Nevada Mule Deer: Draw Strategy, Trophy Units, and Draw System Explained

Nevada Mule Deer: Draw Strategy, Trophy Units, and Draw System Explained

From Drawn West by Drawn West with Brian Krebs

May 6, 2026 · 31 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the intricacies of hunting Nevada mule deer, including draw strategies and trophy potential for non-residents.

Is Nevada mule deer even worth putting in for as a non-resident? That depends almost entirely on where you're at in your strategy, and this episode breaks down exactly how to think about Nevada Mule Deer. Nevada doesn't hand out a lot of non-resident tags, but the trophy potential is as high as anywhere in the West. Twenty units with 180-inch-plus potential. A minimum 140-inch floor across the entire state. Tags that cost non-residents $240. And a draw system built around giving every applicant multiple real chances — because Nevada checks all five of your hunt choices before moving on to the next person in line. This episode covers everything you need to make a decision before the May 13th deadline: how the weighted bonus draw works, what the current drought conditions actually mean for antler quality and herd health, why feral horses are a bigger long-term threat than people realize, and how to structure your five choices whether you're applying for the first time or sitting on 20 points. • How the weighted bonus system works — and why it makes Nevada one of the most fair draws in the West • The secondary draw, surrendered tags, and the first-come-first-serve leftover list that…

People in this episode

Host: Brian Krebs

Topics covered

  • Nevada mule deer hunting
  • draw strategy
  • trophy units
  • non-resident tags
  • weighted bonus draw
  • antler quality
  • feral horses impact

Keywords

  • Nevada mule deer
  • draw system
  • non-resident tags
  • trophy potential
  • weighted bonus draw
  • hunting strategy
  • antler quality
  • feral horses

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Nevada, West, units 131 and 132

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