Besides the normal state draw that could potentially leave you waiting a decade or more to pull a great tag, Nevada offers several additional opportunities to draw premium hunting tags. They are Partnership in Wildlife tags (PIW), Silver State Tags, and Dream Tags. Money raised from these tag raffles goes to help preserve, protect, and restore wildlife and their habitat in the state of Nevada.
Even if you've already completed your regular Nevada hunting applications, you can still apply for the PIW and Silver State Tag raffles by logging back in to NDOW Licensing.
Note: The deadline to apply for PIW and Silver State Tags is the same date as the Nevada main draw (May 7, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. PT), and applications can be made at NDOW Licensing.
The deadline to buy raffle tickets for the Nevada Dream Tags is June 30, and raffle tickets can be purchased on the Nevada Dream Tags website.
Read More Information on These Tags and How to Apply Below.
Partnership in Wildlife Tags
Partnership in Wildlife tags (PIW) offer the ability to hunt in any open unit in the state, although the season dates and weapon class for each hunt unit apply.
Basically, this is a statewide hunting tag for that species, but you must follow the season dates and legal weapon for that season. Application deadline: Apply during the regular big game tag application period by May 7, 2025 at 11:00 p.m. PT. Apply online at the NDOW Licensing website.
Breakdown of Available Nevada PIW Tags:
Information on Nevada PIW Hunting Tags
Species | Antelope |
|---|---|
Class | Buck |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | Any hunt unit where there is an open season |
PIW Quotas | 5 |
Species | Desert bighorn sheep |
Class | Ram |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas |
PIW Quotas | 1 |
Species | Elk |
Class | Antlered |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | 091 |
PIW Quotas | 3 |
Species | Mule deer |
Class | Antlered |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | Any hunt unit where there is an open season |
PIW Quotas | 11: resident |
Species | Class | Season | Unit Restrictions | PIW Quotas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Antelope | Buck | In compliance with general season structures | Any hunt unit where there is an open season | 5 |
Desert bighorn sheep | Ram | In compliance with general season structures | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas | 1 |
Elk | Antlered | In compliance with general season structures | 091 | 3 |
Mule deer | Antlered | In compliance with general season structures | Any hunt unit where there is an open season | 11: resident |
How to Apply:
Open to both resident and nonresident hunters
Apply during the Nevada big game application period at NDOW Licensing
Deadline: May 7, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. PT
Only $10 to apply per species
Each applicant may only apply once per species
Waiting periods apply. So if you've drawn a sheep, elk, or antelope tag, you can't apply for a PIW tag for that species until your wait period is over
No bonus points apply. Everyone has the same chance to win.
PIW application fees will be deposited into the Wildlife Heritage Trust Account. Funds from this account must be used for the protection, propagation, restoration, transplantation, introduction and management of Nevada’s Wildlife. Funds are allocated and administered by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) and the Board of Wildlife Commissioners.
Silver State Tags
Nevada’s Silver State Tags are the same as the state’s Heritage Tags or "governor/commission" tags.
Drawing a Nevada Silver State Tag enables you to hunt statewide with any weapon, and season dates for these tags are also much longer. See season dates below.
Application deadline: Apply during the regular big game tag application period by May 7, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. PT. Apply online at NDOW Licensing.
Breakdown of Nevada Silver State Tags:
Information on Nevada Silver State Hunting Tags
Species | Antelope |
|---|---|
Class | Buck |
Season | Aug. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 |
Unit Restrictions | Any hunt unit where there is an open season |
Silver State Quotas | 1 |
Species | Desert bighorn sheep |
Class | Ram |
Season | July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 |
Unit Restrictions | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas |
Silver State Quotas | 1 |
Species | California bighorn sheep |
Class | Ram |
Season | July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 |
Unit Restrictions | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas |
Silver State Quotas | 1 |
Species | Elk |
Class | Antlered |
Season | Aug. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 |
Unit Restrictions | 091 |
Silver State Quotas | 1 |
Species | Mountain goat |
Class | Any |
Season | July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 |
Unit Restrictions | Only available in Unit 102 |
Silver State Quotas | 1 |
Species | Mule deer |
Class | Antlered |
Season | Aug. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 |
Unit Restrictions | Any hunt unit where there is an open season |
Silver State Quotas | 1 |
Species | Class | Season | Unit Restrictions | Silver State Quotas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Antelope | Buck | Aug. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | Any hunt unit where there is an open season | 1 |
Desert bighorn sheep | Ram | July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas | 1 |
California bighorn sheep | Ram | July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas | 1 |
Elk | Antlered | Aug. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | 091 | 1 |
Mountain goat | Any | July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | Only available in Unit 102 | 1 |
Mule deer | Antlered | Aug. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2025 | Any hunt unit where there is an open season | 1 |
Jason Schillinger was the lucky winner of the 2014 Nevada Silver State mule deer tag. He was guided by Greg Krogh with the help of Mossback Outfitters.
