Nevada vs California

I am considering moving to Nevada in the next few years because we want out of California. It appears like Nevada has very low chances at drawing a tag. At least the way I read it. In California, as much as I sometimes dislike hunting the area, I can get a D-6 or D-3,4,5 tag every year. Of course every few years I can draw an X zone, as my points add up. I never have much luck because I am only half-commited, due to having a busy family life. But, I do like to get out there and I want to take my two boys out when they get a little older.

With the type of hunter I am in mind, can I look forward to hunting Nevada? I understand Nevada has MUCH better deer hunting than California, but could someone tell me in which ways? Am I correct in assuming I'll only draw a tag in Nevada every couple years? I'm not really looking for trophies, I just want to get out there and have a chance at something.

How does access to public lands compare? At bad as D-6 is (as far as deer population), at least there is a lot of area to hunt.

Thank you very much for any response.

Rob
3,220
Default Avatar
If you hunt archery you are pretty much guaranteed a tag every year, obviously depends on the area... some areas will require a few points. As far as rifle tags... depends on the area but you will not draw every year. Nevada is almost all public land with a few acceptions in a couple areas.
16
Big Moose
I think Nevada has much more to offer in the way of hunting opportunities. I grew up in California and could never get a antelope tag, after moving to Nevada, I drew two tags in 16 years. I now have 7 points in california and it is going to be a long wait before I Max points and even longer until I draw. During the 16 years in Nevada I drew deer tags at least 6 or 7 times, maybe more. I also drew a California Bighorn tag (on my second try). Getting hunting tags in Nevada is like a crap shoot....you could get one on your first draw or wait 20 years. There are many hunt areas that are easier to draw than others, like the Rubies early. You could possibly get this deer tag every other year or even year after year. Nevada is a gambling state and therefore takes a little luck to draw. Tyselby17 is right about getting a archery tag most years. I loved living and hunting in Nevada. Just my two cents worth...

Moose
16
PhillyB
"Tyselby17" wrote:If you hunt archery you are pretty much guaranteed a tag every year, obviously depends on the area... some areas will require a few points. As far as rifle tags... depends on the area but you will not draw every year. Nevada is almost all public land with a few acceptions in a couple areas.
 Agreed. Your odds increase drastically when you are a resident. In 18 years, only haven't drawn twice for archery tags.
16
Default Avatar
As far as people saying you can draw an archery tag every year that's not quite correct. You do have a better chance of drawing but not for sure. On the other hand this year there are left over archery tags for a very good unit which are now first come first serve. Nevada is a great state to begin applying in at any time because they do not give tags to high point holders so there is a chance of drawing a quality tag every year you apply
16