Landowner Tags in Nevada, Montana, Idaho and Arizona
Updated: Sep 28
By Serge Engurasoff, Founder, Urge2Hunt, 35+ years in the hunting industry; arranging guided hunts and landowner tags through Urge2Hunt since 2010.
Member: Safari Club International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Ducks Unlimited.
Last reviewed: September 2026
Of these four states, only Nevada lets you buy a transferable landowner tag. Nevada Landowner Compensation Tags cover mule deer and pronghorn antelope, and a landowner can sell one to a hunter with a valid Nevada hunting license. Montana's program gives qualifying landowners preference in the draw. Idaho restricts its Landowner Appreciation Program, with rules under review during 2026. Arizona has no landowner tag program.
Key Takeaways
Nevada is the only one of these four states where you can buy a transferable landowner tag, and it covers mule deer and pronghorn antelope.
Nevada tags can be sold to a hunter holding a valid Nevada hunting license at a mutually agreed price.
Montana reserves 15% of certain hunting district quotas for qualifying landowners, but these opportunities aren't openly transferable.
Idaho's Landowner Appreciation Program is restricted, with program rules under review during the 2026 season.
Arizona has no landowner tag program. Big-game hunters generally use the draw, raffle, or other available tag systems.
Four More States, and Only One You Can Buy Into
Our guide to how landowner tags work in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Wyoming covers four western programs with very different rules. These next four states are just as different. Nevada provides a route to a transferable landowner tag. Montana gives qualifying landowners preference in its draw. Idaho's program is restricted, with rules under review. Arizona doesn't have a landowner tag program at all.
Nevada, the One That Actually Works
Yes, you can buy a Nevada Landowner Compensation Tag. The program compensates qualifying agricultural landowners for damage caused by mule deer and pronghorn antelope. These tags don't cover elk landowner tags. Nevada bull elk hunts offered through Urge2Hunt use other tag pathways.
The transfer rule is written into Nevada state law, which is why it holds up. Nevada Revised Statutes 502.145 says a compensation tag "may be sold...at any price mutually agreed upon." The buyer must hold a valid Nevada hunting license, and the tag has to be used on that landowner's property or in the units around it. The same statute limits a landowner to one tag per 50 animals on their ground, which is why supply stays tight.
That creates a legal path outside the regular draw for hunters after mule deer or antelope. Nevada is often where points-fatigued mule deer hunters finally get a hunt, because the transfer mechanism is clear in the statute and there are strong units in play. You still need to understand the unit, the property, the season, the tag terms and the hunt itself before you put money down. Read our guide to Nevada mule deer tags or see our mule deer landowner tags.
Montana, Where Preference Is Not a Tag You Can Buy
Montana Landowner Preference doesn't create an openly transferable tag that another hunter can simply purchase. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reserve 15% of certain hunting district quotas for qualifying landowners, improving their opportunity within the state's licensing system.
Current requirements include at least 160 acres for deer and antelope preference and 640 contiguous acres used by elk for elk preference. Because acreage and program requirements can change, verify the current rules with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks before acting. Hunters can still arrange Montana hunts and private-land access through the normal licensing system.
Idaho, Where the Rules Are Being Rewritten
As of the 2026 season, Idaho's Landowner Appreciation Program is restricted and shouldn't be treated like Nevada's open-market transfer system. Idaho Fish and Game provides LAP opportunities to qualifying landowners, with eligible applicants and property requirements defined by program rules. The state has also been reviewing the program through negotiated rulemaking, so transfer and designation rules must be followed. Hunters should check the current Idaho Fish and Game Landowner Appreciation Program information before making plans. A rule from an older article or forum discussion may no longer describe the current program.
