Nevada SMALL GAME HUNTING GUIDE REGULATIONS 2O18-2o19 - Upland Game - Migratory Bird - Furbearer - Turkey Upland Game Migratory Game Bird Furbearer Information: Information: Information: Page 40 Page 10 Page 18 HIGH QUALITY TAXIDERMY www.precisionwildlifeart.com Precision Wildlife Art • 775-997-6641 Email: [email protected] Nevada 2018 2019 SMALL GAME HUNTING GUIDE CONTENTS Welcome to Small Game Hunting ������������������2 Public Hunting on NDOW STATE OF NEVADA Wildlife Management Areas ������������������������� 26 Brian Sandoval, Governor Wildlife Offices �����������������������������������������������������4 Small Game Hunt Questionnaire ����������������� 28 Hunting and Trapping, STATE BOARD OF WILDLIFE Tags and Stamp Fees �������������������������������������������6 Federal Migratory Bird Regulations ����������� 32 COMMISSIONERS Hunters Must Respect National Wildlife Refuge Regulations �������34 Brad Johnston, Chairman Private Property ���������������������������������������������������9 Paul E. Valentine,Vice Chairman Wild Turkey ��������������������������������������������������������� 36 Jon Almberg, Thomas Barnes, Tiffany East, Upland Game Bird, Rabbit, Furbearer �������������������������������������������������������������� 40 Kerstan Hubbs, David McNinch Dove and Crow��������������������������������������������������� 10 Areas Closed to Hunting and Trapping ����� 42 and Tommy Caviglia Edible Portions Guide �������������������������������������� 14 General Hunting Upland Game Identification �������������������������� 16 NEVADA DEPARTMENT Laws and Regulations �������������������������������������� 44 OF WILDLIFE Migratory Game Bird ��������������������������������������� 18 Weapons Regulations �������������������������������������� 45 Tony Wasley, Director Migratory Game Bird Identification ����������� 22 Demerits and Penalties ����������������������������������� 46 Brian Wakeling, Game Division Falconry ���������������������������������������������������������������� 24 Administrator Transportation Permit Vendors ������������������� 48 Chris Vasey, Conservation Education NDOW Wildlife Management Areas ��������� 25 Sunrise/Sunset Tables ������������������������������������� 49 Division Administrator Elizabeth Kenna, Publications Coordinator Chet Van Dellen, Data and Technology Services Division Administrator Tyler Turnipseed, Law Enforcement Division Chief Note: Changes to regulations are marked in blue, bold italics. This regulation brochure contains only a synopsis of the hunting laws for the state of Nevada. Complete text of Individuals with hearing impairments may contact the Department at 775-688- the laws and regulations may 1500 via a text telephone (TTY) telecommunications device by first calling the be obtained by contacting State of Nevada Relay Operator at 1-800-326-6868. This publication will be the Nevada Department of Wildlife or by checking our made available in an alternative format upon request. website at www.ndow.org. 1 Welcome Letter Welcome to Small Game Hunting in Nevada We want to take this occasion to encourage you and your family to participate in small game hunting opportunities in Nevada. Even though Nevada is the driest state in the country, there are some quality prospects out there waiting for upland game hunters of all experience levels. Best of all, Nevada consists of mostly public land and with a little pre-hunt map work, you can wander the hillsides as you wish. Each winter sets the stage with varying circumstances for upland game and waterfowl populations, and winter 2017–2018 was no Williamstown, MA | Birmingham, AL different. A good indicator for the upcoming season can be found by viewing the U.S. Drought Monitor, which indicates that Nevada has been in “moderate drought” in the southern portion of the state to “abnormally dry” throughout most of the rest. There are always some exceptions to consider. For example, after relatively poor precipitation last winter, the About This Guide months of March and May offered great relief for much of central and northeastern Nevada. This should mean moderate to good production for many upland game species and a silver lining to build some excitement for the upcoming season. This high-quality guide is offered to you Reported observations of California quail production indicate that this should be a better by the Nevada Department of Wildlife than average year for this species in agricultural valleys like Carson, Lahontan, Mason, and through its unique partnership with J.F. Smith