Application Process

All applications, regardless of species or gender, are assigned a random number. Applications with bonus points are assigned additional random numbers by squaring the bonus point total and adding one for the current year. Numbers are assigned randomly from 1–100 million. The lowest number assigned per application is analyzed and used for potential draw success. Applications are drawn in sequential order starting with the lowest random number then evaluated within the following group order:

1. Silver State
2. Partners in Wildlife
3. Junior Mule Deer Antlered or Junior Mule Deer Antlered/Antlerless (if available)
4. 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, Bear, Moose Antlered
5. Elk Depredation Antlered, Management Bighorn Sheep Ram
6. California Bighorn Sheep Ewe, Nelson (Desert) Bighorn Sheep Ewe, Elk Antlerless, Antelope Horns Shorter than Ears, Mule Deer Antlerless, Junior Antelope Horns Shorter than Ears
7. Spike Elk
8. Elk Depredation Antlerless

This allows applicants to put in for all species and gender classifications they wish to hunt, without worry of drawing a less preferred tag over a more preferred, due to eligibility requirements such as drawing a single tag for each species or subspecies category. For instance, if you draw an Antlered Elk tag early in the draw process, your application for Antlerless Elk will not be considered. However, you can apply for both Antlered and Antlerless Elk in the same draw.

Refund Of Fee For Hunting License – Loss Of Bonus Points

An applicant who fails to obtain a tag may request a refund of the fee for his/her hunting license if the license is not a combined hunting and fishing license and he/she:

1. Purchased the license solely to apply for a tag;
2. Does no hunting under the authority of the license; and
3. Submits the license to the Department on or before the last weekday of August of the year in which the license was valid. The Department shall accept the license only if it is received on or before that date.

No bonus points will be awarded if an applicant receives a refund for their hunting license.

Game Tag Application Eligibility

Except as otherwise provided by regulation, a person may only apply for one (1) tag per species or subspecies per draw application period, with the following exceptions:

An eligible person may submit one (1) application for antlered mule deer and one (1) application for antlerless mule deer (if available), or one (1) application for the junior antlered or antlerless mule deer, per draw application period;

An eligible person may submit one (1) application for pronghorn antelope horns longer than ears and either one (1) application for pronghorn antelope horns shorter than ears or one (1) application for junior pronghorn antelope horns shorter than ears per draw application period;

An eligible person may submit one (1) application for antlered elk, one (1) application for antlered depredation elk, one (1) application for spike elk, and one (1) application for each type of antlerless elk, including antlerless elk, antlerless management elk, and antlerless depredation elk, per draw application period;

An eligible person may submit one (1) application for ram bighorn sheep per subspecies, one (1) application for each type of management ram bighorn sheep hunt, and one (1) application for ewe bighorn sheep per subspecies per draw application period;

An eligible person may submit one (1) application for antlered mule deer and one (1) application for antlerless mule deer per emergency hunt application period; and

An eligible person may submit one (1) application for pronghorn antelope horns longer than ears and one (1) application for pronghorn antelope horns shorter than ears per emergency hunt application period.

Except as otherwise provided by regulation, a person may only obtain one (1) big game tag from the junior hunt programs in the main draw, with the following exceptions:

An eligible person may obtain additional junior hunt program big game tags if tags are available and awarded in the second draw, alternate, or First Come, First Serve programs.

FAQs:

Q: I am in a waiting period for Antlered Elk, can I apply for the Spike Elk hunt?

A: Yes. Antlered Elk and Spike Elk are considered two separate bonus point and hunt categories.

Q: If I apply for all available elk hunts, how many elk tags can I obtain during the year’s season?

A: Only one (1) Elk tag per season regardless of what draw you receive the tag through.

Q: I’m in my waiting period for desert bighorn ram hunt, can I apply for a one-horn ram management hunt?

A: Yes, they are separate hunt categories.

Q: Can I purchase an Antelope Horns Shorter Than Ears tag through the First Come, First Served program if I drew an Antelope Horns Longer Than Ears tag in the main draw?

A: No. A person is only allowed one (1) tag of the same species during a single year’s season.

Q: Will I use my Antlered Elk bonus points if I purchase an Antlerless Elk tag through the First Come, First Served program?

A: No. Your points for Antlerless Elk will be used but not your points for Antlered Elk. Bonus points are also not necessary in order to purchase a tag through the First Come, First Served program but will revert to zero (0) upon purchase.

Tag Delivery

Tags for successful applicants will be printed after the conclusion of the one-week electronic return period that follows the main 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 main draw and receive their tags by July 1. Applicants are advised to ensure the address provided for tag shipping at the time the application is submitted is accurate and current.

If a customer has not received their big game tag by July 1, contact the Department at (855) 542-6369.

Bonus Points

Bonus points result in extra draw numbers assigned to an application increasing the applicant’s odds of success in the draw. Draw numbers are calculated by the following equation, providing additional chances to draw a low number and be awarded a tag.

Bonus points² = Number of additional draw numbers

The applicant’s lowest randomly assigned draw number is the number used for the drawing. (Refer to NAC 502.4187-4189 and 502.4225)

Junior Hunter Bonus Points

An 11-year-old junior hunter who will turn 12 before the beginning of the last hunt season is eligible to purchase a bonus point.

