NDOW - Wildlife Management Areas

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Hunting

Areas - Wildlife Management Areas

Unit Boundary Descriptions | Unit Boundary Map | Wildlife Management Areas | Map Resources

Credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The Snowy Egret can be found on many of Nevada's WMAs.

Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas

October 6, 2004 Nevada Wetland Report

Nevada's state-owned Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are home to many resident and migratory birds and mammals. Found throughout the state, the public can generally drive to a WMA in less than two hours from the major population centers and find great access to wildlife viewing.

The State of Nevada through the Department of Wildlife owns or has long-term leases on more than 117,000 acres of land incorporated into WMAs across the state. The primary management emphasis on WMAs is the protection of wetlands and waterfowl including the use of the areas as public hunting grounds. Hunting opportunities for sportsmen on WMAs include migratory game bird, upland game bird, furbearer, and big game hunting.

Below the map is a table of restrictions associated with each of the wildlife management areas. Please review this table and the accompanying list of hunt and use restrictions on wildlife management areas before hunting in these areas.

WMA maps

Alkali Lake WMA Lyon County
Bodies of Water
Trespass
Use of Vessels
Use of Campfires	Not permitted.
Camping	Not permitted.
Hunting	Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Bruneau River WMA Elko County
Bodies of Water
Trespass
Use of Vessels
Use of Campfires	Permitted.
Camping	Permitted, however, camping is not permitted in any building or other structure located within the WMA
Hunting	Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Fernley WMA Lyon County
Bodies of Water
Trespass
Use of Vessels
Use of Campfires	Permitted.
Camping	Permitted.
Hunting	Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Fort Churchill Cooperative WMA
Bodies of Water
Trespass
Use of Vessels
Use of Campfires
Camping
Hunting	From October 1, through the Friday preceding the second Saturday of February, the area shall be closed to trespass. Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Franklin Lake WMA Elko County
Bodies of Water
Trespass
Use of Vessels
Use of Campfires	Not permitted.
Camping	Not permitted.
Hunting	Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Humboldt WMA Pershing & Churchill Counties
Bodies of Water	Humboldt Sink
Trespass
Use of Vessels	Airboats are prohibited on the Humboldt Sink until 1 hour after the legal shooting time on the opening day of the waterfowl season. Airboats are prohibited on the Toulon portion of the area during the waterfowl season. All vessels are prohibited on the ponds 5 days before the opening day of the waterfowl season.
Use of Campfires	Permitted in those sites designated for camping.
Camping	Permitted at sites designated for camping.
Hunting	Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Key Pittman WMA Lincoln County
Bodies of Water	Nesbitt Lake
Trespass	Trespass prohibited from Feb. 15 through Aug. 15 in the portion of Nesbitt Lake north of the old fence line.
Use of Vessels	Vessels must be operated at a speed that leaves a flat wake, but in no case may exceed 5 nautical miles per hour.
Use of Campfires	Not permitted.
Camping	Not permitted.
Hunting / Trapping	Overton/Key Pittman Reservation System PDF 1. During the waterfowl season, hunting is permitted on the opening weekend of the duck season, odd-numbered days throughout the season, opening day of the goose season, and the closing two days of the waterfowl season. 2. The maximum hunter capacity during the opening day of duck season and the opening day of goose season will be 55 at any time. 3. All hunters will check-in and out at the main entrance and will park in designated parking areas only. No vehicles are allowed on the area during the hunting season. 4. The area is closed to fishing during the waterfowl season. Trapping is allowed with valid permit. Permits will be issued through a drawing process and may contain designation of specific trapping areas, dates or other restrictions to ensure compatibility with other public activities Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The discharging of a rifle or pistol is prohibited during waterfowl season. The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Mason Valley WMA Lyon County
General Description	The Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area (MVWMA) is located in Mason Valley in Lyon County, about 75 miles southeast of Reno via Interstate 80 and U. S. Alternate 95. The WMA area now totals 13,735 acres. From desert shrub lands to wet meadows, the habitats of MVWMA support an abundance of fish and wildlife that contribute significantly to the biological diversity of western Nevada. The Walker River floodplain meanders through MVWMA, providing food, cover and water for a vast array of wildlife. Numerous wet meadows and ponds dot the landscape, attracting ducks, geese, swan, songbirds and wading birds. The deep-water habitat of the newly constructed North Pond reservoir is home to fish, osprey and pelicans. Alkali desert scrub, an upland plant community, covers an extensive area on MVWMA and gives shelter to many mammals including raccoon and mule deer.
Bodies of Water	Hinkson Slough North Pond Bass Pond Crappie Pond Walker River
Trespass	Trespass prohibited from Feb. 15 through Aug. 15 in the eastern portion of the main developed pond area, as posted.
Use of Vessels	All vessels are prohibited from Feb. 15 through Aug. 15 each year, except on Hinkson Slough, Beaver Slough, Bass, Crappie, and North Ponds and the Walker River. Vessels must be operated at a speed that leaves a flat wake, but in no case may exceed 5 nautical miles per hour.
