New for 2019

State Information

Nevada drought status as of March 26, 2019. Source: United States Drought Monitor

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Nevada drought status for March 20, 2018. Source: United States Drought Monitor

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Nevada drought status for March 28, 2017. Source: United States Drought Monitor

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Nevada's Snow Depth Analysis as of April 2, 2019. Source: Weatherstreet.com

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Nevada's Snow Depth Analysis for March 27, 2018. Source: Weatherstreet.com

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The Draw System

Nevada's 2019 Mule Deer Breakdown

How to Uncover Hidden Gem Units

The Points System

Nevada's 2019 Mule Deer Application Overview

Main writer: Jordan Christensen of The Draw

Like many of the western states, the 2018 season in Nevada left much to be desired for many hunters across the state. With drought conditions really taking a toll on the antler growth it was difficult to find the caliber of deer that a hunter should expect on any given unit, resulting in many hunters either eating their tag or going home with less than what they were hoping for. However, the deer population of deer across the state is in good shape and with above average snowfall in much of the state, 2019 is shaping up to be one for the books. Since a number of hunters went home without a deer in 2018, many of the units across the state should see a bumper crop of bucks that are a year older than normal and, hopefully, should result in above average deer across the state.

Nevada as a whole should typically be considered a long-term goal state for nonresidents with a few exceptions, particularly for archery hunters. Yet, when the day comes and you draw one of these elusive permits you are very well headed to one of the best deer hunts of your life. All serious mule deer hunters should include Nevada in their overall application strategy.

Nevada is a true bonus point system which means that there is no maximum point pool for any applicants and, in essence, it is simply a large bucket of raffle tickets. Nevada squares your points each year during the draw and adds one for the current application, which gives applicants who have been applying for many years more presence in the draw; therefore, increasing their odds of drawing. Because there is no maximum point pool, there is never a 100% chance of drawing in this state and it requires a bit of luck in order to be successful unless you are applying for a hunt that happens to go undersubscribed. The state does not require the money up front in order to apply and the application fee per species isn’t too bad, making this definitely a state that once you have committed and purchased the hunting license you should try to apply for all species of interest in order to get the most value out of that license.

Note: The application deadline for all species in Nevada is April 29, 2019 at 11 p.m. PST for online applications. Paper applications are no longer accepted in Nevada. You can apply online here.

Why Nevada for Mule Deer in 2019

Lots of Options with Only a Few Points

Using Filtering 2.0, you will see that with as little as five points hunters a lot of units are available to you. Also, your odds at picking a tag becomes even better when considering either archery or muzzleloader for your upcoming hunt.

No Waiting Period

Different than all of the other species in Nevada if you were lucky enough to successfully draw or even harvest a mule deer in Nevada last season you can get right back into the draw this year as there is no waiting period for deer in Nevada.

Top End Quality Deer

The likelihood of harvesting a three to four-year-old deer on many of the units in Nevada is quite high. Older age class deer, including bucks scoring 180” to over 200” Boone & Crockett (B&C) are also harvested every year in many units. Out of the 117 units for Nevada mule deer, 22 of these units have the potential to produce bucks 180” or better. However, with the current moisture levels across the state along with the likelihood of many deer being a year older than normal due to the 2018 season, 2019 should produce above average deer in most of the units. If there was ever a year to consider a less than premier unit in Nevada to increase your odds this would be the year.

Nevada Silver State Tag

For an additional $25 you can select to be included in the Silver State tag drawings, which would make you eligible for the one permit per species drawing each year that allows the recipient the opportunity to hunt any public land across the state from Aug. 1 to Dec. 31—just like the governor’s tag. This, along with thousands of dollars in free gear, is just too good to pass. Make sure you click the box while applying and get your name in the hat for this amazing opportunity.

