National Wildlife Refuges

Caution: More restrictive regulations may apply on National Wildlife Refuges. The following is only a summary of the general hunting available on national wildlife refuges in Nevada. A complete list of the federal regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations 50CFR SUBCHAPTER C. In addition, all National Wildlife Refuges have general provisions regarding travel, firearms, alcohol consumption, fireworks and hunting. Check with the refuge manager before hunting on a National Wildlife Refuge. For additional information on specific refuge special regulations, contact the refuge phone numbers listed below:

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is closed to trapping. The hunting of migratory and upland game birds is permitted on designated areas of the refuge. Upland game hunters may hunt rabbit on designated areas of the refuge. All other species of wildlife are protected (including coyotes and common crow). The refuge is open for hunting in accordance with state hunting hours by species. All hunters are subject to state regulations and the following refuge general and specific regulations:

1. The following migratory game birds may be hunted: ducks (including mergansers), geese, coots, gallinules, snipe, and dove.
2. The following upland game birds may be hunted: quail.
3. All firearms must be unloaded and dismantled or cased while in vehicles.
4. Only nontoxic shot may be possessed by upland game hunters and migratory game bird hunters while in the field.
5. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited.
6. Only street legal vehicles are allowed on designated roads within the refuge.
7. Only motorless boats or boats with electric motors are allowed and only in Crystal and Peterson Reservoirs.
8. A flyer may be picked up at the refuge entrances, which gives additional refuge information and a map of open/closed areas for hunting. The refuge office is open Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when staff is available.

Check with refuge at (775) 372-5435.

Desert National Wildlife Refuge

Desert National Wildlife Refuge is closed to migratory game bird hunting (with the exception of the Sitting Dog Unit), trapping and upland game hunting. Desert NWR is open, by state-issued permit only, to desert bighorn sheep hunting.

Sitting Dog Unit:

The Sitting Dog Unit is approximately 8,500 acres in the northeastern corner of the Refuge that is open to dove, chukar, and quail hunting during the State-designated hunting season, with the following exceptions:

1. Migratory birds other than waterfowl – Dove hunting is permitted daily during the State season; except from October 1, dove hunting is allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
2. Upland Game – Chukar and quail hunting is allowed on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays.
3. Only nontoxic shot may be possessed by upland game hunters and migratory game bird hunters while in the field.
4. From October 1 to February 1, Hunters may only possess 25 or fewer shells while hunting on the refuge.

Check with Refuge at (702) 879-6110.

Fallon National Wildlife Refuge

The Fallon National Wildlife Refuge is open for hunting of migratory and upland game birds, small game animals, big game, and unprotected species in accordance with NDOW regulations. Check with Refuge at (775) 423-5128.

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Moapa Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Clark County is closed to all hunting and trapping. Check with Refuge at (775) 725-3417.

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is closed to trapping. The hunting of migratory game birds, geese, ducks, coots, gallinules, snipe and mourning doves is permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

1. Dove hunting is permitted daily during the month of September. Starting October 1, dove hunting is allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
2. Shooting is prohibited 150 feet (50 yards) from the center line of the roads (including access roads and two tracks), parking areas, levees, or into or from safety zones.
3. Only non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors for hunting purposes in designated hunting zones during open days of the migratory waterfowl season. Upper Lake is completely closed to boating from October 1, 2023 to February 1 of 2024. Trailer launching is not permitted. Only car-top watercraft are permitted.
4. Watercraft may only be used to go to and come from daily hunting locations. Watercraft must be completely immobilized while hunting waterfowl, with the exception of using a boat to retrieve down/crippled birds.
5. Temporary blinds are permitted. All decoys, portable blinds, and other personal property must be removed from the refuge daily and temporary blinds must be dismantled at the close of each day.
6. Hunting waterfowl and upland game is permitted only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
7. Upland game hunters may hunt quail and rabbit as permitted on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions: Hunting of jackrabbit is permitted only during the regular state season for cottontail rabbit.
8. Hunting is by shotgun only. Only nontoxic shot may be possessed and shot sizes larger than T shot are prohibited.
9. From October 1 to February 1, hunters may only be in possession of 25 shotshells or fewer per day.
10. Check with refuge hunting brochure and posted special regulations signs for additional information.

