Nevada Hunting Laws Licensing & Regulations

Nevada game hunting

Nevada is a large game-hunting state. Elk, deer, antelope, deer, and bighorn sheep are among the major creatures that can be found.

Hunting regulations in Nevada

Before you begin hunting in Nevada, you should be familiar with the following state hunting rules, restrictions, and regulations:

The following are some of the most important Nevada hunting regulations and requirements:

The Hunter Education Certificate in Nevada

A Nevada hunter education certificate certifies that you have the necessary expertise to take game and wildlife in the state. Before hunting in the state, everyone born in or after 1949 must receive a Hunter Education Certificate. In addition, there is no minimum age restriction in Nevada for purchasing a Hunter Education Certificate.

Regulation of Hunting Licenses

In Nevada, hunting licenses and the Hunter Education Certificate are not the same thing. A valid Nevada hunting license is required before you can hunt game or wildlife in the state. Residents and non-residents can apply for a variety of licenses. In Nevada, hunting permits are typically classified depending on criteria such as the type of game to be hunted, the hunter’s age, and whether or not the hunter is a resident of the state.

Nevada Game Tagging

Nevada hunting regulations mandate that particular game animals be tagged after being hunted. These creatures include deer, turkeys, bears, and elk. Before you may hunt in Nevada, you must first grasp the state tagging requirements for the animals you intend to take. to avoid violations of this legislation. Check that the animal is appropriately tagged.

The following are some of the tagging requirements for hunting in Nevada:

You must attach the tag to the animal carcass in accordance with the hunting regulations. The type of game you are playing will determine the tagging instruction, restriction, or obligation.
Attaching a tag to an animal carcass prior to and during transportation of the game with a vehicle, when the animal carcass is stored in a storage capacity, or at a campsite, is a violation of tagging regulations.
The tag must include crucial information such as the date the animal was taken, the hunter’s signature, and any additional information required for the specific game. It is illegal in Nevada to sign a tag before hunting a game.

Nevada Hunter Dressing

Before hunting in Nevada during certain game seasons, you must wear at least 500 square inches of either a pink or orange hunting overall. Pronghorn, beat, moose, elk, and deer are among the games and fauna for which this dressing is required.

The pink or orange dress should be worn as an outer garment and should cover the waist. It should also be worn with a head cover made of the same fabric. A cap or hat could be used as a head cover. Hunter clothing regulations also apply to hunters participating in muzzle loading, rifle, and archery seasons.

Although there is an exception for archery hunters who hunt on privately held property in Nevada, it is nonetheless suggested that they do so. When hunting from a pop-up blind or a ground blip, you must wear either orange or pink apparel whenever you are not within the blind. It is illegal to wear disguised pink or orange apparel because the color must be visible.

Nevada bag restrictions

In Nevada, there are also bag limit rules that limit the amount of game that a hunter can take. Depending on the game species, the Nevada bag limit might be either seasonal or daily. A daily bag restriction for a game species limits the number of that game species you can hunt in a day. The seasonal bag restriction restricts the number of games you can take during a given hunting season.

Hunting on private property

The vast majority of land in Nevada is privately owned. You are free to hunt on privately owned grounds without restriction, and if you do not directly own the area, you can obtain permission from the proprietor to do so. Privately owned lands, on the other hand, are still subject to Nevada hunting restrictions, requirements, and laws. Hunters on private property must also follow any landowner regulations or requirements. In addition, hunters must respect all landowner property and rights.

Hunting on Public Lands

Nevada has more than 23 million acres of public land, and the state’s forested areas, parks, and conservation zones provide many public hunting opportunities. Aside from hunting, Nevada’s public lands offer chances for hiking, trapping, fishing, and animal observation. Some public lands controlled by states will also have their own set of rules and laws that must be followed. Before hunting in these places, it is your responsibility to be familiar with the local restrictions.

Hunting in Wildlife Reserves

Nevada wildlife areas are state-owned public properties that are managed by the state park and wildlife. Nevada has about 300 wildlife zones, totaling millions of acres of land in mountain regions, marshes, forests, grassland, and so on.

