If you had a Silver State Deer Tag

Sparks Shooter · Mar 16, 2024

If you were lucky enough to draw a Silver State deer tag, how would you hunt it? I've seen these tags become a curse to so many, ultimately going unfilled or used on an average deer when the hunter has given up. Nevada is a different type of place considering big deer can be anywhere, but there aren't really any no-brainer areas like other states have.

I would start scouting July 1 and keep at it every weekend through the bow season. I have a few friends scattered throughout the state that would probably take a look around their areas for me, and I would hone in if any exceptional bucks were found. By muzzy season, I'd have a plan for where I would concentrate my efforts and I would dedicate a full 9 days to the muzzy hunt, 9 days at the end of the rifle hunt, and another 9 days to the late season hunts if needed.

My main goals for the hunt would be to spend some time down in Lincoln County as I have never had the chance to hunt down there and have seen some great bucks while working. Other than that, I would stick to areas I know in northern Nevada. I would concentrate on the joy of the hunt far more than the outcome or any specific expectation of antler size. I would probably take the opportunity to hunt a few mountain ranges that I would never apply for in the main draws but have always wanted to hunt.

Interested to hear how you would do it.----SS

mevertsen · Mar 16, 2024

I would be scouting about the same time and be ready to pull the trigger on August 1st. Find the best buck I could and be happy with the results, rather than trying to chase another inch or two only to be disappointed. There are a full 9 days of season before bow opener and it's any legal weapon from the start (as opposed to Dream or PIW).

LIK2HNT · Mar 16, 2024

Hard to say until I had the tag in hand. But being a NR I would probably research and pick an area. Hunt hard for 2 or 3 weeks. Then fall back on one of the late hunts for a week or two.

willfrye027 · Mar 16, 2024

I would be tempted to hire a guide and target something special. But I’d be afraid to pull the trigger day one and regret not spending enough time out there.

Sparks Shooter · Mar 16, 2024

mevertsen said:
I would be scouting about the same time and be ready to pull the trigger on August 1st. Find the best buck I could and be happy with the results, rather than trying to chase another inch or two only to be disappointed. There are a full 9 days of season before bow opener and it's any legal weapon from the start (as opposed to Dream or PIW).

I have a friend that did this exact thing when he had the tag. Found a great buck in a hidey hole and killed him day one with a rifle. My only hesitation is that I don't want my lifetime buck to have full summer cape and squishy velvet antlers. I know some people really like that look but it's not for me.

Definitely a great way to take advantage of the opportunity.---SS

Sparks Shooter · Mar 16, 2024

willfrye027 said:
I would be tempted to hire a guide and target something special. But I’d be afraid to pull the trigger day one and regret not spending enough time out there.

I think this is the only way to maximize trophy potential with a tag like this. There just isn't enough time or gas for one guy to search the whole state. Hire one of the big reputable guide services with lots of subguides and you will have pictures flying at you daily from 4th of July until Christmas. This also gives you the benefit of professionals who have been watching bucks grow up for years and know right where to start looking for the ones that are ready for pursuit. -----SS

willfrye027 · Mar 16, 2024

Sparks Shooter said:
I think this is the only way to maximize trophy potential with a tag like this. There just isn't enough time or gas for one guy to search the whole state. Hire one of the big reputable guide services with lots of subguides and you will have pictures flying at you daily from 4th of July until Christmas. This also gives you the benefit of professionals who have been watching bucks grow up for years and know right where to start looking for the ones that are ready for pursuit. -----SS

I would tell my guide he needs to lie to me, show me a bunch of 180s and then about a week in after lots of sweat and blisters we just happen upon the giant

maddog58 · Mar 16, 2024

Well since I’m retired I would just stay after pretty much the whole time, just nice and easy. Would still hunt the same areas I apply for every year and not be too greedy. Just enjoy the experience and not make it a chore .

buckhorn · Mar 16, 2024

This is a great topic SS
Hunting for me is a lot of work.
If I had to work my jobs as hard as I hunt, I would probably quit my job.
I usually scout pretty much steady as soon as the drew results come out.

