All who applied for big game hunt tags last year have been mailed an application regulations booklet and tag application forms for deer or other big game species, depending on what they applied for last year.

The Board of Wildlife commissioners adopted a few regulation changes that are in effect this year, including an increase in the application processing fee. This year, applicants will pay a $10 processing fee for each species they apply for, except elk which will be $15, up from $5 and $10 respectively.

According to NDOW, the nonrefundable fee was raised to cover significant increases in processing costs that have occurred since the last increase in 1988. The fee covers the cost of administration of the drawing process conducted under contract by System Consultants of Fallon, and agency costs.

However, those who apply for Partnership In Wildlife (PIW) big game hunt tags this year will find that the Wildlife Commission significantly reduced the cost to apply for the limited number of "second chance" special permits to $10 for each species.

In the past, those who were unsuccessful in obtaining a deer tag in the regular drawing could apply to be involved in the special PIW deer tag drawing for the amount of their refund — $20 — the cost of a resident deer tag. Those unsuccessful in other big game tag drawings donated one-half of their refund: $25 to $50.

As in the past, those successful in drawing one of the special PIW tags this year will pay the full amount of their refund for the tag. Those who are unsuccessful receive their normal refund, minus the new $10 PIW tag fee.

NDOW advises that hunters carefully read pages 17 through 20 in the application regulations booklet first, then follow the step-by-step instructions on pages 21-22 in completing their applications.

All applications are due into the Wildlife Administrative Services Office (WASO) in Fallon no later than 5 p.m. on April 16. Those applications received after the deadline cannot be included in the drawing process.

Applicants are urged to complete and mail their tag applications as early as possible. This allows WASO the ability to return those with errors or omissions to the sender for correction.

The Division reports that approximately 75 percent, or approximately 60,000 applications, are received during the last week of the application period, leaving no time for return and correction.

Those who did not receive an application and brochure through the mail may obtain copies at NDOW offices and commercial operations that sell Nevada hunting and fishing licenses.