All of these areas of the state will be open to hunting and other outdoor recreational activities.

Hunting Regulations in Nevada Wildlife Areas

Aside from state hunting regulations, there may be extra limits on hunting or recreational use of Nevada wildlife areas. The regulations for most of these wildlife management areas will be posted for hunters to review before hunting. Regulations will differ depending on the locality. The following are some examples of popular wildlife area regulations:

There are restrictions on the type of firearm and the method used to capture wildlife and games.
Restrictions and regulations on hunting with dogs
Restriction and regulation of vehicle use and access within the regions
Additional licensing and permits are required.
Recreational activities, including camping, are prohibited in the state.

While hunting, open carry is permitted.

The possession of guns is legal in Nevada when hunting and even during archery season.

However, during bow hunting, you can only use archery tools or muzzle weapons. Open carry is only permitted for self-defense; the gun cannot be used to take any animals.

Bow-hunting firearms must be less than eight inches long and not have a telescopic sight.

Hunting Licenses, Permits, and Tags in Nevada

In Nevada, hunting licenses are issued depending on the hunter’s residency, whereas permits and tags are issued for specific large animals.

The following are some of the most frequent types of resident and non-resident licenses available in Nevada:

Residents Permits

These licenses are exclusively available to Nevada citizens. Among them are the following:

Adult Combination Hunting License

Residents of Nevada who are 18 years of age or older must have this license. Holders of the license will also be able to catch fish. It will set you back $75.

Combination Youth Hunting License

This license is available to Nevada juvenile hunters between the ages of 12 and 17. Holders of the license will also be able to catch fish. It is priced at $15.

Adult Hunting Permit

This is a standard hunting license given to adult citizens aged 18 and up. It will set you back $38.

Apprentice Hunting Permit

Hunters over the age of 12 who have not completed the obligatory hunting course must obtain an apprentice license in order to hunt under the supervision of a licensed hunter in Nevada. It is priced at $15.

Senior Specialty Combination Certificate

The license is accessible to senior Nevada residents 65 and older who have lived in the state for at least 5 years. It also permits them to catch fish. It is priced at $15.

Combination of Serviceman Specialties

Members of the United States Armed Forces can obtain the license in Nevada. It also permits them to catch fish. It is priced at $15.

Specialty Combination License for the Severely Disabled

The license is only available to certified disabled Nevada citizens. It also permits them to catch fish. It is priced at $15.

Non-resident hunting permits

Non-residents can purchase out-of-state Nevada hunting licenses to participate in hunting activities in the state. Among them are the following:

Adult Non-Resident Hunting Combination License

Non-resident hunters in Nevada who are 18 years of age or older must have this license. Holders of the license will also be able to catch fish. It costs $155 to purchase.

Non-resident Youth Combination Hunting Licenses

This license is accessible to non-resident Nevada youth hunters between the ages of 12 and 17. Holders of the license will also be able to catch fish. It is priced at $15.

Apprentice Hunting License for Non-Residents

Non-resident hunters above the age of 12 who have not completed the obligatory hunter education course must obtain an apprentice license to hunt in Nevada under the supervision of a licensed hunter. It is priced at $15.

Permit for a One-Day Combination

Non-residents will be able to hunt and fish for upland game and waterfowl with this permit. To apply, you must be at least 18 years old. The price is $23.

Consecutive Day Hunting Permit

Only non-residents with a 1-day combo permit can purchase a consecutive-day hunting license. It will set you back $8.

Nevada hunting licenses

The following hunting tags are available in Nevada:

Tags for deer

Deer hunters must buy tags in advance of the Nevada deer shooting season. Residents and non-residents can purchase deer tags for $30 and $240, respectively.

Antelope Labels

Antelope hunters in Nevada must obtain tags in advance of the antelope hunting season. Residents and non-residents can purchase antelope tags for $60 and $300, respectively.

