NDOW: BIG GAME TAG APPLICATION OPENS - NEW "DREAM TAG" AVAILABLE

The Nevada Department of Wildlife reminds sportsmen that the big game tag application process opens Monday, March 19. Applications must be received, either by mail or online at www.huntnevada.com, by 5 p.m. on Monday, April 16, to be eligible for the drawing.

Hunters will also have a unique “raffle” opportunity to win premier big game tags this year with the all new Nevada Dream Tags. The tag is similar to other western states’ raffle tags and “hunt of a life time” tags. To learn more, go to www.nvdreamtag.org.

Sportsmen who apply early online will be entered into a drawing to receive a $1,000 gift certificate. Systems Consultants, NDOW's contractor for the big game tag draw process, is sponsoring an early application incentive for the 2012 big game tag draw. The winner will get to pick what store the certificate is to: Cabela's, Scheels or Bass Pro.

Also available to hunters will be the popular Silver State Tag. The Silver State Tag allows sportsmen the opportunity 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.  The tag is available through Nevada’s tag application process.

Hunters who applied online in the past will be sent a postcard reminding them it is time to apply. Those hunters who applied through the mail using a paper application were sent a pre-printed application. Otherwise, paper applications will only be available at NDOW offices and online at www.ndow.org.

Hunters will be officially notified of the draw results by June 11. However, initial tag draw results to be posted online at www.huntnevada.com within 48 hours of the actual draw, which is usually held in late May.

Hunters can review hunt choices in the 2012 Big Game Seasons and Application Regulations book, which is posted online at www.ndow.org and will also be available at license agents statewide.

NDOW will once again hold tag application workshops in Las Vegas and Reno. The Las Vegas workshop is on March 28 from 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. at the Clark County Shooting Park Hunter Education Center at 11357 Decatur Blvd. The Reno workshop is on March 29 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Nevada Department of Wildlife office at 1100 Valley Road.

The workshops include information on Nevada's big game management, tag quotas and allocations, draw odds and bonus points. NDOW staff will explain common application errors, the computerized draw system and any new procedures or regulations for this year's drawing.

Prior to applying for a hunt, it is always important to do some homework and know what to expect from the units applied for. The NDOW website (www.ndow.org) is a valuable tool with several resources to help sportsmen select the right hunts. In an effort to make things easier, NDOW has placed the Top 10 Big Game Tag Application Resources on one page at http://www.ndow.org/hunt/resources/top_10.shtm. The page includes maps, hunter information sheets, bonus point tables and hunt statistics and draw odds.

http://ndow.org/about/news/pr/2012/March/Big_Game_App.shtm