Hunting in Nevada

Hunting in Nevada

Nevada offers a distinctly Western hunting experience, with rugged mountain ranges rising from expansive sagebrush basins and high desert country. The state's remote terrain and wide-open landscapes provide opportunities for hunters looking for challenging big-game hunts and a true backcountry experience.

Mule deer are one of Nevada's primary big-game draws, with bucks found across mountain ranges, high desert basins, rocky canyons, and sagebrush country. Elk are also highly sought after, particularly in Nevada's mountainous northern and central regions. Pronghorn occupy the state's open valleys and desert plains, offering a very different style of Western hunt built around glassing, long-range country, and careful approaches.

Nevada is also known for its desert bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, along with mountain goat, black bear, mountain lion, and other big-game opportunities. Many of these hunts are limited and require advance applications or permits, making planning well ahead of the season especially important.

For hunters looking to get away from crowded hunting areas and experience rugged Western country, Nevada offers plenty of room to explore. A knowledgeable outfitter can help hunters understand the terrain, locate game, and prepare for the demanding conditions that come with hunting the Great Basin.

Nevada Hunting Licenses & Regulations

Hunters in Nevada must follow licensing, season, and harvest regulations established by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). Nevada uses a system of applications, drawings, tags, and species-specific regulations, with many big-game opportunities requiring hunters to obtain a tag through the state's draw system.

• Mule Deer: Deer hunting opportunities are generally tied to specific hunt units and seasons, with tag availability and application requirements varying by hunt.
• Elk: Nevada elk hunts are highly sought after, with many opportunities requiring an application and successful draw for a specific hunt unit and season.
• Pronghorn: Pronghorn tags are limited and generally allocated through Nevada's application and draw process.
• Bighorn Sheep: Desert and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts are highly limited and require specific tags. Hunters should review current unit and permit requirements carefully.
• Mountain Goat: Mountain goat opportunities are limited and subject to specific hunt and tag requirements.
• Black Bear and Mountain Lion: Hunters should review current species-specific regulations, licensing requirements, seasons, and reporting rules before planning a hunt.
• Upland Birds and Small Game: Nevada also offers opportunities for species such as chukar, quail, and other small game, with separate season and licensing requirements.

Nevada's hunting units, application deadlines, draw procedures, tag availability, and season dates can change from year to year. Review the latest NDOW regulations before applying for, booking, or traveling for a hunt.

Species You Can Hunt in Nevada

Mule Deer

Elk

Bear

Merriam's Wild Turkey

Turkey