Unit 013 Unit 013
The Hays Canyon Range core — mahogany-bench mule deer and open-country pronghorn
Northwestern Nevada — Washoe County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
613
sq mi
Public land
91%
approx.
Elevation
4,400–7,900
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 013 covers the heart of the Hays Canyon Range in remote southwestern Washoe County, west toward California's Surprise Valley and south of the Vya Rim tables. It holds the group's high point at 7,900-foot Hays Canyon Peak and is well known for chukar in Hays and Wall canyons alongside its deer and antelope hunts. Roughly 91% public BLM land, it offers good road access to most areas with pockets reachable only on foot. Draw-tag pronghorn and thinly distributed mule deer are the draw here — success rewards hunters who out-glass the terrain rather than out-cover it.
Terrain
The Hays Canyon Range spine of mahogany-topped ridges and steep canyons rising from sagebrush valleys, capped by 7,900-foot Hays Canyon Peak. Deer hold in the upper mahogany and bitterbrush; antelope work the open flats and lower tables; the canyons carry chukar.
Cover: Sagebrush with bitterbrush at mid-elevations, pinyon and juniper on the rims, mountain mahogany on the higher slopes, and aspen and meadow pockets near springs and the highest country.
Landmarks: Hays Canyon Range · Hays Canyon Peak (7,900 ft) · Hays Canyon · Wall Canyon · Wall Canyon Reservoir · Cherry Mountain · Packsaddle Spring · Boulder Mountain
Access
About 91% public BLM land (Winnemucca District) with private inholdings mostly in the valley floors. Good road access reaches most of the unit, though some upper country is foot-access only. Approach east on Highway 299 from Alturas and Cedarville, California, or north from Reno/Gerlach on Highway 447. Roads range from high-standard dirt to jeep trails; 4WD or ATV is needed for many areas. Cell service is limited in the west and absent in the east.
Managers: BLM
Access points: Highway 299 (Cedarville, CA) · Highway 447 (from Gerlach/Reno) · Hays Canyon roads · Wall Canyon road
Species notes
Pronghorn
common opportunityA draw-tag antelope unit running about 52% recent success — solid but tougher than northwest Nevada's best. Bucks range the open sage flats and lower tables below the Hays Canyon Range.
- →Glass the open flats and benches at first and last light, then use terrain to close on bedded bucks.
- →In dry early seasons pattern antelope around the limited water — springs, tanks, and reservoirs.
- →Judge horns carefully from long range before committing to a stalk across open ground.
Mule Deer
common opportunityDeer are widely distributed at moderate-to-low density across the Hays Canyon Range; the herd was hit hardest by the severe 2022 winter. Success is a function of glassing time in the right cover, and bigger bucks turn up more readily in the early archery window.
- →Focus the upper elevations from Hays Canyon Peak south to Packsaddle Spring and east to Boulder Mountain — glass the mahogany and bitterbrush hard.
- →Work the Cherry Mountain country east of Wall Canyon Reservoir, which can be productive later in the regular season.
- →Early season, hunt near the scarce water; deer spread out onto the ridges and tables as the weather cools.
Pro tips
- →Hunt the Hays Canyon Range top-down: glass from Hays Canyon Peak south to Packsaddle Spring and east to Boulder Mountain.
- →Save the Cherry Mountain / Wall Canyon Reservoir country for later in the deer season when it tends to fire up.
- →Time and optics beat mileage here — the deer are spread thin, so glass the mahogany relentlessly before moving.
- →Water-source scouting pays off for both deer and antelope in a dry early season.
- →Cell service dies as you move east — carry a satellite communicator and tell someone your plan.
Watch out for
- !No cell service in the eastern half and no facilities inside the unit — a breakdown without a satellite communicator is serious.
- !Some upper Hays Canyon country is foot-access only; plan pack-outs accordingly.
- !Private ranch inholdings sit in the valley floors — verify boundaries before crossing.
- !Rain and early snow close dirt, canyon, and jeep roads quickly.
- !Seasonal fire restrictions are common — confirm with the BLM before building a campfire.
Logistics
Remote high desert — plan to be fully self-contained. Fuel, food, vehicle repair, and motels are only in Cedarville and Gerlach; there are no developed campgrounds inside the unit. Camp tent-style near tree cover or perennial water; RVs are confined to valley-floor roads. Haul your own drinking water. Carry tire chains, extra fuel and water, and spare tires. Cell service is limited to none — bring a satellite messenger and leave an itinerary. Check campfire and fire restrictions with the local BLM office before your hunt.
Nearest towns: Cedarville, CA, Gerlach, NV, Vya, NV, Eagleville, CA
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Mule Deer Hunt Info Sheet — Units 011, 012, 013 · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets · GoHunt Nevada Unit 013 Profile (secondary cross-check)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 013 in Nevada?
- Unit 013 (Unit 013) covers about 613 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,400 to 7,900 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 013?
- Approximately 91% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 013?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 013 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.