Source: Nevada Department of Wildlife

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New Or Noteworthy For This Year

State Information

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The Draw System

Nevada's Mule Deer Breakdown

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Nevada's 2026 mule deer application overview

Note: The application deadline for all Nevada species is May 13, 2026, by 11:00 p.m. PT. You can apply online here.

Feral Horses: Some Alarming Information in Nevada

Once again, I'm going to place this at the top of this article because I want people to see it. Back in 2016, I did an article titled "The colossal backlash of feral horses on wildlife." That article looked at the population of feral horses across a variety of western states, especially in Nevada. That article has been updated for 2026, so be sure to check But I wanted to present some information I found when working on that article ahead of time.

Nevada’s mule deer populations have continued to decline over the past decade, largely due to a lack of consistent precipitation, large-scale range fires, conversion of native shrubs to invasive grasses, and degraded range conditions from feral horses and burros. In 2021, NDOW established the Mule Deer Enhancement Program (MDEP) to address declining mule deer herds throughout the state. The MDEP is a committee and stakeholder-based program led by teams of biologists from the NDOW and includes partners from state and local agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). As of this report, there have been over 17 new habitat projects approved by the MDEP Oversight Committee for 2022, and 5 new radio-collar projects to investigate limiting factors for mule deer. The MDEP program will continue to identify projects and funding designed to improve habitat and gain a better understanding of mule deer ecology, including predator-prey dynamics, impacts from competition with feral equids, and migration corridors.

The figure below compares the numbers of all Nevada’s native big-game animal equivalents to horses and burros in terms of biomass, 2008-2022. It’s very alarming!

Figure 1. Statewide comparison 2008-2022 of the estimated number of free-roaming horses and burros to the biomass equivalent of all native big game animals in Nevada.

Feral equids are disproportionately larger than Nevada’s native ungulates (elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope) because they never evolved in synchronicity with Nevada ecosystems that exist today. The graph uses the best available values and rates of body weight, forage consumption, and water intake among the 2 groups to compare “apples to apples” of the forage and water use of the equivalent number of native ungulates to that of a horse/burro. The green horizontal line is the BLM’s statewide Appropriate Management Level (AML) if horses and burros were managed in a “thriving natural ecological balance with the habitat” as required by The Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act of 1971 (Public Law 92-195).

Animal Unit Months (AUM) for Wildlife vs Feral Horses and Burros in Nevada

The graph above compares Nevada wildlife species with Nevada feral horses and burros AUMs. The AUM estimates are based on FY2024 wildlife and feral horses and burros populations in Nevada. The horizontal green and red lines represent the low and high AML ranges, respectively. The blue vertical columns represent the total wildlife AUMs in Nevada, while the orange columns represent the AUMs of feral horses and burros in Nevada.

An animal unit month (AUM) is the amount of forage a 1,000 lb cow and her calf up to 6 months of age consume. It can be expressed as an air-dry or oven-dry metric, although many professionals use the oven-dry metric of approximately 800 lbs.

To make comparisons across different species of animals possible, animal unit equivalents (AUEs) have been developed. Although most literature sources state horses are 1.25 AUEs (meaning that one horse eats 1.25 times as much as one 1,000 lb cow and her calf up to 6 months of age), BLM has consistently used 1.0 AUMs for horses in their forage calculations.

A mule deer, for example, is 0.2 AUEs, so five mule deer would eat what one cow eats in a month.

AUMs do not account for any type of forage preferences or availability; it is simply a total forage amount.

AUMs for Nevada’s native wildlife exceeded feral horses and burros AUMs until 2015. Since 2015, horse and burro AUMs have exceeded native wildlife and high AML. These AUMs are for HMAs in Nevada (including the HMAs that are physically in Nevada but administered by BLM California). Low AML is 10,400 AUMs, and high AML is 17,500 AUMs. It should be noted that AML has varied slightly over the years but has not changed substantially.

Insider features

Hunt Planner

To aid in your research and planning efforts, we created a tool for Insiders called Hunt Planner. This tool will help you plan hunts more efficiently and keep all your research data organized. No more notepads getting lost or headaches when trying to remember what units caught your eye during your research! Everything you need is always in one place at GOHUNT.

What can you do in Hunt Planner?