Tags for Black Bears

Before the Nevada bear hunting season begins, black bear hunters must obtain tags. Residents and non-residents can purchase bear tags for $100 and $300, respectively.

Tags for Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep hunters must obtain tags prior to the start of the Nevada bighorn sheep hunting season. Residents and non-residents can purchase bighorn sheep tags for $120 and $1,200, respectively.

Elk Labels

Elk hunters must buy tags in advance of the Nevada elk hunting season. Elk tags of all varieties are available to locals for $120. Non-residents, on the other hand, must pay $500 for antlerless elk tags and $1,200 for antlerered elk tags.

Tags for Mountain Lions

Mountain lion hunters must obtain tags prior to the start of the Nevada mountain lion hunting season. Residents and non-residents can purchase the tags for $29 and $104, respectively.

Licenses, permits, and tags for fishing in Nevada

The following fishing licenses, permits, and tags are available in Nevada:

Residents’ Fishing Permit

This license is only available to Nevada citizens. Among them are the following:

Regular fishing permits

This license is offered to Nevada residents who desire to catch fish in any Nevada body of water. It is good for a year from the date of purchase. The license requires that you be at least 18 years old. It is priced at $40.

Permit to Fish for One Day

Residents can obtain this license for a single day of fishing. It will set you back $9.

Permit for a consecutive day

This permit is only eligible for residents who require an extra day of fishing after acquiring a 1-day fishing license. It costs three dollars.

Non-resident fishing permits

Non-residents who want to catch fish in Nevada can obtain these licenses. Among them are the following:

Non-resident fishing permits

Non-residents who want to catch fish in any Nevada waterbody can obtain this license. It is good for a year from the date of purchase. The license requires that you be at least 18 years old. It is priced at $80.

License for Interstate Boundary Waters

Non-residents must hold this license in order to fish in reciprocal waterbodies and Nevada water borders such as Tahoe, Topaz, Mead, and Mohave lakes. The fee for the license is $30.

Permit to Fish for One Day

Non-residents can use this license for a single day of fishing. It is priced at $18.

Permit for a consecutive day

This permit is only applicable to non-residents who require an extra day of fishing after acquiring a 1-day fishing license. It will set you back $7.

NB: Combination hunting and fishing licenses are available in Nevada for both citizens and non-residents. They are included in the list of hunting licenses.

Seasons for hunting in Nevada

The hunting season in Nevada varies depending on the game species and the type of firearm used to take it.

The following species will be hunted in Nevada during the 2020–21 hunting season:

Season for Hunting Deer in Nevada

Archery Hunting Season (September 1st to December 31st)
November Firearms Hunting Season (November 14th to November 22nd)
Muzzleloader Hunting Season (December 1st to December 31st)
Late Antlerless Hunting Season (January 1st to January 15th)

Seasons for hunting antelope in Nevada

Late Antlerless Season (January 1st to January 15th)
Seasons for hunting antelope in Nevada
Archery Hunting Season (August 20th to December 31st)
Muzzleloader Hunting Season (September 19th to October 4th)
Firearms Hunting Season (October 10th to October 25th)
Late Does and Fawn Hunting Season in November (1st November to 31st January)

Seasons for hunting elk in Nevada

Archery Bull Hunting Season (September 1st to October 31st)
Firearm Bull Hunting Season (September 21st to October 31st)
Antlerless Hunting Season (August 1st to January 1st)

Seasons for hunting wild turkeys in Nevada

Fall Archery and Shotgun Season for Youth (15th September to 31st January)
Fall General Season (September 15th to January 31st)

Season for hunting bighorn sheep in Nevada

General Hunting Season (December 1st to December 22nd)

Bighorn sheep hunting is only permitted in Nevada for hunters who have a bighorn sheep permit. The permits are distributed in a lottery, and lucky hunters get to hunt the animal only once in their lives. Only residents of the state are eligible for permission. To enter the lottery, you must pay a $25 application fee, which is non-refundable.

