Unit 042 Unit 042
Trinity, Kamma and Eugene ranges above Rye Patch — a compact water-driven antelope unit.
Western Nevada — Pershing County (NDOW Area 4) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,262
sq mi
Public land
85%
approx.
Elevation
4,100–7,700
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 042 is a ~1,262-square-mile block just west of Interstate 80 and Lovelock, wrapping the northeast portion of the Trinity Range plus the Kamma and Eugene Mountains and the country around the west side of Rye Patch Reservoir. It shares the 041/042 antelope hunt and carries the same strong five-year success (~82%), with a small, scattered mule deer opportunity (~43%). It hunts as classic Great Basin water country — antelope tie to springs and guzzlers on the valley floors and lower slopes, and four-wheel drive is a must.
Terrain
Sagebrush basins and alluvial fans rising into the Trinity, Kamma and Eugene ranges. Pronghorn work the valley floors up into the foothills; deer hold in the higher canyons. Roads are dirt two-tracks and Poker Brown Gap / summit roads link the drainages — expect long, rough driving.
Cover: Big sagebrush, greasewood and salt-desert shrub on the flats; bitterbrush, grasses and scattered mahogany and juniper on the higher slopes. Springs (Sportsman's/Natchez, Trinity and Blackrock canyons) and guzzlers are the green oases that hold game.
Landmarks: Northeast Trinity Range (Trinity Canyon, Blackrock Canyon, Sportsman's/Natchez Springs) · Kamma Mountains · Eugene Mountains · Poker Brown Gap · Majuba Canyon · Rye Patch Reservoir (west side) · Imlay Summit Road / Antelope Summit Road · Interstate 80 (east boundary)
Access
NDOW rates access as good but four-wheel drive is necessary. The unit is mostly BLM with unrestricted dispersed camping, but the I-80 corridor along the east boundary and the country near Rye Patch Reservoir carry checkerboard railroad-grant sections and private ranch/mining parcels — a real ownership patchwork on the east side. A BLM wild-horse Herd Management Area (Kamma) overlaps the unit.
Managers: BLM, Private (I-80/railroad checkerboard, Rye Patch/ranch and mining parcels)
Access points: Interstate 80 exits (Rye Patch Reservoir, Mill City/Unionville, Imlay) · Imlay Summit Road / Antelope Summit Road · Poker Brown Gap road · Majuba Canyon road · Trinity Canyon / Blackrock Canyon two-tracks
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityAntelope are the headline. As part of the 041/042 hunt this unit shares ~82% five-year success with average-to-high densities, so a drawn tag is a genuine quality opportunity. Bucks range from the valley floors into the foothills of the Trinity, Kamma and Eugene ranges but stay close to water.
- →Hunt within about 2 miles of reliable water — Sportsman's/Natchez Springs, the Trinity and Blackrock canyon sources, and area guzzlers.
- →Glass the fans and benches around Poker Brown Gap and the Kamma/Eugene foothills at first and last light.
- →Pre-season scout the water and note animal-use areas; success here is a scouting game more than a hiking game.
- →Stalk using washes and terrain rolls; keep the sun and wind in your favor closing on open-country bucks.
Mule Deer
limited opportunityMule deer are thin and scattered (~43% five-year success on a small harvest). The higher canyons of the Trinity and Eugene ranges hold a few resident bucks, but this is an antelope unit first — a deer is a bonus.
- →Glass the high canyons and mahogany pockets of the Trinity and Eugene Mountains morning and evening.
- →Key on shaded north slopes and spring-fed draws where the few deer hold.
- →Hike above and away from the roads to find undisturbed bucks.
- →Focus on water in warm early seasons — deer here share the same limited springs.
Pro tips
- →Work water first — springs and guzzlers within ~2 miles are where the antelope will be.
- →Its compact size (vs. sprawling 041) makes it easy to cover; still, pre-season scouting of the water pays off most.
- →Watch the ownership patchwork near I-80 and Rye Patch — checkerboard and private parcels mix with BLM.
- →Rye Patch Reservoir SRA is a convenient developed basecamp on the east edge.
- →Expect horses on the water in the Kamma HMA — hunt the fringes of the herds.
- →No cell in the ranges — offline GPS, paper map, extra fuel and water.
Watch out for
- !Checkerboard railroad sections and private ranch/mining parcels along I-80 and near Rye Patch — verify ownership before crossing.
- !Remote interior with no cell service — go self-sufficient with recovery gear.
- !Clay roads turn to impassable mud after rain.
- !Summer heat and long waterless stretches — dehydration and vehicle trouble are the real risks.
- !Wild-horse use in the Kamma HMA can displace antelope from tanks.
Logistics
Lovelock, right off I-80 on the east edge, is the closest hub with a hospital, motels, fuel and groceries; Winnemucca and Fernley are larger stops. Fuel and convenience stores are also at the Rye Patch Reservoir and Mill City/Unionville I-80 exits. Rye Patch Reservoir State Recreation Area offers developed camping on the east edge, and dispersed BLM camping is unrestricted elsewhere. Cell coverage is limited to the I-80 corridor and drops off fast in the ranges — carry offline maps and be self-sufficient.
Nearest towns: Lovelock, Imlay, Winnemucca, Fernley
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Antelope Hunt Information Sheet, Unit Group 041,042 (Unit 042 ranges, springs, access, facilities) · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets index
FAQ
- How big is Unit 042 in Nevada?
- Unit 042 (Unit 042) covers about 1,262 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,100 to 7,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 042?
- Approximately 85% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, Private (I-80/railroad checkerboard, Rye Patch/ranch and mining parcels). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 042?
- 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 042 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.