Nevada Hunting & Fishing
Season Calendar 2026

Nevada mule deer archery season runs Aug 8–Sep 6; all mule deer tags are issued through the draw — no over-the-counter availability. Any legal bow is authorized; crossbows legal only for documented disability. Hunters must possess a valid Nevada hunting license and mule deer archery tag. August mule deer archery hunting is conducted in intense summer heat — bucks are accessible around water sources and shaded north-facing slopes. Nevada's mule deer range is concentrated in the Basin and Range province; Units 202, 211, 214, 221, and 241 produce the most consistent trophy bucks across the central and eastern portions of the state.

Nevada mule deer firearms season runs Oct 10–Nov 8; all Nevada mule deer tags are issued through the draw. Hunters must possess a valid Nevada hunting license and mule deer firearms license. Legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns, and handguns. October firearms season in Nevada catches mule deer bucks in the early stages of pre-rut transition — bucks are in hard antler, feeding heavily on mountain mahogany, sagebrush, and pinon nuts to build fat reserves. The Ruby Mountains, Jarbidge Wilderness, and Quinn Canyon Range consistently produce trophy-class bucks in the 170"–200" Boone and Crockett range.

Nevada elk archery season runs Aug 29–Sep 27; all Nevada elk tags are issued through the draw system — no over-the-counter availability. Hunters must possess a valid Nevada hunting license and elk tag. Any legal archery equipment is authorized during the archery-only season. Nevada's elk population has grown significantly from reintroduction programs — Units 111, 121, 131, 141, and 162 hold the primary elk range in the Ruby Mountains, Monitor Range, and Jarbidge Wilderness. Bull elk in Nevada are often in full velvet through August with hard rut bugling typically beginning in the second week of September.

Nevada elk firearms season runs Oct 10–Oct 18; all elk tags are issued through the draw. Hunters must possess a valid Nevada hunting license and elk firearms tag. Legal methods include centerfire rifles, shotguns, and handguns. October elk hunting in Nevada catches bulls in full rut — Nevada's more isolated elk herds produce trophy-class 6x6 and larger bulls with significantly less hunting pressure than more popular western states. The Ruby Mountains Wilderness in Elko County is the crown jewel of Nevada elk hunting, with wilderness horse packing providing access to the best habitat. Tag waiting periods for premium units can exceed 10 years.

Nevada chukar partridge season runs Oct 17–Jan 31 statewide in areas open to upland bird hunting; Nevada is the premier chukar hunting state in the nation, with high-density populations in the rocky basalt and volcanic hillside habitat of the Great Basin. Hunters must possess a valid Nevada hunting license; no additional upland bird stamp is required. The daily bag limit is six chukar with a possession limit of 18. Best chukar populations exist in Elko, Humboldt, Pershing, and Lander Counties in the north-central basin and range terrain. Water sources during the October opener concentrate birds and are the most efficient starting point for dogs and hunters.