If you’re preparing for the upcoming Nevada hunting seasons from 2025 – 2026, you’re in the right place.
This state offers abundant game animals and almost 80% public lands. Whether you’re looking for mule deer, pronghorn antelope, or the mysterious mountain lion, there are a variety of options available for hunting.
For wildlife conservation, every state has its own rules set for hunting activities. It is crucial to know about the hunting dates and regulations in Nevada. Now, let’s explore the information required for a successful and pleasant hunting experience!
What Can You Hunt In Nevada?
Nevada’s wildlife resources cover everything from big mountain game to birds and small game. Here is a quick summary of what you can hunt in Nevada:
- Big game: mule deer, elk, turkey, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, black bear, and moose.
- Small game & upland birds: rabbits/hares, pheasant, chukar, quail, grouse, sage-grouse, etc.
- Waterfowl & migratory birds: ducks, geese, scaup, and doves.
- Furbearers/other: coyotes, foxes, bobcats, hogs, etc.
The largest herd of big game animals right now is mule deer, with about 72,000 deer in the 2025 season. Elk hunters usually have the best luck, with around a 40% success rate for getting tags.
Turkey hunters had a success rate of around 43% in the latest reports, also good for spring gobblers. Antelope hunters usually have the highest success rate, close to 80% during specific buck seasons.
However, success for small game and waterfowl can vary based on the weather and local populations, so some seasons for upland birds or ducks will be easier or harder depending on the year.
These percentages give you an idea of how often hunters catch some popular big game animals.
Nevada Deer Hunting Seasons
Deer hunting seasons in Nevada vary across different units. While it can be challenging to navigate all the details, we’ve created the following table to provide clear information on the areas and specific dates for each deer hunting season.
Check and match your schedule with the zone you are going to hunt on.
Resident Junior Mule Deer Hunts – Antlered
| Unit Group | Weapons | Dates |
| 014, 051, 061, 062, 064, 066 – 068, 065, 071 – 079, 091, 114, 115, 131 – 134, 141 – 145, 151 – 156, 171 – 173, 194, 196, 221 – 223, 241 – 245 | Archery, Muzzleloader | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 |
| 81 | Archery, Muzzleloader | Nov 10 – Nov 20 Nov 21 – Dec 10 |
| 101 – 109 | Archery, Muzzleloader | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Sept 30 |
| 014, 051, 065 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
| 061, 062, 064, 066-068, 071 – 079, 091, 114, 115, 151 – 156, 171 – 173 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| 81 | Any Legal Weapon | Dec 11 – Jan 1 |
| 101 – 109 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 1 – Nov 2 |
| 131 – 134, 221 – 223, 241 – 245 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Oct 31 |
| 194, 196 | Any Legal Weapon | Nov 5 – Nov 30 |
| 015 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Dec 11 – Jan 1 |
| 021 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Dec 1 – Dec 10 Dec 11 – Dec 20 Dec 21 – Jan 1 |
| 011 – 013, 022, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 041, 042, 043, 044, 046, 045 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
| 111 – 113, 121, 161 – 164, 195, 251 – 254 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| 181 – 184 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
| 192, 261 – 268, 271, 272, 291 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Nov 5 – Nov 30 |
| 201, 202, 204 – 208 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Nov 5 – Nov 30 Dec 1 – Dec 15 Dec 16 – Jan 1 |
| 181 – 184 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
| 192 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Nov 5 – Nov 30 |
