The application period for Nevada's 2023 nonresident guided mule deer draw opened up recently! And if you're looking for a way to increase your odds at pulling a tag, this draw is for you! Note: the Nevada guide draw is for nonresidents only.

The deadline to apply for the Nevada guided draw in 2023 is Monday, March 6 at 11:00 p.m. PST. Draw results should be available on or before March 17. For a nonresident, mule deer points could be purchased during the guide draw, or purchased during the main draw, and finally if you haven't purchased a point yet, you could buy them in the second draw.

So What Exactly Is the Nevada Guided Draw?

Nevada has a separate drawing where they set aside a certain number of rifle mule deer tags (rifle, early rifle, mid rifle, and late rifle) that are available exclusively for nonresident applicants that apply through a licensed Nevada outfitter. The restricted guided draw is completed prior to the general draw.

The tags are broken down by the season and unit number/group. It is worth noting that there are not a lot of tags set aside for the guided draw… but the odds of drawing are typically better than the main draw. 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 later in the spring. 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.

Benefits of the Guided Draw

If you are nonresident and apply for mule deer with the mindset that when you draw, you'll 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 nonresident 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.

So What Are Your Draw Odds?

You can see the draw odds for the Guided Draw on GOHUNT's Insider. Plus, you have the ability to view your Draw Odds in two different ways; on the standalone Draw Odds page or on Filtering.

If you're not an Insider, learn more here

A sample of what you'll expect from Nevada guided mule deer draw odds view on the detailed/standalone Draw Odds page.

Draw Odds Can Be Drastically Better in the Guided Draw

For example, in Unit 291 the draw odds for a rifle tag with season dates of Nov. 5 - Nov. 30 in the main draw is 1.7% at 4 points for a nonresident, but in the guided draw your odds are 32%!

Better Draw Odds than a Resident?

Also, in some cases, a nonresident can have better draw odds by applying through the guided draw than even a resident! A resident that applied for Unit 291 in the main draw with 4 points only has a 6.0% chance to draw the same tag. So in this example, you can quickly see that a nonresident can have a huge advantage in the guided draw, and ultimately getting a tag in Nevada.

Let's Look at Another Example

When looking at the early rifle hunt in Unit Group 161, 162, 163, 164 your draw odds in the nonresident guided draw are >99% at 0 points. If you were to apply in the main draw for that same unit group as a nonresident, your draw odds at 0 points are 0.07%. Yes... it can be that big of a difference and a HUGE advantage if you want a better chance to beat the system and hunt mule deer in Nevada.

So again, if you're looking to gain an advantage in Nevada, and are going to book with an outfitter anyway, you should look at applying in the guided draw and contacting an outfitter.

See Your Guided Draw Odds Here

Required Steps to Take

It's worth noting that, unlike New Mexico's guide draw, the Nevada guided draw requires that the outfitter provides a Master Guide License Number and pin. So be sure to contact an outfitter early to get applied as they will help you through the application process.

NDOW Licensing website to apply in the guided draw

Nevada GOHUNT Business Members in the 2023 Guided Draw

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. Note: Outfitters below are listed in alphabetical order.

7L Outfitters

Mule deer taken with 7L Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member. For more photos of bucks they have taken, check out the links below.

Deep Creek Outfitters

Velvet mule deer taken with Deep Creek Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member. For more photos of bucks they have taken, check out the links below.

G&J Outdoors

Mule deer taken with G&J Outdoors — A GOHUNT Business Member. For more photos of bucks they have taken, check out the links below.

Mount Tobin Outfitters

Mule deer taken with Mount Tobin Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member. For more photos of bucks they have taken, check out the links below.

Pine Peak Outfitters

Mule deer taken with Pine Peak Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member. For more photos of bucks they have taken, check out the links below.

Secret Pass Outfitters

Mule deer taken with Secret Pass Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member. For more photos of bucks they have taken, check out the links below.

Silver State Guides and Outfitters

Mule deer taken with Silver State Guides and Outfitters — A GOHUNT Business Member. For more photos of bucks they have taken, check out the links below.

Special Notes

The only seasons eligible for the nonresident guided mule deer draw are the any legal weapon rifle seasons (rifle, early rifle, mid rifle, and late rifle). You can find these seasons/units easily on Filtering 2.0 and our standalone Draw Odds if you're looking to start some research on what units to apply for. Or check out the links below to take you right to the Nevada guided mule deer draw research sections.

If successful, remember that 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 drew has season dates that run longer than the duration of the guide contract (time in the 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 6, 2023 at 11:00 p.m. PST. 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 taking a dream buck!

Best of luck in the 2023 draws.