Nevada Units 111–115

Unit 111 elk

The largest elk population in the group. NDOW points to good densities in Duck Creek Basin and the upper Cooper Canyon and Cooper Wash area, scattered elk from Cleve Creek to Muncy Creek on the east side of the Schell Creek Range, and a growing herd around Becky Peak. Bulls summer high in the Schells and move into Duck Creek Basin and Cooper Canyon for the rut. NDOW says the High Schell Wilderness holds a lot of bulls during the November rifle hunts.

Units 112 and 113 elk

In 112, the highest densities are on the north end in the Antelope Range, with year-round use around North Creek, Lookout Spring, and Stockade Spring, and scattered elk from Rock Spring Pass to Chin Creek. In 113, numbers depend on movement off the Goshute Indian Reservation. NDOW lists resident elk in Grass Valley, Tungstonia, and Mallory and Ferry’s canyons, and elk that move into the Pleasant Valley farm ground for the rut and stay through winter.

Unit 114 elk

Elk are spread through the unit. In summer, NDOW says densities are high in the upper Mount Moriah Wilderness: Hendry’s, Hampton, Horse, Silver, Timber, Deep, and Deadman canyons. Water is scarcer from Rye Grass Canyon to the Little Hills, where guzzlers and springs are worth hunting early. Later, look for bulls from Eightmile Canyon north to White Cloud Peak on both sides of the ridge.

Unit 115 elk

NDOW puts the highest elk density from Lincoln Canyon to Strawberry Creek. Early on, many elk feed in the farm fields around Shoshone and move back to the benches by day. Some bulls come off the national park during the rut. Lexington and Chokecherry canyons on the southeast side hold bulls and cows, especially later, and bulls show up late around Murphy’s and John’s washes.

Unit 115 mule deer

NDOW rates deer density in 115 as fair, with much of the high country inside the national park. The west side from Lincoln Canyon north to Strawberry Creek has good deer numbers. On the south end, Johns Wash, Murphy’s Wash, Big Spring Wash, and Red Ledge are good, especially late, and Lexington Canyon improves late in the year. Most hunters want snow to push deer out of the park, but too much snow shuts down access.

Habitat

NDOW lists pinyon and juniper encroachment, feral horse numbers, aging shrubs, and development of private parcels as long-term pressures on big game habitat in Area 11, along with green-energy projects in development. Agencies and landowners have been treating habitat to offset it.

Where they are

Unit 121 is all of Management Area 12: White Pine County (and a sliver of Elko County) west of U.S. 93, north of U.S. 50, and east of the Butte Valley Road and the 30-Mile Road. Unit 104 sits west of that in Elko and White Pine counties, south of the CCC Road and down to U.S. 50. Unit 108 is in White Pine County between the Overland Pass Road on the north, the Long Valley Road on the east, and U.S. 50 on the south.

How NDOW manages the elk

NDOW manages the elk in Unit 121, Unit 104, and part of Unit 108 as one herd, held within the objectives of the Wells Resource Area and White Pine County elk plans. It runs an aggressive cow harvest to limit growth, and it sets depredation tags to keep elk damage off private farm ground in Steptoe Valley while still giving hunters opportunity.

Habitat

NDOW reports pinyon and juniper encroachment across much of Unit 121, with large restoration projects underway, including the Egan and Johnson Basin project and work in Smith Valley. The 2018 Goshute Cave Fire burned about 31,000 acres of mule deer habitat in Unit 121. Reseeding has taken best on north-facing slopes and higher ground.

Our elk seasons

• ArcheryAug 25 – Sep 16
• MuzzleloaderOct 22 – Nov 5
• Rifle, earlyNov 6 – Nov 20
• Rifle, lateNov 21 – Dec 4

Season windows as listed by the outfitter. Confirm official dates with NDOW. Full details on the elk hunt page.