Use of Campfires	Permitted in those sites designated for camping.
Camping	Permitted at sites designated by the Department.
Hunting	1. During the waterfowl season, hunting is permitted only on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays and the following legal State holidays: Nevada Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Family Day (day after Thanksgiving), Christmas, New Years Day, and Martin Luther King Day. Hunters with a valid turkey tag for the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area may hunt each day of the established turkey season. Before or after the waterfowl season, hunting is allowed every day for wildlife species upon which there is an established open season. 2. AREAS CLOSED TO ALL HUNTING ADJACENT TO THE FT. CHURCHILL WATERFOWL SANCTUARY: Those portions of SE corner of Section 36, T.15N., R.25E; W ½ of Section 31, T.15N, R.26E, and N ½ of Section 1, T.14N, R.25E., M.D. & M. are closed to hunting as posted. 3. The following area within the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area is designated as a CONTROLLED GOOSE HUNTING ZONE and will be closed to all persons five (5) days prior to the last Saturday in November through the end of the waterfowl hunting season, except for those persons having a valid Mason Valley controlled goose hunting permit, described in #4 following. Prior to the described closure dates, all legal hunting is allowed within the CONTROLLED GOOSE HUNTING ZONE. Those portions of the Mason Valley Wildlife Management area within Sections 1, 2 and 12, T.14N, R.25E; Section 35, T.15N, R.25E; Sections 6 and 7, T.14N, R.26E, and Section 31, T.15N, R.26E, M.D.B. & M. as posted. The assigned blinds for the controlled goose hunt are located in farm fields MV-10, 11, and B-11, 12, 13, 14 and 15. 4. Hunt permit applications for the CONTROLLED GOOSE HUNTING ZONE within the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area are available through the Headquarters Office in Reno and the Western Region Office in Fallon. Unless their privilege is limited or revoked pursuant to law, any resident or nonresident is eligible to apply once for a hunt permit. A person whose name appears on more than one application will be rejected from the drawing. Permit applications will be accepted for groups no larger than four individuals, and all members of a group must hunt from the same assigned location. Applications for the Special Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area Goose Hunt shall be received at the Headquarters Office in Reno (through a postal service only) no later than the second Wednesday in October. A public drawing will be held at the Headquarters Office in Reno at 10:00 a.m. on the last Wednesday in October. Successful applicants will receive a permit by return mail. Deer may be hunted only with a shotgun no larger than 10 gauge and no smaller than 20 guage using rifled slugs; shotgun rounds with sabots that contain rifled slugs of convential design, or a long bow and arrow. Deer may not be hunted during the season set for the general hunt for deer expect on: 1) Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays 2) Nevada Day as observed 3) November 11, Veteran's Day 4) Thanksgiving Day 5) Family Day (day after Thanksgiving). Deer may be hunted with longbow and arrow during the season set for the archery hunt for deer. Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Overton WMA Clark County
General Description	OWMA lies in the lower extremes of the Moapa and Virgin river valleys where they flow into the north end of the Overton Arm of Lake Mead. This is about 65 miles northeast of Las Vegas using Interstate 15 and State Route 169. Located in the Mojave Desert, OWMA supports an abundance of fish and wildlife that contributes significantly to the biological diversity of southern Nevada. Desert riparian habitat, associated with the floodplain of the Muddy and Virgin rivers, is extremely important to wildlife populations. The dense shrubbery of desert wash habitat provides food and shelter for small mammals and many species of birds. Numerous wet meadows and ponds dot the landscape, providing food, cover, and water for birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. The deep water of Lake Mead provides habitat for fish, cormorants, and diving ducks, while shallow littoral zones provide feeding areas for puddle ducks and shorebirds. Download the Overton WMA brochure PDF.
Bodies of Water	Lake Mead Honeybee Pond Center Pond
Trespass	Trespass prohibited from March 1 through Aug. 1 on Honeybee Pond and Center Pond.
Use of Vessels	Vessels are prohibited on all ponds. Vessels are allowed on the portion of the area inundated by Lake Mead, except that on Overton Hunt Days, vessels may be used only by persons authorized to hunt waterfowl.
Use of Campfires	Permitted in those sites designated for camping
Camping	Permitted in those sites designated for camping.
