Federal Rules & Regulations

Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge

For current information, contact the refuge at (541) 947-3315 or visit the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge page on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website.

The Refuge is open to hunting in accordance with State hunting laws and regulations and the following specific Refuge regulations.

1. Camping is allowed only in designated areas. Backcountry camping is authorized by permit only.
2. Recreational or target shooting is prohibited.
3. Vehicles- including trucks, ATVs, motorcycles, bicycles, and game carts- are allowed only on designated routes.
4. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permit is required for anyone conducting commercial outfitting or guiding on the refuge. Special Use Permit applications to conduct outfitting or guiding operations must be submitted at least 30 days before the hunt.
5. The hunting of big game species including antelope, deer, and bighorn sheep, migratory game birds and upland game birds is permitted on the Refuge in compliance with State hunting laws and regulations. Sage Grouse hunting on the refuge requires a State issued reservation and permit. All other species of wildlife on the Refuge are protected and closed to hunting and or take.
6. Hunting is prohibited on the following waters: Big Spring Reservoir, Catnip Reservoir, and Dufurrena Ponds. The “Little Sheldon” portion of the Refuge is closed to all hunting.
7. Only non-motorized boats or boats with electric motors are allowed on Refuge waters.
8. Only portable or temporary ground blinds constructed of synthetic material are allowed on the Refuge.

1. Ground blinds are prohibited from being constructed earlier than 1 week prior to the opening day of the associated hunter’s season.
2. Blinds are required to be removed by the end of the hunter’s season or within 24 hours of a harvest.
3. Blinds are required to be tagged with the owner’s name and associated hunting license, permit, or tag number.
4. Destruction of natural vegetation or below-ground excavation is prohibited.

BLM Information

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Nevada encourages hunters to call in advance of hunting season to find out if land management practices will be conducted during the hunting season. While BLM field offices are aware of hunting seasons, some management activities, such as prescribed burns, wild horse gathers, road closures or fire restrictions may temporarily disrupt hunting activities.

Call Before You Hunt

If possible, call the appropriate BLM office before you begin your hunt. That way you may avoid an area that may have some access restrictions or other changes because of management activities. It’s a good idea to call BLM just before the hunt to find out if any unplanned restrictions from fire or emergency wild horse gathers are in effect.

• Battle Mountain District Office
  (775) 635-4000
• Carson City District Office
  (775) 885-6000
• Elko District Office
  (775) 753-0200
• Ely District Office
  (775) 289-1800
• Southern Nevada District Office
  (702) 515-5000
• Winnemucca District Office
  (775) 623-1500

Responsible Hunting in Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs)

Some units contain BLM lands designated as wilderness or wilderness study areas. Motor vehicle use—trucks, ATVs and motorcycles—is not allowed unless signs are placed to indicate a designated route. The motorized vehicle rule extends to mechanized vehicles such as game carriers, which are also not allowed in these areas. Hand-held GPS units are allowed.

Responsible Off-Highway Vehicle Use

There has been a big increase in the use of OHVs by hunters. While most areas of the public lands are designated as open to OHV use, cross-country travel on OHVs is causing unnecessary damage to habitat that wildlife depend on. OHV riders are asked to stay on existing roads and trails. If it is necessary to drive off roads to retrieve and pack out harvested game, hunters are asked to use care and avoid creating new routes.

Weed-Free Hay

The National Forest System requires weed-free hay on all National Forest Systems lands within the state of Nevada. A list of weed-free hay producers and vendors is available on the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s website at: agri.nv.gov. Click on the “noxious weeds” section under the “plant” heading.