Laws & Regulations

Weapon Class & Weapon Violations

Legal Weapon Types for Hunting Big Game
Game Animal/Method	Archery	Muzzleloading Rifles	Centerfire Firearms	Shotguns*	Rimfires	Crossbow (Only For General Season Hunts)
Antelope	✓	✓	✓			✓
Bear	✓	✓	✓			✓
Bighorn Sheep	✓	✓	✓			✓
Elk	✓	✓	✓			✓
Moose	✓	✓	✓			✓
Mountain Goat	✓	✓	✓			✓
Mountain Lion	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓
Mule Deer	✓	✓	✓	✓		✓
* Includes muzzleloading shotguns.

Sight Attached To Firearm, Bow Or Crossbow

A sight attached to a firearm, bow, or crossbow may be illuminated or powered by:

1. A battery contained within the sight;
2. Light gathering fiber optics;
3. A radioactive isotope such as tritium; or
4. Iridescent or fluorescent paint.

Visual Disability Permit

The sight/scope may not cast or project a visible beam of light (Refer to NAC 503.145). The Department may issue a scope permit to a person with a visual disability. The scope permit authorizes a person with a visual disability to hunt, during a type of hunt that is restricted to bows or muzzle-loading firearms, using a 1 x magnification rifle scope that is mounted on a bow or muzzle-loading firearm.

(Refer to NAC 503.146)

Firearms Regulations

(Refer to NRS 503.150 and NAC 503.142)

Rifles

A person may hunt big game mammals with a rifle if the rifle uses a centerfire cartridge .22 caliber or larger and no larger than .50 caliber. The centerfire cartridge case length may not be more than three inches.

Shotgun (Only Legal for Deer and Mountain Lion)

10, 12, 16, or 20 gauge. Shotgun barrels may be smooth or rifled for either species.

For Deer: Only rifled slugs or shotgun rounds with sabots that contain a single expanding projectile may be used for deer.

Handguns

A person may hunt big game mammals with a handgun if the handgun uses a centerfire cartridge of caliber .22 or larger and has a barrel length of four inches or more.

Prohibited Firearms

Any firearm capable of firing more than one round with one continuous pull of the trigger or any firearm equipped with a sighting system using an electronically controlled or computer controlled firing mechanism.

Prohibited Ammunition

Full metal jacket, full steel, full steel core, tracer, or incendiary bullets or shells.

Muzzleloading Rifle and Musket

(Refer to NAC 503.142 and 503.145)

During a “Muzzleloader-Only” Hunt:

Caliber

Firearm must have a single barrel of .45 caliber or larger.

Ignition

Wheel-lock, matchlock, or flintlock ignition system, or percussion ignition system that uses a primer or percussion cap; (in-lines are permitted).

Legal Projectile

Lead ball, lead bullet, semi-jacketed bullet or a metal alloy bullet that expands. A saboted round may be used.

Sights

Only open sights or peep sights are permitted; scopes prohibited. A sight that is operated or powered by a battery, electronics, or a radioactive isotope such as tritium is prohibited.

Powder

Only black powder or a black powder substitute may be used.

Handgun Carrying During Muzzleloader Seasons or Archery Seasons

A person who is hunting during any period of an open season during which hunting is restricted to the use of only archery equipment or a muzzle-loading firearm may carry a handgun for self-defense provided the handgun has a barrel length of less than 8 inches and does not have a telescopic sight.

A muzzleloading tagholder may carry a flintlock or percussion handgun during a muzzleloading-only hunt, however, it may not be used to hunt big game.

Bow and Arrow

Bow includes longbow, compound bow or recurved bow. A crossbow cannot be used for archery only hunts. (Refer to NAC 503.144 and 503.145)

Bow characteristics

A bow must have a peak draw weight of at least 40 pounds and, if the bow is a compound bow, a let-off of not more than 80 percent.

“Let-off” means the amount of decrease in the draw weight of a compound bow from the peak draw weight to the holding draw weight after the bow has reached full draw.

Arrows

Legal hunting arrows must have a broadhead attached, be 24 inches in length from the end of the nock to the tip of the broadhead and have a 300 grain minimum weight. An arrow that is used in hunting any game mammal or game bird may be equipped with a nock that is illuminated electronically or chemically.

Broadheads

Fixed broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point; mechanical heads must be at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point when in the open position.

It is Unlawful:

• For any person to carry a rifle or muzzelloader in the field while hunting under archery regulations (i.e., an archery-only hunt).
• To carry a bow with an arrow nocked on the bowstring while in or on any motorized vehicle (exceptions in NAC 503.144). To hunt any wildlife with an arrow that has any poison, explosive or electronic tracking device attached.

