Terry Crawforth, director of the Nevada Department of Wildlife, will retire July 15.
Crawforth, 59, has been with the agency for 42 years. He has been director since 1998.
"Terry Crawforth has done a tremendous job during his long tenure as NDOW director and his achievements will long be recognized by outdoor and wildlife enthusiasts," said Gov. Kenny Guinn.
Crawforth directed efforts to improve the department's planning, for acquisition of prime wildlife habitats and developed the state's Wildlife Diversity Program which supports non-game and species at risk.
He also battled problems funding the department, which has traditionally been supported by fees and licenses sold to sportsmen and hunters.
No successor has been named.