Unit 033 Unit 033
Iconic Sheldon-refuge high desert on the Oregon line: classic pronghorn country with sleeper desert deer and a premium bighorn draw.
Northwestern Nevada — Humboldt/Washoe County (Sheldon high desert) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
850
sq mi
Public land
99%
approx.
Elevation
5,000–7,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 033 sits in the far northwestern corner of Nevada against the Oregon border, taking in the high-desert tablelands, rimrock and sage flats of the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge country and adjacent BLM ground. This is quintessential Great Basin pronghorn habitat — wide-open, remote, and almost entirely public. Antelope are the classic draw (about 59% five-year success, moderate but on iconic ground), mule deer are a legitimate sleeper in the broken rimrock and aspen pockets (high-50s success), and a very small California bighorn quota makes for a premium, essentially once-in-a-lifetime tag. Expect big, empty country and hard, self-reliant hunting.
Terrain
High-desert tableland: expansive sagebrush flats and benches broken by lava rimrock, shallow canyons, and scattered low mountains. It hunts as classic glassing country — sit high, cover ground with optics, and read the rims and draws where deer and sheep tuck into cover.
Cover: Big sagebrush and grass-steppe across the flats and benches, with greasewood and low desert scrub in the basins, and aspen stands, mountain mahogany, willow-lined springs and rimrock pockets holding deer and providing thermal cover. Green riparian and reservoir edges concentrate game in dry country.
Landmarks: Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge · Virgin Valley · Thousand Creek Gorge · Big Spring Reservoir · Catnip Mountain / refuge tablelands · State Route 140 (main east-west corridor) · Oregon state line (north boundary)
Access
Almost entirely public — a mix of BLM high desert and Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge, so access is excellent by land-status but limited by sheer remoteness and rough roads. State Route 140 is the paved lifeline; everything else is dirt and gravel two-track that turns to grease after rain. Refuge lands have their own rules — some roads and areas carry seasonal restrictions or closures, and vehicle travel is confined to designated routes — so check current Sheldon NWR travel and hunting regulations before you go.
Managers: BLM, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge)
Access points: State Route 140 (Denio–Cedarville corridor) · Virgin Valley Campground / refuge road network · Big Spring Reservoir area roads · BLM two-tracks off SR-140
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityAntelope are the headline hunt on this iconic Sheldon high desert, with roughly 59% five-year success — moderate by Nevada standards but on some of the most famous pronghorn ground in the West. Tags are limited-draw, so an outing here is a well-earned opportunity in wide-open country.
- →Glass the big sagebrush flats and benches from rims and high points at first and last light — antelope live and die by their eyes in this open country.
- →Key on water — reservoirs, springs and green riparian pockets pull bucks in warm early seasons.
- →Use the shallow draws, swales and rimrock folds to close distance rather than chasing across open flats.
- →Pre-season glassing to inventory bucks pays huge in country this big; find the group before opening morning.
Mule Deer
common opportunityA genuine sleeper desert deer hunt — success runs in the high-50s percent, better than many desert units. These deer hold to the rimrock, mahogany and aspen pockets rather than migrating out, so hunt the cover within the high desert itself.
- →Glass rimrock edges, aspen stands and mahogany pockets morning and evening where bucks bed and shade up.
- →Work the springs and riparian stringers — deer here orbit water in the dry season.
- →Hike off the two-tracks into the broken canyons; the better bucks live away from road disturbance.
- →Because deer don't migrate out, focus on the tablelands and rims themselves rather than waiting for a push.
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyA very small California bighorn quota makes this a premium, essentially once-in-a-lifetime draw. The rimrock, canyons and broken volcanic terrain of the Sheldon country hold a scattered but established herd.
- →Focus on the steepest, most broken rimrock and canyon country where sheep escape and feed.
- →Pre-season glassing from vantage points to locate rams is the whole game — invest days before opening.
- →Plan a boots-heavy, water-conscious hunt into remote terrain far from help.
Pro tips
- →Come for the experience as much as the odds — this is legendary Sheldon pronghorn ground, wide open and wild.
- →Don't sleep on the deer: high-50s success in the rimrock and aspen pockets makes it a real second option.
- →Water is the master key in this dry country — map reservoirs, springs and guzzlers and hunt them.
- →Check current Sheldon NWR travel and hunting rules — refuge road and area restrictions differ from open BLM.
- →Assume zero cell service: satellite communicator, paper maps, extra fuel and water are non-negotiable.
- →Pre-season scouting in country this big separates filled tags from long, empty drives.
Watch out for
- !Extremely remote with no cell service — a breakdown or injury far from SR-140 is a serious emergency; go self-sufficient.
- !Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge lands carry their own vehicle-travel and hunting rules and possible seasonal closures — verify before hunting.
- !Unmaintained dirt/gravel roads become impassable mud after rain or early snow.
- !Water and fuel are scarce and far apart — carry far more of both than you expect to need.
- !Antelope and especially bighorn tags are few — treat any draw as a rare opportunity.
Logistics
Denio (northeast corner) and Gerlach (south) offer only the barest fuel and supplies; Cedarville, California to the west and Winnemucca well to the southeast are the nearest real resupply points, and Winnemucca is the full-service hub for lodging, groceries, fuel and gear. Camp dispersed on BLM ground or at refuge campgrounds such as Virgin Valley; there are no services in the interior. Cell coverage is essentially nonexistent across the unit — download offline maps, carry a paper map and a satellite communicator, pack extra fuel, water and recovery gear, and tell someone your plan.
Nearest towns: Denio, Gerlach, Cedarville (CA), Winnemucca
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Nevada Unit 033 Unit Profile (Sheldon NWR high desert, ~99% public, BLM + refuge, elevation 5,000–7,500 ft, mule deer, remote/no cell service) · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets (unit descriptions, access, recommended areas) · Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge — USFWS (pronghorn/mule deer/California bighorn habitat, travel rules)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 033 in Nevada?
- Unit 033 (Unit 033) covers about 850 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 7,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 033?
- Approximately 99% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 033?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, 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 033 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.