How does the Nevada hunting lottery work for desert bighorn sheep?

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Nevada Desert Bighorn Sheep Tags Desert bighorn sheep tags in Nevada are issued through a limited entry system for both private land and public land hunts. The number of tags available for each hunt area is set by the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) based on population estimates, habitat quality, and other management objectives. For example, the 2022 application period for private land desert bighorn sheep tags included 15 tags for the Spring Mountain unit and 30 tags for the Pahranagat unit.
Application Process To apply for a desert bighorn sheep tag, hunters must submit an application through the NDOW’s online system, which typically opens in January and closes in March. The application fee is $10, and applicants must provide required documentation, including proof of residency, hunting license, and any necessary permits or certifications. Hunters can apply for up to three hunt areas, but only one application per area is allowed. The drawings are usually held in April or May, and applicants are notified of their status through email or mail.
Drawing Process and Odds The desert bighorn sheep draw is a random drawing, and the odds of being drawn for a tag vary depending on the hunt area and the number of applicants. For example, in the 2022 application period, there were over 1,500 applicants for the private land desert bighorn sheep tags, and the odds of being drawn for a tag ranged from 1 in 50 to 1 in 100, depending on the hunt area. Hunters can check their application status and view the drawing results on the NDOW website.