Crossbow

Crossbows may only be used for hunting big game during an “Any Legal Weapon” hunt. Crossbows are not allowed for archery hunts.

(Refer to NAC 503.143)

Crossbow Must Have:

A minimum draw weight of 125 pounds. A minimum power stroke of 14 inches from the front of the bow to the nocking point. A stock that is at least 18 inches long. A positive mechanical safety mechanism.

Crossbow Arrows/Bolts

Must be at least 16 inches long, weigh 300 grains and have a broadhead attached.

Broadheads

Fixed broadheads must be at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point; mechanical heads must be at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point when in the open position.

It is Unlawful to:

• Hunt a big game mammal with a crossbow during either an ‘archery-only’ or a ‘muzzle-loader-only’ hunt.
• Carry a cocked crossbow containing an arrow or a bolt while in or on any motorized vehicle while the vehicle is on a public highway or other public right-of-way.

Archery Disability Permit

A person with a physical disability may qualify for a permit that authorizes them to use a crossbow or a bow that uses a mechanical device that can anchor a nocked arrow at full draw or partial full draw during an archery hunt.

As used for this permit, a "disability" means a disability which prohibits a person from manually drawing and holding a legal bow at full draw. Contact your local NDOW office for more information. (Refer to NAC 503.1465)

Imposition of Liability (NRS 41.472)

1. If a parent, guardian or other person legally responsible for a minor under the age of 18 years:
   1. Knows that the minor has previously been adjudicated delinquent or has been convicted of a criminal offense;
   2. Knows that the minor has a propensity to commit violent acts; or
   3. Knows or has reason to know that the minor intends to use the firearm for unlawful purposes, and permits the minor to use or possess a firearm, any negligence or willful misconduct of the minor in connection with such use or possession is imputed to the person who permits such use or possession for all purposes of civil damages, and, notwithstanding the provisions of NRS 41.470**, that person is jointly and severally liable with the minor for any and all damages caused by such negligence or willful misconduct.

NRS 41.470 (2)** states the joint and several liability of one or both parents or guardian having custody or control of a minor under this section shall not exceed $10,000 for any such act of willful misconduct.

Use or Possession of Firearm by a Child Under 18 Years Old

1. A child under 18 years of age, hunting with a firearm, must be accompanied at all times by the child’s parent or guardian. A parent or guardian may authorize an adult to take the child hunting, if that adult is licensed to hunt and accompanies the child at all times; or
2. With the permission of a parent, a child 14 years of age or older may hunt alone if the child has a valid hunting license in his or her possession and uses a shotgun or rifle that is not a fully automatic firearm and cannot be concealed.

(Refer to NRS 202.300 and NRS 502.010)

Possessing Firearm While Under Influence

It is unlawful for a person who:

1. Has 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in his or her blood; or
2. Is under the influence of any controlled substance, or is under the combined influence of intoxicating liquor and a controlled substance, or any person who inhales, ingests, applies or otherwise uses any chemical, poison or organic solvent, or any compound or combination of any of these, to a degree which renders him incapable of safely exercising actual physical control of a firearm, to have in his or her actual physical possession any firearm. (Refer to NRS 202.257)

Carrying Loaded Rifle or Shotgun in/on Vehicle

1. A rifle or shotgun is loaded when there is an unexpended cartridge or shell in the firing chamber.
2. A rifle or shotgun cannot be loaded in or on any vehicle (including ATV’s and motorcycles) which is standing on or along, or is being driven on or along any public highway or any other way open to the public.
3. Exception: a paraplegic, amputation of leg(s), or paralysis of one or both legs which severely impedes walking may shoot from a stopped motor vehicle that is not on the traveled portion of a public highway. However s/he may not shoot from, over or across a highway or road.

(Refer to NRS 503.165, NRS 408.285, NRS 403.170)

Firing Firearm from/over Roads

A person may not discharge a firearm from, upon, over or across any federal, state, main or general county road as described in NRS 408.285 and 403.170. (Refer to NRS 503.175)

Common Violations

The vast majority of hunters, trappers and anglers do their best to abide by the wildlife laws and regulations. For those people who fail to follow the law, convictions of wildlife law may carry serious penalties, including criminal fines up to $5,000, jail, civil penalties up to $30,000, loss of equipment and lost license privileges.

The following are a list of the ten most common violations in the field. Check twice and take due care, and you can avoid unnecessary citations, costly fines, and loss of equipment and hunting privileges.