Eligibility for a Bonus Point

Bonus points can be accumulated for all species and classes available in the big game draw, with the exception of management and depredation hunts. Each hunt category maintains its own separate set of bonus points. For example, elk hunting includes three distinct categories: Antlered Elk, Antlerless Elk, and Spike Elk. Each category has its own bonus point system. To earn a bonus point, an applicant must hold an active hunting license, and only one bonus point per category can be obtained during a valid license year. Applicants should pay attention to their license expiration date to ensure they remain eligible. (Refer to NAC 502.4187-4189 and 502.4225)

Earning, Using and Losing Bonus Points

For each unsuccessful application in the draw, a customer is awarded a bonus point for that category. Applicants are prompted to purchase a hunting license when submitting an application. However, choosing the option to purchase a license only if successful in the draw will not generate a bonus point for unsuccessful applications. Additionally, applicants may choose to purchase a bonus point instead of submitting a hunt application if they do not wish to obtain a tag for the upcoming season. Bonus points cannot be purchased by applicants who are in a waiting period.

Bonus points are used and reset to zero when an applicant is successfully awarded or purchases a tag. Furthermore, bonus points are forfeited if an applicant fails to apply for a hunt category for two consecutive years when a season for that category is available. Maintaining consistent participation in the draw is essential to preserve accumulated bonus points. (Refer to NAC 502.4187-4189 and 502.4225)

If I move out of state, do my bonus points change?

Bonus points are residency agnostic, meaning that if your residency changes, your bonus points go with you. Note that some hunts are only offered to residents. If a person cannot apply for a hunt due to closures or residency change, previously acquired points will remain static until the applicant is able to again apply for the hunt connected to the bonus points.

Account Information

Update payment method

A customer can update their payment method by logging into their customer account and selecting “Payment Methods” from the left-hand menu. Here you can add a new card and delete any that have expired. Use the drop-down arrow next to the card for an option to set it as your default payment method. When a card is added, be sure to review the card in the account and use the drop-down arrow next to the card for an option to set it as your default payment method.

Linking Customer Accounts

Customers can link accounts to one another by visiting the “Link Customer Accounts” section in an account. The customer account that links other accounts to it is called the primary account. Linked accounts can only be controlled through the primary customer’s account. If you wish to be unlinked from another individual, you must contact the primary account holder and request that they unlink you. Customers who do not already have an existing online account may link accounts to one another by visiting the “Link Customer Accounts” section in an account.

Reset Account Password

Customers can reset their passwords by selecting the “Log in” button and “Forgot password” link and await an email with additional information, or you can choose to “reset my password without an email” and answer the customer identifier questions associated with your account.

Party Hunts

Definition of a Party Hunt

A party hunt is defined in regulation as an application submitted by a group of two or more individuals who wish to apply together to receive the same type of tag. Party hunts are only available for specific species, which include Mule Deer, Antlerless Elk, and Antelope with Horns Shorter Than Ears. This option allows hunters to coordinate their applications so that all members of the party either successfully draw tags together or remain unsuccessful as a group. (Refer to NAC 502.4185)

Application Process

To create a party hunt, one applicant must select the party option during the application process, which designates them as the party leader. The system then generates a unique party hunt group code that is printed on the leader’s receipt. Other members who wish to join the party must enter this group code during their own application process when prompted. Entering the group code automatically populates the application with the choices made by the party leader. The group code may be added to an individual application that has already been submitted through the applicant’s customer account. If an applicant updates their individual application with a group code, their application will be updated to match the leader’s selections.

(Refer to NAC 502.4185)

Eligibility Rules

Adult hunters cannot join a junior hunt party; however, junior hunters may apply in the general draw and join a party containing adults. Junior hunters also have the option to form junior-only parties. Both resident and nonresident hunters can apply together in the same party for mule deer, but only choices available to both residency types will be valid for the party application. For mixed residency parties to draw tags there must be corresponding quota available for each member of the party. (Refer to NAC 502.4185)

Bonus Points

Bonus points for party hunts are calculated by averaging the points of all party members and rounding to the nearest whole number. If a party member returns their tag, they will not receive a refund of bonus points unless all members of the party return their tags. Exceptions to this rule include returns due to medical issues, death, or military obligations, in which case bonus points may be reinstated for the affected individual. (Refer to NAC 502.4185)

Draw Order Effects On Party Hunt Applications

Tags are awarded based on draw group order. For example, if an applicant applies for an Antlered Elk tag individually and applies as part of a party for an Antlerless Elk tag, they may receive the Antlered Elk tag and not be included in the party draw for Antlerless Elk. This scenario does not affect the party’s chances of drawing a tag. Except for this exception, party hunts are collectively successful or unsuccessful. Bonus point are only used for the category of tag that is drawn. Party hunts are awarded based on the lowest draw number followed by the remaining quota. If a party of four qualifies for a tag based on their draw number but only two tags remain in the quota, the party will be unsuccessful. Quotas for party hunts are allocated separately for resident and nonresident pools.

(Refer to NAC 502.4185)