Point Tracker

Point Tracker allows you to enter the number of points you have for each state and species, and as you research through Filtering and Draw Odds, your point total will automatically be highlighted. Jump into Point Tracker here.

If you don't have your points entered in Point Tracker, I highly recommend you do so. It not only makes it easier to research your hunting options across all states, but also makes updating your points after each application season a breeze.

To view important information and an overview of Nevada’s rules/regulations, the draw system and bonus points, tag and license fees, and an interactive boundary line map, check out our State Profile. You can also view the Species Details pages to access historical and statistical data to help you find trophy units.

Important dates and information

*Applicants who want to build bonus points if they are unsuccessful in the draw will need to purchase a hunting license or a hunt/fish combo license. If they do not, they will not be given a bonus point. Tag fees will only be charged if you are successful in the draw. You do not have to front tag fees when you apply.

** Includes a $3 "Game Tag Application" fee (per application) and a $1 "Processing Fee" (per application).

Additional Application Opportunities

There are also three other chances to draw a Nevada tag. Get a full breakdown of Nevada's Partnership in Wildlife, Silver State, and Nevada Dream Tags at the link below:

And below is a quick summary of each specialty tag in Nevada.

Partnership in Wildlife

Partnership in Wildlife tags (PIW tags) offer the ability to hunt in any open unit in the state, although the season dates and weapon class for each hunt unit apply.

Basically, this is a statewide hunting tag for that species, but you must follow the season dates and legal weapon for that season.

Applications are $10 per available species. Apply in Nevada's main draw.

Nevada Silver State Tag

For an additional $20, you can select to be included in the Silver State Tag drawings, which would make you eligible for the one permit per species drawing each year that allows the recipient the opportunity to hunt any public land across the state, just like the governor’s tag. The Silver State application fee is $20 per available species. The beauty of Nevada's Silver State Tags is that there are no bonus points (everyone has the same chance to draw). And you can apply even if you are on a waiting period for sheep, elk, or antelope. Both residents and nonresidents can apply.

Apply for Silver State Tags in Nevada's main draw.

Nevada Dream Tags

Nevada Dream Tags are another shot at drawing the hunt of a lifetime for mule deer, antelope, desert bighorn sheep, and elk in Nevada. Dream Tags are similar to SuperTags and Super Raffles in other Western states. This drawing is open to both residents and nonresidents. You can buy an unlimited number of raffle tickets for $5 each, plus a $0.75 processing fee, for as many species as you want. You can enter the Dream Tag raffle here.

Snowpack and drought report in Nevada

It shouldn’t come as a surprise, but Nevada is the driest state in the nation at an average of fewer than 10 inches per year (and the only state to average less than 10 inches of rain per year). The national average for rainfall is roughly 30 inches.

In Nevada in 2023 and 2024, the state saw an influx of winter/spring precipitation that had a chance to greatly help out the native wildlife and mule deer in particular.

As of April 13, 2026, the state is tracking pretty poorly for snow water equivalent percent. The majority of the state is experiencing below 15% of the median, with the areas around Carson City the only part of the state showing 24 to 48%. This should be no surprise to people who have been tracking the weather patterns across the West this past winter.

2026 - Snow Water Equivalent Map

Nevada snow water equivalent update from April 13, 2026. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

2025 - Snow Water Equivalent Map

Nevada snow water equivalent update from April 12, 2025. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

2024 - Snow Water Equivalent Map

Nevada snow water equivalent update from April 12, 2024. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

2023 - Snow Water Equivalent Map

Nevada snow water equivalent update from April 12, 2023. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

2022 - Snow Water Equivalent Map

Nevada snow water equivalent update from April 12, 2022. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

2026 Nevada Drought Monitor Map

Nevada drought monitor status map from April 7, 2026. Source: United States Drought Monitor

2025 Nevada Drought Monitor Map

Nevada drought monitor status map from April 8, 2025. Source: United States Drought Monitor

2024 Nevada Drought Monitor Map

Nevada drought monitor status map from April 9, 2024. Source: United States Drought Monitor

2023 Nevada Drought Monitor Map

Nevada drought monitor status map from April 11, 2023. Source: United States Drought Monitor

2022 Nevada Drought Monitor Map

Nevada drought monitor status map from April 11, 2022. Source: United States Drought Monitor

2021 Nevada Drought Monitor Map

Nevada drought monitor status map from April 13, 2021. Source: United States Drought Monitor

Understanding the draw

For all species, Nevada uses a random draw, weighted bonus-point system. Every applicant who applies has a chance to draw; however, bonus points increase your chances over time of being successful. Nevada tag quota is approximately a 90/10 split for residents and nonresidents.

