The Nevada Department of Wildlife is accepting applications for hunting reservations from those who want to hunt during the first two days of the 2018 duck and goose seasons at the Overton Wildlife Management Area or opening day at the Key Pittman WMA. Those dates are Oct. 27 and 28 at the Overton WMA and Oct. 13 at Key Pittman WMA.   To apply for reservations, hunters must complete and submit an official paper application that is available online at www.ndow.org or at NDOW offices in Las Vegas or Henderson. Only complete and legible applications will be accepted. Completed applications must be delivered through a postal service to the NDOW Headquarters Office, 6980 Sierra Center Parkway, Suite 120 in Reno. They are due no later than 5 p.m. September 12.  A public drawing will be held at 10 a.m. September 26 at the same address. Successful applicants will be notified by mail.   NDOW will begin taking reservations for the remainder of the waterfowl hunting season at the Overton WMA the Monday prior to opening day. Those reservations must be made in person (or by a representative) at the NDOW Las Vegas office or at the management area. All reservations, including those acquired through the mail-in application process, must be used prior to reserving another hunt day.   At Key Pittman WMA, reservations for hunting are required only on the opening day of the regular duck and goose seasons.   The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, conserves, manages and restores wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States, and to promote the safety of persons using vessels on the waters of Nevada. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org. 

A wildlife bill supported by the Nevada Department of Wildlife is now before both houses of Congress. The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act recommends crucial funding for conservation of those fish and wildlife species in greatest need across the country.

Nevada outdoor enthusiasts, The Nevada Department of Wildlife wants to ensure that all outdoor enthusiasts are aware of the new seasonal restrictions on the use of trail cameras.    Since 2010, trail cameras have been a topic of discussion in Nevada. The regulation was discussed in dozens of open meetings, including County Advisory Boards to Manage Wildlife, the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission, and the Legislative Commission. The use of trail cameras, the technology associated with them, and the issues surrounding the use of them have all continued to escalate.   Proponents of the regulation raised several significant issues of concern including the growing commercialization of animal location data.  New internet businesses have begun buying and selling GPS location data of animals captured on trail cameras.  Also, saturating all or most available water sources with trail cameras in a hunt unit not only disrupts the animals ability to obtain water as camera owners come and go from waters that have as many as 25 or more cameras, but also creates hunter congestion and hunter competition issues.  The accessibility to our public lands combined with our wildlife’s dependence on our extremely limited water sources make for some real challenges for both wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts.  Proponents of the regulation were quick to point out that whether enhanced, protected, or human created water sources (guzzlers), the waters’ primary purpose is to assist in herd health and herd growth, not for placement of a technological device at an animal concentration site that potentially makes it easier to kill trophy animals. The new trail camera regulation states that a person shall not place, maintain, or use a trail camera or similar device on public land, or private land without permission from the land owner, from August 1 to December 31 of each year, or if the camera is capable of transmitting the images or video, it shall not be used from July 1 to December 31.  The regulation does provide some limited exemptions for livestock monitoring, research, and other miscellaneous uses.  NDOW recognizes that there are wholesome and legitimate uses of trail cameras, and unfortunately the use of cameras have been exploited far beyond most sportsmen’s definition of reasonable. If you come across a trail camera on public land from August 1 to December 31, NDOW is asking that you leave the camera alone, and consider calling an NDOW office to report its location.  You can view the complete adopted regulation here. Sincerely, Nevada Department of Wildlife  

Late summer boating in Southern Nevada is a great way to spend time with the family and escape the heat of the city, but with monsoon season upon us, game wardens at the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) are urging boaters to keep an eye on the weather. The National Weather Service is predicting a very active monsoon season this year, which means boaters need to be more vigilant while on the water.       “Monsoons are a threat on many levels,” said Nevada Game Warden Victor Jordan. “They move in quickly, bringing high winds and heavy rain and boaters can often get caught off guard.”   Here are a few suggestions to stay safe if you get caught on the water in a monsoon.  Wear your life jacket. Wearing your life jacket increases your chances of surviving a fall overboard during bad weather. Monitor the weather station on your radio. These storms come on quickly, but if you are monitoring the weather channel you will have more than enough warning of an approaching storm.  Wait out the storm. Find a protective cove and wait until the storm passes. Too often boaters try to make it back to the marina or launch ramp after the storm is already upon them.   Don’t overload your vessel. Make sure you know the limits of your vessel and do not exceed them because overloading your vessel can cause it to capsize. Check the capacity plate for the specific number of people or weight allowed for your vessel.   “We definitely want you out on the water enjoying everything Nevada has to offer,” said Jordan. “But this time of year you just have to take a few extra precautions to keep you and your passengers’ safe.”  The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org. 

