Utah or Nevada? Which would you choose?

[Rainer]

I'm looking at "investing" in a state that would be a long term deal. I've narrowed it down to Utah or Nevada. Now I have time to build up points because due to the political climate in the States. I could be detained for working in the medical marijuana field(they cancelled my nexus card because of this). Mainly looking to apply for Elk, Pronghorn and Sheep. Maybe deer too.

 

[ImBillT]

1) If sheep are important the clear answer is NV.

2) If you want to hunt somewhere without rods all over, there is more that in NV.

3) UT is cheaper.

4) UT is less likely to have a reformation of their point system in the next 10yrs. NV is edging toward the point system cliff. If hunting remains legal and popular for thirty more years, NV’s point system is unlikely to make it thirty more years.

 

[2rocky]

For me in the States, UT is a "Cheap Gamble", while NV points are more of an investment. I've been able to hunt NV 3x since 2010 for Deer and Pronghorn, while in that same time I've not gotten one bite from UT, despite applying for tags rather than just points.

 

[arwhntr]

Utah. As you build points go have some great general season deer hunts.

 

[Zim]

Read threads below and watch Randys video's on applying in these states from the ground floor.

 

[Gr8bawana]

NV is edging toward the point system cliff. If hunting remains legal and popular for thirty more years, NV’s point system is unlikely to make it thirty more years.

 

[fachries]

Read threads below and watch Randys video's on applying in these states from the ground floor.

+1

 

[Flatrock]

Really hard to say without having more info like age, what weapon you prefer, how often you'd like to draw, what types of animals you'd be happy with, etc. There's a good chance though my answer would be neither. If you're a bowhunter, Nevada might be worth it. Both states are relatively low odds for even low tier hunts. Granted their low tier hunts can still be good but don't expect to draw very often.

 

[brownbear932008]

Boy that's two tough ones. I'd say UT. The sheep tags are gonna be a huge gamble in any state. Reason I say UT is cost of apps.

 

[2rocky]

Curious though for the OP...With Alberta And BC in country for you....Wouldn't Sheep be a better bet applying there? If you were to draw, it's still an expensive hunt. Alberta Especially for Pronghorn Deer and Elk.

BIG GAME RECORDS (RIFLE)
Species	Score	Hunter	Location	Year
Bighorn Sheep	209 4/8	Picked Up	Longview	2010
Bighorn Sheep *	208 3/8	Guinn Crousen	Luscar Mtn.	2000
Non-Typ. Elk	444 4/8	John Almberg	Edgerton	1999
Typical Elk *	419 5/8	Clarence Brown	Panther River	1977
Non-Typ. Mule Deer *	355 2/8	Ed Broder	Chip Lake	1926
Typical Mule Deer *	206 2/8	Tyson Smigelski	Oyen	2017
Non-Typ. Whitetail *	279 6/8	Neil Morin	Whitemud Creek	1991
Typical Whitetail *	204 2/8	Stephen Jansen	Beaverdam Creek	1967
Canada Moose *	226 7/8	Tim Harbridge	Whitecourt	1978
Black Bear *	22 9/16	Jason Johansson	WMU 360	1997
Grizzly Bear *	26 5/16	Bella Twin	Slave Lake	1953
Grizzly Bear	26 5/16	Dave Auger
Pronghorn Antelope *	90	Tannis R. Piotrowski	Manyberries	2013
Cougar *	16 2/16	Joe Gore	Hinton	2005
Mountain Goat	54	N.K. Luxton	Bow Summit	1907
Wolf	18 6/16	Leigh Mckain	Anselmo	2001

BIG GAME RECORDS (ARCHERY)
Species	Score	Hunter	Year
Bighorn Sheep	200 6/8	Todd Kirk	1998
Non-Typical Elk *	414 5/8	Brent Kuntz	2003
Typical Elk *	402 5/8	Will Huppertz	2004
Non-Typical Mule Deer	228 7/8	Matthew Beckman	2005
Non-Typical Mule Deer Velvet	238 6/8	Tharen Soroka	2010
Typical Mule Deer *	200 2/8	E. John W. Adkins	2016
Typical Mule Deer Velvet *	198 6/8	Cyril Paquin	2004
Non-Typical Whitetail	241 2/8	Dean Dwernychuk	1984
Non-Typical Whitetail Velvet	204 0/8	Darcy Wedlund	2007
Typical Whitetail *	197 1/8	Don McGarvey	2005
Typical Whitetail Velvet	181 6/8	Jack McNaughton	2013
Canada Moose	217 2/8	Frederick Gimbel	1994
Canada Moose Velvet	169 0/8	Travis Peterson	2003
Black Bear	22 3/16	Chester Dodgson	2015
Grizzly Bear *	23 7/16	Richard Michalski	1981
Antelope	84 4/8	Shaun Steidel	2002
Cougar	15 7/8	Glen Roberts	2007
Mountain Goat *	48 2/8	Chris Kroll	1962

To my way of thinking if you are going to look at hunting in another country Application fees should be just a cost of doing business.

 

[elkduds]

I won't spend or send a dollar to UT, the strongest Public Land Transfer state voice in this country. UT continues working hard every day to convert our federal public lands into private property; not just in their Kingdom, but all over America. I wouldn't hunt for a Dilly Bar in UT.

 

[Rainer]

You would think it would be easier and cheaper to just hunt in another province but, it's not. I still would need to hire a guide to hunt in another province. Plus majority of the Outfitters in Canada charge in US currency.

Curious though for the OP...With Alberta And BC in country for you....Wouldn't Sheep be a better bet applying there? If you were to draw, it's still an expensive hunt. Alberta Especially for Pronghorn Deer and Elk.