Arizona, Where the Program Does Not Exist
Arizona doesn't have a landowner tag program. Big-game hunting opportunities are generally handled through the state's draw, raffle, and other available tag systems. Arizona's Landowner Relations Program deals with habitat, wildlife management, and access partnerships rather than creating transferable landowner tags. We still hear from hunters who have read somewhere that they can buy an Arizona landowner tag. You can't. Depredation permits also shouldn't be confused with a transferable hunting opportunity. If Arizona is your goal, plan around the actual Arizona Game and Fish Department licensing options instead.
Comparison Table
State | Program | Transferable? | What You Actually Get |
Colorado | Landowner Preference Program | Yes, with restrictions | A voucher you redeem for a license |
Utah | Landowner vouchers and CWMU | Yes | A voucher, or a CWMU hunt with access |
New Mexico | EPLUS | Yes, including nonresidents | An authorization you convert to a license |
Wyoming | Landowner licenses | No | Draw your own, or book private access |
Nevada | Landowner Compensation Tags | Yes, deer and antelope only | A tag sellable to a Nevada license holder |
Montana | Landowner Preference | No open-market transfer | Better draw opportunity for qualifying landowners |
Idaho | Landowner Appreciation Program | Restricted, rules under review | Opportunities limited under current LAP rules |
Arizona | None | No program exists | Draw, raffle, or other available tags |
What a Transferable Landowner Tag Actually Costs
There isn't one published price for a Nevada transferable landowner tag, because the transaction happens between the landowner and the hunter at a price the two of them agree on. Treat tag cost and hunt cost as separate line items unless the hunt listing says the tag is included. Reported western transferable tags reach the low-to-mid four figures and higher, depending on the species, the unit and the opportunity. We quote the hunt itself and tell you when the tag comes with it. Our guides to guided hunts with tags included and how we vet the outfitters we book explain that process further.
Related Guides
How Landowner Tags Actually Work by State | Nevada Mule Deer Tags, A Consultant's Playbook | How We Vet the Outfitters We Book | Guided Hunts With Tags Included | Mule Deer Landowner Tags | What a Guided Elk Hunt Actually Costs, by State
Tell Us Your State and We'll Tell You What's Real
Landowner programs can save you from spending years chasing a draw that may never produce the hunt you want, but the rules depend heavily on the state. Tell us where you want to hunt and what points you already have. Serge brings 35+ years of personal industry experience, while Urge2Hunt has arranged guided hunts and landowner-tag opportunities since 2010.
FAQ
Can you buy a landowner tag in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada Landowner Compensation Tags for mule deer and pronghorn antelope can be sold by qualifying landowners to hunters holding a valid Nevada hunting license. Nevada Revised Statutes 502.145 sets the rule and leaves the price to the landowner and the hunter. These tags provide another legal route to certain Nevada hunting opportunities outside the state's regular big-game draw system.
What animals do Nevada landowner tags cover?
Nevada Landowner Compensation Tags cover mule deer and pronghorn antelope. Elk aren't part of the program. It compensates qualifying agricultural landowners for damage associated with those species. Urge2Hunt also offers Nevada bull elk hunts, but those hunts use different tag pathways and shouldn't be described as Nevada Landowner Compensation Tag hunts.
Can you buy a landowner tag in Montana?
No. Montana Landowner Preference doesn't create an open market tag another hunter can purchase. The program reserves part of certain hunting district quotas for qualifying landowners and improves their opportunity within the licensing system. Current requirements vary by species and property, so hunters should verify the latest Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks rules before planning.
Does Arizona have landowner tags?
No. Arizona has no landowner tag program that lets a hunter purchase a transferable tag from a landowner. Big-game opportunities are distributed through draws, raffles, and other state tag systems. Arizona does operate landowner relations and depredation programs, but those programs shouldn't be confused with transferable landowner hunting tags available for purchase.
How much does a landowner tag cost?
There's no standard price for a transferable Landowner Compensation Tag in Nevada. The landowner and eligible hunter agree on the price privately, so cost changes with species, unit, demand, and the hunting opportunity. Treat the tag and hunt as separate expenses unless the Urge2Hunt listing specifically states that the tag is included.
