WINNEMUCCA - Are you the type of hunter who would hate the opportunity to hunt one of four premium big game species (antelope, elk, mule deer or Nelson (desert) bighorn) anywhere in the state where there is an established season for that species?
Would it make you angry to have the opportunity of having an extended season and your choice of legal firearm (archery, muzzleloader or rifle) throughout the season's duration?
If the answer is yes, you probably shouldn't apply for the Silver State Tag. If, however, you are like most resident and nonresident hunters who apply for big game tags, you need to take a look at this amazing opportunity.
The Silver State Tag is similar to the state's Heritage Tags, sometimes called governor's tags or bid tags, and gives lucky recipients the chance to hunt a specific big game animal statewide in those hunt units where there is an established season for the species specified on the tag.
But unlike the Heritage Tags which generally sell at auction for thousands of dollars, Silver State Tags are available through Nevada's normal tag application process at a far lesser price.
For 2013, Silver State Tags are available for mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, Nelson (desert) bighorn sheep and pronghorn antelope. Tag applicants can expect to pay a nonrefundable application fee of $20 plus the $3 predator control and $2 online convenience fee, which bring the total to $25 each for mule deer, desert bighorn and pronghorn antelope. An additional $5 is required for the elk application. Tag recipients will be charged the current fees established for the tag received. Applications for the Silver State Tags may only be submitted electronically at www.huntnevada.com.
In addition to expanded choice of hunt location, tag holders also will have an extended season in which to harvest their game animal.
For mule deer, elk and pronghorn antelope, Silver State Tag bearers can begin hunting the Saturday prior to the opening of the earliest season for the species noted on their tag and continue hunting until they fill their tag or the season ends, whichever comes first.
For desert bighorn sheep the Silver State Tag season opens the first Saturday in September. Tag holders also can use their legal firearm of choice throughout the season's duration - bow, muzzleloader or rifle.
The Silver State Tag draw is open to both resident and nonresident hunters who are eligible to hunt big game, even those who are fulfilling waiting period requirements for the species available. However, if an applicant is in a waiting period he is only eligible to apply for the Silver State Tag for that species. If he is not in a waiting period, an applicant could apply for a Silver State Tag, a regular big game tag and a Partnership in Wildlife tag all in the same year.
But once an applicant is awarded a tag his application will not be considered in subsequent drawings for the same species in that year. With the exception of tags for certain depredation hunts, a hunter may obtain only one tag per species per year.
As for bonus points, they are not considered nor awarded in the Silver State Tag draw. Applicants who receive a Silver State Tag will retain their bonus points for that species.
Like the money generated through the sale of Heritage Tags, Nevada law requires that Silver State Tag application fees be deposited in the Wildlife Heritage Trust Account. Funds from this account must be used for the protection, propagation, restoration, transplantation introduction and management of Nevada's game species and fur-bearing mammals as well as management of predatory wildlife.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen's license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license.
Find us on Facebook, Twitter or visit us at www.ndow.org.
[[In-content Ad]]
