Director’s Message

Welcome to the 2025 Small Game Season! Whether you are a first-time Nevada small game hunter, or a returning die-hard bird hunter, Nevada has plenty of opportunities for you. Nevada’s 86 percent public land ownership and diversity of small game species, provides seemingly endless hunting possibilities no matter your location in the state. From Gambles quail in Southern Nevada to Chukar in Northern Nevada to the multitude of waterfowl across the state’s varied wetlands and wet spots there is something for everyone.

This past winter has provided conditions with great carryover of small game species that are expanding in numbers and distribution. This is because of three consecutive years of above average precipitation. These wet years have also led to the growth and buildup of highly flammable, dry vegetation so please be mindful of wildfire risk in the early season and prepare your hunting vehicle and camping gear as such. Visit the Nevada Fire Info website (https://www.nevadafireinfo.org/restrictions) to learn more about this season’s fire restrictions, prevention tips, and equipment preparation.

Also, as you prepare to take to the hills, please take the time to investigate and understand the landownership and access points areas you are going to hunt. In addition to land status maps, online mapping apps can be installed on your phone to help discern if you have open access and are not trespassing while hunting. While reading this book, do yourself a favor and review the Upland Game Bird, Rabbit, Dove, and Crow Regulations page to ensure you understand Nevada’s trespass laws.

Last year we rolled out our daily small game harvest questionnaire that can be accessed through the QR code below. This daily small game harvest questionnaire allows you to report your harvest easily and accurately following each outing. These more accurate reports will help our biologists to better manage Nevada’s small game populations. The survey is kept anonymous but if you supply your client ID number found on your license, the Department can provide an end of season report showing your cumulative harvest record. Again, this data is important for the management of small game populations and it’s dependent upon your participation. Please take the time to report your harvest(s).

Lastly, I want to acknowledge Chris Vasey, our outgoing Conservation and Education Administrator. Chris began his career with NDOW’s Conservation Education Division in 1996, serving as the Division Administrator for the last nine years. Chris has spent his entire career educating the public about Nevada’s wildlife and promoting all the associated outdoor opportunities. He has edited and contributed story ideas as well as photography into every NDOW fish and wildlife regulation publication. Some of his exceptional work was featured on the cover of many publications. On behalf of NDOW, I want to thank Chris for his endless passion, and professionalism in telling the story of Nevada’s wildlife and wild places.

I wish you all the best of luck this season and hope that you make many memories in Nevada’s outdoors.

Sincerely,

Alan Jenne

Director, Nevada Department of Wildlife