NAC503.148. Use of aircraft, hot air balloons, satellites or other devices.

     1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person shall not, for the purpose of hunting, locate or observe, or assist a person in locating or observing, any big game mammal in a management unit described in NAC 504.210 during the period beginning 48 hours before a big game hunting season opens until the close of the season in that management unit with the use of:

     (a) An aircraft, including, without limitation, any device that is used for navigation of, or flight in, the air;

     (b) A hot air balloon or any other device that is lighter than air; or

     (c) A satellite or any other device that orbits the earth and is equipped to produce images.

     2. For the purposes of subsection 1, the season for hunting a mountain lion which is open in a management unit shall be deemed not to be a big game hunting season during the period beginning after the big game hunting season for all other species of big game has closed in that management unit until the period beginning 48 hours before the opening of a big game hunting season established for hunting any other species of big game in that management unit.

     3. Evidence of an act constituting a violation of subsection 1 includes, without limitation:

     (a) Flying slowly at low altitudes;

     (b) Hovering;

     (c) Circling; or

     (d) Repeatedly flying,

Ê over a forest, marsh, field, woodland or rangeland where a big game mammal is likely to be found.

     4. The provisions of this section do not apply to a person who:

     (a) Is acting within the scope of his or her official duties and who is:

          (1) An employee or authorized agent of this State;

          (2) An employee of a municipal or county government of this State; or

          (3) An employee of the Federal Government;

     (b) Holds a scientific permit issued by the Department for the collection of wildlife and who is acting in compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit; or

     (c) Holds a permit issued by the Department which authorizes the control of bobcats, coyotes or ravens from an aircraft and who is acting in compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit.

     5. The provisions of this section do not authorize any act that is prohibited by NRS 503.010.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Wildlife Comm’rs by R060-99, eff. 10-27-99; A by R170-01, 4-3-2002)