Nevada hunting law requires you to have a license from the state Department of Wildlife. Licenses are valid for one year but can usually be auto-renewed.
Here are four key things to know:
- Hunting without a license is a misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months in jail and/or $1,000.
- Most big game mammals can be hunted with centerfire rifles and handguns with a minimum .22 caliber.
- Muzzle-loading rifles must have a single barrel with a caliber of at least .45.
- Children between 12 and 17 may apply to get youth Nevada hunting licenses.
In this article, our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys provide an overview of the following Nevada hunting law topics:
- 1. Are hunting licenses required in Nevada?
- 2. When are hunting tags required?
- 3. Can hunters use firearms?
- 4. When is hunting season?
- 5. Are there immigration consequences for illegal hunting?
- 6. Can I get a record seal?
- 7. Related offenses
- Additional resources
1. Are hunting licenses required in Nevada?
You generally need a hunting license issued from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) to hunt animals in Nevada.1 Licenses are also necessary to hunt certain upland game birds and waterfowl. (No license is necessary to kill “unprotected species,” such as coyotes and black-tailed jackrabbits; however, trappers do need a trapping license to trap them.)
The prices of hunting licenses vary depending on whether you are a Nevada resident and intend to hunt, fish, and/or trap. For the latest license costs, click here.
Hunting and fishing licenses remain valid for one (1) year following purchase. However, these licenses can usually be auto-renewed.
You may be required to complete a hunter safety course to qualify for a license. For information about hunter education certificates, click here.
Licenses for children
Youth/apprentice hunting licenses are available to children in Nevada between 12 and 17 years old. Children under 12 are not allowed to partake in big game hunting ever; however, they may accompany adults who hunt big game animals.2
Hunting license penalties
Nevada makes it a misdemeanor for you to either:
- hunt without getting a license first3,
- give false information on a hunting license applicationt4,
- hunt without carrying your license on your person, or
- refuse to show your license to a law enforcement officer5
Misdemeanors carry up to
- six (6) months in jail and/or
- up to a $1,000 fine.
Note that the NDOW will suspend your license for failing to pay child support or to comply with certain subpoenas or warrants.6
2. When are hunting tags required?
You are required to apply for tags from the NDOW in order to hunt certain kinds of animals, including big game mammals like:
- mule deer,
- elk,
- pronghorn antelope,
- Nevada bighorn sheep,
- black bear,
- moose,
- mountain lion, and
- mountain goat
There are a limited number of available tags for each animal. Each tag entitles the hunter to kill one animal. You are required to attach the tag to the animal once it is dead.
For more information on how to obtain tags, click here.
Penalties
It is a gross misdemeanor in Nevada to make any false statement to obtain a big game tag. The penalties carry up to 364 days in jail and/or up to $2,000 in fines.7
Hunting Nevada wildlife on public land without a valid license is a misdemeanor.
3. Can hunters use firearms?
Under Nevada firearm laws, you may use firearms and handguns to hunt big game as long as they have a centerfire cartridge of a .22 caliber or more. You may also use muzzle-loading rifles to hunt big game if they have a single barrel of caliber .45 or larger. However, shotguns are generally legal to hunt only deer and mountain lions.8
Note that you need CCW permits in order to carry a concealed handgun while hunting. Learn more about carrying concealed weapons (NRS 202.305) and how to obtain a CCW permit in Nevada.
During hunting periods restricted to only archery equipment or muzzle-loading firearms, you can carry a handgun for self-defense if 1) the barrel length is less than eight inches, and 2) it does not have a telescopic sight.
Child hunters
Licensed children ages 14 and older may hunt by themselves with firearms as long as they have their parent’s or guardian’s permission. Note that written permission is required for handguns. If the child is traveling to or from the hunting grounds, the firearms must be unloaded.9
Note that children who hunt illegally face delinquency proceedings. Learn more about Nevada juvenile and firearm laws.
4. When is hunting season?
Hunting season is specific to each animal and changes from year to year. The NDOW determines these dates as well as the quotas for how many animals can be hunted during the season. For information about hunting seasons and hunting regulations in Nevada, click here.
5. Are there immigration consequences for illegal hunting?
It is unclear whether non-U.S. citizens who hunt without a license may face deportation. Even though the crime is just a misdemeanor, prosecutors are especially tough on immigrants when firearms are concerned.
Any alien charged with a criminal offense in the state of Nevada is advised to seek counsel right away. The goal would be to try to get the charges dismissed or reduced to charges that are non-removable.
6. Can I get a record seal?
There is a waiting period before you may seal your Nevada criminal convictions from your record. The wait depends on what class of crime you were convicted of:
| Nevada hunting crime category | Record seal wait time |
Gross misdemeanor:
| 2 years after the case ends |
Misdemeanor
| 1 year after the case ends |
Note that there is no waiting period to pursue a record seal if the charge gets dismissed.10 Learn more about Nevada record seal laws.
Hunting season is specific to the animal being hunted.
7. Related offenses
Shooting from a building or vehicle
Discharging a firearm from a building or vehicle (NRS 202.287) occurs when you wantonly or maliciously shoot a gun from inside of an automobile or structure. With limited exceptions under NRS 503.010, licensed hunters may not shoot their firearms from buildings or automobiles.
Discharging a gun in an area not located in a statutorily-recognized populated area is only a misdemeanor, carrying:
- up to 6 months in jail and/or
- up to $1,000
Otherwise, this crime is a category B felony, carrying:
- 2 to 15 years in Nevada State Prison, and/or
- up to $5,000 fines
A felony conviction will also cause you to lose your gun rights, which can be restored only through a pardon.
Aiding a child to possess a gun
As discussed above in section 3.1, there are limited situations where parents and guardians can allow children under 18 to hunt with firearms. Otherwise, it is unlawful for people to let minors possess a gun.
A first-time conviction of knowingly allowing a violent child to possess a firearm is a category C felony in Nevada, carrying:
- 1 to 5 years in prison,
- a possible fine of up to $10,000, and
- loss of firearm rights (which only a governor’s pardon can restore)
A second-time conviction of knowingly allowing a violent child to possess a firearm is a category B felony, carrying:
- 1 to 6 years in prison, and
- a possible fine of up to $5,000
Otherwise, permitting a child to possess a firearm is a misdemeanor, carrying:
- up to 6 months in jail, and/or
- up to $1,000 in fines
Learn more about allowing minors to possess firearms (NRS 202.300).
Possessing a firearm under the influence
It is always illegal in Nevada to possess a firearm while either:
- having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher; or
- being too impaired by alcohol, drugs, or another substance to safely handle a gun
Possessing a firearm while under the influence (NRS 202.257) is a misdemeanor, carrying:
- up to 6 months in jail, and/or
- up to $1,000 in fines
You may also have to give up your gun.
Additional Resources
For more in-depth information, see these Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) websites:
- Nevada Hunting Rules & Regulations
- Hunting Licenses – Apply & Buy
- Plan Your Hunt
- Outdoor Education
- Top 10 Big Game Resources
Legal References
- NRS 502.010. License or permit required for hunting or fishing; exceptions; limitations on hunting by minors. See also: Flick v. Nevada Fish & Game Comm’n, (1959) 75 Nev. 100, 335 P.2d 422; Whiterock v. State (1996) 112 Nev. 775, 918 P.2d 1309; State v. Wheeler (1896) . Ex Parte Crosby (1915) .
- NRS 502.066.
- NRS 502.010.
- NRS 502.060.
- Nevada Senate Bill 17 (2019).
- NRS 502.060.
- NAC 503.142.
- NRS 202.300.
- NRS 179.245; NRS 179.255.