Late Nevada deer

[MtnTrooper]

One month from the opener of my late season deer tag in NE Nevada. This will be my first Nevada deer hunt and also a first time hunting mule deer in December, so high anticipation for this hunt would be an understatement. I drove along the border of the unit when I hunted antelope this year, besides that this will be all new country for me. From the research I’ve done there seems to be very limited info on the unit. Seems that early season scouting would be unproductive being that it is a migratory hunt and weather dependent. Have read that this hunt is not what it once used to be but I’m staying optimistic while keeping expectations low. Just having the tag and being able to spend time chasing mule deer in December with dad is good enough for me.

I planned to save any scouting trip to as close to the hunt dates as possible. The plan is head over this weekend or the first week of December depending on work schedule. My main focus of the trip is to find a camp location, get a lay of the land, and hopefully glass up some deer if I’m fortunate enough. I am only able to hunt the first week or so the season. I will do my best to update this thread during the course of my scouting trip and hunt.

I would welcome a PM with any info/tips on the unit and hunting this late in the year, places to camp (have a wall tent) anything you might be willing to share.

PS: Did not post which unit in this thread. You could figure it out with a small amount of effort or you know.

Thanks in advance,

Mtntrooper

 

[rtraverdavis]

That tag my #1 choice on my app every year. No advice for you as I’ve never drawn it (and likely never will) but good luck on your hunt! Should be an incredibly fun time.

 

[MtnTrooper]

That tag my #1 choice on my app every year. No advice for you as I’ve never drawn it (and likely never will) but good luck on your hunt! Should be an incredibly fun time.

Thank you! I hope you do and I’ll be sure to pass on whatever I can

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

Thank you! I hope you do and I’ll be sure to pass on whatever I can

I've been there a few times. Some years access is easy, some years it's terrible. You can DM me if you have any specific questions. Gear up accordingly.
I will say it's changed quite a bit over the years since I first hunted it and yes, it's not what it used to be. You'll still have fun and you should see some animals.
I'll have to double check the season dates, but there's a chance I may be passing through that area during the season and was thinking about making a detour just to look around for a day.

 

[mevertsen]

If its the unit I'm thinking,

It will be cold.

Can't answer much more than that. I was just over that way yesterday, dry as a bone to the south.

Maybe some weather coming in? Not sure.

I've been snowed out of there from the NV side in late October.

Good luck.

 

[Letthemgrow]

Lots of deer but just like anywhere else, exceptional bucks are very hard to find.
Here is buck I killed in that unit.
Looking back, I wish I hadn't passed on a 30-31" 3 point. You will see mature 3 points on that hunt.
Hope you find what you are after.

 

[MtnTrooper]

Lots of deer but just like anywhere else, exceptional bucks are very hard to find.
Here is buck I killed in that unit.
Looking back, I wish I hadn't passed on a 30-31" 3 point. You will see mature 3 points on that hunt.
Hope you find what you are after.

View attachment 392479

Awesome buck!
What year did you hunt it?

 

[Letthemgrow]

Awesome buck!
What year did you hunt it?

20 . . . . 17? 18? Somewhere in there.

From the people I know around there it hasn't changed much as far as quality since then.
But there is always a big buck in that country somewhere.
Would love to hunt it again, just for the scenery.

 

[MtnTrooper]

20 . . . . 17? 18? Somewhere in there.

From the people I know around there it hasn't changed much as far as quality since then.
But there is always a big buck in that country somewhere.
Would love to hunt it again, just for the scenery.

All good things to hear. Thanks for the input!

 

[17remhunter]

One month from the opener of my late season deer tag in NE Nevada. This will be my first Nevada deer hunt and also a first time hunting mule deer in December, so high anticipation for this hunt would be an understatement. I drove along the border of the unit when I hunted antelope this year, besides that this will be all new country for me. From the research I’ve done there seems to be very limited info on the unit. Seems that early season scouting would be unproductive being that it is a migratory hunt and weather dependent. Have read that this hunt is not what it once used to be but I’m staying optimistic while keeping expectations low. Just having the tag and being able to spend time chasing mule deer in December with dad is good enough for me.

I planned to save any scouting trip to as close to the hunt dates as possible. The plan is head over this weekend or the first week of December depending on work schedule. My main focus of the trip is to find a camp location, get a lay of the land, and hopefully glass up some deer if I’m fortunate enough. I am only able to hunt the first week or so the season. I will do my best to update this thread during the course of my scouting trip and hunt.

I would welcome a PM with any info/tips on the unit and hunting this late in the year, places to camp (have a wall tent) anything you might be willing to share.

PS: Did not post which unit in this thread. You could figure it out with a small amount of effort or you know.

Thanks in advance,

Mtntrooper

Are you hunting area 8?

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

Are you hunting area 8?

Did you read the first post?

 

[2rocky]

Congrats on a great tag. I'd spend as much time as possible getting to know the roads with boots and tires on the ground beforehand. Knowing if a connector road goes through will be useful and save you time. Nothing worse than being 4/5ths of the way down a road and finding it washed out. You can also find spots that look good for long range glassing on the map and then ground truth the angle and visibilty. Would be a good time to find a sheltered place to camp and stash some firewood ahead of time.

Assess some camp security options. My former work colleague did lose a Yeti cooler to some thieves when he was there 10 years ago. Act accordingly.

