All resident and nonresident hunters who applied for big game hunt tags last year have been mailed a hunting season brochure and tag application forms for deer and/or other big game species, depending on what they applied for last year.

The Board of Wildlife Commissioners adopted new regulations for 2000 that significantly change the way hunters apply for tags, and Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) once again is stressing the importance of reading the instructions printed in the application brochure.

"The new regulations allow hunters to select hunter choice numbers not only by hunt unit, as in the past, but by weapon type as well," said Patty Wagner, License Office supervisor. "In addition, these changes, once adopted, required certain changes in the bonus point system that the Commission also adopted.

"The single best piece of advice we can offer to hunters to aid them in understanding these changes is to read pages 10-11, which explain the changes in the bonus point program, and page 21, which explains the application process changes."

After reading pages 10, 11 and 21, Wagner advises hunters complete their applications by carefully following the instructions on pages 22 and 23.

All applications must be mailed to and received by the Hunt Application Office in Fallon no later than 5 p.m., April 17. Applications received after the deadline will not be included in the computerized drawings.

Wagner urges hunters to complete and mail their applications as early as possible. "Systems Consultants, the company that is under contract to process the estimated 80,000 applications this year reports that about 75 percent, or approximately 60,000 applications, are received during the last week of the application period. That leaves no time to return any of these for correction of omissions or errors.

"By getting it in early, chances are there will be sufficient time to return an incorrect application to the hunter for correction of errors or omissions that are found during processing," Wagner added.

Those who did not receive an application and brochure through the mail may obtain copies at NDOW hunting and fishing license agents throughout the state.