Check with Refuge at (775) 725-3417 or http://fws.gov/refuge/pahranagat.

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge open to migratory bird hunting as listed below. Check with Refuge at (775) 779-2237.

The following areas are open for migratory bird hunting as listed:

1. The hunt area includes the area as posted from the Brown Dike access road and Brown Dike to the White Pine County Line. No hunting is permitted on Brown Dike or from the Brown Dike access road. In White Pine County, the spring pond area between the county road and the marsh edge is open as posted. For public safety, a no hunting zone is posted in the immediate vicinity of the Main Boat Landing and at the Brown Dike restroom. As posted, no hunting is permitted at or around Narciss Boat Landing.
2. Only ducks (including mergansers), dark geese (including white-fronted and Canada geese), coots, gallinules, and snipe may be hunted. ALL OTHER SPECIES OF WILDLIFE ARE PROTECTED.
3. The entire Ruby Valley, including Ruby Lake Refuge, is closed to the hunting of all white waterfowl.
4. Hunting on the refuge is permitted daily during the waterfowl season as established by the State of Nevada.
5. The refuge is open to the public from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset. Except during waterfowl season, the refuge is open two hours before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
6. No boats are permitted on the refuge from January 1 to June 14. Only foot (kick fin) propelled floatation devices (float tubes) are allowed and only in designated areas from January 1 to June 14.
7. No reservations or special refuge permits are required.
8. Hunters may use portable hunting blinds and temporary blinds constructed of natural vegetation. All decoys, portable blinds and other personal property must be removed from the refuge daily and temporary blinds must be dismantled at the close of each day.
9. No off-highway vehicles of any type (including licensed OHVs) are permitted on Ruby Lake Refuge.

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge

Check with Refuge at (775) 423-5128. The Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge is open for hunting of migratory and upland game birds, small game animals, big game and unprotected species in accordance with NDOW regulations and subject to the following:

1. Boating restrictions are in effect, check with Refuge at (775) 423-5128.
2. Airboat owners are required to obtain an annual permit from the Refuge Manager and display a number on their airboat.
3. You are not allowed to hunt inside the sanctuary, which is the area located south of Division Road, south of Stillwater and East County Roads, and south of the Canvasback Gun Club between West County and Hunter Roads.
4. You may not possess loaded weapons inside the posted Retrieval Zone. The zone begins on the north edge of Division Road and extends 200 yards north.
5. You may use only registered vehicles on designated roads. You may not use any off-highway vehicles (OHV).
6. Overnight stays are allowed in designated areas only. Campfires are not allowed.
7. Hunters are required to use only shotguns and nontoxic shot while hunting upland and migratory game birds, small game mammals and unprotected species.
8. Hunters are required to use only shotguns, muzzle loading weapons or bow and arrow while hunting big game.
9. The use of rifles, pistols or other weapons not listed above is not allowed.
10. Using or possessing lead shot is not allowed.
11. Hunting at night is not allowed. Using or possessing alcohol while hunting is prohibited.

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

Check with Refuge at (541) 947-3315. The hunting of big game, migratory game birds and upland game birds is permitted on the refuge. All other species of wildlife are protected. The refuge is open for hunting in accordance with state hunting regulations and the following refuge general specific regulations.

1. Areas closed to all hunting includes Little Sheldon, the Virgin Valley including Dufurrena and other areas as posted.
2. Catnip Reservoir, Big Spring Reservoir and the Virgin Valley are closed to migratory bird hunting. The remainder of the refuge is open for migratory bird hunting in accordance with NDOW seasons and bag limits.
3. The refuge is open to sage grouse, California quail and chukar hunting in accordance with NDOW regulations.
4. Big game hunting is allowed in accordance with NDOW regulations.
5. No permanent blinds are allowed on the Sheldon.