I was fortunate to get an elk tag my first year trying. Antlerless elk depredation in NV units 101-103 (Ruby Mountains, near Elko).
It was a high probability draw because it’s a low probability success.
Suffice to say, I went out in early September and completely struck out. Never saw any elk, not even signs. I ran into a few people that said they saw some, but when I went to where they’d suggested I didn’t even see elk poop. Nothing. I saw plenty of mule deer (some I could easily have bagged with the hood of my car), antelope, wild turkeys, etc.
That’s okay, it’s all part of the learning curve. I had a great time camping with my grown son, so I’ll still call it a win.
But I’m wondering, I see guys like Jim going hunting and bagging multiple animals in a year. As a DIY public land hunter, how can I do that, too? I can’t justify paying $20k for guided hunts, I just want to hunt and fill my freezer. Doesn’t have to be elk, that’s just the tag I won.
The best way depends on where you live. If you have access and the means ( and time) to hunt neighboring states. I’m in AZ I can hunt otc elk year round. In marginal units where game and fish don’t want elk living. I have hunted out of state, but that’s time and money and doesn’t always pan out. I hunt javelina, it’s fun and I draw a tag every year the meat is good and they have some otc tags for them as well. Deer can be rough to draw but I could draw a coues tag every year if I want.
Get on X subscription and use the go hunt feature. It gives you draw and success odds unit maps public vs private land boundaries and data.
Those guys back east and in texas might have it better than us out west as far as opportunity goes.
Currently in Vegas, moving to Reno in February. I don’t think we have OTC for anything here (except coyotes, they’re unregulated, but I hear they’re not tasty )
I might start by going back to a podcast episode we did a couple months ago titled something like best hunts under $5k (and most of the were well under $5k). That might get some ideas started.
The tag you got may not have been ideal, but I think you’re on the right track with antlerless elk. If you come over to Utah, there are tons of landowner tags for antlerless elk that you can hunt on private land in January (makes it easy because there’s snow) for $1500. Not cheap but save-upable
Nevada is a pretty good state to live in for hunters. I wish I were more familiar with all the units but I know lots of guys who wish they were Nevada residents.
@backfire I can absolutely come over to Utah. (St George is just a hop, skip and a jump away if you ever need a soundman, grip, voice-activated ammo loader, etc lol)
I’ll definitely look into a landowner tag and go back and find that podcast. Thanks for the tip.
I’m in CA and still relatively new to big game hunting. I’ve struck out on public land. I was hunting in the Mendocino National Forrest zone B3. You mentioned a friend in Reno that also hunts in CA. Do you know what zones?
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