How to apply for Nevada Silver State Tags:
Open to both resident and nonresident hunters
Apply during the Nevada big game application period here
Deadline: May 7, 2025, at 11:00 p.m. PT
Cost:
$20 for elk
$20 for antelope
$20 for mule deer
$20 for desert bighorn sheep
$20 for mountain goat
$20 for California bighorn sheep
Each applicant may only apply once per species
Sportsmen may apply even if they are in a waiting period for sheep, elk, or antelope
No bonus points apply. Everyone has the same chance to win.
Silver State Tag application fees will be deposited into the Wildlife Heritage Trust Account. Funds from this account must be used for the protection, propagation, restoration, transplantation, introduction, and management of Nevada’s Wildlife. Funds are allocated and administered by NDOW and the Nevada Board of Wildlife Commissioners.
Dream Tags
The Nevada Dream Tags program is a raffle that allows resident and nonresident sportsmen a chance at the hunt of a lifetime while also contributing to Nevada’s wildlife and habitat. The tags offer the ability to hunt in any open unit in the state, although the season dates and weapon class for each hunt unit applies.
Basically, this is a statewide hunting tag for that species, but you must follow the season dates and legal weapon for that season. The tags are similar to other Western states’ raffle tags and “hunt of a lifetime” tags. Application deadline: June 30, 2025. Apply online at the Nevada Dream Tags website.
Breakdown of Tags:
Information on Nevada PIW Hunting Tags
Species | Antelope |
|---|---|
Class | Buck |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | Any hunt unit where there is an open season |
Dream Tag Quotas | 1 |
Species | Desert bighorn sheep |
Class | Ram |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas* |
Dream Tag Quotas | 1 |
Species | Elk |
Class | Antlered |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | 091 |
Dream Tag Quotas | 1 |
Species | Mule deer |
Class | Antlered |
Season | In compliance with general season structures |
Unit Restrictions | Any hunt unit where there is an open season |
Dream Tag Quotas | 1 |
Species | Class | Season | Unit Restrictions | Dream Tag Quotas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Antelope | Buck | In compliance with general season structures | Any hunt unit where there is an open season | 1 |
Desert bighorn sheep | Ram | In compliance with general season structures | Unit harvest limits based on approved quotas* | 1 |
Elk | Antlered | In compliance with general season structures | 091 | 1 |
Mule deer | Antlered | In compliance with general season structures | Any hunt unit where there is an open season | 1 |
Dream Tag winners can hunt anywhere in the state under Nevada Board of Wildlife Commission regulation. Exceptions are for Desert and California Bighorn Sheep. See the requirements below. Winners must follow other rules for weapon class and seasons for that weapon.
Nelson (Desert Bighorn Sheet Hunt 2500: any ram; any management unit where there is an open season for Nelson (desert) bighorn sheep except for the Unit 253 where the previous year harvest for the Dream Tag Hunt 3500 occurred.
California Bighorn Sheep Hunt 8500; any ram; any management unit where there is an open season for California Bighorn sheep except for Unit 041 and Unit 032 where the previous year harvest for the Dream Tag Hunt 8500 occurred.
2015 Nevada Dream Tag bighorn sheep winner. Photo credit: Nevada Dream Tags
How to Apply:
Open to both resident and nonresident hunters
Deadline: June 30, 2025
You are no longer required to buy a $10 Nevada Resource Enhancement Stamp
However, if you choose to, ALL net proceeds go to the Nevada Department of Wildlife
Raffle tickets are $5 each (plus $0.75 processing fee)
An unlimited number of tickets can be purchased
Sportsmen may apply even if they are in a waiting period for sheep, elk, or antelope
Additional Notes:
Non-hunters can purchase the $5.00 chances as a way to contribute to wildlife habitat
You can buy tickets as long as you will be twelve years old or older before the first hunting season date
Ability to purchase tickets for your family and friends
Return a drawn tag if you win a Dream tag of the same species and get your bonus points and your tag fee back.
Winners are drawn at the beginning of July
Raffle winners must be eligible for a hunting license to be issued a Dream Tag
Winners who have not purchased a hunting license already will receive a complimentary hunting license — the non-profit organization buys that and the tag for them
Where does the Nevada Dream Tag Money go?
All money received by the nonprofit organization from the proceeds of the Dream Tag raffle, less the cost of the Dream Tags purchased by the nonprofit organization and any administrative costs charged by the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, must be used for the preservation, protection, management or restoration of game and its habitat, as determined by the Advisory Board on Dream Tags.
For more information on the Nevada Dream Tags program, please visit their website at NVDreamTag.org.
This article was originally published on April 15, 2016, and has been updated.
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