Unit 031 Unit 031
Big, productive high-desert country on the Oregon line: strong deer and antelope numbers with a rare bighorn tag.
Northern Nevada — Humboldt County (NDOW Area 3) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,509
sq mi
Public land
85%
approx.
Elevation
4,100–8,300
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 031 is a roughly 1,500-square-mile block of far-northern Humboldt County running up to the Oregon border, built around the Double H, Montana and Bilk Creek mountains and the southern Trout Creek Range, split by the broad Kings and Quinn River valleys. It is overwhelmingly public (about 85%) BLM sagebrush-steppe and mountain habitat, and it produces on both fronts: mule deer post roughly 61% five-year success and antelope about 63%, backed by good animal numbers on a large unit. A very limited California bighorn tag adds a premium, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the rougher range cores.
Terrain
Broad sagebrush valleys and benches rising into steep, rocky mountain blocks — the Double H, Montana and Bilk Creek ranges and the southern Trout Creeks. It bottoms near 4,100 ft in the Kings and Quinn River valleys and climbs to roughly 8,300 ft on the higher peaks. Open glassing country dominates the flats, with rugged canyons and higher draws holding deer and sheep.
Cover: Big sagebrush and grass-steppe across the valleys and lower slopes, with mountain mahogany, aspen pockets and willow-lined creek bottoms in the higher country. Riparian stringers and water sources concentrate game across the dry expanse.
Landmarks: Double H Mountains · Montana Mountains · Bilk Creek Mountains · Southern Trout Creek Range · Kings River Valley · Quinn River Valley · Oregon state line (north boundary)
Access
About 85% public — predominantly BLM sagebrush and mountain ground with a good network of dirt and gravel roads. Private ranch parcels sit in the Kings and Quinn River valley bottoms and around water, so verify ownership before crossing to reach public ground. The unit is large and remote; expect long drives on unmaintained two-tracks that turn greasy after rain. Primary approaches come off US 95 near Orovada/McDermitt and the Kings River Road system.
Managers: BLM, Private (valley-bottom ranches)
Access points: US 95 corridor (Orovada / McDermitt) · Kings River Road / Kings River Valley routes · Quinn River Valley roads · BLM dirt-road network into the ranges
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer are a genuine strength here, with roughly 61% five-year success and good numbers across the ranges — one of the more productive deer opportunities in far-northern Humboldt County. Hunters report the best movement in the earlier part of the season.
- →Glass sagebrush slopes, mahogany pockets and higher aspen draws in the Double H, Montana and Bilk Creek ranges at first and last light.
- →Pre-season scout water sources and use high vantage points to inventory bucks before opening day.
- →Hunt the earlier season window when deer movement is strongest, then push into rougher canyons as pressure builds.
- →Cover the transition zones between the open valleys and the steeper mountain escape terrain.
Pronghorn
common qualityAntelope are the unit's other headline, with about 63% five-year success on good numbers spread across the broad sagebrush valleys and benches. The open Kings and Quinn River basins are classic pronghorn country.
- →Glass the wide sagebrush flats and benches of the Kings and Quinn River valleys from high points morning and evening.
- →Key on water and green riparian pockets during warm early seasons — bucks pattern to water in this dry country.
- →Use terrain folds and swales to close on a located buck rather than chasing across open ground.
- →Scout to separate the better bucks from the crowd, since deer and antelope seasons draw hunters to the same road corridors.
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyCalifornia bighorn hold in the rugged cores of the ranges and support a very small, highly sought tag — a premium, essentially once-in-a-lifetime draw with only a couple of animals taken. Success on those rare tags is high, but opportunity is minimal.
- →Treat a sheep tag as a full-season effort — glass the rocky rims and broken slopes of the range cores relentlessly.
- →Locate rams from long-range vantage points during pre-season scouting, then plan foot approaches through the rock.
- →Focus on the steepest, least-accessible escape terrain where mature rams live.
Pro tips
- →This is a two-headline unit — both deer (~61%) and antelope (~63%) success are strong, so plan around whichever tag you draw.
- →Hunt deer earlier in the season when movement is best; save rougher canyon pushes for when pressure arrives.
- →Glass the Kings and Quinn River valleys hard for antelope — the open basins are prime pronghorn country.
- →Scout water sources from high vantage points before the opener; it pays off across all species here.
- →Verify land status in the valley bottoms — private ranch parcels sit between you and some public ground.
- →Assume no cell coverage: carry offline maps, a paper map, extra fuel and recovery gear for the long remote drives.
Watch out for
- !Very remote near the Oregon line with little to no cell service — go self-sufficient and prepared for breakdowns.
- !Unmaintained dirt/gravel roads get muddy and impassable after rain or early snow.
- !Private ranch parcels in the Kings and Quinn River valley bottoms — confirm ownership before crossing.
- !Long distances between fuel and services; top off in Winnemucca or Orovada.
- !Overlapping deer/antelope seasons cause crowding on the main access roads.
Logistics
Orovada and McDermitt on US 95 offer limited fuel and basic provisions; Winnemucca (well to the south on I-80) is the full-service hub for lodging, groceries, fuel and gear. Camping is overwhelmingly dispersed on the surrounding BLM ground — there are no full-service developed campgrounds in the heart of the unit. Cell service is limited to nonexistent across most of the unit, so download offline maps, carry a paper backup and share your plan. Roads are dirt/gravel two-tracks; carry recovery gear, extra fuel and water for the long drives.
Nearest towns: Orovada, McDermitt, Winnemucca, Denio
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW — Big Game Status Book and hunt information (Double H/Montana/Trout Creek mountains, mule deer + antelope + California bighorn, elevations ~4,100–8,300 ft, Kings/Quinn River valleys) · GOHUNT — Nevada Unit 031 Unit Profile (elevation 4,100–8,300 ft, ~1,507 sq mi, ~85.4% public, Double H/Montana/Bilk Creek/southern Trout Creek ranges, Kings and Quinn River valleys, limited cell service, scout water and glass from vantage points)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 031 in Nevada?
- Unit 031 (Unit 031) covers about 1,509 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,100 to 8,300 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 031?
- Approximately 85% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, Private (valley-bottom ranches). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 031?
- Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 031 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.