Upland Game Bird, Rabbit, Dove & Crow
Last Updated: August 28, 2026
What's Changed |
2025-26 |
2026-27 |
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| Chukar Partridge & Hungarian (Gray) Partridge | Two separate tables. Chukar: Oct. 11, 2025 - Feb. 1, 2026, 6/18. Hungarian Partridge: same dates, 4/12 | Combined into one table: "Chukar Partridge & Hungarian (Gray) Partridge," Oct. 17, 2026 - Feb. 7, 2027, 6/18 shared aggregate limit ("limit singly or in aggregate") |
| Sage-Grouse hunt units (2-day season) | Units 011, 012, 013, 015 (Washoe), 012 (Humboldt, partial), 031 (Humboldt), 184 (Churchill/Lander), 121 (Elko/White Pine), 131 (White Pine/Eureka/Nye) | Same list, plus Unit 067 (Elko County) and Unit 111 (White Pine County) added |
In Nevada, upland game bird species include dusky, sooty, and ruffed grouse; sage-grouse; chukar and Hungarian partridge; Himalayan snowcock; ring-necked pheasant; California, Gambel’s, and mountain quail; and North American wild turkey.
Small game species include cottontail, and white-tailed jackrabbits. Falconry seasons are in effect for waterfowl (all migratory bird stamp requirements apply), dove, chukar, sage, blue and ruffed grouse, pheasant, Himalayan snowcock, Hungarian partridge, quail, and rabbit.
Youth seasons include chukar and Hungarian partridge, California and Gambel’s quail, and cottontail, and white-tailed jackrabbits.
NRS 502.010 Firearms Possession Laws
Youth hunters younger than 18, please view the firearms possession laws.
A youth may hunt during any of the general hunting seasons as well as during any established youth seasons.
Youth California and Gambel’s Quail |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Sept. 26 - Oct. 4, 2026 |
California Quail: 10/30 Gambel’s Quail: 5/15 |
Limit: Limit Singly Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily. Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger only. Youth must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. (See Weapons Regulations page.) License requirements apply pursuant to NRS 502.010. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Youth Rabbit (cottontail and white-tailed jackrabbit) |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Sept. 26 - Oct. 4, 2026 |
5/15 |
Limit: Limit singly or in the aggregate. Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily. Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger only. Youth must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. (See Weapons Regulations page.) License requirements apply pursuant to NRS 502.010. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Youth Chukar Partridge & Youth Hungarian (Gray) Partridge |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Sept. 26 – Oct. 4, 2026 |
6/18 |
Limit: Limit singly or in aggregate. Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily. Open to hunters 17 years of age or younger only. Youth must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. (See Weapons Regulations page.) License requirements apply pursuant to NRS 502.010. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Sage-Grouse |
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Open Counties* |
Season Dates |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Hunt Units, or those portions of Hunt Units, 154, 155, 161, 162, 172 and 173 in Eureka, Lander and Nye County Hunt Units 061, 062, 064, 071-076, 101 and 102 in Elko County Hunt Unit 051 in Humboldt County |
Sept. 19-27, 2026 |
2/4 |
Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset Closed to nonresidents |
Hunt Units, or those portions of Hunt Units, 011, 012, 013 and 015 in Washoe County Hunt Unit, or that portion of Hunt Unit 012 and 031 in Humboldt County Hunt Unit 184 in Churchill and Lander Counties Hunt Unit 121 in Elko and White Pine Counties Hunt Unit 131 in White Pine, Eureka and Nye Counties Hunt Unit 067 in Elko County Hunt Unit 111 in White Pine County |
Sept. 19-20, 2026 |
2/4 |
Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset Closed to nonresidents |
Hunt Unit 033 of Washoe and Humboldt Counties (Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge) excluding the Little Sheldon and other areas as posted. |
Sept. 26-27, 2026 |
2/4 |
Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset Note: Up to 4 applicants may apply as a party. Parties may be comprised of a combination of residents and nonresidents. Limited to 40 reservations awarded through random draw. Unless his or her privilege is limited or revoked pursuant to law, any resident or nonresident is eligible to apply once for the Sheldon Special Sage Grouse Hunt in a year. Sheldon Special Sage-grouse Hunt applications must be submitted online through ndowlicensing.com. Paper applications will not be accepted. Applications will be accepted until 11 p.m. PST. Aug. 10, 2026. Results will be released on or before Aug. 21, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified via email. Open to nonresidents |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Sage-Grouse
The Nevada Department of Wildlife is conducting a long-term study of the state’s sage-grouse populations and is collecting wing samples to help determine the status of the sage-grouse population in Nevada. Sage-grouse hunters are asked to remove one wing from each sage-grouse taken. This diagram illustrates where the wing should be cut.
