Nevada: (Division of Wildlife): A non-resident license ($111) and tag ($101) can be purchased over the counter or by mail in this state. You can purchase two cougar tags in this state. A license is only good through February 28, and then you must purchase a new one. Every unit in the state has a sport harvest objective. Call the Division of Wildlife Mountain Lion Information Line for the quota status. Last season, the department issued 767 permits, including 124 to non-residents. Resident hunters killed 73 mountain lions, and non-residents tagged 67. Typically, the highest harvests come from Elko and White Pine counties. Last year, the top units were 10, 7/8, 11, 20 and 6.
You can contact the Department of Wildlife to obtain a master guide list, or you can contact the Nevada Outfitters and Guides Association. The head of this association is an outfitter whom I would recommend. Todd Schwandt of Nevada High Country Outfitters hunts the Ruby and Independence Ranges in northeast Nevada. He takes around 14 hunters each year. Last year he had two unsuccessful hunters due to weather-related problems. Schwandt told me that he is starting to see the impact of the department's lenient policies toward lions (lower costs and double tags). Several years ago, the average cougar was 8 to 10 years old, and now it has dropped to four to six years old. Still, Schwandt produces heads that qualify near the top of the Nevada Record Book, including the fourth largest cougar. His best last year scored 14-8/16 inches. He also conducts only scheduled hunts and does not offer "will call" hunts. Clients fly into Elko and take provided shuttle service to the ranch where they will hunt. If Schwandt hunts one of the northern areas, clients stay in a motel. Expect to hunt from snow machines. He charges $3,300 for a full six days of hunting on a 1 x 1........(continued)