Nevada Dream Tags

Nevada Dream Tags are another shot at drawing the hunt of a lifetime for mule deer, antelope, desert bighorn sheep, California bighorn sheep, elk and black bear in Nevada. Dream Tags are similar to Super Tags, and Super Raffles in other western states. This drawing is open to both residents and nonresidents. After purchasing a $10 Resource Enhancement Stamp, you can then buy an unlimited number of raffle tickets for $5 each for as many species as you want. You can enter the Dream Tag raffle here.

Notable Season Overlaps 2019 Mule Deer

Mule deer hunts, including junior hunt:

Antlerless Draw Odds

Remember that we have Draw Odds for female species. In Nevada, there are many opportunities for mule deer in the way of antlerless licenses for residents. When selecting your units to hunt be sure to also check out our standalone Draw Odds details page to see if opportunities exist that can be added to your hunt. Note: antlerless mule deer permits are for residents only.

Antlerless Mule Deer Draw Odds

Find your resident antlerless mule deer draw odds here

New for 2019: Youth Draw Odds

For 2019, we added youth Draw Odds. Note: youth mule deer permits are for residents only.

Find your resident youth mule deer draw odds here

State quotas will not be set until the May 2019 commission meeting. This is done to ensure that NDOW has the latest and most current data on big game herds.

To view important information and an overview of Nevada’s rules/regulations, the draw system and bonus points, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map, check out our State Profile. You can also view the Nevada Deer Profile to access historical and statistical data to help you find trophy areas.

Important Dates and Information

Notable Season Overlap

The antlered deer muzzleloader hunt will be overlapped in Unit 262 with the antlered elk any legal weapon hunt.

Drought and Snowpack in Nevada

Compared to last year, Nevada has made an incredible turnaround with only 10.06% of the state considered in a moderate drought and another 0% barely making the scale at moderately dry. This is great news for Nevada and plays right into the theory that 2019 is going to be a banner year for bucks across the state.

2019

Nevada drought status as of March 26, 2019. Source: United States Drought Monitor

2018

2017

2018 vs. 2019 Snow Depth Analysis

This year-to-year comparison shows more clearly the incredible amount of moisture that the Silver State is receiving for 2019 in all of its highest elevations.

2019

Nevada's Snow Depth Analysis as of April 2, 2019. Source: Weatherstreet.com

2018

Nevada's Snow Depth Analysis for March 27, 2018. Source: Weatherstreet.com

Understanding the Draw

For all species in Nevada, there are five hunt choices. When drawn, all five choices are considered prior to drawing the next application.

Bonus Point Only Application after the Main Draw

If you missed the application deadline to apply for a tag or you just want to apply for bonus points, then you may submit an application for a bonus point during the main big game application or within seven days after the application deadline. Application fees will still be charged. It is highly recommended that you print a copy of your application confirmation page for your records after applying. The last day to apply for a bonus point only is May 6, 2019 at 11 p.m. PST. You can apply for a bonus point here.

Unlocking Nevada’s System

As mentioned before, Nevada should be considered a long-term goal and the key to success in this state is to keep applying and to only apply “point only” when you absolutely cannot pull off a hunt that fall. You never know when it’s going to be your year and to miss out on a year of having your name in the hat is a mistake that should be avoided whenever possible. If you are looking for a hunt sooner rather than later, Nevada makes it possible to chase the odds while still applying for a top shelf hunt by allowing the applicant to select five choices each year.

Nevada's Draw Order and Why It Matters

With five choices available, the first two selections on your application should always be for the best units in the state or the hunt you desire the most. The last three selections can be a continuation of this strategy or allow the applicant to aggressively chase the odds and often draw sooner. The applicant will lose all his/her points on any successful application regardless of which choice so be realistic in what kind of hunt you are looking for and always swing for the fence on your first two selections. Remember that your bonus points are squared each year plus one additional point for that year’s application. See the Nevada State Profile for more information.