Please keep the wing dry and away from flies. A paper lunch bag works well. Deposit the wing at any of the Department’s wing barrels, at check stations, or with Department employees who contact you in the field.
Due to large fire occurrence in sage-grouse habitat, hunt units may be subject to closure upon approval by the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners. License holders will be notified upon Hunt Unit closure.
Himalayan Snowcock |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Elko and White Pine Counties* |
Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2026 |
2/2 |
Hunting Hours Sunrise to sunset Open to nonresidents. Prior to hunting Himalayan snowcock, persons must obtain a snowcock hunting free-use permit available online at ndowlicensing.com after July 1st. |
Note: Please provide questionnaire results for Himalayan Snowcock by Dec. 31, 2026. * Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Blue (Dusky and Sooty) And Ruffed Grouse |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Carson City, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Washoe, White Pine.* |
Sept. 1 - Dec. 31, 2026 |
3/9 |
Limit: Limit singly or in the aggregate. Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Open to nonresidents. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Per NAC 503.185, the head or one fully feathered wing must be attached to all dusky, sooty and ruffed grouse until the carcass reaches the possessor’s residence or a commercial facility for its preservation.
Persons harvesting blue grouse (dusky or sooty) are requested to deposit one wing from each bird harvested at any Nevada Department of Wildlife office, check station, or with Department employees who contact you in the field.
Sooty Grouse
Sooty grouse are generally darker in color than dusky grouse with a distinct gray, subterminal band on the leading edge of tail feathers. Range in size from 15 to 20 inches and weigh from 26 to 46 oz. Air sacs during mating displays are commonly yellow and hooting can be heard up to 0.5 mile. Sooty grouse inhabit the extreme western portion of Nevada along the California Nevada/border in mountain ranges such as the Carson Range, Sweetwater and White Mountains
Dusky Grouse
Dusky grouse are generally lighter in color than sooty grouse with dull black tail feathers that usually lack a strong subterminal band. Range in size from 15 to 20 inches and weigh from 26 to 46 oz. Air sacs during mating displays are commonly red and hooting can be heard up to 100 yards. Dusky grouse inhabit central Nevada from around Austin, east to the Nevada/Utah border and north to the Idaho/Nevada border.
Transportation Identification
When hunting blue (dusky & sooty) grouse or ruffed grouse please consider NAC 503.185 which states: A person shall not transport a blue or ruffed grouse within this State unless the head or one fully feathered wing remains attached to the grouse from the time it is removed from the place where it was taken until it arrives at the person’s residence or a commercial facility for its preservation.
Chukar Partridge & Hungarian (Gray) Partridge |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Oct. 17, 2026 - Feb. 7, 2027 |
6/18 |
Limit: Limit singly or in aggregate. Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Open to nonresidents. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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California and Gambel’s Quail |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Oct. 17, 2026 - Feb. 7, 2027 |
California Quail: 10/30 Gambel’s Quail: 5/15 |
Limit: Limit singly. Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Open to nonresidents. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Mountain Quail |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Oct. 17, 2026 - Feb. 7, 2027 |
2/6 |
Limits: Limit singly. Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Open to nonresidents. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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The Department of Wildlife is interested in collecting harvest information on mountain quail throughout Nevada. The Department requests that hunters contact the Reno Headquarters at (775) 688-1523 or an NDOW representative to report your mountain quail harvest.
