How Does This First Come, First Served System Work?

Tips for Getting a Tag

Important Noteworthy Information

How many tags get turned back in yearly?

Nevada's 2026 First Come, First Served returned hunting tag system is now live!

It's that time of year again; the Nevada's First Come, First Served (FCFS) returned hunting tag process is now open, and tags can be purchased as they become available! If you didn't draw a tag, this is a great way to pick up a coveted Nevada tag. This is probably one of the more exciting ways to reallocate turned-back tags.

To attempt to pick up a returned Nevada hunting tag, head over to NDOW Licensing, then click on the "First Come, First Served Tags" section in the upper right portion of the screen if you are on a computer, and then log in. If you're on a mobile device, tap the three-line icon, and it will drop down a toolbar.

When tags are turned back in and processed, they will appear on the first-come, first-served hunting tag list, where residents and nonresidents can pick them up (caveat to that below under the "big change in 2023" section).

One area that is worth noting is that the time and day tags go online are completely random. You could have tags appear at 5 a.m. or 1 p.m., or 9 p.m., or at any other time of day.

NOTE: bonus points will be purged if you pick up a Nevada First Come, First Served tag, and if you're currently on a waiting period for that species, you'll be unable to pick up a tag.

Big change in 2023

In 2023, a new rule was implemented. You are now limited to either the resident or nonresident tag turned back in based on your residency.

The best advice I can offer is to put in the required effort into this program. If you are diligent and have the first-come, first-served licensing page open and don't allow the page to go to sleep, there's a great chance that eventually, you might find a really awesome tag show up. If you're bored in the evening, maybe check out the page at random hours of the night. But like everything in life, you won't see success "getting a tag" if you don't put in the effort to keep checking the NDOW website, as these tags show up at random.

Don't click refresh: The data on the FCFS page updates instantly and automatically. Do not click the refresh button, as re-establishing your connection after a refresh may take several seconds, which increases the chance you'll miss out on a tag.

Also, because you need to be quick at picking up a tag when they show up on the FCFS list, now is a great time to freshen up on Nevada units and species that you'd be interested in picking up tags for. To do that, jump on over to GOHUNT's Insider Filtering and manipulate the filters, and make a list of units that you'd be willing to burn your current bonus points on if that tag showed up. You never know; a tag might show up that you want, and at least this way; you will know instantly what is and what isn't a tag that is worth purchasing. The more prepared you are, the greater chance you have of not wasting precious seconds if a tag shows up on this FCFS list.

One tag per shopping cart in a 7-day period

A person is limited to adding one tag to their shopping cart in a 7-day period. Make sure the tag you add to your cart is the one you intend to purchase. Check back later to continue participation in the FCFS program.

Prevention of Unfair Advantages

Back in September of 2022, NDOW passed a new rule for the suspension of people using unfair advantages (multiple logins, multiple browsers, electronic tech, etc.) during the FCFS tag process.

Residency and how that impacts what tag you can get

Nevada’s first-come, first-served list for surrendered tags has changed for 2023. Customers will be limited to either the resident or nonresident tag based on their Nevada residency. This means that nonresidents will only be able to purchase a nonresident tag that another nonresident has surrendered.

Other information:

It might come as a surprise, but some phenomenal hunting tags are turned back in each year in Nevada!

Below is a list of the number of tags issued during the 2022 through 2025 Nevada first-come, first-served processes.

For the 2024 and 2025 data, I have the tags broken down by residency. So yes, there is a chance, but you will have to put in the time to get a tag.

2025

2024

2023

2022

What does the Nevada first come, first served page look like?

When trying to get a Nevada First Come, First Served tag, most of the time, the screen will look like the image above.

View if you see a tag on the first come, first served list

When a tag appears, it will resemble the screenshot above.

Another neat feature is that, on the right, it shows how many tags are available for that unit/unit group and also how many days remain in the hunting season. This is huge in case some tags get offered up late in the season when there aren't many days of hunting left before the season closes.

