Possible revised trail camera season and dates when no thermal imaging could be used for any wildlife
With certain exemptions, it is illegal to place, maintain, or use a trail camera on public land from August 1 - December 31 of each year. It is illegal to use a trail camera July 1 - December 31 of each year if the camera is capable of transmitting images, video, or location of wildlife. (Refer to NAC 503.1485)
A person shall not possess or use electronic night-vision equipment, electronically enhanced light-gathering devices, thermal imaging devices, infrared night-vision equipment, or any other comparable equipment or device used to enhance night-vision while hunting or taking any game mammal or game bird or while locating game mammals or game birds for the purpose of hunting. This does not limit the use of a sight attached to a firearm, bow or crossbow that is powered by a battery contained within the sight, is illuminated by light gathering fiber optics, or uses a radioactive isotope such as a tritium. (Refer to NAC 503/CGR 492/R035-20).
The Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners will meet on June 13 and 14, 2025, to discuss several items that hunters should be aware of.
See the full agenda below:
These are part of the Emerging Technology Committee Report.
"The Commission directed the Department to draft regulations pertaining to trail cameras and thermal imaging, along with increase in penalties.
In my opinion, the trail camera section would make it almost impossible for anyone to get meaningful trail camera photos of mule deer since most bucks are not even close to what they will finish out by July 1. However, a person could still do good scouting for sheep or antelope with a trail camera before July 1. So, grouping non "cell trail cameras" with normal trail cameras might not be a great thing.
So, in a sense, a July 1 to December 31 period when trail cameras aren't allowed, no matter the type, is basically a ban on using trail cameras to scout for mule deer. People who want to use trail cameras for scouting would only have roughly five weeks from the moment they find out they drew a tag to when their cameras have to be pulled.
The current trail camera regulations in Nevada are as follows:
On one hand, I'm all for not having this technology to help people locate animals for the hunting of big game animals and putting this new law in place with dates makes it harder for someone to say they are "using thermals to find coyotes" when they are, in fact, looking for big game animals with thermal binoculars which is already illegal as of a few years ago.
But I also feel like this will directly impact people who like to hunt coyotes using a thermal riflescope. And if people aren't allowed to coyote hunt with them, that potentially means more coyotes on the landscape, preying on mule deer fawns. I know other states have similar laws around thermals when big game seasons are going on, but this is one I'm conflicted on.
I was glad when Nevada banned thermals for locating game mammals a few years ago. And I do feel for the predator hunters with what this would do for them. So yeah, those are my thoughts on all of this, and I'm not sure what the best course of action would be, so I'll be paying attention to these commission meetings to hear more thoughts.
The current thermal imaging regulations in Nevada are as follows:
You can submit public comments in two ways:
1. Virtual comment during the meeting. Public comment will be taken on each action item following Commission discussion and before any action is taken. Persons attending virtually wishing to comment are invited to raise their virtual hands in the virtual meeting forum during the appropriate time; each person offering public comment during this period will be limited to not more than three minutes. The Chair may allow persons representing groups to speak for six minutes. Persons may not allocate unused time to other speakers.
If you wish to make a public comment, please use this link for Friday, June 13, 2025.
Passcode: 905406
If you wish to make a public comment, please use this link for Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Passcode: 550078
2. Written comments. Persons are invited to submit written comments on items prior to the meeting at wildlifecommission@ndow.org or attend and make a comment during the meeting.
Trail Camera removes the delineation between different types of trail cameras for prohibited use at different times of the year and makes it unlawful to use any type of trail camera from July 1-December 31. It also increases demerit points from 3 to 12.
Thermal Imaging would prohibit the use of any thermal imaging devices from July 1- December 31 for any wildlife and still maintain unlawful use of thermal imaging for the taking or locating of game mammal or game birds. This regulation also increases the demerit points from 3 to 12."
