Bird hunters must register for a Harvest Information Program validation number.

Anyone 12 years old or older who hunts migratory birds such as doves, ducks, geese, swans and snipe is required to obtain a HIP number, according to the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The purpose of HIP is to develop more reliable estimates of the number of migratory birds harvested throughout the country. The state wildlife agencies collect the name, address and some additional information from each migratory bird hunter in their state and send that information to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service then randomly selects a sample of those hunters and asks them to provide information on the kind and number of migratory birds they harvested during the hunting season. Those reports are then used to develop reliable harvest estimates.

“Hunters must have their HIP number written on their hunting license and there is a space specifically for it,” NDOW Conservation Education supervisor Doug Nielsen stated in the release. “HIP numbers are one of the things game wardens look for when they check hunting licenses.”

There is no charge for the HIP number and the process usually takes just a few minutes, but hunters must purchase their hunting license first. Hunters may obtain their HIP numbers online at http://www.ndowlicensing.com or by calling 866-703-4605.