Nevada's draw system has enough moving parts to trip up experienced hunters, and 2026 added a few new wrinkles worth knowing before you submit anything.

"Moose and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep tags are available to residents only in 2026."

Non-residents who've been stacking bonus points for either of those species just had their plans reshuffled. Worth a call to NDOW before you assume last year's strategy still applies.

"If you skip applying for a species for two consecutive years when a season is available, you forfeit all accumulated points for that species."

This is the kind of rule that quietly wrecks a decade of patience. If you're sitting on points for something you've been putting off, that clock is running whether you're paying attention or not.

"Miss that deadline and you're locked out of all big game tags for one year — unless you pay a $50 fine and complete the questionnaire at www.ndowlicensing.com before the close of the 2026 main draw period."

The harvest reporting deadline bites people every single year — not because they're dishonest, just because January 31 sneaks up after the holidays. Set a phone reminder now and save yourself a year of waiting.

"Bonus points reset to zero when you draw or purchase a tag."

The squaring formula makes those accumulated points genuinely powerful, so drawing on a unit you're lukewarm about can cost you more than just a tag fee. It's worth being selective about which five units you list and in what order.

Anyone here hunting Nevada big game this year — what species are you in the draw for, and how many points are you sitting on going into 2026?

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Read the full article in The Handbook → | By The Boise Gun Club Team