what does it take to draw a tag in nevada?

[Musket Man]

Personally I would not use 6 points on 101-109. I dont doubt there are some good bucks but there are also alot of tags and hunters which is not what Im looking for if Im using that many points. If I didnt have any points or you didnt loose your points in the 2nd draw I would grab a smokepole tag and go in a heartbeat!

 

[luckynv]

I dont like giving up any secrets but as MM said the muzzleloader tags are much easier to draw. Good luck and God bless

 

[ore hunter]

Ive been applying as muzz on my 3-5 th choices,,,maybe ill be lucky next year?ya just never know how close you really are to actually drawing out,thats the frustrating part about this style of bonus point draw system.as I understand it,,,any tag drawn drops your points to 0,,even 2nd draw and leftovers I believe is what they told me when I acquired checking w ndfw.I do like the Nevada system,,would just like a way to more smartly figure out my 2nd-5th choices and my draw odds of my 2nd -5th choices?

 

[tdub24]

Your bonus total will drop to zero after a tag is drawn regardless of its 1st choice or 5th, 1st drawing or 2nd. I agree it would be nice if they showed drawing odds for 2nd - 5th choices.

Just curious, what constitutes as a "big buck" to you ore hunter?

 

[ore hunter]

I think a buck over 24" nice 4x4 is what I would think of as a nice buck below 160",,,i would say a "big boy" would be in the 28" wide, 170" + category,,,{I know those are far and few between}im wondering what kind of bucks that might be in even the not so popular 5th choice type units?is a 24" 160 deer a good possibility in a unit like 101-109 or unit 51? or does a person need a higher graded unit?Ive been looking at several units so I think that drawing a tag might be the actual hard part? so far my biggest Oregon deer up here is a 20" wide 4x4..in Oregon,they rarely get old enough to even get that big,,and that's with 30 + years of hunting in Oregon.Im looking to get a real deer.

 

[wisconsinvette]

The only thing I don't like about Nevada's system is you have no idea if you will draw and that can screw up other plans. Other than that I love knowing I have a chance at any tag.

 

[tdub24]

I think a buck over 24" nice 4x4 is what I would think of as a nice buck below 160",,,i would say a "big boy" would be in the 28" wide, 170" + category,,,{I know those are far and few between}im wondering what kind of bucks that might be in even the not so popular 5th choice type units?is a 24" 160 deer a good possibility in a unit like 101-109 or unit 51? or does a person need a higher graded unit?Ive been looking at several units so I think that drawing a tag might be the actual hard part? so far my biggest Oregon deer up here is a 20" wide 4x4..in Oregon,they rarely get old enough to even get that big,,and that's with 30 + years of hunting in Oregon.Im looking to get a real deer.

In my opinion, 24" bucks in NV are a dime a dozen. 170" bucks are fairly common as well. If that is all your striving for, burn the points. I just wouldn't hunt early 6 rifle, probably not if they paid me too. Best of luck!

 

[tdub24]

 

[tdub24]

 

[Tim McCoy]

I almost did not post this, but here it goes. Not looking to start a fight either. I'm not saying OR is a MD trophy state, generally it is not, but there are good bucks here, very good bucks in some cases. If one wants to hunt for good bucks every year, WY, MT, and CO come to mind. That said, over the last 15 years, we have got about 12 that meet or are very close to your score criteria, 4 public land, others private access for trades of various types or trespass fees of $1,500 or under, between 4 family members. Most are not quite to your width criteria for the score range you picked. They range from 21" to 27". Last 3 years our best two are a private land heavy 25" 4x4 with no eye guards, 168" according to the taxidermist, he looks bigger; then this year a 160" ish 26" wide 4x4 with big eye guards and good mass that tapes better than he looks on film.

For some perspective, two of my MD that exceed your big boy score, neither from OR, both are over 180", one is a 4x5 with one small eye guard who is over 30" and the other is a 5x5 that barely makes 25" on width with a kicker, his main frame is 22 1/2" wide, but he easily out scores the 30"+ buck. I think sometimes a width goal can lead to passing very good bucks that meet or exceed a person's score criteria. But to each their own.

I offer this not to demean in the least, but to suggest you may want to evaluate your unit strategy if you seek larger OR bucks, they are here. It is possible, but very very very unlikely to meet your criteria on public land in OR if you want to hunt every year. That is why we are selective on public land hunts, pick a decent unit and learn it, and then mix in a private hunt when we can. I wish you success and hope you get a big boy very soon.

 

[Musket Man]

I just wouldn't hunt early 6 rifle, probably not if they paid me too.

Me either. After the tag increase in 6 early a couple years ago I decided not to even apply for the late hunt anymore.

 

[tdub24]

Been seeing some really nice bucks even huge bucks come out of 6 in the archery and late rifle. Archery there was 2 brothers this year that stuck a 36" and 31". On FB, Nevada Muleys has been showing really nice bucks coming out in late season. I have applied archery, not sure I will going forward or not.

 

[Musket Man]

I know some big bucks come out of 6 every year but by the time late rifle comes around there have been alot of hunters out there already. Its also a huge area and I expect it would take someone that doesnt know the area a while to narrow it down.

 

[tdub24]

I agree fully

 

[ore hunter]

I don't dis miss that there can be nice deer in Oregon,,,just on public land, unless its a top unit, a person wiil have a hard time getting into my "big buck" criteria of bucks, as the majority of deer in most units on public land rarely have a chance at growing to a "mature" status.especially in easy to draw units.oregon is primarily a "opertunity state"and odfw manages the majority as such.in 30 years of hunting public land all over Oregon,I still havnt got one over 21" yet as my Oregon best.I go out of state and wow,there really are some deer on public land.

 

[ore hunter]

but back to Nevada bucks,,,in general are the eastern units more big buck units than the northern units?or am I missing something?is central good?what units should I avoid as only small forky areas?ive been told that unit 51 is more small deer as the norm?unit 31 also marginal?

 

[Av8rPaul]

I read in this thread 11-12 years to draw a tag, but I'd read other posts saying you can hunt every year. What's the reality like here? I don't care about hunting antlers, even though a big muley or bull would be a great accomplishment, can a guy reliably have an opportunity to put meat in the freezer every year?

 

[velvetfvr]

I read in this thread 11-12 years to draw a tag, but I'd read other posts saying you can hunt every year. What's the reality like here? I don't care about hunting antlers, even though a big muley or bull would be a great accomplishment, can a guy reliably have an opportunity to put meat in the freezer every year?

If your a res you can absolutely get meat every year and a buck. Non res it's harder to draw but if you get 10 or 17 you can still get nice to big bucks

 

[velvetfvr]

I'd put it this way, if your willing to work your tail off and scout/ learn areas over a couple years you'll kill a good to great buck every year in any unit. But as the tag holder you'll determine your success .

 

[Av8rPaul]

If your a res you can absolutely get meat every year and a buck. Non res it's harder to draw but if you get 10 or 17 you can still get nice to big bucks

Thank you. I'm an Alaskan boy and this system is pretty new to me. Keepin' the huntin' dream alive!