Me and a buddy are looking for another state to start building points in, we are currently building points in WY and CO. Mainly looking to build deer and elk points. We will want to do DIY hunts. Would like to be able to hunt for a decent animal every 3 years. Is this possible? Also thinking about maybe going after a long term tag something that may take 10+ years to draw for an exceptional animal. Any suggestions on this?
NV,UT or AZ
- Thread starter lostriverproductions
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I think you're looking at a minimum of a 10 year wait in all three states. Nevada has some archery deer hunts that can be drawn regularly, but that's about it.
gonhunting247
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- Jan 21, 2014
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For the deer portion I would start building NV for sure. You will have to buy a license each year so I'd put in for everything you're remotely interested in. With NV system you always have a chance.
Elk in most of those states will take longer I think, but there are some late hunts in AZ that a guy can draw in 6-7 yrs. I think. That said, IMO(for what it's worth) for the money-opportunity-quality for both deer and elk together.( Keep in mind out of the three criteria mentioned, that opportunity to go hunt ranks highest for me.) I'd rank NV first, then UT and AZ next out of the three.
UT takes a fair amount of points, but again you can put in for everything pretty cheap so to speak.(If you work it right you only spend 66$ every other year as it is now, plus app. fees).
I build points in all these states because it's too hard to choose for me though! In NV and UT I should draw within the next few years and in AZ I only put in for the lower tier late hunts, as I'd like to hunt there more than once in my lifetime
Good luck they all will be a great time!
Elk in most of those states will take longer I think, but there are some late hunts in AZ that a guy can draw in 6-7 yrs. I think. That said, IMO(for what it's worth) for the money-opportunity-quality for both deer and elk together.( Keep in mind out of the three criteria mentioned, that opportunity to go hunt ranks highest for me.) I'd rank NV first, then UT and AZ next out of the three.
UT takes a fair amount of points, but again you can put in for everything pretty cheap so to speak.(If you work it right you only spend 66$ every other year as it is now, plus app. fees).
I build points in all these states because it's too hard to choose for me though! In NV and UT I should draw within the next few years and in AZ I only put in for the lower tier late hunts, as I'd like to hunt there more than once in my lifetime
Good luck they all will be a great time!
Umpqua Hunter
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cmbbulldog
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- Jul 18, 2011
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AZ would be my first choice.
You can draw some pretty decent archery elk hunts in about 5 years.
You can hunt OTC archery deer every year in the rut!
Then NV, then UT.
But if you want to good tags every couple years, then apply in all the states. I started about 6-7 years ago, and I get a pretty good tag every year now.
Don't forget about NM, no points, and you can draw decent archery hunts at pretty good draw odds.
You can draw some pretty decent archery elk hunts in about 5 years.
You can hunt OTC archery deer every year in the rut!
Then NV, then UT.
But if you want to good tags every couple years, then apply in all the states. I started about 6-7 years ago, and I get a pretty good tag every year now.
Don't forget about NM, no points, and you can draw decent archery hunts at pretty good draw odds.
gonhunting247
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Holy smokes UH, you can draw about any tag you want, can't you?I'm at 22 points for deer in Nevada....I'm sure I'll draw a tag one of these years
gonhunting247
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I'm hopefully gonna get a chance to try out some Javelina and deer hunting while I'm waiting on an elk tag. I can't wait to get a chance to hunt there. Once I do I might change the order who knows?
NVBird'n'Big
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Good gravy UH! What units have you been putting in for?!I'm at 22 points for deer in Nevada....I'm sure I'll draw a tag one of these years
NDHunter
Veteran member
I'd go with AZ. An elk tag in NV is dang near a once in a lifetime tag. 10-15 years to draw, 10 year waiting period, and another 10-15, probably more like 15-20+ years to draw again. Archery deer tags could be drawn fairly frequent though.
UT is a long draw for both deer and elk.
AZ you could pull some archery or late rifle tags every 5 years or so. Deer I'm not as sure about for quality but probably every 5 years I'm sure. Plus like cmbbulldog said, you could hunt coues deer with a bow every year you wanted to. Only bad thing about AZ is the $150 license you have to buy to apply. NV isn't any better. UT is the cheapest.
UT is a long draw for both deer and elk.
AZ you could pull some archery or late rifle tags every 5 years or so. Deer I'm not as sure about for quality but probably every 5 years I'm sure. Plus like cmbbulldog said, you could hunt coues deer with a bow every year you wanted to. Only bad thing about AZ is the $150 license you have to buy to apply. NV isn't any better. UT is the cheapest.
Umpqua Hunter
Veteran member
Unfortunately no, there is no max point pool so you never know for certain when you will draw. I put in for 3 choices last year and still got the big goose egg.
gonhunting247
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That's kind of amazing. I put in for lower tier hunts for deer in NV and draw about every 3-4 years, so I didn't realize the top hunts were that tough to draw. Good luck this year, it will be cool to see the pics from all these hunts that you have invested so many years in!
A lot of guys going into nonres draws don't realize how difficult it is to draw limited tags and how much it costs to apply. It costs me over $200/year to apply in NV. If you multiply 10 years x $200 that is $2,000. I have 16 pref pts for elk and deer in NV. 16 x $200 = $3,200...and I haven't even drawn a tag! If you add the nonres license fee the overall price adds up quickly. I've opted out of applying in AZ and elsewhere due to the costs. I can go on multiple fishing and hunting trips for that cost (including Alaska and elsewhere)! If you want to hunt elk right away take a look at Colo OTC elk units. It may be somewhat crowded but if you put in the time and boot leather you'll likely have a successful hunt....and not cost a whole lot of $.
NDHunter
Veteran member
Yea, NV is a tough state for sure. I think unless a guy wants to draw some of the easier deer tags every 2-4 years, it definitely isn't worth it.
tdcour
Veteran member
I chose Utah for two simple facts. The season dates for archery are best for my job, and it is the "cheapest" of the three to apply in year after year. The non-refundable license cost kills me and my budget. At least in Utah it is good for 365 days, so if you play your cards right, you only have to buy a license every other year which makes it actually affordable. As for AZ and NV I haven't done as much research for them simply based on their costs and time to draw. Spending 4000 to hunt every 10-15 years doesn't make sense to me when I can pay a guide that and get the royal treatment. It really just boils down to when and how you want to hunt and the overall cost of it.
dead river
Member
A lot of good insight here. Not starting to build points till i was 40 yrs old was sort of a downer when you look at some of the better hunts , i will be in my late 50s....regardless, i am at least gonna get to do a sheep hunt once in my life, even if i am 60 when i draw. I came to similar conclusions after i started building points and looking at how long for good hunts. I may as well use states with landowner or outfitter vouchers of some sort and just pony up every few years. I will actually go on more hunts....problem is, i am fairly anti-guide. I like it to by my hunt, good or bad, it is based on choices i made.....but, looks like i will have to get over it or use self guided vouchers in high quality units at some point (if i find legitimate options for that).