Hunting

General Hunting Laws

Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established to restore and conserve wetlands at the terminus of the Carson River and today offers some of the best waterfowl hunting in Nevada. To maintain the wetlands, water is diverted from the Carson River and directed through a complex system of ditches to flood the marsh and fill ponds. 

The marsh and ponds provide important migration habitat for many duck species. These shallow wetlands also provide good hunting for ducks and swans, with opportunities to walk-in or use boats. Because the refuge is at almost 4,000 feet in elevation, the ponds can be frozen in December and January. As many as 100,000 ducks can be on the refuge in the fall, and hunters can expect to see a variety of species, such as gadwall, green-winged teal, widgeon, redhead and canvasback. 

Hunting is permitted in designated areas north of Division Road and in accordance with State and Federal regulations. Please consult the annual hunting guide published by the Nevada Department of Wildlife for current regulations in Nevada and on the refuge.

(g) Stillwater National Wildlife Refuge —

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, swan, coot, merganser, snipe, and dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow the use of dogs when hunting game birds.

(ii) We allow overnight stays while hunting subject to the following conditions:

(A) You may stay overnight only at designated sites within the refuge boundary.

(B) We limit overnight stays to 4 consecutive nights at one location, and to 12 consecutive nights on the refuge.

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of quail, rabbit, turkey, badger, beaver, and coyote on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Approved methods of take include shotgun and federally approved non-lead shot, bow and arrow, and falconry.

(ii) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.

(iii) The condition set forth at paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section applies.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of mule deer and pronghorn on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) Approved methods of take include shotgun, muzzle-loading rifle, and bow and arrow.

(ii) The condition set forth at paragraph (g)(1)(ii) of this section applies.

(4) [Reserved]

General waterfowl season usually runs from the second week in October through the third weekend in January. A late snow goose season is often held from mid-February to early March. Check NV state regulations prior to your hunt visit. A state-wide waterfowl hunt day for youth aged 10 - 16yrs is held two weeks prior and two weeks after general waterfowl season.

• There is no check station, permit or fee to hunt at Stillwater NWR.
• All state and Federal migratory bird seasons, rules and bag limits are in effect. Non-toxic shot is mandatory.
• Hunting is only permitted north of Division Road.

For accessible blind information, call us at (775) 423-5128 to learn about reasonable accommodations for hunters. 

Protect your hunting dog! Learn more about marshfoot that could affect your dog.