Youth Information

Junior youth tag holders can harvest an antlered or antlerless deer. This tag allows the junior hunter to hunt during the archery season when the unit is open for archery only, to hunt with a muzzleloader when the unit is open for muzzleloader only and to hunt with any legal weapon when the unit is open for any legal weapon. If a junior hunt applicant is unsuccessful in drawing a tag, bonus points will be awarded for the junior hunt.

Note: Any bonus points accrued in the junior hunt will automatically transfer to the antlered deer category at the time the junior hunter becomes ineligible for the junior hunt by either age or after five years of applying for the junior hunt.

Junior youth must be 12 years old prior to the opening of each hunt choice applied for (usually archery), and will not turn 18 until after the last day of the last season applied for (usually any legal weapon). An eligible junior hunter may apply no more than five times.

Find your resident youth mule deer draw odds here

As we have mentioned a few times, 2018 was really a throwaway year when looking across the state for an above average mule deer and the main culprit, in my opinion, was the horrible drought conditions and the lack of any spring moisture across the state.

However, even considering all of this, Nevada is still second only to Colorado in its overall management strategy: the state’s buck to doe ratio is set at 30:100. The overall average last year was 33:100 across the state. There are eight units in the state that are managed for 35:100 bucks to does which results in an above average age class throughout the majority of the state. Filtering 2.0 shows that just over half (55%) of the units in the state have a 170”+ trophy potential and almost one in five units, or 19%, have a 180”+ trophy potential.

Whether you are waiting your turn for the most sought after units in the state or just looking to put together a fun deer hunt in a unit that doesn’t get as much attention, chances are that, with a little research, you will find yourself on an above average unit with a chance for the buck of a lifetime sooner rather than later.

Current Mule Deer Herd Condition

The overall number of deer surveyed during the post-season counts in 2018 was down about 6,000 animals with the estimate coming in at only 25,685 deer compared to 31,770 in 2017. However, the total population is still documented as stable with no change and currently estimated at 92,000 deer across the state. This means that Nevada should still be a top pick in your overall application strategy if harvesting a big mule deer is on your bucket list. The overall age class is very good when looking unit to unit and, compared to your other options, Nevada should be close to the top for serious mule deer hunters.

The Hit List Units for Nevada Mule Deer in 2019

Uncovering a hidden gem in Nevada for mule deer often follows the same path as other states. The more primitive the weapon and the further from the rut you are willing to hunt, then the more likely you are to find yourself in a unit with the caliber of deer you’re after sooner rather than later. Often these types of hunts come with success rates that are not as desirable; however, when you are looking for something that is flying under the radar, that’s often the case.

The other method to locate a hidden gem is with resources like our Filtering 2.0 and Draw Odds. With these tools, it has never been easier to locate a unit that fits your individual goals. You can pour over information like trophy potential, draw odds percentages, buck:doe ratios and percentage of 4 point or better per hunt and unit. You will also be able to analyze the number of applications that are submitted each year as well as the number of tags drawn to show you how a specific unit is trending. With all of these tools at your disposal, it has never been easier to locate your perfect hunt.

Buck:doe Ratios and Why This Matters

Following buck to doe ratios can be an excellent way of locating a hidden gem and is a critical tool for wildlife managers when deciding how many tags to issue in each unit each year. Essentially, when a unit has a higher buck:doe ratio you can’t help but assume that some of these bucks are making it through each season and, therefore, creating an opportunity for an older age class buck. This is not a given, but it tends to hold true more often than not. However, if you are not looking to break records while you are hunting and are simply looking for a hunt where you can expect to see more bucks per day, studying these ratios could be the most important data to consider. Whether you are planning a youth hunt or just tired of not seeing bucks while you are out hunting, take a look at the total population of deer in each unit and compare that to the buck:doe ratio. Then, you will be off and running to a very enjoyable hunt.

* For unit groups, the public land percentage is averaged. See the Unit Profiles for exact percentages.