Mourning and White-Winged Dove |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Sept. 1 - Oct. 30, 2026 |
15/45 |
Limits: Limits for mourning dove and white-winged dove are singly or in aggregate. Hunting Hours: 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset daily. Open to nonresidents. Shotguns must be plugged to limit overall shotshell capacity to 3 when hunting dove. Note: Eurasian Collard Dove is an unprotected, nongame species, and can be hunted year-round with no bag limit. Be aware of your target, especially if hunting during the closed season for other doves. HIP Requirements: Any person 12 years or older who hunts dove is required to obtain a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number ANNUALLY from July 1 - March 10, by visiting ndowlicensing.com or calling (855) 542-6369. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping *There are no open seasons on Inca Dove, Common Ground Dove and Band-tailed Pigeon. |
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Mourning Dove
White-Winged Dove
Eurasian Collared Dove
Band-Tailed Pigeon
Images courtesy Joseph Higbee
American Crow |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Sept. 1 - Nov. 17, 2026 March 1 - April 15, 2027 |
10 |
Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily. Archery, shotguns, and falconry. Note: All crows must be retrieved and removed from the field. Season closed on common ravens. See illustration. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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The crow (17.5 inches) is bigger than a blackbird (9 inches) and noticeably smaller than a raven (24 inches). Crows often flock, while ravens are more solitary birds. Note that the crow’s bill is much smaller than the raven, and that its tail is square. The raven’s heavy bill, shaggy throat feathers and wedge-shaped tail also set it apart from the common crow.
Rabbit (cottontail and white-tailed jackrabbit) |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Nov. 1, 2026 - Feb. 28, 2027 |
5/15 |
Limits: Limit singly or in aggregate. Hunting Hours: Sunrise to sunset. Open to nonresidents. Limit singly or in the aggregate. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping * There are no open seasons on pygmy rabbit and snowshoe hare. |
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Pheasant |
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Open Counties |
Season Dates (Inclusive) |
Daily Limits/Possession |
Special Regulations and Information |
Statewide* |
Nov. 1-30, 2026 |
2/6 Roosters only |
Shooting Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily. Roosters only. Open to nonresidents. |
* Except per NAC 504.340 See Areas Closed to Hunting & Trapping |
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Minimum Legal Requirements for Taking Edible Meat from the Field
Hunters are encouraged to use as much of their harvest as possible. Although most meat from small game is edible, below are the minimum lawful requirements. Refer to NRS 503.050 and NAC 503.0047 for more information.
Upland Game Bird
1. Breast meat must be retrieved.
Migratory Bird
2. Breast meat must be retrieved.
Small Game
The meat of the front quarters as far as the distal joint of the tibia-fibula (hock), and the meat along the backbone between the front and hind quarters.
1. Shoulder
2. Hind Quarter (Thigh)
3. Backbone (Backstrap)
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Type 2
- Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus – 2 (RHDV2) is a highly contagious and lethal disease of rabbits.
- RHDV2 is a foreign animal disease and was first detected in domestic and wild rabbits of North America in the spring of 2020 in the desert southwest.
- Humans are not susceptible to the disease; however, they can transport it on clothing and equipment, including vehicles
- Please report any mortalities of multiple cottontails, snowshoe hares, or jackrabbits, any mortality of pika or pygmy rabbits, and any mortality with blood coming from the nose or mouth without obvious trauma.
- Report mortalities to the NDOW veterinarian (Dr. Nate LaHue) at [email protected] or contact (775) 688-1500.
- Do not handle sick or dead wild rabbits that you suspect may have died from this virus and dispose of unwanted rabbit carcass parts in a landfill or at the site of harvest.
- For more information: ndow.org/Nevada_Wildlife/Health_and_Disease/Rabbit_Hemorrhagic_Disease_Virus-2/
