AccountInformation on Nevada's 2023 First Come, First Served tag process
Jump to: Tags awarded in 2022 How the process works Tips for getting a tag Important info
July 24, 2023 update: Nevada's First Come, First Served tag process is live and I've already seen tags show up.
It's that time of year again, Nevada's First Come, First Served (FCFS) process starts July 24, 2023 if tags become available! If you didn't draw a tag, this is a great way to pick up a coveted Nevada tag. This is probably one of the more exciting ways to re-allocate turned back tags.
So... how many tags were awarded last year in FCFS?
During the 2022 season, the following tags were given out. So yes... there is a chance, but you will have to put the time in.
- 158 antelope horns longer than ears
- 15 antelope horns shorter than ears
- 7 junior mule deer antlered/antlerless tags
- 572 antlered mule deer tags
- 16 antlerless mule deer tags
- 108 antlered bull elk tags
- 2 depredation antlered bull elk tags
- 74 antlerless cow elk tags
- 2 depredation antlerless cow elk tags
- 10 spike elk tags
- 13 desert bighorn sheep ram tags
- 6 desert bighorn ewe tags
How does this first come, first served system work?
To attempt to pick up a tag (once available), head over to NDOW Licensing, then, on July 24 and after, click on the "First Come, First Served Tags" section in the upper right portion of the screen if you are on a computer, and then log in. If you're on a mobile device, tap the three line deal and it will drop down a toolbar.
Check out any available first come, first serve tags here when available
When tags are turned back and processed, they will go up on the first come, first served list where they can be picked up by both residents and nonresidents. Note: a new change for 2023, you are now limited to either the resident or nonresident tag turned back in based on your residency. So a nonresident will only be able to pick up a nonresident tag that was surrendered by a nonresident. And a resident can only pick up a tag that was returned by a resident.
One area that is extra interesting is the time and day tags go online is random. You could have tags show up at 3 a.m. or 11 p.m. and any other time of the day.
Also, bonus points will be purged if you pick up a FCFS tag and if you're currently on a waiting period for that species, you'll be unable to pick up a tag.
Tips for getting a tag
The best tip I can give you is to put in the required effort into this program. If you are diligent and have the licensing page open and don't allow the page to go to sleep, there's a great chance that eventually you might find a really awesome tag show up. If you're bored in the evening, maybe check out the page at random hours in the night. But like everything in life, you won't see success "getting a tag" if you don't put in the effort to keep checking the NDOW website, as these tags show up at random.
Don't click refresh: The data on the FCFS page updates instantly and automatically. Do not click the refresh button, as re-establishing your connection after a refresh may take several seconds which increases the chance you'll miss out on a tag.
Also, because you need to be quick at picking up a tag when they show up on the FCFS list, now is a great time to freshen up on Nevada units and species that you'd be interested in picking up tags for. To do that, jump on over to GOHUNT's Insider Filtering 2.0 and manipulate the filters and make a list of units that you'd be willing to burn your current bonus points on if that tag showed up. You never know; a tag might show up that you want, and at least this way; you will know instantly what is and what isn't a tag that is worth purchasing. The more prepared you are, the greater chance you have of not wasting precious seconds if a tag shows up on this FCFS list.
Learn more about a GOHUNT membership here
Important noteworthy information
One tag per shopping cart in 7-day period
A person is limited to adding one tag to their shopping cart in a 7-day period. Make sure the tag you add to your cart is the one you intend to purchase. Check back later to continue participation in the FCFS program.
Prevention of unfair advantages
Back in September of 2022, NDOW passed a new rule for the suspension of people using unfair advantages (multiple logins, multiple browsers, electronic tech, etc.) during the FCFS tag process.
Learn more about this rule change here
Residency and how that impacts what tag you can get
Nevada’s first come, first served list for surrendered tags has changed for 2023. Customers will be limited to either the resident or nonresident tag based on their Nevada residency. This means that nonresidents will only be able to purchase a nonresident tag that was surrendered by a nonresident.
Other information:
- You will have 5 minutes once a tag has been added to your cart to checkout. Once that timer runs out, your tag will be taken from your cart, and the tag will re-appear on the first come, first served list within the next 24 hours.
- To ensure a quick checkout, make sure your payment and shipping information is up to date before adding a tag to your cart. You can make changes to this information in your profile.
- You are allowed one tag in your cart at a time. If you want to purchase multiple tags, you will have to purchase them in separate transactions. This ensures that the first come first served checkout process is fair for all hunters.