All applications, regardless of species or gender, are assigned a random number. Applications with bonus points are assigned additional random numbers by squaring the bonus point total and adding one for the current year. Numbers are assigned randomly from 1–100 million. The lowest number assigned per application is analyzed and used for potential draw success. Applications are drawn in sequential order, starting with the lowest random number, then evaluated within the following group order:

Nevada's Draw Order

The draw order allows applicants to apply for all species and sex that they wish to hunt without the issue of drawing a lower-tiered tag. Applicants are only allowed to draw a single tag for each species. For instance, if you draw an antlered elk tag early in the draw process, your application for antlerless elk will not be considered. However, you can apply for antlered and antlerless elk in the same draw.

Bonus Points

Nevada has a bonus point system where applicants will receive one bonus point for each year they apply and are unsuccessful in the draw. You must opt-in and purchase a hunting license when you apply if you wish to receive a bonus point after the draw. Applicants who do not opt-in and buy the hunting license will NOT receive a bonus point. 

In Nevada, bonus points are species-specific. For example, you cannot apply the bonus points you have accrued for mule deer towards an antelope or elk application. Applicants can apply for bonus points only if they do not want to select hunts. In my opinion, I feel it’s best to always apply for hunts and not points only, as you never know when you might get lucky and draw. Remember that the draw is a bonus point system, and odds are low, and you will receive a point if you are unsuccessful in the draw. 

The only reason not to apply for hunts is if you cannot afford the cost of the tag, should you draw it, or the time off from work. 

All applications, regardless of species or class, are assigned a random number. Applications with bonus points are assigned additional random numbers by squaring the bonus point total and adding one for the current year (however, only the lowest number within the bonus point application is used).

Bonus point example

Let’s say you have six bonus points for antlered mule deer, you square six to get 36, and add one (applicant with zero bonus points is assigned one random number) for a total of 37 random numbers, with the lowest being the draw number assigned to the mule deer application.

Again, if you draw a tag or if you fail to apply for two consecutive years, the bonus points will be purged.

Hunt Choices

In Nevada, you can apply for up to five choices when you apply. When an application is considered in the draw, NDOW will attempt to allocate the first choice. If all permits are gone for that hunt, they will attempt to allocate the second choice. If all tags are gone for your second choice, they will attempt to award you a tag for your third choice. They continue through all five hunt choices before moving to the next applicant. Thus, applicants could draw any of their five hunt choices.

IMPORTANT: Due to this process, applicants should include hunts for all five choices to increase their chances of drawing a tag. Also, applicants should stagger their hunt choices from what you consider to be the best hunt (worst odds) to a decent hunt (better odds). If you were to apply inversely (best odds to worst odds), you are essentially wasting your latter hunt choices.

This is a strategy I feel will benefit you across your applications in Nevada.

Group Applications

Nevada allows hunters to apply on a group application for deer, antlerless elk, and antelope (horns shorter than ears). Residents and nonresidents can apply together on a group application. Doing so does not increase odds for a nonresident; the nonresident tags will still come from the nonresident quota. Applying as a group does have the potential to negatively impact odds slightly, as Nevada will not over-allocate tags to cover a group application if there are not enough tags to satisfy the size of the group. Bonus points for a group application are averaged and rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, if a group of three applicants applies with seven, five, and 13 bonus points, the application will go into the draw with eight bonus points.

The math looks like this: 7+5+13 = 25; 25/3 ( for the group size) = 8.3333 rounded to 8.

8 squared is 64 + 1 (this year’s application) = 65 random numbers generated for the group application in the draw. If the application is successful, all group members will receive a tag.

If a group application has been drawn and the group wants to return their tags to reinstate bonus points, every member of the group must return their tag.

Secondary Draw

Any remaining tags remaining after the main draw will become available in a second drawing to both residents and nonresidents. Note: If you apply and draw a tag in the second drawing, your bonus points will be purged.

