Hunting season is always a time of anticipation for hunting enthusiasts. If you are preparing for the deer hunting season in Nevada, then we have got you covered. In this article, our goal is to give you all the information you need to ensure that you can legally get out there and have a fantastic time hunting deer. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at deer hunting in Nevada.
Season Dates
Below are the season dates for hunting in Nevada.
| Deer Season Nevada | Date (start-end) |
|---|---|
| Deer Season Nevada | Date (start-end) |
| Archery | Aug 10th, 2022-Jan 1st, 2023 |
| Junior Archery | Aug 10th, 2022-Jan 1st, 2023 |
| Muzzleloader | Sep 10th, 2022-Dec 20th, 2022 |
| Junior Muzzleloader | Sep 10th, 2022-Dec 20th, 2022 |
| Resident Antlerless | Oct 5th, 2022-Nov 20th, 2022 |
| Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5th, 2022-Jan 1st, 2023 |
| Junior Any Legal Weapon | Oct 5th, 2022-Nov 30th, 2022 |
Licensing and Tag Fees
When it comes to purchasing a license in Nevada, they are divided into two categories, namely, resident or nonresident licenses. Keep in mind that at the time of purchase of any of the licenses below, a $1 processing fee will be added to the total cost.
| Residential Hunting & Fishing License | Fees | Non-Residential Hunting & Fishing License | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult Combination- 18 years of age and older. | $75 | Adult Combination | $155 |
| Youth Combination- 12-17 years old. | $15 | Youth Combination | $15 |
| Adult hunting- 18 years and older | $38 | Apprentice Hunting License | $15 |
| Apprentice Hunting License- 12 years of age and up. | $15 | 1 day combination permit | $23 |
| Consecutive Day | $8 |
An additional expense is added after the license comes because you need to purchase tags for the animal you are targeting. In this case, deer tags are relatively cheap for residents and more expensive for non-residents. Let’s look at tag fees for hunting deer in Nevada:
| Application Fees | |
|---|---|
| Silver State | $20 |
| Partnership in Wildlife ( in addition to the regular application fee) | $10 |
| All big game tags (except mountain lion) | $10 |
| Bonus point only application | $10 |
| Application processing | $1 |
The deer tag for residents of Nevada is $30, excluding the processing fees. For non-residents the deer tag is $240. You can also duplicate the tag for an extra $10. Check the Nevada e-regulations for more information on tags and residency in Nevada.
Limits and Hunting Hours
Hunters are limited to one animal per tag. If they desire to shoot more, they will need to purchase more tags, but the number will be limited to one tag per species per year, depending on the type of license they have purchased. Hunting hours are set from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after.
The quotas for the 2022-2023 hunting season remain the same as set in the handbook until they are re-evaluated in March 2023. The current quotas are set by weapon class, unit group, season dates for hunting, and then resident and non-resident deer quotas. The quotas range from 2 in a region to over 1000 in total in other regions.
What Weapons can you Hunt Deer within Nevada?
For mule deer in Nevada, you can use the following weapons:
- Archery- Bow & Arrow
- Muzzleloading rifles
- Centerfire firearms
- Shotguns
- Crossbows
It’s important that the weapons you use above are in line with the weapon regulations set by the state of Nevada. Let’s take a look at the weapon regulations:
Firearms:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Rifles | To legally use a rifle, it must be a centerfire cartridge, between.22 and.50 caliber, no larger. |
| Shotguns | Must have a 10, 12, 16, or 20 gauge. Rounds need to be sabots with a single expanding projectile for deer. |
| Handguns | Must have a.22 caliber centerfire cartridge or larger. Barrel length must not exceed 4”. |
| Prohibited Firearms | Any automatic firearms are prohibited |
| Prohibited Ammunition | Tracer, incendiary bullets, full metal jacket, full steel, and full steel core ammunition are prohibited. |
Bow and Arrow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrows | Arrows must be 24” from the nock to the tip of the broadhead. The weight of the grain needs to be 300. |
| Broadheads | Must be 7-8 inches at the widest point. |
| Bow characteristics | Peak weight of 40 pounds and over. Compound bows are limited at 80% after drawback. |
Crossbow:
| Weapon | Details |
|---|---|
| Crossbow draw weight | Minimum draw weight of 125 pounds. The minimum power stroke of 14 inches. Requires a safety function and an 18-inch long stock. |
| Arrows/ bolts | 16 inches long, weigh 300 grains, and have an appropriate broadhead attached. |
| Broadheads | Must be 7-8 inches at the widest point. |
Muzzleloading Rifle and Musket:
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Powder | black powder or black powder substitute only. |
| Caliber | Single barrel of.45 caliber or larger. |
| Legal projectile | Sabot round, lead ball, lead bullet, semi-jacketed bullet, or metal alloy expanding bullet. |
| Ignition | Matchlock, flintlock ignition system, percussion ignition system with a primer or percussion cap, or a wheel-lock. |
What Types of Deer are popular in Nevada?
The selection of deer to hunt in Nevada is rather limited. The only deer available to hunt is the Mule deer. They are easy to spot as they are the only deer in the region and are on the priority list for conservation in the US. They can be identified by their ears. They are long, like mules. Another giveaway feature of the Mule Deer is the white patch under its throat.
What else is Popular to Hunt in Nevada?
There are tons of other animals for which you can purchase tags to hunt in Nevada. Keep in mind that some animals, like predators, will require you to have a special permit to hunt. Here’s a list of the other animals you can hunt in Nevada:
- Antelope
- Black Bear
- Bighorn Sheep
- Elk
- Mountain Goat
- Mountain Lion
NB: Be sure to check the regulations on hunting these animals before you get out there.
Hunting in Nevada can be incredibly rewarding. Be sure to check out when the seasons open and what regulations you need to stick to when hunting, and you will set yourself up for a great season. The Mule Deer is a beautiful animal to target, and if you get the right tag, you might just hit the jackpot. Enjoy the season.