With that said, I do apply every year for the Silver state tags.
If I got lucky and drew the Muley tag, I would probably move to Caliente. With or without my wife, her choice ha ha.
I’ve already killed a 218 buck in that area and I feel that’s the best place to kill a real giant. Not an easy area to hunt but that’s where I would start.
If I couldn’t find anything there, I would probably just raise the white flag and surrender. Otherwise, holding out for the only other chance I would work on the late Hunt in 015. I killed a 198 typical there but that hunt would finish me off and kill me after wearing myself out in area 24.

yotebuster17 · Mar 16, 2024

Interesting question. I’m assuming you’re referring to a PIW or Dream tag and not a silver state though? Silver state is easy, I’d have all hands on deck and ears everywhere and crush one with a rifle Aug 1. I was fortunate enough to have a PIW deer tag a few years back. I shot my buck on opening day of muzzy with help of MRO. I had another commitment during bow season or I woulda been down there. It was an incredible time and I got lucky and killed a slug right away. I drew an elk Dream tag this year (I know right), and it turned into a bit of a nightmare like you stated. Hunted 27 days in 5 different units and never killed. The silver state would be an entirely different balllgame. There really are few if any rut firearm tags for elk, or atleast there weren’t this year so I had to hunt hard during archery. A rifle woulda been a done deal in a hurry.

buckhorn · Mar 16, 2024

yotebuster17 said:
Interesting question. I’m assuming you’re referring to a PIW or Dream tag and not a silver state though? Silver state is easy, I’d have all hands on deck and ears everywhere and crush one with a rifle Aug 1. I was fortunate enough to have a PIW deer tag a few years back. I shot my buck on opening day of muzzy with help of MRO. I had another commitment during bow season or I woulda been down there. It was an incredible time and I got lucky and killed a slug right away. I drew an elk Dream tag this year (I know right), and it turned into a bit of a nightmare like you stated. Hunted 27 days in 5 different units and never killed. The silver state would be an entirely different balllgame. There really are few if any rut firearm tags for elk, or atleast there weren’t this year so I had to hunt hard during archery. A rifle woulda been a done deal in a hurry.

MRO would probably be the first call I would make if I was looking to hire help in southeastern Nevada.
Mossback Nevada or the Price boys would be good also

Moe · Mar 17, 2024

Why let some guide drain your savings and have all the fun finding your buck? I'd spend the time myself with friends looking across the state to find my own deer that I liked.

Blindnonresident · Mar 17, 2024

wstrntines · Mar 17, 2024

buckhorn said:
MRO would probably be the first call I would make if I was looking to hire help in southeastern Nevada.
Mossback Nevada or the Price boys would be good also

Sounds like the price boys will be guiding Sartini on his tag. I’m sure he’ll smash a giant.

BradA · Mar 18, 2024

wstrntines said:
Sounds like the price boys will be guiding Sartini on his tag. I’m sure he’ll smash a giant.

What sartini got a Nevada tag ? Must have been an auction tag.

buckhorn · Mar 18, 2024

wstrntines said:
Sounds like the price boys will be guiding Sartini on his tag. I’m sure he’ll smash a giant.

I killed my big caliente Buck in 2015.
Taylor was a big help. Didn’t actually help me on the hunt, but kept me inspired and motivated before the Hunt and also during the 18 days I was there. We texted each other a lot.
I helped a buddy in 2020. It was tough then also. He didn’t have as much time to spend but we still ended up killing a decent buck but not a giant.
Our number one target, Buck got killed on the Muzzy hunt

wstrntines · Mar 18, 2024

BradA said:
What sartini got a Nevada tag ? Must have been an auction tag.

He bought one.

BradA · Mar 19, 2024

wstrntines said:
He bought one.

Yeah but which of the sartini bought a tag there is a number of them.

wstrntines · Mar 20, 2024

BradA said:
Yeah but which of the sartini bought a tag there is a number of them.

Blake.

3TOE · Mar 20, 2024

I believe I would spend some time here near Vegas & some time in 223 between Caliente & Pioche. I’d probably shoot the first decent buck that I saw & I would be happy for having drawn.