Unit 062 Unit 062
The Independence and Bull Run mountains north of Elko toward the Idaho line
Northeastern Nevada — Elko County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
779
sq mi
Public land
84%
approx.
Elevation
5,600–10,439
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 062 covers the Independence Mountains and Bull Run Range in northern Elko County, running north from the Lone Mountain country toward Wild Horse Reservoir and the Duck Valley Indian Reservation on the Idaho border. It is a well-rounded big-game unit — good-genetics mule deer, some of the strongest pronghorn success in the region, a modest elk herd, and the fringe of Nevada's brand-new, once-in-a-lifetime moose range. McAfee Peak (10,439 ft) crowns the Independence Range and gives the unit real vertical relief and quality high-country habitat.
Terrain
Rolling hills, benches and shallow swales in Bull Run Basin and Independence Valley climb into the steep, timbered Independence Mountains capped by McAfee Peak. The lowest ground sits near 5,600 feet west of the Bull Run Mountains. Deer summer high and string out along migration corridors as fall progresses, so success tracks elevation and snow.
Cover: Sagebrush, bitterbrush and mountain brush (serviceberry) on the benches grading into aspen, subalpine fir, limber pine, pinyon-juniper and mahogany in the mountain-brush and aspen zones. Riparian meadows and willow bottoms along the creeks are key for moose and pronghorn alike; many winter ranges have been scarred by wildfire.
Landmarks: Independence Mountains · McAfee Peak · Bull Run Mountains · Bull Run Basin · Independence Valley · Wild Horse Reservoir · Maggie Creek Summit Road · Jacks Creek Summit Road
Access
Mostly public BLM and Forest Service land with excellent vehicle access, but large private ranch tracts and mining/industry blocks scatter through the Independence Range and can wall off pockets of otherwise good country. The northern edge of the unit borders (and includes part of) the Duck Valley Indian Reservation — tribal land that is not open to non-tribal hunting. Watch for no-trespassing signs and orange-topped fenceposts marking restricted private ground.
Managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (Mountain City Ranger District)
Access points: SR-225 (main north-south route from Elko) · SR-226 (from Lone Mountain Station, western border) · Maggie Creek Summit Road · Jacks Creek Summit Road · Wild Horse Reservoir area roads
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityOne of the unit's strongest offerings, with roughly 80% five-year success. Antelope favor the bench country and lower Bull Run flats, generally between 5,500 and 7,500 feet in a mosaic of low sage, grass and old fire scars.
- →Glass the open benches from the Lone Mountain country toward Wild Horse Reservoir
- →Work the lower elevations of the Bull Run Mountains and the broken hill-and-draw terrain that hides antelope here
- →Hunt fire scars where new forage draws animals, and check springs and riparian edges
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer here carry consistently good genetics; five-year success runs near 44%. Deer summer in the high Independence Mountains and migrate down as weather sets in, so timing and snow determine where to find them.
- →In mild falls, hunt summer range high in the Independence Mountains around aspen and mountain brush
- →When snow and cold arrive, drop to transition habitats and lower benches along migration lines
- →Get away from roads — pressured bucks avoid even moderately traveled routes by November
- →Glass McAfee Peak's basins and the timbered draws at first light
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityA modest elk herd uses the unit, with a mid-range (~40%) success rate on limited tags. It's a real but low-density opportunity built around the timber and aspen of the Independence Range.
- →Focus on aspen stands, timbered draws and high basins in the Independence Mountains
- →Locate herds by glassing meadows and openings at dawn and dusk
- →Be prepared to cover ground to find scattered groups
Moose
transient trophyUnit 062 sits within the young, expanding population that anchored Nevada's first-ever moose season. Numbers are tiny and tags are an extremely rare once-in-a-lifetime draw, but this is genuine moose range along the willow and riparian bottoms.
- →Hunt willow-choked creek bottoms, riparian meadows and beaver complexes
- →Glass wet drainages at first and last light where moose feed
- →Treat any drawn tag as a scouting-intensive, multi-day pursuit given how few animals exist
Pro tips
- →Read the weather before you commit to elevation — mild means hunt high, snow means drop to the benches and migration corridors
- →Fuel up before leaving I-80; the next reliable gas north of the Interstate is all the way at Owyhee
- →Respect the Duck Valley Reservation boundary on the north end — it is tribal land closed to outside hunters
- →Pressured bucks bail off roads fast; plan to hike into pockets between the private and industry blocks
- →Wild Horse Reservoir gives you developed camping plus fishing and upland hunting for down days
Watch out for
- !Duck Valley Indian Reservation land on the northern edge is tribal and not open to non-tribal hunting
- !Private ranch tracts and active mining/industry block access in parts of the Independence Range — heed no-trespassing signs and orange-topped fenceposts
- !No fuel north of I-80 until Owyhee; long distances between services
- !Wildfire-scarred winter ranges and extreme fire danger in cured grass; carry recovery gear for remote roads
Logistics
Elko (on I-80) is the full-service base for fuel, lodging, groceries and gear. Mountain City on SR-225 has a motel and supplies; Owyhee has fuel and food. Critically, there are no gas stations north of I-80 until Owyhee, so top off and carry extra fuel, water and a spare tire. Camping is mostly dispersed and primitive except for developed campgrounds around Wild Horse Reservoir. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent off the main highways.
Nearest towns: Elko, Mountain City, Owyhee, Tuscarora
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Mule Deer Unit Group 062/067/068 Hunt Information Sheet · NDOW Pronghorn Antelope Unit Group 061/062/064/071/073 Info Sheet · NDOW — Help Us Track Nevada's Moose Populations · Nevada's first big-game moose hunt (Texas A&M NRI)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 062 in Nevada?
- Unit 062 (Unit 062) covers about 779 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,600 to 10,439 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 062?
- Approximately 84% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (Mountain City Ranger District). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 062?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Moose. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
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