View if you're on a big game waiting list

Here's a screenshot of the tag process from previous years' FCFS (the items will be grayed out if you're unable to purchase a tag, in this example, a person was on the waiting period for antelope).

Easy way to filter the tag options

If a large number of tags appear at once, you can filter your results by species, weapon type, unit, and so on.

Below is information from NDOW on some commonly asked questions:

What is the First Come, First Served (FCFS) program?

A way for Nevada to offer additional hunting opportunities to the public. The Department's goal is to not have any tag go unused and this program allows us to offer returned tags to all eligible hunters.

Why are these tags available in this program?

The tags available for purchase in the FCFS program are tags not issued in the draws, returned to NDOW with no eligible alternate, or was returned with less than 14 days prior to the start of the season.

When do FCFS tags become available for purchase?

Tags eligible for the FCFS program will appear for purchase at a randomized time after a tag has been processed by NDOW.

Can anyone purchase a FCFS tag?

Customers with an active Nevada hunting license who meet the eligibility criteria for the tag being offered will be able to purchase a tag from the FCFS program.

How can I receive my FCFS tag once I’ve purchased it?

Tags can be shipped standard, overnighted, or available for pick up at NDOW offices around the state during regular office hours. Shipping fees are nonrefundable. NDOW and Gordon-Darby are not responsible for the timing of the shipping carrier.

Will I lose my bonus points if I purchase a FCFS tag?

Yes. All standard draw rules apply to purchased FCFS tags, including the loss of bonus points and applied waiting periods.

Will I be in a waiting period if I purchase a FCFS tag?

Yes. All standard draw rules apply to purchased FCFS tags, including the loss of bonus points and applied waiting periods.

I applied and was unsuccessful for the same tag in the main draw, why is it available in the FCFS program?

The tags available for purchase in the FCFS program were returned to NDOW with no eligible alternate or was returned less than 14 days prior to the start of the season.

Can I purchase a resident tag if I am a nonresident?

No, tags will be available for purchase only to those matching the original residency assigned to the tag.

Can I buy more than one FCFS tag?

Yes, but only through separate transactions and for separate species. Only one tag can be placed in a shopping cart at a time and will be the only item, outside of a hunting license, that can be purchased at that time.

Can I return my purchased FCFS tag?

Yes. Returned FCFS tags will again appear for purchase through the FCFS program at a random time after the tag has been processed by NDOW. Bonus points will be reinstated if the tag is received 1-day prior to the start of the tag's season.

Do I need a hunting license to purchase a FCFS tag?

Yes. If you wish to purchase a FCFS tag and do not currently hold an active Nevada hunting license, you will be prompted to purchase a license along with your tag at the time of checkout.

Do I need a hunter’s safety certification before purchasing a FCFS tag?

Yes, to anyone born after January 1, 1960. If you do not currently have a hunter’s safety certification attached to your account, you will not be allowed to select a FCFS tag that is currently available for purchase.

I marked to be an alternate why wasn’t I assigned a FCFS tag?

Any tag not matching an alternate's first hunt choice selection or returned with fewer than 14 days before the season opens are offered in the FCFS program.

Why is my account suspended from the FCFS program?

NDOW reserves the right to suspend any account for suspicious activity to ensure the process is fair to everyone. This includes any account that has excessive amounts of “Adds to Cart” without purchasing.

Why don’t I see the same tags available as my friend?

Customers who currently hold a tag will not be shown available FCFS tags of the same species. A customer can only be awarded one tag per species, per season.

Why am I not seeing any tags?

Tags available in the FCFS program are randomized. If no tags are showing, it does not mean that there are not tags available. Keep checking back to see if a tag has completed its randomization time.

Why am I being locked out of the FCFS system?

A person is limited to adding one tag to their shopping cart in a 7-day period. Make sure the tag you add to your cart is the one you intend to purchase. Check back later to continue participation in the FCFS program.

This article was initially published in July of 2023 and has been updated for 2026.