Hunting / Trapping	Overton/Key Pittman Reservation System PDF 1. During the waterfowl season, hunting is permitted on the Moapa Valley portion of the area only on the opening day of the duck season, alternate days thereafter throughout the season, opening day of the goose season, and the closing two days of the duck and goose seasons. Before or after the waterfowl season, hunting is allowed every day for wildlife species upon which there is an established open season. 2. During the opening day and the first weekend of the dove season the maximum capacity for the Moapa Valley portion of the area is 60 hunters by reservation only. 3. During the waterfowl season on the Moapa Valley portion of the area, hunters must hunt from assigned hunt locations (blinds) constructed by the Department of Wildlife. A maximum of up to four hunters are permitted at each hunt location. Assigned hunt locations are marked by numbered stakes. Hunters shall hunt only within their assigned hunt location and moving to vacant locations is prohibited. The only exception involves reasonable accommodation of the disabled. 4. The hunting of upland game species is prohibited during the waterfowl season. 5. On Overton Hunt days, only persons authorized to hunt waterfowl may use vessels on the portion of the area inundated by Lake Mead. Trapping is allowed with valid permit. Permits will be issued through a drawing process and may contain designation of specific trapping areas, dates or other restrictions to ensure compatibility with other public activities. Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The discharging of a rifle or pistol is prohibited during waterfowl season. The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Scripps WMA Washoe County
Bodies of Water
Trespass	Trespass prohibited from Feb. 15 through Aug. 15 in that protion of the area that lies south of Little Washoe Lake
Use of Vessels
Use of Campfires	Not permitted.
Camping	Not permitted.
Hunting	During the waterfowl season, hunting is permitted only on Saturdays, Sundays, Wednesdays, and the following legal State holidays: Nevada Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Family Day (day after Thanksgiving), Christmas, New Years Day and Martin Luther King Day. Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The discharging of a rifle or pistol is prohibited during waterfowl season. The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Steptoe Valley WMA White Pine County
General Description	The Steptoe Valley Wildlife Management Area (SVWMA) is located immediately south of Ely, along U.S. Highway 93/50 in White Pine County. Comins Lake is located about six miles south of Ely near the ranch headquarters. The property consists of 6,426 acres including Comins Lake and appropriated water rights of Cave Creek, Steptoe Creek, and Willow Creek. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Tamberlaine Grazing Allotme nt, totaling 27,306 public acres is associated with the ranch. From wet meadows and riparian corridors to sagebrush and pinyon-juniper uplands, the habitats of SVWMA support an abundance of fish and wildlife that contribute significantly to the biological diversity of eastern Nevada. Sagebrush is important habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, sage grouse and a multitude of nongame species. Pinyon-juniper is found on the uplands surrounding the Steptoe Creek drainage. Both pinyon nuts and juniper berries are important food sources for many species of wildlife. The riparian habitats of SVWMA including cottonwood, willow, and aspen have exceptionally high value for many species of wildlife. Ponds and wet meadows dot the landscape of SVWMA, providing food, cover, and water for numerous species of waterfowl, wading birds, and mammals. The deep-water of Comins Lake provides habitat for fish and diving ducks.
Bodies of Water	Comins Lake
Trespass
Use of Vessels	Water skiiing only allowed between 11 a.m. and sunset. Flat wake restrictions in effect for boats during other hours.
Use of Campfires	Not permitted
Camping	Not permitted
Hunting	Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells.
Wayne E. Kirch WMA Nye County
General Description	The Wayne E. Kirch WMA is located in the White River Valley in northeastern Nye County. State Route 318 is the major access route to the area. Today, KWMA is composed of a total of 14,815 acres, including five major reservoirs. From sagebrush to wet meadows and grasslands, the various habitats of KWMA support an abundance of fish and wildlife that contribute significantly to the biological diversity of central Nevada. Wetlands are among the most productive wildlife habitats in Nevada. They provide food, cover, and water for numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Tule, Adams-McGill, Cold Springs, Dacey and Haymeadow reservoirs, developed by NDOW, provide deep water habitat for fish and diving ducks. The edges of the reservoirs provide feeding areas for puddle ducks and shorebirds. The White River bisects the area and provides wetlands and deep water habitats. Uplands on KWMA include sagebrush, alkali desert scrub, annual grassland and desert wash. Sagebrush provides important habitat for mule deer, pronghorn, sage grouse and nongame species. The desert wash habitat is found in narrow corridors around intermittent streams carrying runoff from the Egan Range into the White River Valley.
Bodies of Water	Dacey Reservoir Tule Reservoir Cold Springs and Haymeadow Reservoirs Adams McGill Reservoir
Trespass	Trespass prohibited from Feb. 15 through Aug. 15 in the upper portion of Adams-McGill, Cold Springs, and Haymeadow reservoirs, and all of Dacey and Tule reservoirs
Use of Vessels	Vessels must be operated at a speed that leaves a flat wake, but in no case may exceed 5 nautical miles per hour.
Use of Campfires	Permitted within the Hot Creek Campground.
Camping	Permitted within the Hot Creek Campground.
Hunting / Trapping	The discharging of a rifle or pistol is prohibited during waterfowl season. Trapping is allowed with valid permit. Permits will be issued through a drawing process and may contain designation of specific trapping areas, dates or other restrictions to ensure compatibility with other public activities The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited unless it is plugged with a one piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun so its total capacity does not exceed three shells. Hunters Must Now Use Nontoxic Shot on Wildlife Management Areas


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