Online applications for the second draw open on June 8, 2026, and are due by June 15, 2026, at 11 p.m. PT. Results should be made available on or before June 26, 2026.

If you want to learn more about Nevada's Second Draw process, and see what tags were available for the 2025 Second Draw, check out the link below:

Surrendering Tags

Within seven days of the results of the draw, applicants who successfully drew a tag can choose to electronically return their tag. Hunters who drew a deer tag can turn them back in up to one day prior to the start of the season. In this case, they will retain their bonus points and gain one for this year’s application.

Leftover and Returned Tag Process

Any leftover tags or tags that have been returned and were not claimed by an alternate will be listed and sold on a first-come, first-served basis on the NDOW licensing system site. The first-come, first-served program generally opens in early July. Bonus points will be purged if you purchase a leftover or returned tag through this process.

Remember: New for 2023, in order to purchase a resident returned tag in the first-come, first-served program, you must be a resident of Nevada. A nonresident of Nevada can only purchase a tag that was originally drawn and returned by a nonresident. So you can only purchase a tag based on your residency. A resident cannot pick up a nonresident tag, and a nonresident cannot pick up a resident tag in the first-come, first-served program.

Applicants who drew a tag can return their tags up to one day prior to their hunt starting. If the tag is not accepted by an alternate, it will be listed randomly on the first-come, first-served list, and during the First-Come, First-Served application period, it could then be added to your cart and purchased when it shows up.

Note: We will update the Nevada First-Come, First-Served article below later this summer, when that tag system opens.

Unlocking Nevada's system

When people hear the words “Nevada mule deer,” their minds might instantly drift toward giant bucks and horrible draw odds. Both those statements are mostly true. It is the reason Nevada should be considered a medium- to long-term strategy for drawing a mule deer tag. Plan on investing both time and money if you want to get into the mule deer game of this state. While luck doesn’t hurt, most likely, you’ll be waiting a long time to draw a coveted deer tag. If you’re a resident, you have a few more options, and draw odds are in your favor, but it will still be a long wait for some of the coveted units of the state.

Nevada has a great season structure with a variety of options to consider for mule deer.

Archery

The early archery hunt in Nevada runs from August 10 through September 9. The bowhunt can be a great time to hunt when bucks are in bachelor herds and more easily spotted with their red summer coats and velvet antlers. Depending on the area, focusing your efforts on or around water can be effective.

Nevada also offers late-season rut archery hunts in several units (season dates vary by unit). Odds of drawing these hunts are much lower than most of the early-season options, but if you are intrigued by hunting late-season rutting mule deer with your bow, the late archery hunts should be somewhere on your application.  

Muzzleloader

In my opinion, the muzzleloader hunts may be one of the best-hidden gems in Nevada. The season starts right after the archery hunt ends in early September and runs into October (typical dates are September 10 through October 4), which is a long season for muzzleloader hunters.

Legal muzzleloaders in Nevada are, for the most part, primitive in nature. The big thing to remember about muzzleloader-only hunts in Nevada is that scopes are prohibited. Only open sights or peep sights are legal.

The big benefit, much like the archery hunt, is that during this time of year, the bucks are still in their summer range and often maintain a predictable behavioral pattern. Bucks may not feed long after first light or for extended periods prior to dark in the evening, but they are more consistent and easier to see with the red summer coat. Hunters who have the ability to scout and hunt for multiple days have done remarkably well on the muzzleloader hunt. Be aware that temperatures can be high and the days are long, but the odds of drawing a tag are often better than they are for the rifle hunts.

It’s also worth noting that Nevada does offer a few late-season rut muzzleloader hunts. The odds of drawing the best hunts within those are very low, but it is an option to explore. 

Rifle

Nevada offers a variety of rifle seasons, with most rifle hunts occurring from October 5 through November 5. And even some hunts are from October 5 through October 20. Keep in mind that there are also some late rifle hunts that go through the end of November and some even until January 1.

Management objectives for mule deer in Nevada

Current mule deer herd condition

Over the past several years, drought conditions have been hard on many areas of Nevada, and mule deer populations have continued to decline. That information shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Over the past 25 years, mule deer populations in Nevada have been on a decline. The bright side to this is that in 2025, Nevada saw its first mule deer population increase since 2019, and the population is currently at 72,000.