- Take shipping times into account when purchasing your tags. Some tags may have few days left in-season and standard mail would arrive after the season ends. Typical standard mail times are 5-7 business days. Overnight shipping is available for an increased fee and tags are free to be picked up at an NDOW office during business hours.
What the FCFS tag page looks like
When trying to get a FCFS tag, most of the time the screen will look like the image above.
When a tag shows up, it will look similar to the above screenshot. Plus, tags that you are ineligible to pick up due to wait periods will be greyed out.
If you are eligible to purchase the tag, it will show up like the image below.
Another neat feature is at the right it shows how many tags are available for that unit/unit group and also how many days are remaining in the season. This is huge in case some tags get offered up late in the season when there isn't many days of hunting left before the season closes.
Easy to filter the options
If for some reason a lot of tags show up at once, you can filter your results by species, weapon type, unit, etc.
FCFS opening day July 24 update
I've already personally seen two tags show up on the 2023 First Come, First Served list. Every year I read comments on this article or on social media of people saying they don't see tags show up. Yes, things have changed up a little bit this year, with the residency change, but there still should be some tags available for both residencies. You just need to put in the work.
Below is information from NDOW:
What is the First Come, First Served (FCFS) program?
A way for Nevada to offer additional hunting opportunities to the public. The Department’s goal is to not have any tag go unused and this program allows us to offer returned tags to all eligible hunters.
Why are these tags available in this program?
The tags available for purchase in the FCFS program are tags not issued in the draws, returned to NDOW with no eligible alternate, or was returned with less than 14 days prior to the start of the season.
When do FCFS tags become available for purchase?
Tags eligible for the FCFS program will appear for purchase at a randomized time after a tag has been processed by NDOW.
Can anyone purchase a FCFS tag?
Customers with an active NV hunting license who meet the eligibility criteria for the tag being offered will be able to purchase a tag from the FCFS program.
How can I receive my FCFS tag once I’ve purchased it?
Tags can be shipped standard, overnighted, or available for pick up at NDOW offices around the state during regular office hours. Shipping fees are nonrefundable. NDOW and Gordon-Darby are not responsible for the timing of the shipping carrier.
Will I lose my bonus points if I purchase a FCFS tag?
Yes. All standard draw rules apply to purchased FCFS tags, including the loss of bonus points and applied waiting periods.
Will I be in a waiting period if I purchase a FCFS tag?
Yes. All standard draw rules apply to purchased FCFS tags, including the loss of bonus points and applied waiting periods.
I applied and was unsuccessful for the same tag in the main draw, why is it available in the FCFS program?
The tags available for purchase in the FCFS program were returned to NDOW with no eligible alternate or was returned less than 14 days prior to the start of the season.
Can I purchase a resident tag if I am a nonresident?
No, tags will be available for purchase only to those matching the original residency assigned to the tag.
Can I buy more than one FCFS tag?
Yes, but only through separate transactions and for separate species. Only one tag can be placed in a shopping cart at a time and will be the only item, outside of a hunting license, that can be purchased at that time.
Can I return my purchased FCFS tag?
Yes. Returned FCFS tags will again appear for purchase through the FCFS program at a random time after the tag has been processed by NDOW. Bonus points will be reinstated if the tag is received 1-day prior to the start of the tag's season.
Do I need a hunting license to purchase a FCFS tag?
Yes. If you wish to purchase a FCFS tag and do not currently hold an active Nevada hunting license, you will be prompted to purchase a license along with your tag at the time of checkout.
Do I need a hunter’s safety certification before purchasing a FCFS tag?
Yes, to anyone born after January 1, 1960. If you do not currently have a hunter’s safety certification attached to your account, you will not be allowed to select a FCFS tag that is currently available for purchase.
I marked to be an alternate why wasn’t I assigned a FCFS tag?
Any tag not matching an alternate's first hunt choice selection or returned with fewer than 14 days before the season opens are offered in the FCFS program.
Why is my account suspended from the FCFS program?
NDOW reserves the right to suspend any account for suspicious activity to ensure the process is fair to everyone. This includes any account that has excessive amounts of “Adds to Cart” without purchasing.
Why don’t I see the same tags available as my friend?
Customers who currently hold a tag will not be shown available FCFS tags of the same species. A customer can only be awarded one tag per species, per season.
Why am I not seeing any tags?
Tags available in the FCFS program are randomized. If no tags are showing, it does not mean that there are not tags available. Keep checking back to see if a tag has completed its randomization time.
Why am I being locked out of the FCFS system?
A person is limited to adding one tag to their shopping cart in a 7-day period. Make sure the tag you add to your cart is the one you intend to purchase. Check back later to continue participation in the FCFS program.
July 17, 2023
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