Apply & BuyHunting

If you are looking to find out more information about hunting big game in Nevada, check out the resources below.

Big Game hunting throughout Nevada has different fees based upon each species. Tag and license fees are set by the state’s elected legislature and can be found in NRS 502.250.

Specialty Combination Licenses (Verification Required)

Nonresident Tag Costs

Non-refundable Applications Fees

• $15 for elk (includes $5 elk damage fee) (NRS 502.250)
• $10 for all other big game species or bonus point only (NRS 502.250, NAC 502.331)
• $3 game application fee (NRS 502.253)
• $1 processing fee (NRS 502.118)

A tag is needed by all hunters in Nevada to pursue big game populations like mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, mountain goats or pronghorn antelope.

In Nevada, big game tags are distributed through a computerized draw process, handled by a contracted third party, Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC.

Mountain lions are also a big game species. Mountain lion tags are available online at www.ndowlicensing.com or over the counter at local license agents. Call 1-800-800-1667 to identify open hunt units.

The application period for the Nonresident Guided Mule Deer Hunt is generally open around mid-February, with results available by late-March. This hunt is only available to nonresidents.

The main application period for big game, which includes the Silver State and Partnership in Wildlife tags, generally runs from mid-March to mid-May. Results from this draw are available at the end of May or beginning of June.

A second draw follows the main draw and offers any tag that is left over or returned without an eligible alternate. The second draw is generally held in mid-June. Second draw tags are offered to any residency regardless of the residency originally assigned to the tag for the main draw.

Tags that are returned to the Department with no eligible alternate or any tags remaining after the second draw may be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis. The First-Come, First-Served program generally opens early-July. First-Come, First-Served tags are offered to any residency regardless of the residency originally assigned to the tag for the main draw.

All application periods and the The First-Come, First-Served program can be found at www.ndowlicensing.com during their respectful open dates.

The 2024 Big Game Application calendar dates are below:

Applications are evaluated for bonus points and squared, adding one extra number for the application, to provide the number of entries for each eligible species. The more bonus points an applicant has, the better their chances of receiving the lowest draw number. 

Randomly generated numbers are assigned to each number of entries. The lowest number assigned to an application for each species is used in the draw. 

Groups of applications are pulled and ranked from lowest draw to highest draw number. Tags are assigned to the first lowest draw number followed by the second, third, and so forth until all quotas are filled and each application is evaluated. 

The explanation of groups and order of the group’s evaluation are as follows:

1. Silver State
2. Partnership in Wildlife
3. Junior Mule Deer Antlered/Antlerless (if available)
4. Assigned simultaneously in no particular order: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Ram, California Bighorn Sheep Ram, Nelson (Desert) Bighorn Sheep Ram, Elk Antlered, Antelope Horns Longer than Ears, Mule Deer Antlered, Mountain Goat, Black Bear, Moose Antlered.
5. Assigned simultaneously in no particular order: Elk Depredation Antlered, Management Bighorn Sheep Ram.
6. Assigned simultaneously in no particular order: California Bighorn Sheep Ewe, Nelson (Desert) Bighorn Sheep Ewe, Elk Antlerless, Antelope Horns Shorter than Ears, Mule Deer Antlerless (if available).
7. Spike Elk.
8. Elk Depredation Antlerless.

Species within the same group do not affect the ability to receive a tag for a different species within the same group, with the exception of the subspecies of Bighorn Sheep. 

An applicant is only allowed to draw one tag per species. Once the first tag of a species is awarded to an applicant, all other applications for that species, regardless of type or sex, is marked ineligible. For example: if an applicant draws a Silver State Mule Deer Antlered tag, any application for a Mule Deer Antlered or Antlerless tag would then become ineligible.

For additional information related to the draw process and other hunt related programs, check out our 2024 FAQ document.

The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners has adopted the following regulation for the management of wildlife resources in Nevada. The document below outlines the Big Game Tag Application Eligibility and Tag Limits.

Bonus points increase a hunter’s probability of receiving a low draw number in hopes of drawing a tag, but, unlike a preference point, they do not provide any guarantee of drawing a tag after so many points are accumulated. 

Residents and nonresidents can purchase a bonus point or automatically receive a bonus point for an unsuccessful big game tag application. An applicant can only obtain one point per species or subspecies a year under a single active license. 

Bonus points are awarded by specific species categories, each encompassing all separate weapons hunts available in that category.

Game tags may be returned to the Department for the return of bonus points, a refund of the tag fee, deferral of the tag to the next applicable hunting season, or a transfer of the tag to another eligible hunter. The reasoning and specific conditions around the tag’s return will determine which option a person is eligible for. Tag returns are outlined in NAC 502 and the regulations can be found on the reverse of this form.

