Do you have big plans to hunt Nevada this year? Or are you looking for a way to improve your odds of drawing a coveted mule deer tag in Nevada? Then the Nevada restricted mule deer guided draw might be your solution. The deadline to apply is March 10 with draw results available late March.
Every year Nevada has a separate drawing where they set aside a certain number of rifle mule deer tags that are available exclusively for nonresident applicants that apply through a licensed Nevada outfitter. There are currently 27 Nevada outfitters eligible for the guided draw (as of Jan. 17, 2017) and that list can be found here. The restricted guided draw is completed prior to the general draw that takes place in late March.
The tags are broken down by the season and unit number. There are not a lot of tags set aside for the guided draw… but the odds of drawing are better than the regular pool. Bonus points for mule deer in the main draw are also applicable in the guided draw. The same method of squaring points is used.
For example: five bonus points will be squared to 25 points plus one additional chance for the current application — giving you 26 total chances to draw if you have five bonus points.
Note: A hunter that submits an application through the guided-draw cannot apply for mule deer in the Nevada-main-draw that takes place roughly between March 21 to April 18 of each year. It's also important to know that although you cannot apply for both the guided draw and main draw for mule deer in the same year, accrued bonus points are shared between each draw.
If you are nonresident and apply for mule deer with the mindset that when you draw, you will use an outfitter, then the guided draw is for you. Additionally, an outfitter will be able to help you in selecting a unit that may fit your goals and objectives. The Nevada guided draw option for mule deer will help to improve your odds of drawing that coveted tag. Having a guide in your corner will also greatly improve your chances of harvesting the buck that meets your expectations.
New for 2017: Now you can see the draw odds for the Guided Draw on Insider. You can view the odds two ways. On the stand alone draw odds page or on Filtering 2.0.
Draw odds can be drastically better in the guided draw. For example: In Unit Group 111, 112, 113 the draw odds for an early rifle tag in the main draw pool is 1.4% at zero points, but in the guided draw they are 24%! Also, in some cases a nonresident can have better draw odds by applying through the guided draw than even a resident!
The outfitters listed below are GOHUNT Business Members that we work with closely. You can contact them directly to get started on the process of applying for the mule deer guided draw. Outfitters below are listed in alphabetical order.
Some of the 2016 mule deer taken with 7L Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member
Contact: Brad LloydPhone: (775) 962-1998Outfitter information: 7L OutfittersSocial accounts: Facebook — Instagram
Contact: Cleave DwirePhone: (775)-293-1917Outfitter information: Bull Creek Outfitters
em>Mule deer taken with G&J Outdoors — A GOHUNT Business Member
Contact: Cary JellisonPhone: (530) 885-1492Outfitter information: G&J OutdoorsSocial accounts: Facebook
Some of the 2016 mule deer taken with Nevada Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member
Contact: Robert WallinPhone: (775)-335-5234Outfitter information: Nevada OutfittersSocial accounts: Facebook — Instagram — Twitter
Some of the 2016 mule deer taken with Pine Peak Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member
Contact: Jake RosevearPhone: (775)-293-1686Outfitter information: Pine Peak OutfittersSocial accounts: Facebook — Instagram
The only seasons eligible through this special drawing are the any legal weapon rifle seasons. You can find these seasons on Filtering 2.0 if you're looking to start some research on units to apply for. Unlike New Mexico, the Nevada guided draw requires that the outfitter actually complete and submit the application for the hunter by using a guide permit number and password. The outfitter guided draw application can be found here.
Also, the client must be accompanied in the field by a designated guide associated with the outfitter that submitted the application in the guided draw. Even if the tag you draw has season dates that run longer than the duration of the guide contract (time in field with guide), then it is illegal for the hunter to hunt with a tag obtained in the guided draw without being accompanied by a designated guide.
The deadline to apply is March 10, 2017. It is important that you contact a licensed Nevada outfitter right away if you want to take part in this drawing. It will improve not only your odds of drawing a tag, but also your chance at harvesting a dream buck! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Best of luck in the 2017 draws!
Hunters interested in applying in the guided draw must first contact an eligible outfitter. That list can be found here.
After the outfitter walks you through the process, you will then need to fill out a Power of Attorney Form and get it notarized.
After finalizing that last step, the outfitter can then apply you in the guided draw.