Unit 061 Unit 061
Remote sagebrush-and-aspen high country on the Idaho line: antelope-strong, with scattered deer and rutting elk.
Northeastern Nevada — Elko County (NDOW Area 6) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
333
sq mi
Public land
80%
approx.
Elevation
3,800–8,789
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 061 is a roughly 333-square-mile block of far northeastern Nevada tucked against the Idaho border, with Mountain City and the Duck Valley Indian Reservation on its western edge and the Jarbidge country to the east. It is overwhelmingly Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and BLM sagebrush-steppe centered on Merritt Mountain and the Copper/Bull Run highlands. Antelope are the standout here (about 80% five-year success), while mule deer are scattered at moderate densities and elk offer strong rutting-season action for archers and muzzleloader hunters. This is remote, big country — plan on self-sufficiency and hard scouting.
Terrain
Rolling sagebrush hills, broad flats and benches broken by higher forested ridges and deep draws, rising to centrally located Merritt Mountain at roughly 8,789 ft. The unit hunts as open glassing country low down, with pockets of timber and aspen on the upper slopes and in the high draws where deer and elk hold.
Cover: Big sagebrush and grass-steppe across the flats and lower slopes, giving way to aspen stands, mountain mahogany, willow-lined creek bottoms and scattered conifer on the upper mountain and in shaded high draws. Water sources and green riparian pockets concentrate game.
Landmarks: Merritt Mountain (~8,789 ft, unit high point) · Copper Mountains · Bull Run Mountains (to the south) · Owyhee and Bruneau River drainages · Wild Horse Reservoir (to the south) · California Creek Road (west-side access) · Duck Valley Indian Reservation (west edge) · Idaho state line (north boundary)
Access
About 80% public — mostly Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest with BLM sagebrush ground — and the Forest has generally good vehicle access via a network of dirt and gravel roads. Private ranch parcels sit in the valley bottoms, and the Duck Valley Indian Reservation forms the western edge and is tribal land (not open to general public hunting). California Creek Road is a key route into western Unit 061. Expect rough, unmaintained two-tracks that turn greasy after rain.
Managers: USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, BLM, Private (valley bottoms/ranches), Duck Valley Indian Reservation (tribal, west edge)
Access points: California Creek Road (west side) · Mountain City / State Route 225 corridor · Wild Horse Reservoir area roads (south) · Forest Service dirt-road network off the main highway
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityAntelope are the unit's strongest draw, with roughly 80% five-year success reflecting good buck quality and productive sagebrush habitat across the flats and benches. Tags are limited-draw, so an outing here usually means a well-earned opportunity.
- →Glass the big sagebrush flats and low benches from high points at first and last light — antelope rely on eyesight and open country.
- →Key on water sources and green riparian pockets during warm early seasons; bucks pattern to water.
- →Use terrain folds and swales to close the distance on a located buck rather than chasing across open ground.
- →Scout pre-season to inventory bucks and find groups away from the deer/elk crowds, since seasons overlap and pressure builds.
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityRocky Mountain elk are well established here (part of the 061/071 elk complex), with about 48% five-year success. Archers and muzzleloader hunters routinely enjoy strong rutting action in the timber and aspen of the higher country.
- →Hunt the aspen stands, high draws and timbered upper slopes where bulls hold and bugle during the rut.
- →Locate bugling bulls at dawn and dusk, then use wind and terrain to slip into them through the aspen pockets.
- →Work water and wallows in the high country during warm early archery/muzzleloader seasons.
- →Get away from road corridors once pressure arrives — bulls push into the roughest, least-disturbed heads of the drainages.
Mule Deer
common opportunityMule deer are scattered across all elevations at moderate densities (about 44% five-year success). This isn't a numbers-machine deer unit, but the late rifle season is the best window for a trophy-class buck as the rut pulls bucks into the open.
- →Glass sagebrush slopes, aspen edges and high draws morning and evening; bucks use mahogany and timber for thermal and security cover.
- →Hunt the late rifle season if you hold that tag — rutting bucks move most and drop their guard.
- →Hike a canyon or ridge off the roads; the better bucks live away from vehicle disturbance.
- →Let water and time of year drive your plan — animal movement here keys heavily on water and season.
Moose
transient lowNevada's small, expanding Shiras moose herd reaches into the far northeast, and a very small number turn up in this unit — incidental and essentially a novelty rather than a huntable target. Manage expectations: this is an antelope/elk/deer unit first.
- →Treat any moose sighting as incidental — check willow-choked creek bottoms and riparian pockets where a stray bull might feed.
- →Do not plan a trip around moose here; focus effort on the unit's real strengths in antelope, elk and deer.
Pro tips
- →Come for the antelope — roughly 80% success and quality bucks make it the unit's headline hunt.
- →For elk, hunt the archery/muzzleloader rut in the aspen and high draws; the bugling action is the real draw here.
- →Save your hardest deer effort for the late rifle season when rutting bucks move into the open.
- →Scout water sources hard — animal movement across this dry country keys on where the water is.
- →Assume no cell coverage: carry offline maps, a paper map, extra fuel and recovery gear.
- →Respect the Duck Valley Reservation boundary on the west edge — it is tribal land, not open public hunting.
Watch out for
- !Very remote with little to no cell service — a breakdown or injury is a serious problem; go prepared and self-sufficient.
- !Unmaintained dirt/gravel roads get muddy and impassable after rain or early snow.
- !The Duck Valley Indian Reservation on the western edge is tribal land and closed to general public hunting.
- !Private ranch parcels sit in the valley bottoms — verify ownership before crossing to access public ground.
- !Overlapping deer/elk/antelope seasons cause crowding on the main access roads.
Logistics
Mountain City has a motel and basic supplies; Owyhee and Jarbidge offer limited fuel and provisions; Elko (well to the south on I-80) is the full-service hub for lodging, groceries, fuel and gear. Public campgrounds are available at Wild Horse Reservoir and Big Bend to the south, and dispersed camping is easy on the surrounding Forest and BLM ground. Cell service is limited to nonexistent across most of the unit — download offline maps, carry paper backups, and tell someone your plan. Roads are dirt/gravel two-tracks; carry recovery gear and expect long drives.
Nearest towns: Mountain City, Owyhee, Jarbidge, Elko
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Nevada Unit 061 Unit Profile (size, elevation 3,800–8,789 ft, ~80% public, Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, Merritt Mountain, vegetation, species tactics, limited cell service) · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets (unit descriptions, access, recommended areas) · NDOW Elk Unit Group 061/071 hunt information sheet reference
FAQ
- How big is Unit 061 in Nevada?
- Unit 061 (Unit 061) covers about 333 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,800 to 8,789 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 061?
- Approximately 80% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, BLM, Private (valley bottoms/ranches), Duck Valley Indian Reservation (tribal, west edge). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 061?
- Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Moose. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 061 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.