If you make a mistake — for example shooting a spike, or small forked-horn deer instead of an antlerless deer — report it immediately to the local game warden or Operation Game Thief (OGT) at (800) 992-3030 or use the NDOW Tip App. Follow any instructions that are provided to you and wait for the warden to arrive. Taking the opposite approach, such as hiding or wasting game, will carry much more serious consequences.

1. Hunting Outside Unit Area Designated on Tag

Double-check the hunt area/unit designated on your tag, and review the boundary unit descriptions on the reverse of the Department’s Big Game Boundary Unit Reference Map. Purchase detailed reference maps. Know where you are. This is a misdemeanor offense, but if an animal is killed, it can escalate to a felony.

2. Loaded Rifle, Shotgun In/On Vehicle

Nevada law prohibits carrying loaded rifles and shotguns in or a knocked arrow on vehicles, including ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. After hunting on foot, unload the gun before placing it in or on the vehicle. This is a misdemeanor offense and will require retaking a hunter safety class before a hunting, fishing or trapping license can be reissued. (Refer to NRS 503.165, NAC 503.143)

3. Using Tag of Another “Party Hunting”

This is a surprisingly common violation. Only the person named on the tag may use or possess the tag. This violation is considered a felony offense if an animal is harvested.

(Refer to NAC 502.385)

4. License and Tag Fraud

Providing false information (for example, claiming to be a Nevada resident, using a false date of birth, or fictitious name, etc.) to obtain a license is a misdemeanor. Providing false information to obtain a big game tag is a gross misdemeanor, and killing a big game mammal with such a tag is a felony. This activity steals tags from lawful sportsmen.

5. Early/Late Shooting

Do not shoot at game before or after the designated legal hunting hours. This is a misdemeanor offense (Refer to Sunrise/Sunset table QR code on this page).

6. Failure to Properly Notch Tag or Permit Immediately After Taking Game

Upon reaching game, immediately validate (punch) the tag or permit with a knife or other sharp object. Marking it with a pencil or pen is not acceptable. This is a misdemeanor offense. If a tag is used to intentionally kill more than one animal, the crime is punishable as a category E felony and all equipment used in the crime is subject to forfeiture, including guns and vehicles.

7. Use or Possession of Night Vision or Thermal Equipment

It is unlawful to use or possess any night vision, thermal imaging, electronically enhanced light-gathering device, infrared night vision or any other comparable equipment or device for the purposes of hunting or taking or locating any game mammal or game bird. (Refer to CGR 492, R035-20, NAC 503.1455)

8. Use of Drones

It is unlawful to kill or aid another person to kill a big game animal with the use of an unmanned aircraft (drone).

It is also unlawful to harass any game mammals or game birds with any manned or unmanned aircraft (drone) or to use an unmanned aircraft to locate game animals or use an aircraft to relay information for purposes of hunting or trapping. (Refer to NRS 501.376, NRS 503.010, and NAC 503.148)

9. Trespass While Hunting, Fishing, Or Trapping.

It is unlawful for any person to hunt, trap or fish on private property without permission obtained by the owner or occupant of the private property. Any person using that property to hunt, fish or trap shall comply with the provisions of NRS 207.200. (Refer to NRS 503.240)

10. Over limit of Big Game

It is unlawful to possess or take more big game animals than your tag allows. Typically these are accidental incidents, however there is always some degree of negligence by the shooter. Be certain of your target and what lies beyond it. Immediately report any accidental overlimit or any known intentional overlimits of big game.

Attaching Tags

Unlawful Possession Of Wildlife Without An Attached Tag

It is unlawful to have possession of any part of any species without a tag if that species requires one. Possession of a species without an attached tag or permit is considered prima facie evidence that the game was illegally taken and processed.

It is unlawful to obtain an additional animal or reuse a tag that was previously filled for the current season to obtain an additional animal.

(Refer to NRS 502.150)

Use Of Tag Or Permit

A game tag must be carried by the owner of the tag at all times. No other person is permitted to carry a tag. (Refer to NAC 502.385)

When a person harvests an animal, they must validate the tag by clearly notching the spaces necessary to properly identify the date of the harvest and the animal’s physical characteristics, including sex and antler points.

(Refer to NAC 502.390)

The tag must be firmly attached to the carcass of the animal and must remain with main portion of the meat at or before the time he or she reaches their means of transportation or camp and until it has been processed.

(Refer to NAC 502.400)

The transportation stub will be utilized if the harvested animal or a portion of the animal will be traveling in the possession of someone other than the tag holder.

