How Much Does a Nevada Hunting License Cost?
A Nevada hunting license costs $38 a year for residents and $155 a year for non-residents, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). That base license covers upland game and waterfowl during open seasons, but big game like mule deer, elk, and antelope all require a separate tag on top of it, most of which are only available through a competitive draw.
Nevada runs its license on a rolling 365-day cycle from the date of purchase rather than a fixed calendar year, so your renewal date depends entirely on when you bought your last license. A $1 processing fee is also added to every license, tag, and stamp purchase.
Once you add a big game tag, the total cost of a Nevada season can climb sharply, especially for non-residents pursuing elk or bighorn sheep. Here's what the latest costs for a Nevada hunting license look like.
How Much Does a Nevada Hunting License Cost?
Nevada keeps its base license affordable, but non-residents pay roughly double the resident rate for the standard combination license, and Nevada doesn't sell a hunting-only license to non-residents at all.
Common Nevada Hunting License Fees | ||
| License Type | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Adult Hunting License (18 and older, hunting only) | $38.00 | Not available |
| Adult Hunt/Fish Combination (18 and older) | $75.00 | $155.00 |
| Youth Hunt/Fish Combination (12–17) | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Apprentice Hunting License (12 and older, NDOW offices only) | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Senior Specialty Combination (65 and older, 6-month residency) | $15.00 | Not available |
Non-residents can only buy the combination license, not a hunting-only option, which is worth knowing before you budget for a Nevada trip. Also, the Apprentice Hunting License is available only in person at NDOW offices and lets first-time hunters try the sport while still meeting the state's requirements.
Required Stamps and Permits
A Nevada hunting license alone doesn't cover big game. You'll need to add a tag for whatever you're hunting, and nearly every big game species runs through an annual draw rather than an over-the-counter sale.
Nevada Hunting Permits and Stamps | ||
| Item | Resident | Non-Resident |
| Mule Deer Tag | $30.00 | $240.00 |
| Elk Tag | $120.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Antelope Tag | $60.00 | $300.00 |
| Black Bear Tag | $100.00 | $300.00 |
| Turkey Tag | $20.00 | $50.00 |
| Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp (16 and up) | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Swan Permit | $10.00 | $10.00 |
Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, and moose tags run even higher, at $120 for residents and $1,200 for non-residents each. Mountain lion is the one big game species sold over the counter rather than through the draw, priced at $29 for residents and $104 for non-residents.
Youth and Discounted Licenses
Nevada offers several ways to bring down costs for younger hunters, seniors, and veterans.
- Youth Hunt/Fish Combination (ages 12–17): Priced at $15 for both residents and non-residents, well below the standard adult rate.
- Senior Specialty Combination (65 and older): This license is just $15 for residents with at least six months of Nevada residency, a steep discount from the standard $75 resident combination license.
- Specialty licenses for service members, veterans, and Native American residents: Active-duty and disabled veterans qualify for a $15 combination license, and enrolled tribal members qualify for one priced at $10.
These discounts make it considerably more affordable for younger hunters to get started and for seniors, veterans, and service members to stay in the field.
What Is a Nevada Hunting License?
A Nevada hunting license is the legal document issued by NDOW that allows you to hunt upland game and waterfowl in the state. It comes in several forms, including
- The standard Adult Hunting License
- A combined Hunt/Fish license
- A discounted Youth Combination for ages 12 to 17
- Specialty combination licenses for seniors, veterans, and tribal members
The license is separate from your hunter education certificate. The certificate proves you completed an approved safety course, and once earned, it's valid for life. The license itself, by contrast, runs on a 365-day cycle from the purchase date and must be bought again each year to keep hunting.
Who Needs a Nevada Hunting License?
Nevada residents and non-residents age 12 and older need a hunting license to legally hunt game birds or mammals in the state, and anyone younger than 12 may not legally hunt big game. A narrow exemption applies to a handful of unprotected species, including house sparrows, starlings, and coyotes, which can be taken without a license.
For the full breakdown of license types and current fees, NDOW's hunting license and tag page lays out every option in detail.
What Are the Requirements to Get a Hunting License in Nevada?
Before buying a license, most Nevada hunters need to clear the state's hunter education requirement.
Anyone born after January 1, 1960, must show proof of a hunter education certification before buying a hunting license.