I invested in Kuiu Glassing Glo-Mitts and they did what they were supposed to. Pac boots are your friend, and my Canadian contacts like Artic Storm boots from Dryshod and Bama booties for extra warmth.

i did buy a merino wool Balaclava and it helped keep my neck and ears toasty. Got mine from KUIU but i'm sure there are other brands as well.

 

[17remhunter]

Did you read the first post?

NE Nevada is area 081 or 7. Every area holds exceptional Bucks. Every area. Their just a lot harder to hunt you have to hunt them completely different and most guys don't want to-put in the added effort

 

[Letthemgrow]

Congrats on a great tag. I'd spend as much time as possible getting to know the roads with boots and tires on the ground beforehand. Knowing if a connector road goes through will be useful and save you time. Nothing worse than being 4/5ths of the way down a road and finding it washed out. You can also find spots that look good for long range glassing on the map and then ground truth the angle and visibilty. Would be a good time to find a sheltered place to camp and stash some firewood ahead of time.

Assess some camp security options. My former work colleague did lose a Yeti cooler to some thieves when he was there 10 years ago. Act accordingly.

I invested in Kuiu Glassing Glo-Mitts and they did what they were supposed to. Pac boots are your friend, and my Canadian contacts like Artic Storm boots from Dryshod and Bama booties for extra warmth.

i did buy a merino wool Balaclava and it helped keep my neck and ears toasty. Got mine from KUIU but i'm sure there are other brands as well.

This is all great advice.
One of the most vivid memories from that hunt is glassing off a huge canyon rim before daylight, with the wind in my face, and having a serious conversation with myself on the topic of, "have I ever felt this cold before in my life?"

 

[Baerman]

I drew the same tag this year. DM me your contact and maybe we can stay in touch. All my research is to drive and glass, drive and glass to cover as much country as possible. I may do that to find groups of deer but it will kill me not to hike into some areas that can't be seen from the road. I am fortunate to have a local friend that knows the unit going with me at least for a few days. I'm planning on doing my scouting a few days before the hunt.

No unit is what it used to be but to be hunting this late will be unique and if a guy can stand the cold, I feel reasonably confident a good buck can be found. My local buddy also said, the hard decision will be to lay off those huge 3 point bucks and respectable 4x3's. Almost sounds like they need to open a 3 point or smaller hunt in there to weed out some less desirable genetics.

 

[MtnTrooper]

Congrats on a great tag. I'd spend as much time as possible getting to know the roads with boots and tires on the ground beforehand. Knowing if a connector road goes through will be useful and save you time. Nothing worse than being 4/5ths of the way down a road and finding it washed out. You can also find spots that look good for long range glassing on the map and then ground truth the angle and visibilty. Would be a good time to find a sheltered place to camp and stash some firewood ahead of time.

Assess some camp security options. My former work colleague did lose a Yeti cooler to some thieves when he was there 10 years ago. Act accordingly.

I invested in Kuiu Glassing Glo-Mitts and they did what they were supposed to. Pac boots are your friend, and my Canadian contacts like Artic Storm boots from Dryshod and Bama booties for extra warmth.

i did buy a merino wool Balaclava and it helped keep my neck and ears toasty. Got mine from KUIU but i'm sure there are other brands as well.

Thanks for the input!

 

[MtnTrooper]

I drew the same tag this year. DM me your contact and maybe we can stay in touch. All my research is to drive and glass, drive and glass to cover as much country as possible. I may do that to find groups of deer but it will kill me not to hike into some areas that can't be seen from the road. I am fortunate to have a local friend that knows the unit going with me at least for a few days. I'm planning on doing my scouting a few days before the hunt.

No unit is what it used to be but to be hunting this late will be unique and if a guy can stand the cold, I feel reasonably confident a good buck can be found. My local buddy also said, the hard decision will be to lay off those huge 3 point bucks and respectable 4x3's. Almost sounds like they need to open a 3 point or smaller hunt in there to weed out some less desirable genetics

I drew the same tag this year. DM me your contact and maybe we can stay in touch. All my research is to drive and glass, drive and glass to cover as much country as possible. I may do that to find groups of deer but it will kill me not to hike into some areas that can't be seen from the road. I am fortunate to have a local friend that knows the unit going with me at least for a few days. I'm planning on doing my scouting a few days before the hunt.

No unit is what it used to be but to be hunting this late will be unique and if a guy can stand the cold, I feel reasonably confident a good buck can be found. My local buddy also said, the hard decision will be to lay off those huge 3 point bucks and respectable 4x3's. Almost sounds like they need to open a 3 point or smaller hunt in there to weed out some less

Thanks for sharing! Laying off will be tough. Have at least 7 days of hunting planned so I won’t be too anxious for the first few. Dm incoming

 

[Baerman]

I'm curious of those with experience in this area, in general is the first week better than the last? I know weather is a factor but if you found a good buck the first week, would you hold out in confidence you'd find an exceptional buck the longer you wait? or is there too much risk in getting snowed out?

 

[ShootsManyBullets]

I'm curious of those with experience in this area, in general is the first week better than the last? I know weather is a factor but if you found a good buck the first week, would you hold out in confidence you'd find an exceptional buck the longer you wait? or is there too much risk in getting snowed out?

Getting snowed out is a real possibility. Otherwise not sure one time is better than another. If you find something good, go after it. There's not tons of them out there.