| 203 | Archery, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Nov 5 – Nov 30 |
| 211 – 213 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 10 Nov 5 – Nov 30 |
| 231 | Archery, Muzzleloader, Any Legal Weapon | Aug 10 – Sept 9 Sept 10 – Oct 4 Oct 5 – Oct 31 |
Antlered Mule Deer Season
| Unit Group | Weapons | Dates |
| 011 – 013, 014, 022, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 041, 042, 043, 044, 046, 045, 051, 065, 181 – 184 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Nov 5 |
| 015, 081, 021 | Any Legal Weapon | Dec 11 – Jan 1 |
| 115 | Any Legal Weapon | Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
| 061, 062, 064, 066 – 068, 071 – 079, 091，111 – 113, 114, 115, 121, 131 – 134, 141 – 145, 151 – 156, 161 – 164, 221-223 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Oct 20 |
| 171 – 173 Early | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Oct 16 |
| 101 – 109 Early | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 1 – Oct 16 |
| 101 – 109 Mid | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 17 – Oct 30 |
| 171 – 173 Mid | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 17 – Oct 30 |
| 101 – 109 Late | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 31 – Nov 8 |
| 111 – 113 Late, 114, 115, 121, 131 – 134, 141 – 145, 151 – 156, 161 – 164, 221-223 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 21 – Nov 5 |
| 171 – 173 Late | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 31 – Nov 8 |
| 192, 194, 196，201, 203, 204, 211-213, 261-268, 271, 272, 291 | Any Legal Weapon | Nov 5 – Nov 30 |
| 195, 251-254 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| 231, 241-245 | Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5 – Oct 31 |
Mule Deer Muzzleloader Season
| Unit Group | Weapons | Dates |
| 011–015, 022, 031–035, 041–046, 051, 061–068, 065, 071–079,091, 101–109, 111–113, 121, 131–134, 141–145, 151–156, 161–164, 171–173, 192, 194,196, 195, 221–223, 231, 241–245, 251 – 254, 261 – 268, 271, 272, 291 | Muzzleloader | Sept 10 – Oct 4 |
| 021 | Muzzleloader | Dec 11 – Dec 20 |
| 211–213 | Muzzleloader | Sept 10 – Oct 10 |
| 114,115, 181–184 | Muzzleloader | Nov 10 – Nov 30 |
| 201,204, 202,205–208 | Muzzleloader | Dec 1 – Dec 15 |
| 081 | Muzzleloader | Nov 21 – Dec 10 |
Mule Deer Archery Season
| Unit Group | Weapons | Dates |
| 013, 014, 015, 022, 031, 032, 033, 034, 035, 041, 042, 043, 044, 045, 046, 051, 061, 062, 064, 065, 066–068, 071–079, 091 Early, 081 Early, 101–109 Early, 111–113, 114, 115, 121 Early, 131–134, 141–145, 151–156, 161–164, 171–173, 181–184, 192 Early, 194,196 Early, 195, 201,202,204–208 Early, 203 Early, 211–213, 221–223, 231, 241–245, 251–254, 261–268, 271, 272, 291 | Archery | Aug 10 – Sept 9 |
| 21 | Archery | Dec 1 – Dec 10 |
| 071–079, 091 Late, 081 Late, 101–109 Late, 121 Late | Archery | Nov 10 – Nov 20 |
| 192 Late, 194,196 Late | Archery | Dec 1 – Jan 1 |
| 201,204 Late, 202,205–208 Late, 203 Late | Archery | Dec 16 – Jan 1 |
🔔According to research, the big game hunting data reveals that the following deer hunting units provided the most satisfying experiences, achieving a 100% successful harvest rate for hunters: 011-015, 031-032, 041-046, 111-115, 121, 131-134, 141-145, 151-156, 161-164, 171-173, 192, 202-208, 221-223, as well as 241-245.
Nevada Black Bear Seasons
Date: Sept 15 – Dec 1, 2025
Bag Limits:
- Units 192, 194 – 196, 291: total hunting limit is 15
- Units 201- 204, 206: total hunting limit is 12
- Units 203 and 291: total hunting limit is 15
The season will be closed earlier when the harvest limits are met. Hunters can call the Black Bear Harvest Hotline to check if the quota is still available or not.
Nevada’s Big Game Hunting Seasons.pdf is separated into different periods in different hunting units. Check the link for detailed information so that you can know when and where to hunt the big game animals.