The taxidermy stub will be provided to a licensed taxidermist along with the pelt, hide, or head of the animal at the time of transfer.

(Refer to NAC 502.403)

Penalties

Demerits and License Revocations

Hunting, fishing and trapping license privileges are revoked when a person accumulates 12 demerit points within a 60-month period. When a person is convicted of a wildlife violation, a certain number of demerits are assessed for that crime. The more serious the crime, the greater the number of demerits that are assessed.

Demerit based revocations can range from 3 years to as much as 10 years. Under some circumstances a person’s tag privileges may be revoked indefinitely.

(Refer to NRS 501.105, 501.181, 501.1818, NAC 501.200 and NAC 501.210)

Criminal Penalty Provisions

Killing a big game mammal in the state of Nevada by hunting outside of the prescribed season and time. Using the aide of an aircraft or helicopter. Using a tag assigned to another person or hunting without a tag. Utilizing a different method of take or outside the prescribed unit(s) of a tag. Or if a tag was obtained by a false or fraudulent representation are all actions that a person can be prosecuted with a FELONY for doing. Either by participating in actions themselves or by aiding and abetting another person who kills a big game mammal.

Killing an animal out of necessity to protect the life or property of another person in imminent danger of being attacked by the animal or if the animal killed was not the intended target are exceptions. All accidental takes must be reported to the Department as soon as possible.

If you know or should have known an animal was killed unlawfully and you possess said animal, it is considered a GROSS MISDEMEANOR OFFENSE. (Refer to NRS 501.376)

Unlawful Acts; Criminal Penalties

Every person who is guilty of a misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine between $50–500, and/or by imprisonment in county jail for not more than 6 months. Criminal acts considered under this title include but are not limited to: performing unlawful acts, obstructing or hindering an officer, employee, or agent of the Department, violation of Commission Regulation, or unlawful use and abuse of a license or permit privilege.

(Refer to NRS 501.385)

Forfeitures

Any gun, ammunition, trap, snare, vessel, vehicle, aircraft or other device or equipment is subject to forfeiture pursuant to NRS 179.1156 to 179.1205 inclusive if they are used in the facilitation of unlawful and intentional killing or possession of a big game mammal in Nevada. This includes knowingly transporting, selling, receiving, acquiring or purchasing an unlawfully killed big game mammal.

(Refer to NRS 501.3857)

Civil Penalties

In addition to the criminal penalties, every person who unlawfully kills or possesses wildlife is liable for civil penalties:

• a TROPHY big game mammal – $5,000-$30,000
• big game mammal, bobcat, swan or eagle – $250-$5,000
• fish or wildlife not included above – $25-$1,000
• hunting, fishing or trapping without a valid license, tag or permit – not less than $50

Failure to pay a penalty within 90 days may result in license suspension or revocation and denial of privileges.

(Refer to NRS 501.3855)

Cape and Horns/Antlers of Wildlife Must Be Maintained with Carcass

Except as otherwise provided in NAC 502.403, any person who kills a deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, antelope or bighorn sheep shall, until the carcass is frozen, smoked, dried, consumed or accepted by a commercial processing plant for processing, maintain possession of at least that portion of the cape or scalp that includes the ears to the base of the muzzle and any antlers or horns. The cape or scalp and any antlers or horns from the animal must be possessed in such a manner that they remain or are kept together with the carcass of the animal.

(Refer to NAC 503.173)

Disguising Sex of Animals

It is unlawful for a person to disguise or attempt to disguise the sex characteristics of any harvested animal if sex characteristics are a determining factor in regulation of hunting seasons or possession of the animal.

(Refer to NAC 503.175)

Highway Wildlife Crossing

A wildlife highway crossing is any overpass or underpass designated and constructed to facilitate a safe passage of wildlife across a highway. It is unlawful to hunt or take game mammals within 1/2 mile of a wildlife highway crossing, or discharge any firearm from, upon, over or across a wildlife highway crossing.

(Refer to NAC 504.105)

Reasonable Effort Required to Take Wildlife

Each person who shoots and wounds any wildlife while hunting shall make a reasonable effort to take that wildlife, including, without limitation, pursuing and tracking it.

(Refer to NAC 503.191)

Camping Near Water Hole

It is unlawful for any person to camp within 100 yards of a water hole in such a manner that wildlife or domestic stock will be denied access to such water hole.

