Fewer hunting tags will be available this year because big game population numbers are down.

Nevada wildlife biologists are recommending fewer hunting tags this year for elk, deer and antelope, mainly because of fires, drought and a harsh winter in some areas led to poor fawn and calf survival.

Also, in this year's big game population surveys, biologists estimate Nevada's mule deer numbers at 23 percent below average.  They estimate the number to be 108,000, down from 114,000 in 2007.

Tag recommendations for California, desert, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are similar to last year, but for antelope, 126 fewer tags are suggested for the main hunt.

The Nevada Wildlife Commission will be discussing these estimates and recommendations Saturday when it concludes a two-day meeting in Reno by setting tag quotas for this year's hunting season