Nevada Turkey Hunting Seasons
In Nevada, the turkey seasons usually start in late March and run through early May.
Let’s continue to check the following are the detailed schedules for the turkey hunting season for different types of hunters: youths, residents, and non-residents.
Junior Spring Turkey Seasons (Resident)
- Hunt Unit 203 of Lyon County: March 21 – May 3, 2026
- Moapa Valley of Clark County: March 21 – April 12, 2026
- Units 102, and 065 within Elko County: March 21 – May 3, 2026
- Unit 115 within White Pine County: March 21 – May 3, 2026
- Pershing County: March 21 – May 3, 2026
- Units 151 and 152 of Lander County: March 21 – May 3, 2026
- Unit 154 of Lander County: March 21 – May 3, 2026
- Lincoln County: March 21 – May 3, 2026
Spring Turkey Seasons (Resident)
| Units | Season Dates |
| Moapa Valley portion of Clark County | March 21 – March 27, 2026 |
| Moapa Valley portion of Clark County | March 28 – April 3, 2026 |
| Moapa Valley portion of Clark County | April 4 – April 10, 2026 |
| Hunt Unit 203 of Lyon County | March 28 – April 5, 2026 |
| Hunt Unit 203 of Lyon County | April 11 – April 19, 2026 |
| Units 151 and 152 of Lander County | March 28 – April 12, 2026 |
| Hunt Unit 203 of Lyon County | April 25 – May 3, 2026 |
| Units 151 and 152 of Lander County | April 25 – May 3, 2026 |
| Unit 091 of Elko County, Unit 101 of Elko County, Units 102 and 065 of Elko County, Units 103 and 108 of Elko and White Pine County, Unit 115 of White Pine County, Unit 154 of Lander County, Units 223 and 231 of Lincoln County, Units 241 and 242 of Lincoln County, That portion of Unit 202 in Lyon County and Unit 204, Pershing County | March 28 – May 3, 2026 |
Resident and Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunt
- Open Counties: Paradise Valley of Humboldt County
- Date: March 28 – May 3, 2026
- Limit: One bearded turkey
Nonresident Spring Turkey Hunt
- Unit 102 & 065 of Elko County: March 28 – May 3, 2026
- Units 241-242 of Lincoln: March 28 – May 3, 2026
- Moapa Valley Portion of Clark County: March 21 – Mar. 27, 2026
- Pershing County: March 28 – May 3, 2026
The above seasons are limited-entry hunts. The bag limit for the non-resident turkey season is only one bearded turkey by tag. Hunters can apply for the tag through a drawing.
Fall Turkey Season
- Oct. 4 – Oct. 26
The Fall turkey season is open in Paradise Valley of Humboldt County. Both the Resident and Nonresident hunters can take part in this hunt. Each hunter can only harvest one turkey of either sex, starting from one half hour before sunrise to sunset.
