The Nevada Department of Wildlife wants to remind sportsmen that the big game tag application process opens Monday (March 18). Applications must be received, either by mail by 5 p.m. or online at www.huntnevada.com by 11 p.m. on April 15 to be eligible for the drawing.

Hunters who applied online in the past should have received 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 10. 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 2013 Big Game Seasons and Application Regulations book, which is posted online at www.ndow.org and will also be available at license agents statewide.

Sportsmen are also reminded to take advantage of Nevada's specialty tags (Silver State Tags, Partners in Wildlife Tags and the Nevada Dream Tags). 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 with any legal weapon. The tags are available through Nevada's tag application process. Partnership in Wildlife (PIW) is a voluntary and optional participation program that offers unique hunting opportunities to hunt in any unit with an open season for the species listed on the tag, during the season dates when that unit is open for that species, and only with the weapon authorized to be used during that open season. The Nevada Dream Tag is a raffle that gives hunters the opportunity to win premier big game tags while also giving to needed habitat restoration. 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.

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 also on March 28 from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at the Verdi Wildlife Education Center at 270 Bridge Street.

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.

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.