Migratory Game Bird Regulations
In Nevada, migratory game bird seasons are established for ducks and mergansers, coots and gallinules, snipe, Canada and white fronted geese, snow geese and Ross’ geese. Migratory waterfowl are a subgroup of migratory game birds, and include ducks, mergansers, geese, and swans.
Stamp Requirements
A Federal Migratory Game Bird Hunting Stamp ($30 updated Aug. 1, 2024 at ndowlicensing.com) is required for any person age 16 or older who hunts any migratory waterfowl (ducks, mergansers, geese, and swans).
Species ID
Head or fully feathered wing must remain attached to bird while in transit from the field to the hunter’s residence for ducks, mergansers, coots and gallinules, snipe, geese, and swan.
HIP Number
Any person, except a Nevada resident under 12, who plans to hunt any kind of migratory game bird, including ducks, geese, swans, coots, dove, snipe, or gallinules in Nevada this year, is required to ANNUALLY obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) validation number and keep record of it on their hunting license before entering the field. The validation number is free and is available by going online to ndowlicensing.com or calling 1-855-542-6369. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting the nationwide harvest survey.
Mid-Season Closures
All waterfowl seasons will be closed the following days:
• Northeast Zone closed Dec. 4 - Dec. 13, 2024
• Northwest Zone closed Jan. 7-8, 2025
• South Zone closed Oct. 21-22, 2024
Shotshell Capacity
Shotguns must be plugged to limit overall shotshell capacity to 3 when hunting all migratory birds. (Note: See Snow and Ross’ geese season for exception.
When hunting any waterfowl, non-toxic shot is required.
Federal Migratory Bird Stamp
The Federal Migratory Bird Stamp is now an electronic stamp (E-stamp) privilege. E-stamps will be good electronically from the date of purchase through the following June. E-stamps can be purchased at ndowlicensing.com, at NDOW offices and from most license agents. Stamps will be mailed to customers by the USFWS in March after the waterfowl seasons have closed. US post offices will continue to sell the physical stamp if customers wish to receive their physical stamp sooner than March. For assistance contact NDOW’s License Office at 855-542-6369.