Valley. Surrounding mountain ranges should offer good hunting with more public Griffin Publishing, LLC. land opportunities. In eastern Nevada, dusky (blue) grouse production has shown promise. The revenue generated through ad sales Observed broods are sizeable and relatively abundant in the Schell Creek and Cherry Creek significantly lowers production costs and Ranges of White Pine County. The Ruby Mountains in Elko County offers the more extreme generates savings. These savings translate upland game hunter with opportunities for dusky and ruffed grouse as well as Himalayan into additional funds for other important snowcock in the upper elevations (emphasis on the word “upper” here). Speaking of ruffed agency programs. grouse by the way, annual drumming surveys conducted in spring 2018 resulted in fairly high detection rates at our designated survey routes. If you haven’t pursued this exciting species If you have any feedback or are inter- in Nevada yet, this may be the year to do it. ested in advertising, please contact us at Sage-grouse continue to be a species of conservation concern and we are closely monitoring 413.884.1001 or at www.JFGriffin.com populations throughout the state with intensive research projects. In general, these projects indicated that sage-grouse nest and brood success have improved this year when compared Graphic Design: with 2017. Unfortunately, wildfire remains the greatest persistent threat to sage-grouse in Jon Gulley, Dane Fay, John Corey, Nevada. The 440,000 acre Martin Fire that was almost 60 miles long and up to 25 miles Evelyn Haddad, Chris Sobolowski wide, burned some of the most important habitat in the state. The Department, working collaboratively with the Bureau of Land Management, wildlife conservation organizations, and private landowners, remains committed to help restore strategic portions of this fire so that the area can return to a healthy and functional landscape. As with most years, everyone wants to know about chukar populations and phone calls started coming into the office as early as May. Unfortunately, the aerial chukar density surveys had not been completed at the time of this writing. Considering the indications from the U.S. Drought Monitor and wet March and May periods, we expect chukar hunting to be moder- ate to good throughout most of central Nevada into Elko County. Traditional and popular chukar hunting ranges like the Pine Forest, Jackson, Black Rock, and Calico Mountains did not receive the extensive May rains like other portions of the state and production in these areas may have suffered. Chukar hunting in this region of the state may only be fair, but chukar You ride. We help you save money. have a knack for proving folks wrong. Look for the annual “Nevada Chukar Forecast” on our website around September 1 for more complete results. Marsh conditions in much of Nevada are in great condition with residual water from past wet winters. The abundance of water also means nut grass and sago pondweed are abundant in many marshes. These conditions should help attract and hold migratory birds in Nevada for longer this winter. Surveys indicate that the better conditions have already translated to Motorcycle a greater number of ducks and geese in the state. Dust off your gear and get your retrievers ready, this should be a great year in the marsh. Waterfowl hunting offers a great way to introduce young hunters to the outdoors, provid- ing opportunities for excitement and identification of a host of wildlife species while out at geico.com | 1-800-947-AUTO | local offi ce the marsh. Our nine-day youth upland season offers young hunters and their parents some flexibility to get out early and gauge populations of quail, chukar, and rabbits. Overall, small game seasons offer opportunity – opportunity to get away from a fast-paced world to recon- This guide is also nect with nature, family, and friends. So get online and get outside! available online at Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Sincerely, GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO Tony Wasley, Director 2018-2019 Nevada Small Game Hunting Guide 2 You ride. We help you save money. Motorcycle geico.com | 1-800-947-AUTO | local offi ce Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2017 GEICO Wildlife Offices Department of Wildlife Offices Headquarters Office 6980 Sierra Center Pkwy, Suite 120 Western Region Eastern Region Reno, NV 89511 775-688-1500 Western Region Office 1100 Valley Rd. Reno, NV 89512 (775) 688-1506 Eastern