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Big Game Hunting

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Director's Message

Reading through this book sometimes reminds me, in a small way, of playing the “what if” game with friends and family. You know, the game where you and your friends all talk about what you would buy if you won a huge jackpot on a slot machine or any game of chance. I find myself doing the same thing reading through this magazine. I find myself doing the same thing reading through this magazine. What if I drew a sheep tag? How amazing would that experience be with my son. What if we all drew mule deer tags this year and were able to turn it into one big incredible week of hunting? What if my neighbor’s daughter pulls a tag and asks for my help because she’s new and I get the chance to share my knowledge. There are so many opportunities on these pages.

Tony Wasley, Director, Nevada Department of Wildlife

Along with the usual lists of fun and challenging hunts, this year even offers some new opportunities targeted towards our future hunters, Nevada’s youth. We are proud that Nevada’s big game application process provides every hunter an opportunity to draw a tag no matter if it is your first year applying or if you have multiple bonus points. Never was that more apparent than last year, when a 12-year-old, first-time applicant and big game hunter drew one of Nevada’s two first-ever Antlered Moose tags (view their harvest on the Moose Hunts page or look for the article in the upcoming Big Game Regulation publication).

This year we are excited to offer a new Junior Antelope Horns Shorter than Ears hunt in six of our hunt units. These population management hunts will provide our youth with the opportunity to apply as a group. Additionally, this year the Junior Primitive Antlered Mule Deer hunt seasons have expanded from eight hunt units in 2024 to 15 hunt units for 2025. This primitive hunt provides juniors who wish to challenge themselves by restricting their gear to either archery or muzzleloader improved odds of drawing.

Finally, I want to highlight our Nevada Youth License Fund that was launched in 2023 with the goal of making it easier for kids to enjoy the outdoors by supplying them with a free Nevada combination (fishing/hunting) license. The free youth licenses are made possible by donations supplied by sportsmen and partners, which allows the Department to offer kids ages 12-17 a free license to the extent funds are available. Since opening the Youth License Fund, NDOW has issued over 10,000 free youth licenses. Over 6,500 of these free licenses, where to youth who had never held a license before. You can donate to the Nevada Youth License Fund, on the “Checkout” page after purchasing a license or applying for a big game tag online.

Just a reminder, Nevada’s wildlife needs your support and there are many opportunities to help. Please consider volunteering for Department projects, donating, or a membership with any of Nevada’s sportsmen’s and conservation organizations. For more information, please visit our volunteer page.

I wish you all the best of luck with your hunt choices and hope you enjoy all your contemplations of “what if”. Be sure to check out the following links for hunter education classes and how to increase your draw opportunities. From mule deer to sheep to moose, we really are very lucky to live in a State with so many amazing opportunities.

Sincerely,

Alan Jenne – Director, Nevada Department of Wildlife

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