According to NDOW, the key limiting factors for mule deer in Nevada are: fawn survival, drought, predation, habitat loss, and competition with feral horses.

* The previous year's population estimate included Unit 045

Over the last 30 years, Nevada's habitats characterized as moderate-to good shrub and grasslands have decreased by half, while areas classified as being in poor condition have increased fourfold.

The Points System

Managing points and expectations

Maximum bonus points someone applied with in 2025 for mule deer: 32 for nonresidents and 23 for residents

Application tips for Nevada

A few of these are repeated from earlier, but they are worth mentioning.

1) Always apply for hunts and never points only. The draw is random; as long as you apply, you have some chance.

2) Always include five choices for each hunt when you apply. NDOW considers all five of your choices, and your odds of drawing any tag are slightly better if you include all five choices.

3) With five choices available, the first hunt selections on your application should be for great hunts or the hunt(s) you desire most. The last three selections can be a continuation of moving toward hunts that have progressively better odds. The reason for this method is that you never know when you will be one of the first applications considered, and you want to draw the best possible hunt on your application.

What Can I Expect with Zero Bonus Points for Mule Deer?

Residents

When you compare the zero-point level for residents, it paints a slightly different picture than that of nonresidents. Residents have 32 different Unit/Unit Groups with draw odds of 5% or higher.

And if you go to our standalone detailed Draw Odds section and adjust the slider for draw odds percent, there are actually 11 units/unit groups with 15% or better odds, and 6 with 25% or better odds.

Options as a nonresident with zero points

If you’re just starting out, you’re most likely in for a very long wait as a nonresident. There are only four Unit Groups in Nevada that have draw odds for nonresidents above 3% at zero points. While your odds do improve as you build up points, most nonresidents will have to wait a long time to pull a tag.

We display draw odds for 148 nonresident mule deer hunts in Nevada. Of those, only 22 have odds greater than 1%, 11 have odds greater than 2%, and four have odds greater than 3%. At 4% or greater draw odds, the hunts available drop down to one.

As you will see in the table below, there are very few hunts that have good odds at the zero point level. 

This is when a decision needs to be made. If you have no points, you will need to decide if you want to maximize your chances of drawing a good hunt and only include hunts from the GOHUNT hit list (or whatever quality hunt you desire), or if some of the hunts in the table below would meet your objectives. If you’re just looking for a chance to venture to Nevada and hunt mule deer, then include some of these on your application for choices three through five.

What Can I Expect with Five Bonus Points for Mule Deer?

Residents

At five points, there are 49 hunts with draw odds of 50% or better. See the table below for the potential number of hunts that meet these criteria.

My personal strategy would be to really analyze what I’m looking for. As a resident, do you want to stick with your plan and try to draw some of the more coveted hunts, or are there some hidden gems that you know about that might be worth burning your points on this year, especially when you consider the moisture we have gotten this winter/spring?

Nonresidents

Again, if you really want to draw a tag, even at five points, it’s best to stick to archery. With five points, there are only a total of 9 hunts you could potentially draw at 40% or higher draw odds.

What to Expect with 15 Plus Bonus Points

At 15 points, in all honesty, there still might be a long wait ahead for you to pull your desired tag.

Residents

As a resident, there are 123 total hunts with 25% or better draw odds at 15 points.

And to narrow it down even further, there are 53 hunts with 75% or better draw odds at 15 points. The table below outlines the number of hunts based on the weapon/season, with 75% or better odds if you have 15 points. Obviously, you might be willing to continue to hold out for certain units, which is why jumping over t

Nonresidents

The table below outlines the number of hunts based on the weapon/season, with 25% or better odds if you have 15 points.

As a nonresident, there are 52 total hunts with 25% or better draw odds at 15 points.

A different scenario. Let’s say you have 20 points and are looking for hunts with 50% odds or greater.

Keep in mind that without a maximum point draw in Nevada, this can be very frustrating for applicants with many points on both the resident and nonresident sides. The best advice is to think carefully about using all five choices at this point and ensure that the hunts you are applying for all line up with your current and future goals.

If you have a lot of points, keep your current path of applying for only the quality hunts and hope you get lucky! Best of luck in the draw.