Seasons for hunting small game in Nevada

Seasons for Squirrel Hunting (August 1st to January 31st)
Rabbit hunting season runs from September 1st to February 28th.
Grouse Hunting Season (December 1st to January 31st)
Pheasant Hunting Season (October 31st to January 1st)
Season of Quail Hunting (October 31st to January 1st)
Partridge hunting season (October 31st to January 1st)

The hunting laws and regulations, bag limitations, and other special hunting seasons in Nevada will vary depending on the game species and hunting region. For additional information on hunting in Nevada, hunters should visit the Nevada Game and Parks Commission.

Nevada Wildlife, Recreation, and Fishing

The following are some of the games and fauna available in Nevada:

Mountain Lion Hunting in Nevada

Mountain lion hunting is popular in Nevada due to the number of deer. They live in deserts, badlands, mountain ranges, and rain forests. Mountain lions can also be seen in juniper and pinion pine forests in Nevada.

Deer hunting in Nevada

Deer hunting is popular in Nevada among both resident and non-resident sportsmen. They can be found on many state WMAs and Nevada public hunting sites. Mule deer are the most prevalent deer species in Nevada. They can be found in eastern and central Nevada, where there is enough rainfall and grazing vegetation.

Elk hunting in Nevada

Elks are one of the most abundant big game animals in Nevada, which is why the Department of Wildlife gives hunting tags to keep track of their growing population.

Black Bear Hunting in Nevada

Black bears are the only bears that may be found in Nevada. They live in the state’s hilly and forested areas. They are more common in the highlands of the state’s west, such as the Sierra Nevada highlands. In Nevada, black bear hunting is popular in many areas.

Turkey hunting in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Wildlife first introduced turkeys to the state in 1960. Today, turkey hunting is permitted on a variety of public lands and state wildlife management areas in Nevada. They live in the state’s shrubby and grassy areas.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Nevada

Bighorn sheep can be found throughout Nevada’s mountains and deserts. The desert sheep are smaller than the rocky, mountainous sheep, yet they have larger horns. Bighorn sheep in the desert are tough and can go for long periods without water.

Chukar hunting in Nevada

Chukar hunting is popular at many WMAs in Nevada. They are, however, more populous in counties such as Churchill, Elko, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Lander, and Humboldt.

Pheasant hunting in Nevada

Pheasant hunting in Nevada takes place in semi-populated regions such as farmlands, fields, brush, margins, and ecosystems.

Shooting ranges in Nevada

The following are some of the most popular shooting ranges in Nevada that are open to the public:

The Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club
NNRPA stands for Northeastern Nevada Rifle and Pistol Association.
Washoe County Shooting Range
Clay Sports at Sage Hill
Sport Shooting Perdiz
The Hawthorne Trap Club
The Gun Club of Las Vegas
Mason Valley Trapping Association
Silver State Shooting Association
Spring Creek Skeet & Trap

Hunting Lands in Nevada for Sale and Lease

Nevada hunting lands for sale include the following:

2971.51 acres in Elko, Nevada (Elko County).
3,494 acres in Deeth, Nevada (Elko County).
40 acres in Wells, Nevada (Elko County).
80-acre Nevada Recreational Ranch Hunting Land for Sale in Northern Washoe County
47,737 acres in Wells, Nevada (Elko County).
78.62-acre Nevada Recreational Ranch Hunting Land for Sale in Northern Washoe County
1378.09 acres in Gerlach, Nevada (Washoe County)
80 acres in Ely, Nevada (White Pine County)
80.5 acres in Reno, Nevada (Washoe County).
40 acres in Rochester, Nevada (Pershing County)
10.17 acres in Wells, Nevada (Elko County).
20 acres of Nevada Recreational Hunting Off-Grid Mountain Desert Land for Sale in Battle Mountain, Nevada (Lander County)
Beowawe, Nevada (Eureka County), has a 55-acre parcel on Emigrant Pass with good Chuckar hunting.

Nevada hunting lands for lease Include the following items:

Mule Deer, Quail, Predator, and Exotics on 40 acres of prime pronghorn grazing land in Pershing County