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Nevada Waterfowl Seasons
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt
- Northeast Zone: Sept. 20 – 21, 2025
- Northwest Zone: Sept. 27 and Feb. 7, 2026
- South Zone: Feb. 7 – 8, 2026
- Rest Zone: Oct. 18, 2025
Ducks and Mergansers Season
- Northeast Zone: Sept. 27 – Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 13 – Jan. 19, 2026
- Northwest Zone: Oct. 11 – Jan. 4, 2026 and Jan. 7 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone: Oct. 25 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone (Except the Moapa Valley): Oct. 11 – Oct. 19, 2025 and Oct. 22 – Jan. 25, 2026
Scaup Season
- Northeast Zone: Sept. 27 – Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 13 – Dec. 31, 2026
- Northwest Zone: Oct. 30 – Jan. 4, 2026 and Jan. 7 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone (Except the Moapa Valley): Nov. 1 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone – Moapa Valley to the confluence of the Muddy and Virgin Rivers: Nov. 1 – Jan. 25, 2026
Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, White-Fronted Geese and Brant
- Northeast Zone: Sept. 27 – Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 13 – Jan.19, 2026
- Northwest Zone: Oct. 11 – Jan. 4, 2025 and Jan. 7 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone (Except the Moapa Valley): Oct. 11 – Oct. 19, 2025 and Oct. 22 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone: Oct. 25 – Jan. 25, 2026
Snow and Ross’ Geese
- Northeast Zone: Oct. 11 – Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 13 – Jan.19, 2026 and Feb. 23 – Mar. 8, 2026
- Northwest Zone: Oct. 25 – Jan. 4, 2026 and Jan. 7 – Jan. 25, 2026 and Feb. 23 – Mar. 8, 2026
- South Zone (Except the Moapa Valley): Oct. 11 – Oct. 19, 2025 and Oct. 22 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone: Oct. 25 – Jan. 25, 2026
Snipe
- Northeast Zone: Sept. 27 – Dec. 2, 2025 and Dec. 13 – Jan. 19, 2026
- Northwest Zone: Oct. 11 – Jan. 4, 2026 and Jan. 7 -25, 2026
- South Zone (Except the Moapa Valley): Oct. 11 – 19, 2025 and Oct. 22 – Jan. 25, 2026
- South Zone: Oct. 25 – Jan. 25, 2026
Swan
- Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties: Oct. 11 – Jan. 6, 2026 and Jan. 7 – 25, 2026
After checking out the season dates, the following are the limits on how many game birds you can hunt each day and the whole season.
| Species | Daily Limits | Possession Limits |
| Ducks and Mergansers | 7 | 21 |
| Scaup | 2 | 6 |
| Canada Geese, Cackling Geese and Brant | 5 | 15 |
| Snipe | 8 | 24 |
| Swan | 1 | 2 |
Nevada Upland Game Bird Seasons
In Nevada, there are various types of upland game birds you can hunt. The bird hunting seasons are as follows:
- Youth California and Gambel’s Quail: Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2025
- Youth Chukar Partridge: Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2025
- Youth Hungarian (Gray) Partridge: Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2025
- Youth Rabbit: Sept. 27 – Oct. 5, 2025
- Sage Grouse: Sept. 210 – 28, 2025 and Sept. 20 – 21, 2025 and Sept. 27-28, 2025
- Mourning and White-Winged Dove: Sept. 1 – Oct. 30, 2025
- American Crow: Sept. 1 – Nov. 17 and March 1 – April 15, 2026
- Chukar Partridge: Oct. 11 – Feb. 1, 2026
- Hungarian (Gray) Partridge: Oct. 12 – Feb. 2, 2025
- California and Gambel’s Quail: Oct. 11 – Feb. 1, 2026
- Mountain Quail: Oct. 11 – Feb. 1, 2026
- Rabbit: Nov. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
- Pheasant: Nov. 1 – 30, 2025
| Species | Daily Limits | Possession Limits |
| Youth California and Gambel’s Quail | California Quail: 10 Gambel’s Quail: 5 |
California Quail: 30 Gambel’s Quail: 15 |
| Youth Chukar Partridge | 6 | 18 |
| Youth Hungarian (Gray) Partridge | 4 | 12 |
| Sage Grouse | 2 | 2 |
| Mourning and White-Winged Dove | 15 | 45 |
| American Crow | 10 | 10 |
| Chukar Partridge | 6 | 18 |
| Hungarian (Gray) Partridge | 4 | 12 |
| California and Gambel’s Quail | California Quail: 10 Gambel’s Quail: 5 |
California Quail: 30 Gambel’s Quail: 15 |
| Mountain Quail | 2 | 6 |
| Rabbit | 5 | 15 |
| Pheasant | 2 | 6 |
Nevada Hunting License and Tags
These licenses are annual licenses, and hunters can renew their licenses every year to keep the licenses up to date.
