Arizona or Nevada? Thoughts

hossblur · Mar 27, 2018

Looking to expand my deer "universe".

Got the budget to start building in one of these two.

Thinking every 5 or so years a deer tag would be good. Got younger kids that will be with me for a while so back country backpack hunts won't work.

What's your thoughts? Arizona or Nevada?

From the party of HUNTIN, FISHIN, PUBLIC LAND.

buckhorn · Mar 27, 2018

Your chance of drawing a good tag in either state are very slim. You should build points in both states so that at least you have twice the chance. Don?t get your hopes up though because there will be a lot of unsuccessful notices.

bonecollector777 · Mar 27, 2018

I just started applying for nevada this year and am expecting a long wait for the better tags. Both states you have the possibility of getting lucky every year but I do know in AZ any decent deer tag that has 160+ bucks its gonna be longer than a 5 year wait. I guess it just depends on what size bucks you're hoping for. There are plenty of tags in az you can draw every couple years but they may not be very good quality.

springvilleshooter · Mar 27, 2018

I'm assuming you are already playing the game in Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming? If not, concentrate on those first. I really liked hunting NV but it is a commitment for sure. Took me seven years to draw a decent deer tag. Hunt was great and I took a nice buck.???-SS

PleaseDear · Mar 27, 2018

I have drawn 3 bow buck tags and 1 muzzy buck tag in Nv. over the last 17 years.

I prolly could have drawn more times but Nv. is so late in the appl year that I already have a couple elk tags drawn in a couple states that I just go Points on everything but Sheep which I apply for them.

Plus Az. is even later for deer appl. so I shoot the wad on a Strip late hunt so with they new way they are doing the non-ressy draw in Az. it does give a guy an outside chance at a Strip tag without Max points.

In both states you mention, you have to buy a license to even apply and both are right at $160.00

Robb

hossblur · Mar 27, 2018

Ya, I'm in WY, COLO, UT.

I also have a youth that dad is financing in all those states, plus elk in them too, and antelope and sheep in a couple.

So that license cost is the limiter.

In my brain if I go Arizona then I have a license and coues or javalina are happening. But my brain also got told I wasn't taking kids down on the Mexican border.

Not really a "trophy hunter", more of a extend my season kind of guy, so I would want to try and pull a tag for under $1000 in app and lic fees.

From the party of HUNTIN, FISHIN, PUBLIC LAND.

mevertsen · Mar 28, 2018

LAST EDITED ON Mar-28-18 AT 07:08AM (MST)[p]You just have to look around. There is no reason you shouldn't be able to draw NV for a less popular tag ever few years. 5 years sounds reasonable for some central units. Maybe better for archery or muzzleloader.

PM if you wish

Also keep in mind for 12-17 year olds the license is $15 plus the app fees. The tag cost is the same though.

Utah400Elk · Mar 28, 2018

I put in for both so giving you any real info will only hurt my chances...Have you looked at Montana?

JK...

For what its worth,

I think AZ is a much better deal. I have drawn three deer tags, two Javalina tags, one elk tag and two turkey tags and have had great hunts. They have all been fun plus there is a lot of stuff you can hunt in AZ with the one license. Turkey, Javalina, and deer and elk. The deer and elk will be in limited opportunity areas and or the desert but you are only limited by your own time.

I have not drawn any tags in NV yet but feel lucky this year (I always feel lucky before the draws, not so much after the results are posted).

For me, they are both worth it.

Good luck to everybody in the draw.

Deerlove · Mar 28, 2018

I think it's doable to get a tag in Nv every 5 years, just not in prime areas.

Carnage2011 · Mar 28, 2018

Nevada for sure. You can draw good archery hunts every few years. There are big deer in every unit of Nevada....it's just a matter of finding them. Holding out for 231 or something along those lines is a worthless proposition. There are other great hunts in the state.

goinhuntn · Mar 29, 2018

If you archery hunt you can hunt deer in AZ every year over the counter in every unit except the strip & kaibab. The Kaibab
for archery is easier to draw than the strip. You can still put in for rifle, but if you fill your tag during archery than your done for the year. I would put in for both states!!

JB48 · Apr 1, 2018

I think Nevada is a must. Yes,I have been applying for many years, 18. I have drawn 2 buck tags, 2 antelope tags, and 1 elk tag. I know people who have draw with zero points and very few points. My 2 cents. JB

SDBugler · Apr 2, 2018

Hossblur
AZ is a no brainer especially if you have young kids. Yes you need to buy the hunting license to apply, but for a youth it is only $5 and then it is only $15 per species to apply or buy points. I have three sons as well and have been putting them in for UT, AZ, CO, WY points/applications since they were old enough to apply in each state. I also threw in a few NM applications occasionally.

I think NM has the best opportunities for youth with special seasons and hunts that occur in the peak of the rut for deer and elk. Between my three sons they have drawn a youth ibex, a youth elk unit 36, and youth antelope unit 50/52 muzzy, and a youth deer 5B tags.

It is cheaper to build points for them when they are young in several states. Like I said, I have been applying and/or buying points for them since they were old enough to apply in several states. I will continue to buy their points while they are in college. When they graduate from college, that is my graduation gift for them - to get to go on some great hunts starting out with in some cases 10 - 12 points (and best of all I get to go along!!!).

sagebrush · Apr 3, 2018

I've been applying in NV for 18 years also. I've drawn 3 deer tags, elk and antelope. But I haven't drawn anything in the last 5 years. The new reporting shows why. Non-resident deer tags are about the same odds as sheep tags in the units that you could draw every 3-5 years previously. I hope to draw a NV deer tag one more time before I hang up the rifle.

I live in AZ (smiling to myself).

"You can fly a helicopter to the top of Everest and say you've been there. The problem with that is you were an a$$hole when you started and you're still an a$$hole when you get back.
Its the climb that makes you a different person". - Yvon Chouinard

Hawkeye · Apr 3, 2018

Great suggeestion SDBugler. I have a six year old son and I will likely follow this appproach for him. Does anyhone have a link to a simple summary of the age requirements to apply for tags/points in the various states?

-Hawkeye-

dirtclod Az. · Apr 4, 2018

In Az. to check age requirements call AZGF @ 602 942 3000 or go to AZGF.GOV

SDBugler · Apr 5, 2018

In my research I have found NM, AZ, CO and WY to be the most ?youth friendly? of the states that I apply in. I also put them in for UT too.

NV and MT don't have much for youth benefits.