Law enforcement officers across Nevada will be on heightened alert for those violating boating under the influence laws during the annual Operation Dry Water weekend, June 29-July 1. Operation Dry Water is a nationally coordinated heightened awareness and enforcement campaign, focused on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.   “Alcohol use is a leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths, and is one of the top reasons for recreational boating accidents in general,” said Nevada Game Warden Captain David Pfiffner, Nevada’s Boating Law Administrator.   The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) will have officers on every major body of water across the state, and other law enforcement agencies are adding extra officers to many waterways in other parts of the state. In Southern Nevada, the National Park Service will be working with NDOW at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.   Agencies are focusing their efforts on detecting impaired boaters and educating the public about the dangers of boating under the influence. In 2017, the leading cause of boater deaths, 19 percent, can be attributed to alcohol use.  “Every boat operator makes a conscious choice when they decide to drink and operate a vessel,” said Pfiffner. “Boating under the influence is a 100% preventable crime. The purpose of Operation Dry Water is to encourage boaters to stay sober while boating.”  Since the inception of the Operation Dry Water Campaign in 2009, law enforcement officers have removed 3,038 BUI operators from the nation’s waterways and made contact with over 1.1 million boaters during the annual three-day weekend. The campaign continues to make a significant impact on boater safety and spreading the message of the danger of boating under the influence.   For more information on Operation Dry Water, please visit operationdrywater.org. A list of participating of agencies by state can be found at the following site. http://www.operationdrywater.org/agencies.    The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org. 

The Nevada Department of Wildlife is now accepting reservation applications from hunters hoping to hunt doves at the Overton Wildlife Management Area when the season opens Sept. 1. Reservations are required for the opening day and the first weekend of the hunting season. This year opening day happens to be on the Saturday of opening weekend, which means reservations will be required only for Sept. 1 and 2. Hunters must use paper applications, which must be delivered through a postal service and received at the NDOW Headquarters Office in Reno no later than 5 p.m. July 11. A public drawing will be conducted at 10 a.m., July 25 at that same location. Only complete and legible applications will be included in the reservation drawing, and successful applicants will receive their confirmation by return mail. Hunters can find and print the reservation application form online at www.ndow.org. The file is located in the Applications section under the Hunt tab on the main page.  Just click on “Applications” and scroll down the page to the section entitled Overton WMA Reservation Only Dove Hunt and download the application. Paper applications will also be available at the NDOW offices in Las Vegas and Henderson. The addresses are 4747 Vegas Drive and 744 Racetrack Road respectively. The reservation only dove hunt zone is described in regulation as the Moapa Valley Portion of the Wildlife Management Area and has a maximum capacity of 60 hunters during the opening day and first weekend of the dove season. The purpose of the reservation system is to reduce overcrowding and provide a quality hunting experience. Only those hunters with a valid hunt reservation will be allowed to hunt on the Moapa Valley Portion of the OWMA. Any vacancies will be filled by stand-by hunters on a first-come, first-served basis. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, conserves, manages and restores wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States, and to promote the safety of persons using vessels on the waters of Nevada. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org.

    Junior hunters who were either unsuccessful in the recent big game draw or missed the deadline to submit an application, have a second chance at a deer tag with the big game second draw application period opening today (June 8).      This year there are hundreds of remaining junior deer tags split between seven different hunt units, including 45 tags in hunt unit 032, eight tags in hunt unit 035, 116 tags in hunt unit group 101-109, 33 tags in hunt unit group 141-145, 19 tags in hunt unit group 151-156, 25 tags in hunt unit group 171-173 and five tags in hunt unit group 251-254.            The areas with remaining tags are hunt areas with higher quotas and lower demand due to their distance from population centers. Extremely high demand for tags in areas with lower tag quotas and higher populations like areas around Carson City and Reno resulted in unsuccessful junior tag applicants. Remember, youth are not guaranteed tags, and can increase their odds of drawing by putting down all five available choices, especially if they choose an area further from a large population center with a larger deer herd.      Junior hunters can take advantage of this second shot at a tag by applying for the big game second draw on ndowlicensing.com between June 8 and June 25.  Eligible hunters must be 12 years old prior to the opening day of each hunt applied for and will not attain their 18th birthday until after the last day of the last season applied for.  A person may only apply for a junior hunt in 5 different years.      The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, conserves, manages and restores wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States, and to promote the safety of persons using vessels on the waters of Nevada. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org

