Welcome to 2025-26 Nevada Big Game Hunting Seasons & Applications

Important Information for 2025

Hunt News

The Nelson (desert) bighorn ram management “One-Horn” hunt will continue this year in select unit groups. The shortest horn must be less than half the length of the longest horn. Learn more about Bighorn Sheep hunts.

Junior Antelope Horns Shorter than Ears

The Department is offering a Junior only (12-17 years of age), Antelope - Horns Shorter Than Ears Hunt in several units. Learn more about Antelope hunts.

Tag Delivery

Tags for successful applicants will be printed after the conclusion of the one-week electronic return period that follows the conclusion of the draw. Printing all big game tags takes approximately 1-2 weeks. Applicants can expect their tags to be placed in the mail within 3 weeks following the conclusion of the draw and receive their tags by July 1st. Applicants are advised to ensure the address provided for tag shipping at the time the application is submitted is accurate and current.

Changes for the 2024-2025 Season

• Antelope:
  • Any Legal Weapon – Changed season dates for Hunt Units 041-042 to Aug. 22 - Sept. 7
  • Muzzleloader – Changed season dates for Hunt Units 011-015, 031 & 051 to Aug. 15 - Aug. 21
  • Archery – Changed season dates for Hunt Units 011-015, 031 & 051 to Aug. 1 - Aug. 14
• Desert Bighorn Sheep:
  • Changed season dates to Sept. 15 - Jan. 1 for Hunt Units (131-132, 164), 161 & 207
  • Opened Hunt Unit 212 with season from Nov. 20 - Jan. 1
  • Changed Season dates for Hunt Unit 254 Nov. 1 - Jan. 1
  • Changed Season dates for Hunt Unit 204 from Sept. 15 - Nov. 15
  • Created an early & late hunt for Unit 268
• Desert Bighorn Archery:
  • Opened Hunt Unit 184 season from Sept. 1 - Oct. 1
  • Opened Hunt Unit 268 season from Jan. 5 - Feb. 20
  • Season date modification for Any Ram for Hunt Unit 202 Sept. 15 - Oct. 14
• Non-resident Desert Bighorn Sheep:
  • Closed both Unit 161 hunts due to recent disease event
  • Inclusion of Non-resident ram hunts for Hunt Unit 243
• California Bighorn Sheep:
  • Changed season dates for Hunt Unit 022 from Sept. 1 - Nov. 10
  • Clarified Hunt Unit descriptions for some California Bighorn Sheep hunts to include the name of the mountain range
• Elk:
  • Minor shifts to seasons for antlered and antlerless elk to align with Utah in Unit 091
  • Rotated muzzleloader hunt for antlered elk into the Sept. 17 - Sept. 30 season for Units 171-173, 161-164 & 241, 242
  • Shifted various seasons for all elk classes in Units 072-074 & 075 to meet harvest objectives
  • Closed the archery season for antlerless elk in Unit 115 to minimize conflicts between archers and depredation hunters
• Resident Junior Mule Deer Primitive Antlered hunt to include hunt units: 051, 061, 062, 064, 066-068, 071-079, 091, 101-109, 141-145, 151-156, and 171-173
• Resident Junior Mule Deer Antlered Any Legal Weapon hunt season date modification for hunt unit groups: 051: Oct. 5 - Nov. 5, 061-062, 064, 066-068, 071-079, 091, 141-145, 151-156, 171-173: Oct. 5 - Nov. 2, 101-109: Oct. 1 - Nov. 2

Know Before You Go

In recent years, Nevada has adopted several new hunting regulations. Here are a few that you may not be aware of. Be sure to know before you go!

Keep in mind that these are simply a synopsis of the laws. For the full text of the Nevada Revised Statues, visit the Nevada Legislature's website. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all regulations and to follow the law. Be sure to check the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners' policies for any updates.

Spike Elk

Spike elk means any antlered elk having not more than two antler points on either antler. (Refer to NAC 502.104)

Trail Camera

With certain exemptions, it is illegal to place, maintain, or use a trail camera on public land from August 1 - December 31 of each year. It is illegal to use a trail camera July 1 - December 31 of each year if the camera is capable of transmitting images, video, or location of wildlife. (Refer to NAC 503.1485)

Shed Antlers

A person shall not take or gather shed antlers from or on any public land located in Elko, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, or White Pine Counties at any time from January 1 - April 30. A shed antler collection certificate is required in the counties above if collecting during the period of May 1 - June 30. NDOW offers a shed-hunting course, which can be accessed at the NDOW website. (Refer to NAC 503.172)

Thermal Imaging/Optics

A person shall not possess or use electronic night-vision equipment, electronically enhanced light-gathering devices, thermal imaging devices, infrared night-vision equipment, or any other comparable equipment or device used to enhance night-vision while hunting or taking any game mammal or game bird or while locating game mammals or game birds for the purpose of hunting. This does not limit the use of a sight attached to a firearm, bow or crossbow that is powered by a battery contained within the sight, is illuminated by light gathering fiber optics, or uses a radioactive isotope such as a tritium. (Refer to NAC 503/CGR 492/R035-20)

Drone/Unmanned Aircraft

A person shall not, for the purpose of hunting and trapping, locate or observe, or assist a person in locating or observing, any big game mammal, game bird or fur-bearing mammal in a management unit described in NAC 504.210 during the period beginning on July 1 and ending on the last day of February of each calendar year with the use of an aircraft. (Refer to NAC 503.148)

Electronic License

Hunters are required to possess a license in the field and have the ability to show it. This includes electronic versions. (Refer to NRS 502.120)