Other states worth hunting or applying for

[WAcoyotehunter]

What other states do you guys put in for mule deer?  Are there many decent OTC tags to be had?  I used to hunt CO with a muzzleloader and had decent luck drawing a resasonably good unit. 

What states are affordable to start putting in points options for a future hunt?  Thoughts?

[shanevg]

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona.

[WAcoyotehunter]

what sort of cost associated with applying?

[TheHunt]

Not in that order

[Bigshooter]

Idaho no point system.  Lots of otc tags.
Montana point system.  Costs 650ish for a deer tag.
Wyoming point system. Costs $40 for a deer point.  $350 or $550 for a deer tag.
Colorado point system. Costs $350 for a deer tag.
Nevada point system.  Have to buy a $150 dollar license to build points plus it costs another $10 for a deer point.
Utah point system.  Have to buy a $85 license to build points plus it costs another $10 for a deer point.
Oregon point system.  Have to buy a $120 license to build points.
New Mexico no point system.
Wouldn't bother with Arizona.
I've applied in every western state but California.  If you have questions send me a PM.

[Bigshooter]

If I could only apply for 2 or 3.  It would be Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.  Montana has lot's of opportunity.  Wyoming has lots of good hunts.  And Colorado has a lot of quality.

[TheHunt]

Each one is different you will need to look them up.  Some require you put in early so you will need to buy a copy of Eastman or hunt n fool to get a complete low down. 

For example Nevada elk is like 1,200 just for a tag.  Arizona is like 600 or something like that.

Now once you get drawn you add the following:
1.  Add any additional equipment that you might not have like a utility trailer, tent, 7 gal water jugs, pack frame, flashlight, etc..  ATV,
2.  Gas, Food, essentials to have a good hunting.  This typically is about 400 - 500 dollars
3.  Any specific locations you want to visit. If you are in Arizona go check out the grandcanyon.

I have done the entire hunt for as cheap of 1200 dollars.  And as expensive as 2000.  BTW, I am a cheap SOB!!! 

[sirmissalot]

If I could only apply for 2 or 3.  It would be Montana, Wyoming and Colorado.  Montana has lot's of opportunity.  Wyoming has lots of good hunts.  And Colorado has a lot of quality.

I agree with this for sure. Idaho is a good one if you don't have many or any points because it is a straight forward draw with no points so everyone has the same chances. Colorado is tough because it is a true point system where most the tags go to the people with the most points other than their new "hybrid" draw areas which are more like our system.

[270Shooter]

I currently only put in for montana, deer tags will run you 563 dollars if you buy the point for 20 bucks. But you get it all back if you don't draw (except the 20 dollars for the point). It used to be harder to draw when it was only 363 for deer, but this year they added 200 dollars to it and i think that really increased the draw odds. There is a ton of places to hunt in montana and personally i dont see any reason why you couldn't kill a decent buck over there if you put the time in.

If you want deer and elk in MT it costs over 900 dollars (i can't remember exactly) but i believe it is almost a garuanteed draw because there are always left over tags. In fact you could probably still get one.

But I have a deer tag this year so i'll be going over there in november to the great falls area to hunt some private land, this will be my third trip over there, its by no means a tough hunt, but its always a lot of fun.

[Bigshooter]

270shooter,
Did you see this?

Preference Point System
The Montana State Legislature passed a new law—effective July 1, 2011—that establishes a preference point system to distribute "Class B-10" nonresident big game combination licenses and "Class B-11" nonresident deer combination licenses. In a preference point system, licenses are awarded to those applicants who hold the greatest number of preference points.

Purchasing Preference Points
Preference points for a nonresident big game or deer combination license may be purchased for a nonrefundable fee of $50. Preference points can be purchased:

at the time of application for the nonresident combination license; or
between July 1 and September 30 for individuals who did not purchase a preference point when applying for a nonresident big game combination license; or
between July 1 and September 30 for individuals who did not apply for a nonresident big game license.
Applicants may purchase only one preference point per license year. Preference points purchased at the time of application are awarded prior to the drawing. The application deadline has passed, it was September 30, 2011.

Distribution of Licenses
Seventy-five percent of the nonresident combination licenses will be issued to individuals with preference points and 25% will be issued to those applicants who do not have preference points. If the number of licenses exceeds the number of applicants in either group, then the "surplus" licenses will be issued through the other group to ensure all licenses are issued.

Retaining Preference Points
When you are successful in obtaining a nonresident combination license, your preference points are zeroed out. To retain your preference points, you must apply for the license at least every other year. Failure to apply for the license for two consecutive years zeroes out your preference points.

Parties
Up to five applicants may apply as a party. FWP shall use an average of the number of preference points accumulated by those applicants to determine the party's preference points. FWP shall consider any fraction that result from the calculation of an average when determining that priority

http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/nonresidentCombo.html#preferencePoints