Rabbit Hunting Season in Nevada: Dates, Limits, and Rules for 2026-27
October 30, 2026
Rabbit hunting season in Nevada runs almost four months for adults, and kids get a head start in September. That surprises a lot of hunters who assume the Silver State is all big game and desert. Cottontails and white-tailed jackrabbits give you a low-cost, low-pressure way to get outside through the winter.
This article covers the 2026-27 dates, the daily and possession limits, the licenses you need, and the rules on methods, hours, and public land. Figures come from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) regulations and recent state reporting, so confirm anything that matters with NDOW before you head out.
Pro Tip: Nevada small-game rules can differ by hunt unit, refuge, and wildlife management area. Check the unit you plan to hunt before you load the truck.
Rabbit Hunting Season Dates in Nevada
The general rabbit season is the longest window you get. According to Nevada eRegulations, the statewide rabbit season runs Nov. 1, 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027. Youth hunters go first, with a separate statewide season in late September.
Falconers have their own, longer window. The falconry season for upland game birds and rabbits runs Sept. 1, 2026 through Feb. 28, 2027.
| Season | Dates | Who Can Hunt |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Rabbit | Sept. 26 – Oct. 4, 2026 | Hunters 17 and younger, with an adult 18 or older |
| General Rabbit | Nov. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Residents and nonresidents |
| Falconry (Upland and Rabbit) | Sept. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027 | Licensed falconers |
A September 2026 report from the Great Basin Sun notes that dates, open areas, and regulations can vary by species and hunt unit, and NDOW encourages hunters to check regulations before heading out. Nevada also sets seasons on a two-year cycle. The NDOW commission regulation CR 26-13 covers 2026-2027 and 2027-2028.
If you hunt other game in the state, our guides to dove hunting season in Nevada and turkey hunting season in Nevada help you stack trips around the rabbit calendar.
Which Rabbit and Hare Species You Can Hunt in Nevada
Nevada’s regulated rabbit season covers two species. Small game species in the rabbit category include cottontail and white-tailed jackrabbits. The cottontail (Sylvilagus species) is the classic brush and sagebrush rabbit, and the white-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus townsendii) is a larger hare found in open country.
Black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) work differently. Nevada classifies a group of species as unprotected, meaning no license is required to hunt them, and black-tailed jackrabbits are on that list. AskHunting reports they may be hunted year-round without a hunting license under the unprotected species rule.
Pygmy rabbits are off limits. NDOW’s regulation text says pygmy rabbit season is closed, and the department cited habitat loss when it recommended the closure.
Important Note: Nevada’s national wildlife refuges add their own conditions. At Pahranagat, for example, jackrabbit hunting is permitted only during the regular state season for cottontail rabbit. Always read the refuge rules for the specific area.
Rabbit Hunting Bag and Possession Limits in Nevada
The general season limit is 5 rabbits per day with 15 in possession. Nevada eRegulations lists the limit as 5/15, taken singly or in the aggregate, so you can mix cottontails and white-tailed jackrabbits toward the same total.
The youth season is more generous in the current regulation listing. The statewide youth rabbit season in eRegulations shows a 6/18 limit. Other guides still show 5/15 for the youth hunt, and the NDOW commission document lists a youth daily limit of 5 and possession limit of 15 in one place, so confirm the figure in the current NDOW regulations before you go.
| Season | Daily Limit | Possession Limit |
|---|---|---|
| General Rabbit | 5 | 15 |
| Youth Rabbit | 6 (per eRegulations; verify with NDOW) | 18 (per eRegulations; verify with NDOW) |
| Falconry (Upland and Rabbit) | 2 | 8 |
The limits are lower than they used to be. In a 2022 recommendation, NDOW proposed cutting the rabbit limit from 10 per day and 30 in possession down to 5 and 15, citing a declining trend in rabbit numbers and low densities seen on survey routes. Some older guides still print the 10-per-day figure, so check the date on any source you use.
Licenses and Permits Required to Hunt Rabbits in Nevada
For cottontails and white-tailed jackrabbits, you need a Nevada hunting license. The Nevada Department of Wildlife issues the license, and you can buy it through NDOW’s website or at sporting goods stores and bait shops. Youth hunters can use the youth license structure, and nonresidents are allowed in the general season.
The unprotected-species exception is the big shortcut. If you only target black-tailed jackrabbits, no license is required because they fall under the unprotected category. Trapping is a different matter, since a trapping license is required for several of those species, including black-tailed jackrabbit.
Falconers need to meet the falconry licensing rules in Title 45 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, since falconry licensees must comply with Title 45 of NRS and all commission regulations. Rabbits are not migratory birds, so the HIP validation requirement does not apply to a rabbit-only hunt. If you also hunt doves or other migratory birds, that rule applies to you.
Pro Tip: Fees change from year to year, so check NDOW’s license page for current prices before you buy. We did not find a verified 2026 fee schedule while researching this article.
Legal Hunting Methods and Weapons for Rabbits in Nevada
Most Nevada rabbit hunters use a shotgun or a .22 rimfire, and many take cottontails with a bow or slingshot-style tools where allowed. We did not find a verified weapon-by-weapon list in the sources we reviewed, so treat the specifics as something to confirm in the NDOW regulations. The bigger point is that weapon rules can change by area.
Public wildlife management areas are a good example. According to a 2025 hunting guide, public-land Wildlife Management Areas enforce posted season dates and method restrictions. National wildlife refuges add another layer, because all refuges have general provisions regarding travel, firearms, alcohol consumption, fireworks and hunting.
Falconry is its own legal method with a separate season and a lower limit of 2 per day. Falconers should read the falconry regulations closely.
- Check whether your hunt area is a WMA, refuge, or other closed area before you pack a weapon.
- Follow posted method restrictions on any public land parcel.
- Confirm weapon rules with NDOW if you plan to use archery gear or a nonstandard method.
Shooting Hours and Sunday Hunting Rules for Rabbit Hunting in Nevada
Shooting hours for the regular rabbit season are simple. Nevada eRegulations lists hunting hours for rabbit as sunrise to sunset, and the youth season lists the same window. That means you can hunt from first light to sundown, but not after dark.
Sunday is not a restricted day in the sources we reviewed. We found no Nevada rule that closes small-game hunting on Sundays, and the eRegulations season listings show daily hunting hours with no day-of-week limit. The exception is certain public areas. For instance, hunting waterfowl and upland game at Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge is allowed only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Some refuges follow state hours by species. Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge is open for hunting in accordance with state hunting hours by species. Check the refuge you plan to visit for its own day restrictions.
Hunter Orange and Public Land Rules for Rabbit Hunting in Nevada
We did not find a verified Nevada rule requiring hunter orange for rabbit hunting in our research, so check the current NDOW regulations before you hunt. Wearing blaze orange is a smart habit anyway, especially during the fall when deer and other seasons overlap with your rabbit trip.
Public land access is where most Nevada rabbit hunters should spend their planning time. NDOW’s Hunt NV tool is described by State Outdoors as an interactive planning tool with public access, species info, and hunt unit boundaries. Use it to confirm where you can legally go.
Wildlife management areas make up a meaningful share of public hunting ground. Nevada maintains many Wildlife Management Areas, totaling 120,000 acres. Some refuges are also worth checking, though some are entirely closed to hunting while others allow only certain species and methods.
If you want to compare how neighboring states handle seasons, our guides to deer hunting season in Nevada, bear hunting season in Nevada, and deer hunting season in California walk through similar license and unit rules. For a broader overview of state law, see our Nevada hunting laws guide.