| License Types | Resident Costs | Non-resident Costs |
| Resident annual hunting license | $38 | N/A |
| Resident combination hunting and fishing license | $75 | N/A |
| Resident trapping license | $40 | N/A |
| Resident youth combination hunting and fishing license | $15 | N/A |
| Resident youth trapping license | $15 | N/A |
| Disabled Veteran Specialty Combination | $15 | N/A |
| Nonresident youth combination hunting and fishing license | N/A | $15 |
| Nonresident combination hunting and fishing license | N/A | $155 |
| Nonresident trapping license | N/A | $188 |
To hunt game animals such as big game, swans, or doves, it requires a hunting license and a permit tag.
The first thing you need to do is to apply for a tag. In Nevada, tags are acquired through a drawing system that begins with the Main Draw Application Period from March 24 to May 7.
Following the primary draw, there is a secondary draw for any tags that were not claimed or were returned. The more bonus points an applicant has, the better their chances of receiving the lowest draw number for a tag.
To check the previous draw results, you can check the file here:
The costs of the tags are as follows:
| Tag Types | Resident Tag Costs | Nonresident Tag Costs |
| Mule Deer Tag | $30.00 | $240.00 |
| Antelope Tag | $60.00 | $300.00 |
| Bighorn Sheep Tag | $120.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Elk Tag | $120.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Elk Incentive Tag | $120.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Rocky Mountain Goat Tag | $120.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Mountain Lion Tag | $29.00 | $104.00 |
| Moose Tag | $120.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Black Bear Tag | $100.00 | $300.00 |
| Duplicate Tag | $10.00 | N/A |
| Nonrefundable Predator Fee | $3.00 | N/A |
| Nonrefundable Elk Damage Fee | $5.00 | N/A |
| Restricted Nonresident Guided Deer Tag | N/A | $300.00 |
| Landowner Damage Compensation Tag-Mule Deer & Antelope | N/A | $50.00 |
| Turkey Tag | $20.00 | $50.00 |
Nevada General Hunting Regulations
The state set some rules for hunters, and everyone should acknowledge the regulations about hunting methods, licenses, and legal actions for big game and small game hunting:
- Hunter Education: If you were born after January 1, 1960, you must complete a Nevada Hunters Safety Course and show proof to buy a Nevada hunting license.
- Hunting License: Anyone 12 years or older must have a hunting license to hunt game birds or mammals in Nevada.
- Trail Cameras: You cannot use trail cameras on public land from August 1 to December 31 each year.
- Baiting: It’s illegal to bait big game mammals for hunting.
- Dogs: It is unlawful to hunt or chase black bear, furbearer or turkey with dogs.
- Electronic Devices: You cannot hunt wildlife using any kind of radio or electronic device.
- Private Property: Always get permission from the landowner before hunting or trapping on private land.
- Waste: Do not waste any edible parts of game birds or mammals.
- Scopes: Using scopes or battery-powered sights while hunting is not allowed.
- Firearms: You cannot use firearms that can fire multiple rounds with one trigger pull.
- Big Game Hunting: For big games, you can use rifles and handguns with a .22 caliber or larger cartridge, but no larger than .50.
- Archery: Legal arrows must have a broadhead, be at least 24 inches long, and weigh a minimum of 300 grains.
- Crossbows: Crossbows must have a draw weight of at least 125 pounds. The crossbow bolts must be at least 16 inches long and weigh 300 grains.
- Youth Hunting: Young hunters under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when hunting with a firearm.
- Mistaken Shots: If you accidentally shoot the wrong animal, report it immediately to a local game warden.
- Hunting Areas: Make sure to check your hunt areas or units on the hunting tag, as you cannot hunt outside the designated boundaries.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! Knowing the hunting seasons in Nevada is important for a successful wilderness adventure. Following the correct dates and regulations allows you to fully enjoy the experience while hunting responsibly.
Get your equipment, organize your trips, and well prepare for a memorable season filled with excitement and success!
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