called "Crow Flats" and West of that area are a number of rolling hills, high Sonoran desert sage and grease wood type country. I've seen good bucks in that country half way up the cone mountains. When you visit the area, you will know what I mean. You absolutely MUST get BLM maps for that area however!!! Some of it is private, and you can see where that is on the maps.

Suggestion 2 is go to Colorado. My family have been up there twice, and tagged out both times. My first hunt was in unit 18 if memory serves me correctly. Second time we went to the Elk Wilderness near Gunnison. Try to find wild apple trees or old overgrown orchards! They will produce every year.

If you are a veteran of hunting 34, look me up when you visit the Lea County Seat.

Coach

Zim · Mar 28, 2004

NM,

1. Get preference points in CO this year before the deadline next week. Apply online.

2. AZ is close but tags are near impossible and as a NR you must buy the license to accrue points. You'd need to wait 8-10 years. We still do it. Apply also for elk if you do this.

3. Definitely apply in UT - Great draw system, cheap bonus points.

4. Nevada - If you can afford the $142 license required to build bonus points. Best mulie hunting in the west right now.

5. Wyoming region G or H backpack. Tough hunting but decent draw odds 30% and good bucks.

6. Idaho - good but need to educate yourself on units.

7. North Dakota - I am starting this year to accrue bonus points - will take 5 years to draw decent area.

Zim from NW Indiana

Zim · Mar 28, 2004

NM,

By the way, NM unit 34 was the first big game hunt I went on, in 1983. It was brutal back then too. Scared me away from hunting again for 8 years! Orange army of rifle hunters chasing fork horns.

There are better hunts you should apply for in NM.

I should draw my Nevada mulie tag this year with 5 bonus points. Tags are down but the hunting is awesome.

Zim from NW Indiana

COSA · Mar 28, 2004

Just wondering why Nevada is being hyped up here. The only thing going for the deer in this state right now is a that NDOW is somewhat conservative on tag application. The deer herd is at low numbers, the drought looks like it will continue. Nevada does offer an "opportunity" to get a nice deer, but I do not think it is the oasis of the West by any mean. I'm a res. so I am by no means trying to disuade nonresidents from applying.

Zim · Mar 28, 2004

COSA,

Have you hunted public land in many other states? Deer numbers are down everywhere right now. All things being equal, the good draw areas in NV offer the best chance for a nice buck. Part of the reason is the $142 NR license requirement to accrue bonus points. This keeps the NR applicant numbers down and the draw odds decent. I've drawn tags in several states over the last 10 years and my Nevada hunt was by far the best. We drew a good unit with no points, and did a lot of research as to where to hunt. My buddy also scouted before our hunt, so we came in prepared. I missed a 30"-32" buck on the 8th day. Still my worst hunting nightmare.

Zim from NW Indiana

COSA · Mar 29, 2004

Zim,

Deer numbers have gone downhill in the past few years. The drought is affecting horn growth and body size. Most of the deer I saw last year were thin horned and many had broken points (I harvested a 27+" 3x4, 3 tines broken). I do agree that Nevada can offer a great hunting experience with close to 90% public land and limited tag #'s (crowds). I just think that NV is overhyped for large bucks.

cabinfever · Mar 29, 2004

Colorado Question. If I apply for a preference point for deer and elk they will charge me the full price but than refund me all but $3 per application. Is this right, or am I off course. I don't know why they have to take the full amount, other than to make interest on your money.

cabinfever

Zim · Mar 29, 2004

That is correct. More and more states are going with online credit card applications and only charge you for the application fee. CO just came out with their computerized system this year, and it is the first I've seen that does charge your card the full amount. However, think of it this way. Your odds are much better. Applicant numbers always skyrocket when the states switch to the CC app fee only method.

Zim from NW Indiana

AZbowhntr · Mar 29, 2004

I wish AZ would charge the full amount when you put in. That would keep the people that think that they will worry about the money when and if they draw from putting in. It seems like NM has a lot of units that are OTC that produce some decent bucks. I have been looking into possibly going that way this year if I don't draw anything here in AZ. I went to Idaho last year and it was just so far to drive (and I grew up there). I saw at least 15 bucks but nothing bigger than what I have already taken.