Nevada - Is it Worth it?

[cgasner1]

Can’t believe someone would drop out of applying for a state because they have to buy a license. And state you should put that money towards a hunt. There is no way that pans out. I can see backing out of high dollar point such as Wyoming moose and sheep if you statistically have zero chance.
Nevada like other states is an odds game and a gamble. Play smart and keep your fingers crossed. More points equal better odds (though odds are slim for a lot of hunts).
In 24 years I have drawn
3 mule deer tags
Antelope
Desert Bighorn
Elk

Should delete this comment

 

[MaddH]

Well it is a tough draw, but when you draw it’s worth it. I have NR friends who’ve drawn tags with no points.

 

[EastCoast94]

I can’t justify paying for Nevadas annual license to apply and build points. Odds are horrible for many many years. Occasionally I will apply for a few antelope and elk hunts in Nevada and skip buying the license. I don’t build points but at least I throw my name in the hat for cheap

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

personally i think nevada is worth it,,but its a long term game +luck,,,so far ive got a cali bighorn sheep in 2017 nr{beyond extreme luck w 6 points}8 yrs old 154" //drew my elk tag 2 years ago and got my nicest bull ever {a 310" 6x6},,and last year finally drew a antelope tag w 13 points,{just a average 70"}its a long term waiting game,but so far so good.

 

[Gr8bawana]

Mr. Kirkpatrick is correct. If you can afford the $ and the years it will most likely take to draw a tag in NV you will have a great hunt.
There are very few if any mediocre hunt units for elk.

 

[Trial153]

Nevada been good to me, expensive, very expensive but good so far.

 

[Redraider7]

Should I pick Idaho or Nevada? Idaho is appealing to me more and more since I will be able to hunt it ever once in a while

 

[cgasner1]

Should I pick Idaho or Nevada? Idaho is appealing to me more and more since I will be able to hunt it ever once in a while

Washington is really where it’s at anymore

 

[Elkhntr50]

I apply in Nevada. Might not be the best investment but I live in a neighboring state and it’s exciting to make a list of dream hunts each year and anxiously await draw results. I don’t go to casinos, so I guess this is my gambling addiction ha

 

[Gr8bawana]

Should I pick Idaho or Nevada? Idaho is appealing to me more and more since I will be able to hunt it ever once in a while

If I were applying only based on having more opportunities over time I would choose ID as well.

 

[Zim]

It is a very bad investment to enter the NV & UT draws from the ground floor. I hate to even estimate a minimum number of points at which it would be worthwhile to continue for existing point holders. In NV I have 16 for deer, 7 for elk & 25 for everything else, and 15 in UT, except 27 for deer. Even with these squared in NV and choosing mid to low quality units, I’ve not drawn anything since 2007. In UT I only expect to draw one tag, for deer. It’s not hard to see why if you study the draw odds. And think about that, 25 x 25 = 625 chances can’t draw.

 

[cgasner1]

It is a very bad investment to enter the NV & UT draws from the ground floor. I hate to even estimate a minimum number of points at which it would be worthwhile to continue for existing point holders. I have about 23 across the board in NV, and about 15 in UT, except 27 for deer. Even with these squared in NV and choosing the lowest quality units, I can’t draw anything. In UT I only expect to draw one tag, for deer. It’s not that hard to examine the draw odds and make a decision.

If your not looking at all this as a donation to a wildlife your gonna have a bad time. I drew an Utah buck tag with 4 points. I know a guy that drew a desert sheep tag with 6. You will never draw if you don’t apply

 

[Zim]

“You will never draw if you don’t apply”

NV & UT depend on this mindset heavily. Lol Because they have nothing else to offer NR’s.

 

[Carnage2011]

NV & UT depend on this mindset heavily. Lol Because they have nothing else to offer NR’s.

I have been to Utah three times in four years to help friends that drew tags. All of them drew with 1 point.

 

[Zim]

I have been to Utah three times in four years to help friends that drew tags. All of them drew with 1 point.

Many can say this about any state. Even a blind pig finds a nut once in a while. And almost all low point holders apply for the bottom feeder units. But close study of the complete draw odds tells the story. I apply for medium quality units hunts in Utah and the only year I drew was Book Cliffs elk with zero points way back in 1997 when there were paper applications, minimal publicity, and no SFW dipping into the well. Odds today for any medium or high quality permits from the ground floor for NR's are well below 1%. That's the reality. And in my opinion that's just not worth buying in from the ground floor.

 

[sgcurtis]

This is very helpful information. I have been weighing the "Utah question" for my applications this year. I was leaning toward a no, but the random element looms out there, like Lloyd Christmas, reminding me that there's always a chance.

I just moved to NV from the Midwest later in 2023, and I have only a single point. As a resident, although the odds are much better, the odds still seems to be quite low. I'm currently spending a lot of time hiking with an over/under (what my small game hunting really is) getting used to the various areas.

 

[MaddH]

As a resident it took me 19 points to draw bull elk and 18 points to draw a desert sheep tag. And I can tell you it was worth every penny and wait for those tags. Especially the sheep tag. Even at NR prices the sheep tag would be a bargain. You miss 100% of he shots you don’t take

 

[Carnage2011]

Many can say this about any state. Even a blind pig finds a nut once in a while. And almost all low point holders apply for the bottom feeder units. But close study of the complete draw odds tells the story. I apply for medium quality units hunts in Utah and the only year I drew was Book Cliffs elk with zero points way back in 1997 when there were paper applications, minimal publicity, and no SFW dipping into the well. Odds today for any medium or high quality permits from the ground floor for NR's are well below 1%. That's the reality. And in my opinion that's just not worth buying in from the ground floor.

2 of the three hunts I was on were for the only NR tag in a premier unit.

The odds are bad. If someone can afford it then they should apply. If they can’t then it’s a poor investment.

 

[SCliving Outdoors]

IMO it depends if you're an archery hunter. I rifle hunt primarily so it's not worth it to me. If archery deer is on your list it is worth it.

Side note: When you draw SC gator let me know. I'll give you the info on where to hunt.

 

[Redraider7]

IMO it depends if you're an archery hunter. I rifle hunt primarily so it's not worth it to me. If archery deer is on your list it is worth it.

Side note: When you draw SC gator let me know. I'll give you the info on where to hunt.

Thank you sir! I figured I would just hire an outfitter since I don't have a boat, gear or equipment for it. I found a relatively cheap one day outfitter or do you have other recommendations?