Special Laws and Regulations for Disabled Hunting

Hunting Licenses for persons who are Blind

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(NRS 502.075) –The Department shall issue to a person who is blind, as defined in subsection 6 of NRS 361.085, a hunting license which:

1. Authorizes a person selected by the person who is blind to hunt on his or her behalf if:
   
   1. The person selected is a resident of the State of Nevada and possesses a valid Nevada Hunting License; and
   2. The person who is blind is in the company of or in the immediate area of the person selected.
    
2. Is issued pursuant and subject to regulations prescribed by the Commission.
3. Contains the word “Blind” printed on the face of the license.

NAC 502.240

- Issuance of hunting licenses to persons who are blind: Certificate. A certificate issued by a licensed physician is proof that the person is blind. The license agent shall attach a copy of the certificate to the Department’s copy of the license.

Disabled Veteran Fishing or Combination Hunting and Fishing License

for resident veterans who have incurred a 50 percent or more service-connected disability. (FREE)

Resident Severely Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing License

– For persons with a severe physical disability which materially limits gainful employment.

NAC 502.245

– Application for license for person with severe physical disability – An application for a hunting or fishing license or a combined license must be submitted to the Department. The application must be made on a form provided by the Department and must contain such information as is necessary to enable the Department to determine the eligibility. Must be accompanied by reasonable proof which describes the character and extent of the applicant’s disability.

Visual Disability Muzzleloader Scope Permit

- Permit to allow use a 1X magnification scope with a muzzleloader during a muzzleloader-only hunt. “visual disability” means a visual impairment which substantially limits a major life activity and is not correctable by glasses or contact lenses.

NRS 503.010 Unlawful Use of Aircraft, Helicopter, Motor-driven Vehicle or Boat, subsection 2

- A person who is a paraplegic, has had one or both legs amputated or has suffered a paralysis of one of both legs which severely impedes his or her walking may shoot from a stopped motor vehicle which is not parked on the traveled portion of a public highway, but he may not shoot from, over or across a highway or road specified in NRS 503.1765.

NRS 503.165 Carrying loaded rifle or shotgun in or on vehicle on or along public way unlawful; exceptions.

1. It is unlawful to carry a loaded rifle or loaded shotgun in or on any vehicle which is standing on or along, or is being driven on or along, any public highway or any other way open to the public.
2. A rifle or shotgun is loaded, for the purposes of this section, when there is an unexpended cartridge or shell in the firing chamber, but not when the only cartridges or shells are in the magazine.
3. The provisions of this section do not apply to paraplegics, persons with one or both legs amputated or who have suffered a paralysis of one or both legs which severely impedes walking, or peace officers and members of the Armed Forces of this State or the United States while on duty or going to or returning from duty.

NAC 503.143 Hunting with crossbow.

(NRS 501.105, 501.181, 503.150)

1. A crossbow may be used to hunt a big game mammal in a type of hunt that allows the use of any legal weapon if the crossbow has:
   1. A minimum draw weight of 125 pounds;
   2. A minimum draw length of 14 inches from the front of the bow to the nocking point;
   3. A stock that is at least 18 inches long; and
   4. A positive mechanical safety mechanism.
    
2. Crossbow arrows or bolts used in hunting big game mammals must be at least 16 inches long and have:
   1. Fixed broadheads that are at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point; or
   2. Expandable, mechanical broadheads that are at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point when the broadhead is in the open position.
    
3. It is unlawful for any person to:
   1. Hunt a big game mammal with a crossbow during a type of hunt restricted to the use of archery or muzzle-loading firearms.
   2. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, carry a cocked crossbow containing an arrow or a bolt while in or on any motorized vehicle while the vehicle is on a public highway or other public right-of-way. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to a person who is a paraplegic, has had one or both legs amputated or has suffered a paralysis of one or both legs which severely impedes walking, if the motorized vehicle is not in motion.
   3. Hunt any wildlife with an arrow or bolt that has any chemical, explosive or electronic device attached.
    

(Added to NAC by Bd. of Wildlife Comm’rs by R152-06, eff. 5-21-2007)

NAC 503.144 Hunting with longbow and arrow.

(NRS 501.105, 501.181, 503.150)

1. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) of subsection 4, the bowstring of a longbow used in hunting any game mammal or game bird must be moved or held entirely by the muscle power of the shooter through all points of the draw cycle until release and may only be released by direct and conscious action of the shooter, either by relaxing the tension of the fingers or by triggering the release action of a handheld release aid.
2. A longbow used in hunting a big game mammal must, in the hands of the user, be capable of throwing a 400 grain arrow 150 yards over level terrain. Arrows used in hunting big game mammals must be at least 24 inches long and have:
   1. Fixed broadheads that are at least 7/8-inch wide at the widest point; or
   2. Expandable, mechanical broadheads that are at least 7/8-inch wide at the widest point when the broadhead is in the open position.
    
3. An arrow that is used in hunting any game mammal or game bird may be equipped with a nock that is illuminated electronically or chemically.
4. It is unlawful for any person to:
   1. Carry any firearm in the field while hunting under archery regulations.
   2. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, carry a longbow with an arrow nocked on the bowstring while in or on any motorized vehicle while the vehicle is on a public highway or other public right-of-way. The provisions of this paragraph do not apply to a person who is a paraplegic, has had one or both legs amputated or has suffered a paralysis of one or both legs which severely impedes his or her walking, if the motorized vehicle is not in motion.
   3. Hunt any game mammal or game bird with a longbow that uses any mechanical device that can anchor a nocked arrow at full draw or partial draw unless the person:
      1. Carries written documentation, signed and dated by a licensed physician, stating that the person has a permanent disability in the upper torso; or
      2. Has had one or both arms, or a part thereof, amputated,  and the permanent disability or amputation prevents the person from manually drawing and holding at full draw a longbow that meets the requirements of subsection 2.
       
   4. Hunt any wildlife with an arrow that has any explosive, electronic tracking device or poison attached. As used in this paragraph, “poison” means any substance that, upon contact with the species of wildlife that is hunted, is capable of causing injury, illness or death.
    

[Bd. of Fish & Game Comm’rs, No. 25 § 7 + No. 26 § 7, eff. 12-4-79]—(NAC A by Bd. of Wildlife Comm’rs, 5-9-88; R168-99, 1-19-2000; R176-03, 4-8-2004; R114-09, 4-20-2010)