Nevada

Nevada runs its big-game tags through a random, computerized draw operated by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). Unlike states with a preference-point queue, Nevada uses a bonus point system: your accumulated points give you more chances in the lottery, but never a guaranteed tag.

Most big-game species — deer, elk, pronghorn (antelope), bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, and black bear — are tag-draw only. Mountain lion is the exception and is sold over the counter year-round. Both residents and nonresidents can apply, though nonresident tag numbers are capped, so competition for nonresident tags is especially tight.

You must hold a valid Nevada hunting license to apply in the draw and to earn bonus points. A point is awarded when you hold a license and apply but come up empty in the draw for that species category.

Bonus points are tracked by species category (for example, antlered deer, antlerless deer, antlered elk), and you can only earn one point per category per year. Points reset to zero when you draw a tag in that category — or if you fail to apply for two consecutive years. If you want to build points without hunting a given year, you can buy a point through a point-only application (with a hunting license and a nonrefundable fee).

Applications are submitted online through NDOW's draw system. On a single application you rank your hunt choices in order of preference — typically up to five choices — and the draw evaluates them from your first choice down.

Party applications are allowed: a group can apply together, and the party's bonus points are averaged (total points divided by the number of hunters, rounded to the nearest whole number) so the group is treated as a single unit in the draw.

For the 2026 season, the big-game application deadline was May 7 at 11:00 PM PST, with draw results released on or before May 23. Nevada's main big-game draw is a spring event with results in late May.

Dates shift slightly year to year, so always confirm the current deadlines and results date in the current Nevada Big Game Digest before you apply.

Here's the plain-English version of Nevada's bonus points: the system takes your point total, squares it, and adds one to decide how many random numbers you get. Zero points = one random number; ten points = 101 random numbers (10 squared, plus one). Every applicant's lowest random number becomes their draw number, and tags go to the lowest numbers first.

More points means more chances at a low number, which meaningfully improves your odds — but because it's still a lottery, even maximum-point applicants sometimes miss. Points increase probability; they never guarantee a tag. TAGZ calculates draw odds separately using historical NDOW data; that methodology is covered in its own section.

Licenses (2025 schedule): a resident adult hunting license runs about $38, and a resident combination hunting/fishing license about $75. Nonresidents generally buy the combination license at roughly $155. A small processing fee is added at purchase.

Tag fees are charged separately when you draw. Resident tag examples: deer about $30, antelope about $60, elk about $120. Nonresident tags cost considerably more — deer about $240, and premium species like bighorn sheep, elk, and mountain goat around $1,200 for nonresidents. These are approximate; see the current fee schedule for exact amounts.