The course covers:
- Firearm and archery safety
- Wildlife identification and conservation
- Nevada-specific hunting laws and ethics
Nevada splits its field day requirement by age. Hunters 18 and older can complete the entire course online with no in-person component, while hunters under 18 must also attend an in-person Final Hunter Education Class, which carries a small $5 course fee.
The Hunter-Ed Nevada course is one NDOW-approved option for the fully online, no-field-day path.
How to Get a Nevada Hunting License
Getting licensed in Nevada is straightforward for adults, though younger hunters need to budget time for the required in-person class.
- Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born after January 1, 1960.
- Choose your license type: Adult Hunting License, Adult Combination, Youth Combination, or a specialty combination license.
- Purchase your license online through NDOW's licensing system, by phone, at an NDOW office, or through a licensed agent.
- Apply for any species tags you need, such as a mule deer, elk, or turkey tag, most of which require an annual draw application.
- Add the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp if you're hunting waterfowl.
- Carry your license, hunter education certificate if required, and any tags any time you're in the field.
You can purchase your hunting license directly through NDOW's online licensing system, or in person at NDOW offices and licensed agents statewide.
Why It's Important to Have a Hunting License
Buying a Nevada hunting license does more than keep you legal in the field.
- Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and tag revenue funds NDOW's work managing mule deer, elk, antelope, and other big game populations across the state.
- Population Management: Nevada's draw system for big game gives NDOW the harvest data needed to keep herds sustainable across its many hunt units.
- Legal Compliance: Hunting without a valid license or tag can lead to fines and citations that cost more than getting licensed correctly from the start.
- Ethical Hunting: A license ties every hunt to a defined season, unit, and bag limit, keeping the sport fair and consistent for everyone afield.
- Public Land Access: License and tag revenue helps support the vast public lands Nevada hunters rely on each season.
Costs and rules vary by unit and species, so it's worth checking current season dates and application deadlines before you finalize your plans. And because hunting license costs and requirements vary widely by state, it's worth confirming Nevada's specific rules even if you've hunted elsewhere.
Ready to Hunt in Nevada? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License
A Nevada hunting license is one of the more affordable base licenses in the West, but the real cost climbs fast once you factor in a big game tag. This is especially true for non-residents chasing elk or bighorn sheep through the draw.
Whether you're applying for a mule deer tag or getting a young hunter started with the discounted youth license, knowing the full fee breakdown ahead of time means no surprises at checkout.
Complete your hunter education course if it applies to you. Then, get your hunting licenses and permits to fit your plans, and you'll be ready for opening day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is the Nevada hunting license fee a one-time payment?
A: No, a Nevada hunting license expires 365 days after purchase and must be bought again to keep hunting, regardless of the calendar date. However, the hunter education course is a one-time requirement. The certification never expires once earned.
Q: Are there discounts for Nevada hunting licenses?
A: Yes. Nevada offers a $15 Youth Hunt/Fish Combination for ages 12 to 17, a $15 Senior Specialty Combination for residents 65 and older, and $15 specialty combinations for service members and disabled veterans. Enrolled tribal members qualify for a $10 Native American Specialty Combination.
Q: How much does a non-resident hunting license cost in Nevada?
A: A Nevada non-resident Adult Hunt/Fish Combination costs $155, since Nevada doesn't sell a hunting-only license to non-residents. Non-resident youth ages 12 to 17 pay $15, the same rate as residents.
Q: Does a Nevada hunting license expire on a fixed date?
A: No. A Nevada hunting license runs on a rolling 365-day cycle from the date you buy it rather than a fixed calendar year. That means your personal renewal date depends entirely on your purchase date, not the calendar.
Q: How much does a Nevada big game tag cost?
A: A resident mule deer tag costs $30, while a resident elk tag costs $120. Non-residents pay $240 for deer and $1,200 for elk. Nearly every big game species in Nevada requires a separate tag obtained through an annual draw, on top of the base hunting license.
Q: How much does the Nevada hunter education course cost?
A: Nevada's online hunter education course through Hunter-Ed costs $39.95, and hunters under 18 also pay a small $5 fee for the required in-person Final Hunter Education Class. Hunters 18 and older can complete the entire requirement online with no additional in-person fee.
