Big Game Tag Information

Tag Returns

Any person who successfully draws a tag in the main draw has seven days to electronically return their tag to the Department. If the return is due to medical, death or military transfer, please wait to receive your tag in the mail and use the tag return form to obtain a refund of your tag fee.

Tags can be returned to the Department up to the last business day before the start of the hunt for bonus point restoration. All portions of the tag must be included for the return to be accepted.

Tags returned to the Department will be issued to an available alternate, made available in the second draw, and finally available for purchase in the First-Come, First-Served (FCFS) program.

(Refer to NAC 502.4215)

Transfer a Tag

Tag holders who are diagnosed as terminally ill can choose to transfer their tag to certain family members. (Refer to NAC 502.337)

Non-Profit Organizations

Tag holders may choose to transfer their tag to a qualified, non-profit organization who would facilitate the tag being awarded to another individual represented by the organization and who meets specific criteria for participation in the tag transfer program. (Refer to NAC 502.337)

For more information about these tag programs, visit the Nevada Department of Wildlife licensing portal or call NDOW at (855) 542-6369.

First Come, First Served (FCFS)

Following the big game second draw, any remaining tag quotas with no eligible alternate will be available for purchase to eligible customers through a first come, first served basis. All big game application eligibility rules apply to the purchase of a tag through the FCFS program, and tags are available for purchase only through the Nevada Department of Wildlife licensing portal. Customers must be at least 12 years old at the time of a FCFS purchase on a hunt season that is already in progress. A suspicious activity suspension from the FCFS program will be applied to any account found trying to attempt to create an unfair advantage or actively abuse the program. (Refer to NAC 502.4215)

ALTERNATE Tags

Selecting to be an alternate adds the applicant to a list of hunters willing to accept a tag matching their first-choice application if one should be returned to the Department. Alternates are awarded by lowest assigned draw number provided in the big game main draw. An alternate can be awarded a tag anytime from when the results are released from the draw up until 14 calendar days prior to the opening of the tag’s hunt season. (Refer to NAC 502.4175 and 502.421)

Alternates receiving their tag will be notified by a text message by the Department. A customer’s default credit card will be charged, and an email confirmation will be sent to the email address stored in your customer account. Tags are mailed within one business day from the time of purchase and alternates will receive their alternate tag in the mail within 7–10 business days.

Customers who have selected to be an alternate for a game tag and wish to no longer be considered as an alternate can be removed from the alternate list. Customers may contact NDOW with their request. If you need assistance with licensing or your account, visit the Nevada Department of Wildlife licensing portal and submit a support request using the green Help button.

Specialty Tags

Specialty tags provide enhanced opportunities for hunters to experience a hunt that includes; but is not limited to longer season structures, potential to obtain multiple tags in a year for a single species, the ability to hunt in any open unit, and obtain a tag while in a current waiting period. Some specialty tags offer different perks and follow different rules than others. Specialty tags may be awarded through the application and draw process or purchased through an event auction.

A Partnership in Wildlife (PIW) and Silver State tag applicant can only draw one tag per species. A person can be awarded a tag in the big game draw and purchase a Heritage tag of the same species outside of the draw. Specialty tag quotas are not restricted by residency except PIW mule deer which have set resident & nonresident quotas.

Bighorn Sheep Speciality Tag Unit Closures

Bighorn sheep unit closures are based on annual quotas. The following table that identifies the maximum number of specialty tags for every unit group that has an open season. Some unit groups may be set to zero (0).

Specialty tags exclude the use of seasons, quotas and hunt units designated for depredation (elk depredation), management (management one-horn Nelson BHS, etc.), and emergency hunts.

Sheep Harvest Hotline

Tag holders must call the Specialty Bighorn Sheep Harvest Information Hotline daily, prior to hunting to determine if any hunt units have been closed due to the harvest limits being reached. The number to call is (833) 923-0754 and is accessible 24 hours a day. Specialty sheep tag harvests must be reported to the Department by 9:00PM PST the day of harvest by calling (775) 688-2327.