Penalties for Wildlife Crimes in Nevada

Nevada is serious about protecting the integrity of its diverse ecosystems. As such, the state maintains stringent requirements for handing out permits for big game hunting, land reclamation, tree cutting and the like. However, there are still gaps where exploitative individuals will go through to profit from Nevada's flora and fauna, leading to many wildlife crimes that have had a negative effect on the local environment.

To combat this threat, the state enforces equally strict laws that monitor and restrict poachers and similar criminals from exploiting the natural resources and wildlife. These laws also enact strict penalties for wildlife crimes in Nevada, a few of which are briefly described below.

• killing of protected/endangered wildlife under forbidden conditions is equivalent to a category E felony and can equate to a maximum of one year in prison and a $5000 fine
• obtaining a big game animal under forbidden conditions as a trophy can net a civil penalty ranging from $25 to $1000
• hunting, trapping and fishing without a license is punishable by a $50 civil penalty
• other minor wildlife crimes such as feeding animals without authorization can be charged as misdemeanor crimes, equivalent to a maximum of six months of jail time and between $50 and $5000
• Cutting down trees or vandalizing plants in the wild are misdemeanor crimes and are punished with similar penalties