B&c Entry Trends for Nevada Mule Deer

Units listed below may not have a current hunt for this species. Units in this table are included if any part of the unit is found within the county. Data provided below courtesy of the Boone and Crockett Club.

The Bonus Point Race

2019 maximum bonus points for mule deer: 26

Resident Successful/unsuccessful Applicants

Nonresident Successful/unsuccessful Applicants

Managing Points and Expectations

I Have 0 Mule Deer Bonus Points. What Can I Expect?

Because Nevada allows its applicants fives choices that are all considered prior to moving onto the next applicant, this allows an aggressive applicant a unique opportunity. Apply for what you believe to be your dream hunt based upon your goals for your first two selections. This is a must (at a minimum). Do this even if your goal is to draw a hunt that typically goes undersubscribed because in the off chance that your application comes out of the hat early, you will have missed your opportunity to draw an elite permit while giving up nothing in your odds to swing for the fence. Remember: The easiest permits to draw in the state are archery. Any hunt selections that are for rifle are going to be difficult to draw your first year.

Residents:

Based on last year’s applicants, there were only four different hunt selections that had 100% drawing odds and they were all on the early archery hunt. These hunts (not in order of quality) were Units 032, 101-109, 141-145, 171-173. All other selections had some level of odds associated with drawing with zero points and shouldn’t be counted on as a sure chance to draw. However, with no maximum point pool in Nevada, even these selections could go from 100% chance of drawing to less than that at any given time. Remember that there are typically leftover archery permits in a few units each year so if you are willing this can be a backup plan if things don’t work out in the draw.

Quick tip: Study the standalone Draw Odds here if you're a resident and adjust your individual point value to see your best odds for drawing a tag or planning for a future hunt.

Find your resident mule deer draw odds with 0 points here

Nonresidents:

Getting started in Nevada should typically be considered a long-term goal for many hunters. There are few options outside of a specific hunt and an inside track from a local (that would result in a quality hunt without applying for years). Yet, an applicant should consider applying for all species of interest when getting started in the Silver State because if you are going to invest in the hunting license each year you should at least give yourself a chance to draw some of the other species the state has to offer. If you are simply looking for the fastest way to get to Nevada on a mule deer hunt then, based upon last year with zero points, a nonresident application for Unit 203 had a 21% chance of drawing the early archery hunt.

Another option to consider watching for opportunities on the second draw period. Any of the hunts that go undersubscribed in the first drawing will now be available in the second drawing and there is no nonresident quota for these permits. Essentially, a nonresident has the same odds of drawing any of the available permits as a resident. Remember that regardless if you were to draw in the second drawing or even purchase a leftover permit in late July, you will lose any bonus points that you have accrued.

Quick tip: Study the standalone Draw Odds here if you're a nonresident and adjust your individual point value to see your best odds for drawing a tag or planning for a future hunt.

Another option to consider is watching for opportunities on the second draw period. Any of the hunts that go undersubscribed in the first drawing will now be available in the second drawing and there is no nonresident quota for these permits. Essentially, a nonresident has the same odds of drawing any of the available permits as a resident does. Remember that regardless if you were to draw in the second drawing or even purchase a leftover permit in late July, you will lose any bonus points that you have accrued.

Find your nonresident mule deer draw odds with 0 points here

What Can I Do with 3 or 4 Mule Deer Bonus Points?

Note: You will lose your accumulated bonus points if you purchase a leftover tag in Nevada. Consider this before purchasing a leftover tag.

Residents:

Now that you have accrued three to four points things are starting to get a little more interesting. You have to ask yourself what your real goal is. If you are only interested in the top units of the state, then continue to apply with all five of your selections on what you believe them to be. However, if you are tired of waiting and are ready to hunt there are options to consider for all weapon choices in the state. If you are serious about burning your bonus points for a rifle tag, study the standalone Draw Odds here and adjust your individual point value to see your best odds for drawing a tag or planning for a future hunt. Another option is to adjust the filters to show draw odds that are 50% or higher. That will give you a great starting point for further research.