The First Come, First Served (FCFS) program was designed to increase hunting opportunity by offering big game tags to hunters while continuing to follow the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission’s approved yearly quotas. Historically, approximately 1000 game tags would be returned to the Department and go unused every year due to no eligible alternate available to receive the tag. Now, tags that are returned to the Department with no eligible alternate are available for purchase to otherwise eligible to hut the tag.

The FCFS program opens in July and returned tags will become available for sale after the tag return has been processed by Department staff. Tag purchases in the FCFS program will cost a customer their bonus points as well as put them in the respective waiting period.

Limitations to the program’s use and abuse of the program have been defined by the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission and can be found in NAC 502 and the Big Game Tag Application and Eligibility Commission Regulation.

Tag holders wishing to return their tag now have the option to transfer their tag to qualifying youth or disabled individuals represented by a non-profit organization. Tag holders interested in this option may contact an organization from the list below for facilitation of the tag transfer. Tag holders will work with the organization to determine who will receive the tag transfer and together the original tag holder, the new tag recipient and the organization will complete the tag transfer form found below and submit it, along with the physical tag, to the Department to complete the tag transfer process.

Organizations wishing to participate in the tag transfer program may apply to the Department every year between September 1 – October 31 to become a facilitator for eligible individuals to receive a transferred big game tag during the following hunt season. Applications for organizations can be found on the below form.

Tag Transfer Organization Application

Tag Transfer Organization Form

2024 Tag Transfer Organization List

The Wildlife Heritage Trust Account is administered by the Board of Wildlife Commissioners. The money in the account is used for the “protection, propagation, restoration, transplanting, introduction, and management of any game fish, game mammal, game bird, or fur-bearing mammal and the management and control of predatory wildlife in this state.” The Heritage Trust account started in 1998 and due to the generosity of its participants over the years, the account has now grown to more than $10 million. 

Heritage Tags can be obtained by bidding auctions through third party vendors designated by the Board of Wildlife Commission. A Heritage tag allows for the ability to hunt the species of the tag purchased in any open unit during the seasons specified for Heritage tags. Weapon types are not restricted and customers can purchase a Heritage tag regardless of current waiting periods.  

Find information about the Board of Wildlife Heritage Tag Committee and committee meeting details here.

For details on how you can get a Nevada Heritage Tag find resources below:

• 2025 Wildlife Heritage Tag Seasons and Quotas
• 2024 Wildlife Heritage Tag Seasons and Quotas
• 2025 Proposal Procedure (Memo)
• Commission Policy 10 (Policy, Purpose, Procedure)
• Vendor Information Form
• 2024 Heritage Tag Vendor Fundraising Event Schedule

To learn more about the Heritage Tag, click here: Heritage Tag – NDOW.

The Nevada Dream Tag Program is a raffle-style drawing that allows sportsmen and women a chance at the hunt of a lifetime while also contributing to Nevada’s wildlife habitat. The raffle is conducted by a third party, non-profit organization established through the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. Funds raised are deposited into the Wildlife Trust Account and used for the betterment of Nevada’s wildlife. One of the best aspects of this raffle is the ability to purchase tickets for your family and friends. Purchase your Dream Tag raffle at www.nvdreamtag.org.

The Dream Tag allows the holder to hunt their tag’s species in any open and is not restricted by weapon type. Customers can draw a Dream Tag regardless of current waiting periods.

Tickets for the Nevada Dream Tag raffle are available now and will be sold until June 30. The winners will be announced in early July.

Partnership in Wildlife (PIW) is a voluntary and optional participation program that offers unique hunting opportunities to hunters. The PIW tag is offered to applicants during the big game application period and is awarded during the draw. Funds raised through the PIW program are deposited into the Wildlife Heritage Trust Account and are utilized each year on projects that benefit the wildlife of Nevada. 

A PIW tag allows for the ability to hunt the species listed on the tag in any open unit where weapon type is dependent upon the current season. Waiting periods apply and bonus points revert to 0 if successful in the draw.

The Silver State Tag or Governor’s Tag is a voluntary participation program that generates revenue for the Wildlife Heritage Trust Account and is used for the protection, propagation, restoration, transplantation introduction and management of Nevada’s game species and fur-bearing mammals as well as management of predatory wildlife. The Silver State tag is offered to applicants during the big game application period and is awarded during the draw. 

A Silver State Tag allows for the ability to hunt the species listed on the tag in any open unit during the seasons specified for the Silver State Tags. Weapon type is not restricted and anyone can apply for a Silver State Tag regardless of waiting periods. The award of a Silver State Tag does not cost an applicant their bonus points.