Unit 046 Unit 046
East-side Sonoma Range antelope country on Winnemucca's doorstep
North-Central Nevada — Pershing & Humboldt Counties · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
617
sq mi
Public land
73%
approx.
Elevation
4,600–9,300
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 046 covers the eastern Sonoma Range plus Buffalo and Edna mountains, bounded by I-80 on the north and the Pumpernickel and Pleasant/Grass valleys, with Winnemucca sitting right in the northeast corner. It's a solid pronghorn unit — the sage valleys produce consistent, high-success antelope hunting (~74%) — backed by a resident mule deer herd in the higher Sonoma Range timber (~56% success). Mostly public BLM at the low and mid elevations, with excellent town access making it one of the more convenient units to hunt in the area.
Terrain
Desert-brush valleys and benches climb into the timbered, mountainous spine of the Sonoma Range, with Buffalo and Edna mountains to the southeast. Low country hunts easily by road and glass; the high country requires hiking off the ends of the roads.
Cover: Sagebrush and desert-brush flats dominate the valleys and lower slopes, with bitterbrush on the benches and pinyon-juniper and mountain mahogany timbering the higher Sonoma Range.
Landmarks: Sonoma Range · Buffalo Mountain · Edna Mountain · Pumpernickel Valley · Panther Canyon · Smelser Pass · Pleasant Valley · Grass Valley · Interstate 80
Access
Majority public BLM, with private ranch and ag ground scattered through the valley bottoms near Winnemucca, Golconda and Valmy. I-80 forms the north boundary with easy exits; the Valmy-Buffalo Valley-Smelser Pass road bounds the east and the Pleasant Valley-Grass Valley road the west. Low-elevation road access is excellent, mid-elevation fair to good, high country foot-only.
Managers: BLM Winnemucca District, Private ranchland
Access points: I-80 exits at Winnemucca, Golconda and Valmy · Valmy-Buffalo Valley-Smelser Pass Road · Pleasant Valley-Grass Valley Road · Pumpernickel Valley / Panther Canyon roads
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityThe unit's standout — pronghorn hold across the sage valleys and benches with strong five-year success near 74% and a healthy tag-to-harvest ratio. A drawn antelope tag here is a high-odds hunt within easy reach of Winnemucca.
- →Glass Pumpernickel, Pleasant and Grass valleys at first and last light
- →Hunt water sources and stock tanks during warm early seasons
- →Use vehicle to locate herds on valley roads, then stalk on foot through washes and rolls
- →Verify public/private before crossing valley ag ground near town
Mule Deer
limited opportunityA resident mule deer herd uses the timbered upper Sonoma Range, with five-year success around 56%. Deer density is moderate and the best bucks come from hiking into the high mahogany and pinyon-juniper — a fair opportunity hunt rather than a trophy destination.
- →Climb into the upper Sonoma Range timber and glass canyon heads at dawn
- →Hunt mahogany and pinyon-juniper edges above the sage line
- →Focus shaded north-facing draws holding cover
- →Expect to leave the roads behind for mature bucks in the high country
Pro tips
- →This is a pronghorn-first unit with unusually easy town access — you can basecamp in Winnemucca and hunt daily
- →Water is the key variable in the dry early hunts; pin every tank and spring in advance
- →For deer, plan to hike into the high Sonoma timber — the roads only get you to the valleys and benches
- →Watch the valley-bottom ownership near Winnemucca, Golconda and Valmy — carry a parcel/ownership layer
- →Fuel up and finalize supplies in Winnemucca before dropping into the roadless southern country
Watch out for
- !Private ranch and ag ground scattered through the valleys near town — confirm access before crossing
- !Limited cell service in the southern portion of the unit
- !Early-season storms can make upper Sonoma Range roads greasy or impassable
- !Dry, waterless country in the low elevations — pack in your own water
Logistics
Winnemucca sits in the unit's northeast corner on I-80 and is the full-service hub — fuel, motels, groceries, sporting goods. Golconda and Valmy offer minimal services along I-80. Dispersed camping is available on BLM throughout the unit. Cell service is limited in the southern portion; carry maps, extra water, food and a spare tire when working the back country.
Nearest towns: Winnemucca, Golconda, Valmy, Battle Mountain
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Hunt Unit Boundaries (unit 046 legal description) · GoHunt Nevada Unit 046 Profile (terrain/elevation/ownership cross-check) · NDOW 2023 Big Game Hunt Unit Map Insert
FAQ
- How big is Unit 046 in Nevada?
- Unit 046 (Unit 046) covers about 617 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,600 to 9,300 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 046?
- Approximately 73% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM Winnemucca District, Private ranchland. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 046?
- 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 046 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.