Nevada Muzzleloader Mule Deer Hunt Units 71-79, 91

[Joe Hulburt]

Getting excited to head down to Nevada in early September. I've been applying for 12 years down there but this is the first Nevada hunt for me. I have a good friend that lives down there and he has already got me lined up with spots to start but curious to hear from anybody else who has hunted this hunt about their experiences. I don't have any grand expectations other than I'm hoping it's not overrun with other hunters like any Oregon Mule Deer hunts and that I'll be seeing some deer. It looks to be some nice country and I'll spend quite a bit of time looking around before I decide what kind of buck should be nervous.

I've been practicing a lot with my recently purchased 4 Stable Sticks and new Williams Globe Sight and the muzzleloader is dialed in at least to 150 yards so I won't have any excuses.

Any Hunt Talk words of wisdom? Mainly I'm just curious to talk to anyone who has done this hunt in recent years. I'm planning to start hunting opening day and can stay as long as needed but might consider a second trip towards the end of the season if I get the feeling that would be worthwhile.

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

Joe, I had that tag but 40 years ago when Nevada mule deer were at an all time high. I'll dig out my maps and send you a PM on some areas. NDOW in Elko were helpful. There was not much pressure back then. Hopefully someone will step up with more current info.

 

[Scott85]

It’s big big big country. Have at least a dozen spots picked out because a lot of roads are in really really poor shape and with the rain we are getting is just making those roads worse.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

good luck joe,,i was expecting to draw your muzz hunt unit this year and was looking hard at unit 72,,but i got lucky and drew my 3rd choice unit 114-115 rifle,,,71-79 muzz was my 4th choice,,i would start up high at first,,good luck,,there is alot to look over in those units,,also eye balled north part of 76 too.ill be in nevada a little later.

 

[BGnight]

I just picked up this same muzzy tag on fcfs yesterday. I don't own a muzzleloader yet so debating on turning it in waiting to pick up a rifle tag. It's only a $30 tag as a resident so not a big deal. From research I've done I would personally focus on east side of range into the wilderness. Looks like you could hunt out of truck or do 1 day spike outs out of backpack pretty easy. I have a new fat tire E bike that should come in handy in some areas.

Looking to pickup a pretty basic, cheap muzzy set up. Probably a CVA Optima V2 with a peep site (williams?). Not planning on shooting over 100 yards. I've done a little research and it can get overwhelming. As long as it goes bang when I pull the trigger is all I care about. Any thoughts on what bullets to use in .50 caliber?

 

[AntelopeEater]

I just picked up this same muzzy tag on fcfs yesterday. I don't own a muzzleloader yet so debating on turning it in waiting to pick up a rifle tag. It's only a $30 tag as a resident so not a big deal. From research I've done I would personally focus on east side of range into the wilderness. Looks like you could hunt out of truck or do 1 day spike outs out of backpack pretty easy. I have a new fat tire E bike that should come in handy in some areas.

Looking to pickup a pretty basic, cheap muzzy set up. Probably a CVA Optima V2 with a peep site (williams?). Not planning on shooting over 100 yards. I've done a little research and it can get overwhelming. As long as it goes bang when I pull the trigger is all I care about. Any thoughts on what bullets to use in .50 caliber?

The first deer I ever harvested was a forky with a muzzleloader in unit 071, back in 2023. I also got that tag on FCFS.

As far as I know it is a great tag and I would use it if I were you.

I just stayed in a motel in Wells, NV, and did day hunts out of that area, but I wasn't determined to go real remote in search of a trophy, I just wanted any legal deer I could get since it was my first real deer hunt ever.

Ironically, I saw a fantastic buck during that hunt with massive antlers....but it was roadkill along the road that goes north to Jarbidge, NV.

The muzzleloader I used was a CVA Accura LRX with open sights and 85 grains of Hogdon 777 with an all copper Thor conical sabot.

First shot was at about 125 yards and was unfortunately less than perfectly placed, broke the ramrod while hurriedly reloading, but managed to reload and put the deer down with a second shot.

It is a beautiful area, as you probably already know in mid day it tends to be hot and sunny and no wildlife tends to be active then, but sunrise and sunset times are when you'll see the animals if you are quietly watching, especially near water.

One thing I learned is that the mule deer seemed to mostly be in the thick brushy areas, but not the forested areas with real trees, hope that helps.

If you live or will be in the Vegas area and want to meet up at either the Clark County Shooting Complex, or Desert Sportsman range to shoot some blackpowder guns together that could be fun.

I have three different .50 cal blackpowder rifles (one is a modern in-line, the CVA Accura LRX), and the other two are traditional percussion/cap and ball, and I also have some .44 cal percussion/cap and ball blackpowder revolvers.

If you are not going to get truly into blackpowder shooting as a hobby, I would definitely recommend you just get a cheap in-line.

The in-lines are much easier to clean out, and also have more reliable ignition - and its can be easier to find shotgun primers to use with an in-line than percussion caps.

I like blackpowder shooting, but not the cleaning afterwards, lol.

 

[BGnight]

Thanks for the offer and the info! However, I live in Reno. I actually put in for some muzzy hunts in main draw with plans to buy one only if I drew. If I pull the trigger I may msg you for some info. I had zero points this season so I'm fine gambling on getting another fcfs rifle tag but this hunt does sound fun.

 

[BGnight]

I've been practicing a lot with my recently purchased 4 Stable Sticks

These look sweet! Having a butt rest while standing would be so nice.

 

[Joe Hulburt]

I just picked up this same muzzy tag on fcfs yesterday. I don't own a muzzleloader yet so debating on turning it in waiting to pick up a rifle tag. It's only a $30 tag as a resident so not a big deal. From research I've done I would personally focus on east side of range into the wilderness. Looks like you could hunt out of truck or do 1 day spike outs out of backpack pretty easy. I have a new fat tire E bike that should come in handy in some areas.

Looking to pickup a pretty basic, cheap muzzy set up. Probably a CVA Optima V2 with a peep site (williams?). Not planning on shooting over 100 yards. I've done a little research and it can get overwhelming. As long as it goes bang when I pull the trigger is all I care about. Any thoughts on what bullets to use in .50 caliber?

I tried a bunch of bullets and settled on Thor. You have to get their sizing pack to determine exactly what size your gun needs. My CVA Optima likes .500 and my sons .501.

 

[Joe Hulburt]

These look sweet! Having a butt rest while standing would be so nice.

I’m sold on it! I’ve found offhand with a muzzleloader can be tough for me. Apparently too much lag time.

 

[BGnight]

I tried a bunch of bullets and settled on Thor. You have to get their sizing pack to determine exactly what size your gun needs. My CVA Optima likes .500 and my sons .501.