5th Choice Archery Options NR Early

Hunt4more · Apr 25, 2019

I'm having a real hard time coming up with a 5th choice option for my application. With only 2 NR BP's, i'm looking at easier to draw 5 choices for sure. I like the high elevation adventures, although it's not a requirement. I like to glass, bed deer and and stalk deer when possible. I want to go with a buddy who has two points as well... My requirements are 160"+ type deer, with roadless country. We can back pack/spike camp.

Some of the options I am considering as a 5th:

043-046
041-042
035
151-156
141-145
Area 10 ( 101-109)
181-184

I have hunted Area 10 a couple times before. I noticed they jacked the tag numbers back up.

No one wants to give away a hunting spot, I don't either. Although, would someone be willing to chime in or pm and let me know their thoughts on these units, which one they would pick as their 5th choice if they were looking for an early archery hunt.

buckhorn · Apr 25, 2019

If you think you have a chance to draw 035 as a fifth choice with two nonresident points that's a no brainer 035 it is

Hunt4more · Apr 25, 2019

Thanks Buckhorn, any specific or general reason as to why?

buckhorn · Apr 25, 2019

I just checked last years statistics and it looks like that no nonresidents drew a fifth choice with only two points for archery hunts in the Northwest part of the state. 035 has some good bucks and good deer numbers but it is very steep country in the Jackson mountains where most of the deer are. If you're in good hiking shape and like that kind of hunt you could put it in as a choice but like I said the odds are not in your favor.

Hunt4more · Apr 25, 2019

Appreciate that. I'm 36 years old, love to back pack and ready for the next bow hunt adventure. The Jackson?s are wilderness in 035?

BroadHead · Apr 25, 2019

I know it's not on your list, but maybe give Area 17 (171-173) some thought? The Arc Dome has a respectable population of deer but you will have to work for it and it sounds like this will be a non-issue for you.

Last year, a NR drew Area 17 as a fifth choice (archery) with 0 bonus points. I drew it as a resident last year as they had leftover tags for early season archery.

PM me if interested. I can give you some pointers about the area.

Killcarp2 · Apr 25, 2019

Of the choices you listed I would say either area 15 or 18. There are big deer in both and neither zone is known for people getting off roads. I too would suggest looking at 17 archery as it is also pretty easy to draw. 17 has a large wilderness area and I rarely see anybody once a couple miles off the road. I will say that area 18 is not a popular choice but I have hunted it a lot and have seen a lot of big bucks in there. I do live in that area though so I am probably more partial to it than most.

DeerHunter53 · Apr 26, 2019

I heard the opposite on Area 10 I heard they cut back the tags big time especially to the land owners.

They jacked the tag numbers up last year and it was a zoo on opening day of the rifle hunts.

mevertsen · Apr 26, 2019

The proposed tag numbers are posted in the NDOW website.

Go to ndow.org

Public meeting at the bottom.

Then Wildlife commission.

Then agenda and support material.

Alwayshunting · Apr 26, 2019

Out of that list with your requirements I would stick to 15 or maybe 10. Although 160 bucks are a lot like a unicorn. I'm guessing you've already got 6 and 7 on your app?

Hunt4more · Apr 26, 2019

I've opted to stay away from 17. Some of the hunters i've spoke to and respect have not painted a great picture of 17. I would rather hunt 10 than 17 and 10 had leftovers last year. I have heard that there was significant fawn mortality in 10 this year. I would suspect a cut in tags again for area 10 which may make leftovers non existent.

What's the country like in 15 or 18, high desert?

Alwayshunting · Apr 26, 2019

Yes from desert floor to 8500 and sub alpine. I wouldn't recommend 17 either...

Hunt4more · Apr 26, 2019

Thanks for sending over the proposed allocations, that's helpful.

Always hunting - how did you know

mevertsen · Apr 26, 2019

LAST EDITED ON Apr-26-19 AT 09:17PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Apr-26-19 AT 09:17?PM (MST)

15 is classic high desert. The highest mountain is Callahan in 154, at just over 10k.

15 is my favorite, though I have only hunted 6,8,10,11,14 and 15. I also live in 15, so there is that going for me.

I never have 17 on my application.

buckhorn · Apr 26, 2019

If you're an archery hunter and have some patience you will draw a good hunt in a few years. I recommend waiting for the better hunts instead of burning your points on some of those less desirable units.

Hunt4more · May 1, 2019

So......... I ended up putting 035 as my 5th choice. If it works out and I draw a tag i'll be putting in some homework. Thanks to everyone for the comments and pm's. M/M is a solid site.

buckhorn · May 4, 2019

Good decision. You really couldn't go wrong even if you had 035 as your first choice.
It's really not a secret but if you listed your choices for big bucks by county in this order you will be all right.
Lincoln
White pine
Elko
Washoe
Humbolt
It could be argued that Humbolt Co has better bucks than Washoe.
As always scouting and some luck always play a big part in your success.

Hunt4more · May 10, 2019

Thanks Buckhorn. For some reason I never thought about looking at B&C entries as a consideration to apply but it makes a lot of sense.

buckhorn · May 10, 2019

There is also the Nevada record books to refer to.
Plus I have 40 years worth of trophy hunting in Nevada.
Combine all that with the NDOW hunt and draw statistics and a person should be able to come up with 5 solid choices
Good Luck to all.
We should have results by Memorial weekend