Quick tip: Study the standalone Draw Odds here if you're a resident and adjust your individual point value to see your best odds for drawing a tag or planning for a future hunt.

Find your resident mule deer draw odds with 4 points here

Nonresidents:

There is little change at this point for nonresident applicants; however, if you are an archer there are a few options to consider in units with an above average trophy potential. With four points there are four selections you can choose from that will give you a 30%+ success in drawing. Three of them are early archery hunts and one of them is a muzzleloader hunt. Even when considering one or more of these options it is important to never sell yourself short and always apply for what you consider to be your dream hunts for the first option or two. In the rare event that you come out of the hat early, of course, you would want one of these selections versus a historically easy to draw permit. You can always draw the easy ones at a later time with much less invested.

Find your nonresident mule deer draw odds with 4 points here

What Can I Expect with 9 or 10 Mule Deer Bonus Points?

Residents:

You are getting close to the end of your wait and the question begs: what are you waiting for? With 10 points there are few archery or muzzleloader permits out of reach and there are 13 different rifle hunts that you have a 70% chance of drawing on units with a 180”+ trophy potential. Because there is no maximum point pool, it’s quite possible that you simply have horrible luck. Hopefully, 2019 is finally your year and you will be in the field sooner rather than later. What a banner year for it to finally come together.

Find your resident mule deer draw odds with 10 points here

Nonresidents:

Unfortunately, you are still in no man’s land. Often, I have seen hunters get deterred at this junction as the anticipation or frustration can become overwhelming and hunters will choose to burn their points on a chance instead of buckling down and seeing the original plan through. With over 40% of the hunts in the state at a 50% chance of drawing it can become very appealing. Be realistic in your expectations and apply accordingly. If a unit has difficulty producing the caliber of bucks you are looking for, then you should expect a similar experience when you are there. Grit your teeth and, at a minimum, continue to apply for the best tags in the state with your first two selections.

Find your nonresident mule deer draw odds with 10 points here

What Can I Expect with 15 or 20 Mule Deer Bonus Points?

Residents:

This just hasn’t been your game. With any luck, you have been hunting many of the other opportunities the state has to offer. Or you have been lost at sea and you have family members who, just in case, kept buying you points, knowing that you would really want to hunt a giant buck if you ever made it back home. The great news is that there are few permits that you do not have a very strong chance at drawing at this point and many of them would be in the >99% category. At this point, you should consider only applying for what you believe to be the very best hunt in the state per your goals even if this means you are only using one or two of the five choices you are allotted. Drawing a fifth choice at this point might really sting so don’t feel like you are required to do this and swing for the fence. You have earned it.

Find your resident mule deer draw odds with 20 points here

Nonresidents:

It is unlikely that at this point you haven’t dug into this on your own and realized what you are up against when considering the top producing units in the state. The long and short of it is that you still have very long odds of accomplishing the goal that you set out to accomplish many years ago. Depending on your age you should continue down the path you started on and swing for the fence on the hunts you have been dreaming of for many years. We would encourage you to use Filtering 2.0 as I see many applicants that have been applying for many years slightly off track as to what is currently the top unit a state has to offer and Nevada is no different. Herds and management strategies have definitely changed since you began this process and using Filtering 2.0 to keep tabs on what areas of the state are now the top producers is very important so that you don’t end up with the permit you set out for and end up not having the hunt you have been dreaming of.

The other side to this coin, unfortunately, for many applicants with this number of points is that age and physical capabilities are becoming more and more of an issue. Be realistic with your goals and don’t be afraid to deviate from a plan you had in the beginning. Nevada has one of the most aggressive deer management strategies in the country. Many units in the Silver State offer a better experience than most of the country when it comes to age class and buck:doe ratios.

Find your nonresident mule deer draw odds with 20 points here