(Refer to NRS 503.660)

Unlawful to Waste Game

It is unlawful to waste any edible portion of any game bird, game mammal, game fish or game amphibian. Heads, antlers, horns or tusks cannot be the only part of an animal taken from the field. You can leave the carcass of a carnivore.

(Refer to NRS 503.050)

Baiting Big Game Animals

A person may not bait big game mammals for the purpose of hunting; or knowingly hunt big game mammals that were baited by another person.

Bait means the intentional placing, exposing, depositing, disturbing or scattering of salt, minerals, grain or any other food material, whether natural or manufactured, that could attract, entice or lure wildlife to an area.

(Refer to NAC 503.149 and NRS 502.120)

Hunting on Posted Lands Without Permission

It is unlawful for any person to hunt, trap or fish on private property without permission obtained by the owner or occupant of the private property. Any person using that property to hunt, fish or trap shall comply with the provisions of NRS 207.200.

(Refer to NRS 503.240)

Sale of Nonedible Parts

The sale of the hide, head, antlers or horns or other nonedible parts of game animals which were legally killed is permitted.

Note: The sale of a bear gall bladder is unlawful.

(Refer to NAC 503.174)

Harvest Inspections/Surveys

Mandatory Big Game Harvest Inspections

Some species require the inspection of the skull, horns, or hide by a representative of the Department within a given time after the harvest. Time frames of inspection by a Department representative are as follows:

• Black Bear – within 72 hours of harvest – NAC 502.373
• Bighorn Sheep, for rams of all subspecies – within 5 days of harvest – NAC 502.345
• Mountain Goat – within 5 days of harvest – NAC 502.364
• Mountain Lion – within 5 business days of harvest – NAC 502.370
• Moose – within 5 days of harvest – CGR 514

Call (775) 688-1500 to schedule a harvest inspection in your area.

Presentation of Wildlife, Calculation of Days

Saturday, Sunday and state holidays do not count in computation of days for presenting the animal for inspection/sealing.

(Refer to NAC 502.411)

Mandatory Bighorn Ewe and Mountain Goat Identification Course

Hunters who draw either a bighorn sheep ewe tag or a mountain goat tag must complete a mandatory sheep or goat sex identification course prior to receiving their tags These hunters will receive an email with course details.

Hiring a Hunting or Fishing Guide:

A person shall not directly or indirectly, knowingly compensate a person who represents themself as providing a guide service or engages in activity requiring a guide license unless the person acting in that capacity provides proof of guide’s licensing. (Refer to NRS 504.397)

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly act as a hunting or fishing guide without first obtaining a guide license. Serious penalties may be imposed including gross misdemeanor or felony charges, revocation of personal licensing and forfeiture of any equipment used during the unlawful act. (Refer to NRS 504.395)

License Vendors

Individuals may purchase hunting licenses from many authorized NDOW license agents, or vendors found across the state of Nevada. The following are a partial list of license agents in our rural areas.

Western Region Office

1100 Valley Rd.

Reno, NV 89512

(775) 688-1506

Eastern Region Office

60 Youth Center Rd.

Elko, NV 89801

(775) 777-2300

Southern Region Office

3373 Pepper Lane

Las Vegas, NV 89120

(702) 486-5127

Battle Mountain Field Office

525 Round Mountain Dr.

Battle Mountain, NV 89820

(775) 635-5070

(By appointment only.)

Ely Office

1218 N. Alpha St.

Ely, NV 89301

(775) 289-1655 ext. 21

(Hours subject to change, please call ahead.)

Fallon Office

4082 Reno Highway

Fallon, NV 89406

(775) 688-1820

(Hours subject to change, please call ahead.)

Pioche Field Office

137 Hollywood Way

Pioche, NV 89043

(775) 962-8106

(By appointment only.)

Tonopah Field Office

170 East Howerton Hill Dr.

Tonopah, NV 89049

(775) 482-3153

(By appointment only.)

Winnemucca Office

705 E. Fourth St.

Winnemucca, NV 89445

(775) 623-6565

(Hours subject to change, please call ahead.)

Wildlife Management Areas

The State of Nevada through the Department of Wildlife owns or has long-term leases on more than 165,000 acres of land incorporated into wildlife management areas (WMAs) across the state. The primary management emphasis on WMAs is the protection of wetlands and waterfowl including the use of the areas as public hunting grounds. Hunting opportunities for sportsmen on WMAs include migratory game bird, upland game bird, furbearer and big game hunting. Below is a table of restrictions associated with each of the wildlife management areas. Please review this table and the accompanying list of hunt and use restrictions on wildlife management areas before hunting in these areas.