Unit 043 Unit 043
The Humboldt Range and Star Peak east of Lovelock — the strongest deer-and-antelope combo of the group.
Western Nevada — Pershing County (NDOW Area 4) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
808
sq mi
Public land
88%
approx.
Elevation
4,200–9,834
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 043 is a compact ~808-square-mile block east of Interstate 80 and Lovelock, built around the Humboldt Range and its high point, Star Peak (~9,834 ft), with the historic Unionville and Buena Vista Valley on its flanks. Of the western Pershing units this is the standout for combining both species: antelope success runs about 74% on solid harvest and mule deer about 56% — among the better deer densities in the 043-046 group. Deer hold in the timbered canyons and high basins while antelope work the foothills and lowlands; four-wheel drive plus real hiking is the recipe.
Terrain
A tall, steep desert range rising nearly 5,000 feet from the valley floors to Star Peak, with deep canyons cutting both flanks. It hunts big and vertical for deer — glass the canyon heads and high basins and be ready to climb — while antelope stay lower on the foothills and valley floors. Four-wheel drive plus hiking into canyons, basins and peaks is necessary.
Cover: Sagebrush and greasewood on the valley floors and fans, grading up through bitterbrush, mahogany and aspen pockets to scattered conifer and rock near the crest. Several canyons carry fishable trout streams and green riparian stringers that hold deer.
Landmarks: Star Peak (~9,834 ft, Humboldt Range high point) · Unionville (historic townsite) · Buena Vista Valley · Indian, Cottonwood, Santa Clara, Humboldt & Eldorado Canyons · Coyote Canyon / Star Canyon · Relief Canyon Mine area, Buffalo Spring, Limerick Canyon · Interstate 80 (west boundary)
Access
NDOW rates access as good to excellent, but four-wheel drive is necessary and reaching deer means hiking into the canyons, basins and peaks. The range is largely BLM with unrestricted dispersed camping, but private ranch parcels and mining ground cluster around Unionville, Buena Vista Valley and the canyon mouths, and checkerboard sections line the I-80 corridor — cross to public through the canyon-mouth roads and verify parcels.
Managers: BLM, Private (Unionville/Buena Vista ranch parcels, mining claims, I-80 checkerboard)
Access points: Interstate 80 (Mill City/Unionville and Lovelock/Coal Canyon exits) · Unionville Road / Buena Vista Valley road · Coyote Canyon and Star Canyon roads · Relief Canyon Mine / Limerick Canyon roads · Canyon-mouth two-tracks on both flanks of the Humboldt Range
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityAntelope are strong here — Unit 043 carries some of the highest densities in the 043-046 group and about 74% five-year success on solid harvest. Bucks work the foothills, benches and valley floors around the Humboldt Range, staying tied to water.
- →Glass the foothills and Buena Vista Valley benches, and hunt within about 2 miles of water — springs and guzzlers concentrate bucks.
- →Key on the Relief Canyon Mine area, Buffalo Spring, Limerick Canyon and the Coyote Canyon-to-Creek Hill lowlands NDOW flags for antelope.
- →First and last light glassing from the fans; use washes to close on located bucks.
- →Pre-season scout the water and animal-use areas — the lowlands are big and open.
Mule Deer
common opportunityUnit 043 has among the better mule deer densities in the group (second to 046) with about 56% five-year success. It is genuinely huntable deer country, though NDOW notes the area population has been declining — expect to work for a buck in the high canyons and basins.
- →Hunt the timbered canyons and high basins — Indian, Cottonwood, Santa Clara, Humboldt and Eldorado Canyons and the country up toward Star Peak.
- →Glass north-facing slopes, mahogany and aspen pockets and spring-fed draws at dawn and dusk.
- →Be prepared to hike and climb high — the better bucks live in the steep, roadless heads of the canyons.
- →Still-hunt the riparian trout-stream stringers midday where deer shade up.
Pro tips
- →This is the group's best do-it-all unit — real antelope numbers low and huntable deer high in the same block.
- →For deer, commit to the high canyons and basins toward Star Peak; the low country is antelope ground.
- →Antelope: hunt water within ~2 miles and the Relief Mine/Buffalo Spring/Limerick lowlands NDOW names.
- →Population's been declining for deer — scout hard and be willing to climb for a mature buck.
- →Pack a rod and a shotgun: fishable trout streams and chukar make this a genuine multi-species trip.
- →Verify ownership around Unionville and Buena Vista Valley — private ranch and mining parcels dot the canyon mouths.
Watch out for
- !Private ranch and mining parcels around Unionville, Buena Vista Valley and canyon mouths, plus I-80 checkerboard — confirm access to public.
- !Steep, vertical country — deer hunting means real climbing; know your limits and carry water.
- !Canyon roads turn to mud after storms and early snow can close the high country.
- !Cell coverage drops fast off I-80 — carry offline maps and go self-sufficient.
- !Declining deer population means lower encounter rates than the success figure alone suggests — manage expectations.
Logistics
Lovelock, minutes away on I-80, is the closest hub with a hospital, motels, fuel and groceries; Winnemucca is the larger service town. Fuel and convenience stores are also at the Rye Patch Reservoir and Mill City/Unionville I-80 exits, and tiny Unionville offers a historic-townsite feel but essentially no services. Camping on BLM ground is unrestricted; several canyons hold fishable trout streams and chukar hunting is a worthwhile add-on. Cell service is limited to the I-80 corridor and fades in the canyons — carry offline maps.
Nearest towns: Lovelock, Unionville, Imlay, Winnemucca
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Mule Deer Hunt Information Sheet, Unit Group 043-046 (Unit 043 Humboldt Range canyons, densities, declining population, access, trout/chukar) · NDOW Antelope Hunt Information Sheet, Unit Group 043-046 (Unit 043 highest densities, Relief Mine/Buffalo Spring/Limerick, water tactics) · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets index
FAQ
- How big is Unit 043 in Nevada?
- Unit 043 (Unit 043) covers about 808 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,200 to 9,834 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 043?
- Approximately 88% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, Private (Unionville/Buena Vista ranch parcels, mining claims, I-80 checkerboard). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 043?
- 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 043 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.