Early archery Nevada

[IAhunter515]

Reposting after re-reading the forum rules.

Hey everyone, I was lucky enough to draw an early season archery tag in NE Nevada. I'm an avid whitetail hunter in Iowa and have recently started applying out West. Some how I drew this and since results were announced I've been researching every aspect of the upcoming hunt. I've been a member here for some time but have always read the great content and had little input to provide.

I'll be driving in from Iowa solo or possibly with a buddy tagging along to help with driving, glassing, and packing out if successful. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly welcomed. My earlier post had some great comments, thanks to those guys who responded. We're planning to arrive a few days before the opener to scout. Planning to hike in and camp in the field for as long as necessary but not afraid to pack up and travel to another area if we're not seeing much.

A few things I've been researching and would ask the members here include;

1. I know it'll be hot and sunny so I've got merino wool/synthetic for most items. Any suggestions on underwear? It's currently 90 degrees and 60% humidity at home and the ones I have WILL not work.

2. Broadheads; I've shot fixed for many years but have also used mechanicals with success. Im leaning toward fixed blades for this hunt but would welcome any suggestions/advice.

3. Altitude; I've been out West but not with a loaded pack, bow, etc so I'm wondering what it'll be like coming from sub 1k elevation. We're also not sure how high to expect deer to be.

4. Other hunters; I'm expecting to encounter others but I hope it's not as bad as public hunting in Iowa. Should we expect a few encounters or several each day?

5. Glassing; I've read for hours and this still feels intimidating. We've got decent glass so I'm hoping eye strain is manageable but I'm still less than confident on when and where we should be glassing. Any advice on such a loaded question/topic?

Thanks in advance and best of luck to everyone in the field this year!

 

[robby denning]

Reposting after re-reading the forum rules.

Hey everyone, I was lucky enough to draw an early season archery tag in NE Nevada. I'm an avid whitetail hunter in Iowa and have recently started applying out West. Some how I drew this and since results were announced I've been researching every aspect of the upcoming hunt. I've been a member here for some time but have always read the great content and had little input to provide.

I'll be driving in from Iowa solo or possibly with a buddy tagging along to help with driving, glassing, and packing out if successful. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly welcomed. My earlier post had some great comments, thanks to those guys who responded. We're planning to arrive a few days before the opener to scout. Planning to hike in and camp in the field for as long as necessary but not afraid to pack up and travel to another area if we're not seeing much.

A few things I've been researching and would ask the members here include;

1. I know it'll be hot and sunny so I've got merino wool/synthetic for most items. Any suggestions on underwear? It's currently 90 degrees and 60% humidity at home and the ones I have WILL not work.

2. Broadheads; I've shot fixed for many years but have also used mechanicals with success. Im leaning toward fixed blades for this hunt but would welcome any suggestions/advice.

3. Altitude; I've been out West but not with a loaded pack, bow, etc so I'm wondering what it'll be like coming from sub 1k elevation. We're also not sure how high to expect deer to be.

4. Other hunters; I'm expecting to encounter others but I hope it's not as bad as public hunting in Iowa. Should we expect a few encounters or several each day?

5. Glassing; I've read for hours and this still feels intimidating. We've got decent glass so I'm hoping eye strain is manageable but I'm still less than confident on when and where we should be glassing. Any advice on such a loaded question/topic?

Thanks in advance and best of luck to everyone in the field this year!

Hey, sounds like a great opp!

1) merino yes, but the hot weather gear from KUIU, and SKRE are worth a look. And if it's hot hot like 90s, make sure you have a way to mitigate heat. Road camp: not sissy to bring a fan and run it from a converter on the truck (also, have a mobile truck batt jumper, don't ask me how I know). Heat will kill your hunt but if you can get out of it a few hours a day, do it. Shade's rare in much of NV, so bring your own if not camping in forested area. Backcountry camp, GOTTA have serious shade, not just sil-nylon spready between bushes.

2) My Ironwill fixed land right with my field points if I do my job. Problem is, I don't always do my job and find mechanicals more forgiving (for me, that means less flyers at 40+ yards). But you can't go wrong with IW fixed if you want to go fixed. They are tough!

3) Elevation, the great equalizer. Hard to say how it will affect you but camp lower those first few days and gradually camp higher as you acclimate.

4) other hunters? probably but it depends on tag numbers and amount of deer country. If there are a few hundred tags and only one mountain range, yip, it could be busy. Something to keep in mind, with NVs early 8/10 opener, it's less pressure as you get into late August and most bucks still in their patterns. If yoiu're not chasing a particular giant, I wouldn't be afraid to miss opening week.

5) Glassing, don't over think it. Get out early, that's your best chance. Mid-day glassing seems productive if I've done a good job in the early morning. If I'm starting blind 10-5PM, it can be tough.

there you go man, that's what I think I know.

 

[kylegreulich]

Tagging back in, first western hunt for me as well and I think we’re on the same tag. Planning on backpacking 4ish miles to start and maybe making it out to 6. Less than 0 expectations but looking forward to it nonetheless

 

[realunlucky]

Wild horses are a real pain, they can see a long ways since they are so tall and can be super spooky which blew a bunch of stalks for me because they ran off from a long ways out putting everything on alert.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

 

[Braaap]

The lowest elevation around the main mountain range in those units is 6k feet or so. Plan on deer being around 9-10k.

The range is surrounded by private so there’s only so many ways for public access so you’ll encounter other hunters at all the ways to get in there.

Let the glass do the hiking. You’ll wear yourself out and won’t see much on foot.

Horses won’t be an issue at that elevation. I never see them up there. Lower country they’re a real problem in NV.

It’s absolutely stunning country. Lots of other species you might encounter.