White Pine, Lincoln & Nye Counties · Management Area 22
Nevada Units 221–223
Classic Basin and Range: long, linear mountains from U.S. 50 south toward Hiko. We guide elk, mule deer, and antelope across all three units.
The Unit
115 Miles of Basin and Range
Units 221, 222, and 223 make up Nevada’s Management Area 22, west of U.S. 93 and east of U.S. 6 and State Route 318. Unit 221 is the western piece, 222 runs along U.S. 93 on the east side, and 223, the southern end, lies entirely in Lincoln County.
NDOW describes the area as true Basin and Range, with linear mountain ranges running 115 miles north to south. Elevations run from 3,887 feet at Hiko to 10,990 feet on Mount Grafton. The central and northern parts hold most of the deer fawning and summer range and the elk calving and summer range. The southern part is mostly winter range.
Most of the ground is public land managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Source: Nevada Administrative Code 504.210, hunt unit boundaries; NDOW 2025 Big Game Status Book, draft of April 30, 2025 (PDF); NDOW hunt information: Mule Deer, Units 221–223 (PDF)What We Hunt Here
Species & Seasons
All three units are on our list for elk, mule deer, and antelope.
| Species | Units | Our season windows |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | 221, 222, 223 |
|
| Mule Deer | 221, 222, 223 |
|
| Antelope | 221, 222, 223 |
|
Season windows as listed by the outfitter. *Some mule deer units have late hunts extending to Nov 5. NDOW sets the official dates, hunt numbers, and quotas each year, so confirm them in the current regulations. See all season dates and how the Nevada draw works.
The Country
Unit by Unit
From NDOW’s published hunt information and status reports for the 221–223 unit group.
Unit 221 elk
NDOW rates elk densities in 221 as good, with good numbers on Ward Mountain: the Upper Terrace, Lion Springs, Blue Springs, Lowry Springs, and Williams Creek. Elk scatter along Ward Mountain’s east bench in Steptoe Valley, and the country from Bullwhack Summit to Long Canyon holds pockets of elk. Densities drop south of Shingle Pass. Elk also use the farm fields near Lund.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Elk, Units 221–223 (PDF)Unit 222 elk
NDOW says 222 has higher elk densities than 221. Early on, look to the Horse and Cattle Camp Loop, Cold Springs, John Henry Wash, and Robbers Roost Basin. Mount Grafton is another good area, with most elk on the Cave Valley side, and the Horse and Cattle Camp Loop and Cave Valley are good during the rut. The Mule Shoe and Grassy Mountain area holds elk early. Later, cows gather on the Cave Valley side of Grafton, and bulls scatter into thick timber at every elevation.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Elk, Units 221–223 (PDF)Unit 223 elk
The lowest elk density in the group. Water is limited, so NDOW says most elk stay near it: Little Boulder, Mustang, Wheatgrass, Rattlesnake, and Black Rock springs. Old burns in the Pahroc Range can draw elk too.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Elk, Units 221–223 (PDF)Mule deer
Early in the year, most deer are in the high country of the northern units, in the Schell Creek and Egan ranges, in basins with reliable water. NDOW says to be ready to hike high and pack animals out a long way. Cold weather and snow start the migration south and down. Winter deer are mostly on the benches at the south end of the Schell Creek Range, in Mule Shoe Valley, and low in the Fairview Range, with more in the West Range, Ely Springs Range, and North Pahroc Range. Late September and early October can be tough, with deer between ranges and not yet bunched up.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Mule Deer, Units 221–223 (PDF)Antelope
NDOW surveys and reports pronghorn in 221–223 together with Unit 241, and notes the herd is still recovering from the 2020–2022 drought. Our antelope hunts are about glassing open valleys and making a plan to close the distance.
Source: NDOW 2025 Big Game Status Book, draft of April 30, 2025 (PDF)Weather and water
NDOW notes that a big share of the year’s moisture falls in late fall and winter. Late-July monsoon storms can green things up and move animals around. In a dry summer, deer stay closer to permanent water on summer range.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Mule Deer, Units 221–223 (PDF)Getting Around
Access, Camp & Rules
Roads in
U.S. 93 between Ely and Crystal Springs gives access to the east and south sides. State Route 318 covers the west. County-maintained dirt roads and a big network of two-tracks run through all three units, and they vary from fair to rough.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Mule Deer, Units 221–223 (PDF); NDOW hunt information: Elk, Units 221–223 (PDF)Vehicles and weather
NDOW recommends high-clearance vehicles and extra spare tires, and says to watch the forecast even on early hunts. Summer thunderstorms and fall and winter snow can change road conditions and access fast.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Elk, Units 221–223 (PDF)Wilderness
The South Egan Range, Far South Egan, and Mount Grafton wilderness areas are closed to vehicles and mechanized equipment, including wheeled game carts.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Elk, Units 221–223 (PDF); NDOW hunt information: Mule Deer, Units 221–223 (PDF)Private land
Private property generally doesn’t limit access here, but you still need to know where it is and get permission before hunting or crossing it. With us, trailers and wall tents are available at extra cost.
Source: NDOW hunt information: Elk, Units 221–223 (PDF)Boundaries
Where 221, 222 & 223 Fall
Area 22 is bounded by U.S. 6 and State Route 318 on the west, State Route 375 and U.S. 93 (Hiko Junction to Caliente) on the south, U.S. 93 (Caliente to Majors Place) on the east, and U.S. 50/93 on the north.
- Unit 221
- White Pine, Lincoln, and Nye counties. North: U.S. 50. East: the Cave Valley Road from near Comins Lake, over Bullwhack Summit and through Cave Valley to the Silver King Pass Road. South: the Silver King Pass Road. West: State Route 318 and U.S. 6.
- Unit 222
- White Pine, Lincoln, and Nye counties. North: U.S. 50/6/93. East: U.S. 93. South: the Bristol Wells Road. West: State Route 318, the Silver King Pass Road, and the Cave Valley Road.
- Unit 223
- Lincoln County. North: the Bristol Wells Road. East and south: U.S. 93. West: State Route 318.
NDOW’s notes are the public baseline. Summer scouting and trail camera work is how we keep up with what’s actually in a unit from one year to the next. Drew a tag here, or deciding whether to apply? Call or text Justin at 702-301-1693.
- Elk
- Mule Deer
- Antelope
- Mule Deer
- Antelope
- Elk
- Mule Deer
- Antelope
- Elk
- Mule Deer
- Antelope
Moore Hounds & Outfitters
Hunting 221, 222, or 223?
Call or text Justin to talk through which unit and season fit the hunt you want.