Free Fishing Day is your one chance during the year to get hooked for free! During our annual Free Fishing Day this Saturday (June 9), anglers may fish in any public water in the state without a fishing license. All limits and other regulations apply.   In addition to free fishing on all Nevada public waters, Nevada State Parks will have free admission for Discover Nevada State Parks Day The Nevada Department of Wildlife will hold the following Free Fishing Day events across the state to give people a place to easily catch fish and participate! Eastern Region Cave Lake State Park, Ely: Kids Fishing Derby, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for kids 3 to 15.  Prizes will be awarded for longest fish in four age groups and a random drawing for prizes at the end. Chinese Gardens Nature Study Area, Carlin: 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. for kids 3 to 15.  Every child will get a free fishing rod and reel while supplies last.  There will also be fly tying, t-shirt decorating and a casting booth. Southern Region Echo Canyon State Park: Interested parties can mix camping with fishing at Echo Canyon State Park located just east of Pioche, Nevada. The park will host a family fishing derby for people of all ages starting at 8 a.m. and concluding at noon. Pre-registration is not required. For more information contact Ranger Ben Johnson at 775-962-5102. Floyd Lamb Park: The Las Vegas City Council will hold its annual fishing derby at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, located at 9200 Tule Springs Road in northwest Las Vegas. The event will start at 7:30 a.m.  NDOW will provide loaner fishing rods with reels as long as they are available and bait while supplies last. In addition, there will be other fun activities for families. For more information call 702-229-6154. Veterans Memorial Park: NDOW, in partnership with the National Park Service and the Boulder City Parks and Recreation Department, will hold its annual Free Fishing Day event at Veterans Memorial Park located off of Buchanan Blvd. in Boulder City. The event will run from 8 a.m. until noon. Registration is required and will begin at 7:30 a.m. Loaner fishing rods and reels will be available free of charge, and goody bags and prizes will be given out to participants while supplies last.  For more information contact Ivy Santee at 702-486-5127 x 3503 Western Region Sparks Marina: Nevada Bighorns Unlimited and The Sparks Rotary, in cooperation with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), City of Sparks Parks and Recreation and the local Safari Club International, is sponsoring a Kids Free Fishing Day event at the Sparks Marina from 7 a.m. until Noon. In addition to every child receiving a free fishing pole, the event will include fun booths along with representatives from the Sparks Fire Department, Sparks Police Department, Sheriff’s Department and the Coast Guard. Thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes and fishing gear will also be handed out at the event.  The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, conserves, manages and restores wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States, and to promote the safety of persons using vessels on the waters of Nevada. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org.  

The entire family can hook a good time at the Kids Carp Derby on Saturday, June 3 from 8 a.m. to noon at Lahontan Reservoir. The Nevada Department of Wildlife and Nevada State Parks have partnered to sponsor the derby, and staff and volunteers will be available to teach the little ones how to drop a line.

With the big game draw set for today, sportsmen and women might have a little trouble sleeping until the results come out on Friday. Is this the year I finally pull that bighorn sheep or bull elk tag? If I pull more than one tag, how will I ask for that time off from work? If one of my friends pulls a tag but I don’t, how am I going to pretend to be happy for them?   One question that hunters will not have to worry about, however, is the draw process and the issuing of tags will remain the same.  Nevada awards big game tags through a random draw process with every application assigned a random number or “draw number”. The applications are sorted in ascending order by draw numbers and allotted by species in areas with available remaining quotas. This year alone, almost 6 million random numbers will be generated and distributed across all species, hunts and weapon classes.  As required by state law the Department uses a third party vendor to administer the draw.  This year, NDOW followed a strict state guided procurement process and selected a new forward thinking vendor in Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC (Kalkomey).  “Nevada’s big game draw is a unique, complicated and precise system of distributing tags,” said Tony Wasley, Director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). “We are fortunate to be partnering with Kalkomey and look forward to working with them as we continue to strive for the most convenient, modern and simple process for our sportsmen.”  Wasley points to Kalkomey’s long history of working with state fish and wildlife agencies as another reason for the Department’s confidence in their abilities.  “Kalkomey partners with over 100 different government agencies in all 50 states and other countries including Canada, New Zealand and Mexico,” said Wasley. “The innovation and technology that Kalkomey brings to the table will help us get sportsmen outside faster.”  The draw results will be released on Friday, May 25. Applicants will be notified by email and results will be posted to their individual customer accounts on ndowlicensing.com under the “Applications and Points” tab on the left.  The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, conserves, manages and restores wildlife and its habitat for the aesthetic, scientific, educational, recreational, and economic benefits to citizens of Nevada and the United States, and to promote the safety of persons using vessels on the waters of Nevada. Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org.