NM vs AZ goats

[Idahogobbler]

A buddy and I put in for Idaho every year and buy Wyoming points every year but both dream of hunting one of the desert state Giants. Either state will both be DIY archery hunt. Plus side to NM is we stand a chance drawing on our first year but like Idaho moose that could be 30 years from now. With Arizona at least we are earning points. We can only afford to do one of those states due to having to buy an out of state license. What do you guys who have hunted one or both recommend?

Thanks!

Colton


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Brado16]

Several things to consider. NM the entire tag fee must be purchased upfront where as the AZ tag fee is charged IF you draw. If you are already applying in AZ for other species, it's relatively "cheap" to apply for a sheep tag since you have already purchased the AZ hunting license to apply for ElK Deer Etc. AZ also made a change this year which makes it possible for a NR to draw in a random draw even in your first year.

Someone please correct me if I am interpreting the recent change in AZ incorrectly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jm1607]

AZ you get the exact unit you apply for. NM you get assigned to a random ranch within the unit, so there could be 80" or nowhere near, total crap shoot..

With that being said, if you are serious about goats then I would definitely put in for NM. It's worth the chance. I think it might be the best goat state currently.. And, it's way cheaper. AZ is $175 to apply, NM is only $13..

 

[TreeWalking]

The number of 85" bucks shot each year is not that many in AZ, WY and NM combined. Odds are you will end up with a 70" to 80" buck in those states while a 65"-70" buck is possible in most units in every state.

You will draw a good pronghorn tag in WY before are likely to draw an unguided good tag in NM or any tag in AZ. I would wager, if a betting man, that the largest pronghorn you ever harvest will be on one of your multiple WY hunts.

In the next 20 years you should draw a good tag in WY 4 or 5 times but states change rules for non-residents and herds decline so no guarantees re the future tag allocation or cost to apply or the cost of the tag.

You will likely not draw a tag in AZ during the next 20 years. Lots of NR with over 10 points and now only 5% of tags will for sure erode the high point applicants while the other "up to" 5% will shotgun around the NR pool.

Odds are you will draw NM once if apply in the unguided draw and is a crap shoot when get a tag since you can not hunt the entire unit but rather only one property where the owner also has tags he can sell and as a result may point you to lesser quality parts of his property until his paying customers fill their tags and with a 3 day season that is an issue. I think NM has the shortest pronghorn season of any state. You can improve odds a bit if apply in the guided pool but the shenanigans are such the odds are worse in some cases. You can also buy a landowner tag.

You should draw CO once or twice.

Probably could draw once in NV then have a 5-year wait if fill that tag so might not build enough points to have decent odds to draw a 2nd time in a 20 year span.

Probably could draw once in UT.

I am happy with a 70" buck but appreciate the motivation to find a really nice buck and that greatly reduces the number of tags you will draw over 20 years since the odds on the best units are quite a bit worse than a middling unit.

My 2 cents.