​

BIG GAME RECORDS (RIFLE)
Species	Score	Hunter	Location	Year
Bighorn Sheep	209 4/8	Picked Up	Longview	2010
Bighorn Sheep *	208 3/8	Guinn Crousen	Luscar Mtn.	2000
Non-Typ. Elk	444 4/8	John Almberg	Edgerton	1999
Typical Elk *	419 5/8	Clarence Brown	Panther River	1977
Non-Typ. Mule Deer *	355 2/8	Ed Broder	Chip Lake	1926
Typical Mule Deer *	206 2/8	Tyson Smigelski	Oyen	2017
Non-Typ. Whitetail *	279 6/8	Neil Morin	Whitemud Creek	1991
Typical Whitetail *	204 2/8	Stephen Jansen	Beaverdam Creek	1967
Canada Moose *	226 7/8	Tim Harbridge	Whitecourt	1978
Black Bear *	22 9/16	Jason Johansson	WMU 360	1997
Grizzly Bear *	26 5/16	Bella Twin	Slave Lake	1953
Grizzly Bear	26 5/16	Dave Auger
Pronghorn Antelope *	90	Tannis R. Piotrowski	Manyberries	2013
Cougar *	16 2/16	Joe Gore	Hinton	2005
Mountain Goat	54	N.K. Luxton	Bow Summit	1907
Wolf	18 6/16	Leigh Mckain	Anselmo	2001

BIG GAME RECORDS (ARCHERY)
Species	Score	Hunter	Year
Bighorn Sheep	200 6/8	Todd Kirk	1998
Non-Typical Elk *	414 5/8	Brent Kuntz	2003
Typical Elk *	402 5/8	Will Huppertz	2004
Non-Typical Mule Deer	228 7/8	Matthew Beckman	2005
Non-Typical Mule Deer Velvet	238 6/8	Tharen Soroka	2010
Typical Mule Deer *	200 2/8	E. John W. Adkins	2016
Typical Mule Deer Velvet *	198 6/8	Cyril Paquin	2004
Non-Typical Whitetail	241 2/8	Dean Dwernychuk	1984
Non-Typical Whitetail Velvet	204 0/8	Darcy Wedlund	2007
Typical Whitetail *	197 1/8	Don McGarvey	2005
Typical Whitetail Velvet	181 6/8	Jack McNaughton	2013
Canada Moose	217 2/8	Frederick Gimbel	1994
Canada Moose Velvet	169 0/8	Travis Peterson	2003
Black Bear	22 3/16	Chester Dodgson	2015
Grizzly Bear *	23 7/16	Richard Michalski	1981
Antelope	84 4/8	Shaun Steidel	2002
Cougar	15 7/8	Glen Roberts	2007
Mountain Goat *	48 2/8	Chris Kroll	1962

To my way of thinking if you are going to look at hunting in another country Application fees should be just a cost of doing business.

 

[hossblur]

1) If sheep are important the clear answer is NV.

2) If you want to hunt somewhere without rods all over, there is more that in NV.

3) UT is cheaper.

4) UT is less likely to have a reformation of their point system in the next 10yrs. NV is edging toward the point system cliff. If hunting remains legal and popular for thirty more years, NV’s point system is unlikely to make it thirty more years.

I'd be surprised if Utah's does. If we are going to have any new hunters stay, the point system will have to go

 

[hossblur]

I won't spend or send a dollar to UT, the strongest Public Land Transfer state voice in this country. UT continues working hard every day to convert our federal public lands into private property; not just in their Kingdom, but all over America. I wouldn't hunt for a Dilly Bar in UT.

You are looking at it completely backwards.

The push is by extractive industries and the special interest group SFW. It's not by Fish and Game.

When outdoor retailers show bailed it took their voices with them. If public land hunters bail or stay away they have no voice either.

If you are against land "transfer" you have to show that there isn't an appetite for it, and that there are economic reasons to oppose it.

Last weekend SFW held their expo. I'd imagine based on last year, about 50, 000 dudes rolled in and $8million plus was generated. Our governor was there. Our future governor was too. That's a loud voice.

If folks stay away or hide, that's the only voice he hears. SFW is "neutral"(publically) on "transfer" at best. One needs only read to see they support it.

 

[MNHunter]

Id take a hard look at the draw odds of the species you want to hunt in UT before starting there. I'd also second Randy's How to Hunt Utah video on Youtube. You'll get your answer...

 

[ImBillT]

Id take a hard look at the draw odds of the species you want to hunt in UT before starting there. I'd also second Randy's How to Hunt Utah video on Youtube. You'll get your answer...

Definitely. Last time I checked, if I applied in UT and NV every year for twenty years I would have about a 60% chance of drawing an elk tag at least once in either state. If you’re ok with a 40% chance that you would apply for 20 years and still never draw a tag, then jump on in. If you can afford to apply everywhere, then why not? If applying in UT or NV will prevent you from applying in ID, MT, WY, CO, AZ, or NM, then it’s not a very good plan.

 

[Trial153]

flip a coin, they both suck unless you willing to make a twenty year investment. Yes you might get lucky and draw a tag during the wait...however its not something to bank on. Personally I put in across the board in both but I am not delusional about my chances.

 

[Desk Pop]

I do both...been in 12 years for each. Have drawn a muzzy deer and rifle antelope tag in UT and a rifle deer and rifle antelope in NV. Even with my points, my odds for the deer tags were less than 3-4% on each deer tag. I would consider a NR elk tag in NV once in a lifetime and a UT elk likely once, maybe twice in a lifetime in UT....for good units. Sheep in UT is a joke. Likely never. Sheep in NV are an actual possibility in 30 years maybe. Pretty close. UT is cheaper. UT has bison and goat too. But UT also has the world's worst drivers and the largest flat-brimmed wearing crew on earth. Choices....