Best States for Draw Tag Hunting: Where Your Points Are Worth the Most
Best States for Draw Tag Hunting: Where Your Points Are Worth the Most
The western United States is home to the world's best trophy elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep hunting. But the best of it is locked behind a draw. Understanding which states to invest in — and which species — is the foundation of a long-term western hunting strategy.
Preference Points vs. Bonus Points: Understanding the Systems
Preference point states guarantee that hunters with more points draw before hunters with fewer points. If a unit has 10 tags and 100 applicants, the 10 highest-point hunters draw. This creates predictable, if slow, accumulation. Once you know the minimum points to draw a unit, you can calculate exactly when your tag will come. Colorado, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah use preference point systems.
Bonus point states give each hunter a number of "chances" equal to their points — so a hunter with 10 points has 10 chances while a hunter with 1 point has 1 chance. The draw is still random, but statistically weighted toward high-point holders. Arizona and New Mexico use bonus point systems, which means even first-year applicants can draw coveted tags (rarely, but it happens).
The bottom line: Preference point states offer more predictability; bonus point states offer more opportunity at any point level but with more variance.
The Elite Draw States
Arizona — Bonus Points, Best Trophy Quality
Arizona's limited entry (LE) elk and deer units are widely considered the top-trophy units in the lower 48. The Kaibab Plateau (Unit 12A, 12B) produces 380–400"+ bulls. Unit 10 on the North Rim and the White Mountains units are consistently elite.
Trophy quality: Arizona ranks among the top 3 states for B&C elk entries annually. Trophy mule deer from the Strip units rival any state.
Point requirements: Kaibab and Strip deer units require 15–20+ bonus points accumulated over many years. Archery elk in top units requires 5–12 points. Non-trophy elk units in Arizona can be drawn in 3–7 years.
Non-resident cost: Arizona non-resident elk tags run $543; mule deer $407.
Start here if: You want the highest ceiling for trophy quality and are willing to accumulate points for 10–15 years for the best units. Start buying Arizona points immediately if you haven't already.
Colorado — Preference Points, Once-in-a-Lifetime Units
Colorado's preference point system protects its best elk units behind high point barriers. Units like 2 (Flat Tops), 10 (Gunnison), 44 (Divide), and 54 (Meeker) require 15–20 preference points. But the reward is genuine wilderness hunting for 350–380"+ bulls.
Trophy quality: Colorado's top limited-entry units produce bulls that rival New Mexico. Bull-to-cow ratios in these units are exceptional due to minimal hunting pressure.
OTC opportunity: Colorado's OTC (over-the-counter) rifle elk tags are available to anyone — providing an annual hunting opportunity while points accumulate. Colorado OTC elk is the most accessible quality elk hunting in the country.
Point requirements: Top 5-day rifle elk units: 12–22 points. Second-tier units: 7–14 points. First-year draw: possible in lower-tier units.
Non-resident cost: Elk license $68; elk tag $672.
Nevada — Preference Points, Best Trophy Mule Deer
Nevada's limited-entry deer tags are the most coveted mule deer permits in North America. The mountain ranges of central and eastern Nevada produce world-class mule deer bucks — 200"+ non-typical bucks are taken regularly. Nevada also holds exceptional trophy elk and pronghorn.
Trophy quality: Nevada leads all states in Boone & Crockett typical mule deer entries over 200".
Point requirements: Top mule deer units require 15–25+ preference points. Elk in premium units (Ruby Mountains, Elko) requires 8–15 points. Some deer units take 20+ years to draw.
Non-resident cost: Deer tag ~$1,100; elk tag ~$1,500.
The strategy: Buy Nevada deer and elk points every year starting as early as possible. The payoff is enormous — a Nevada mule deer tag in a premium unit is a genuine trophy of a lifetime.
Wyoming — Preference Points, Diverse Species
Wyoming's preference point system covers elk, deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. The diversity of species and the quality of Wyoming's public land make it one of the best overall western states for the multi-species draw strategy.
Trophy quality: Wyoming holds exceptional mule deer in units 100–104 (Sublette region), strong elk populations statewide, and world-class pronghorn in the Red Desert.
Point requirements: Premium deer units: 8–18 points. Top elk units: 5–12 points. Pronghorn (top units): 3–8 points.
Non-resident cost: Elk tag $682; deer tag $327; pronghorn tag $327.
New Mexico — Bonus Points, Gila Elk Is Elite
New Mexico's limited-entry elk units are in the conversation for best in the country. The Gila Wilderness units (15, 16) and southern units (36, 37) produce bulls in the 340–380"+ range regularly. The bonus point system means even first-year applicants have a mathematical shot at drawing.
Trophy quality: New Mexico's top elk units rival Arizona and Colorado. Gila bulls are known for heavy mass and impressive tine length.
Point requirements: Gila units: typically 5–12 bonus points for a realistic draw probability. Southern units: similar or slightly lower.
Non-resident cost: Elk license + tag approximately $890 combined.
Utah — Preference Points, Exceptional Deer and Elk
Utah's limited-entry deer and elk tags are among the most coveted in the West. The Henry Mountains mule deer herd is world-famous — free-ranging bison country that regularly produces bucks over 200". Book Cliffs elk units produce exceptional bulls.
Point requirements: Henry Mountains deer: 15–20+ points. Book Cliffs elk: 8–15 points.
Non-resident cost: Elk tag ~$700; deer tag ~$350.
Montana — Combination of Draw and General
Montana operates differently — most elk and deer hunting is available on general licenses (OTC equivalent), with limited-entry permits for specific species and units. The limited-entry elk B permits for key units can be drawn in 2–5 years. General deer licenses provide annual access to strong deer hunting statewide.
Best use: Use Montana as an annual hunting destination via general licenses while accumulating points in AZ, NV, CO, UT, and WY for higher-ceiling tags.
Realistic Point Accumulation Timelines
| Species / State | Realistic Draw Estimate |
|---|---|
| AZ Kaibab Elk (Unit 12A) | 10–18 years |
| AZ Strip Mule Deer (Units 13A/B) | 15–25+ years |
| CO Top Rifle Elk (Unit 2/10) | 12–20 years |
| NV Premium Mule Deer (Unit 231) | 15–25+ years |
| WY Premium Elk (Unit 23) | 8–14 years |
| NM Gila Elk (Unit 15/16) | 6–12 years |
| UT Henry Mts. Deer | 15–20+ years |
These timelines assume annual applications starting with 0 points. The single most important action you can take today is to start buying points in every state you intend to hunt in the next 10–20 years.
Bridge Hunts While You Wait
Don't sit on the sidelines while your points accumulate. Quality OTC and early-draw options exist in every major elk and deer state:
- Arizona OTC archery elk — available to all non-residents, excellent quality, September bugling
- Colorado OTC rifle elk — any-bull in most western units, 280,000+ elk statewide
- Idaho general elk — one of the West's most accessible elk states with large OTC units
- Montana general deer — OTC whitetail and mule deer statewide
Plan 2–3 annual western hunts using OTC tags while your draw points compound in the background.
Should You Buy Points in Multiple States?
Yes — absolutely, and start immediately. The opportunity cost of waiting is enormous. A hunter who starts buying Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming points at age 25 has 20–30 years of accumulation before their prime hunting window. A hunter who starts at 45 is racing the clock.
Annual cost of maintaining points in 5 states: $200–$400/year for application fees and non-refundable point purchase fees. This is the best per-dollar investment in western big-game hunting.
Ready to Book Your Western Hunt?
WildTag lists top-rated elk and deer hunting outfitters across every major western state — with guided options for OTC, early draw, and limited-entry hunts.