Unit 064 Unit 064
Independence and Tuscarora foothills and bench country northwest of Elko
Northeastern Nevada — Elko County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
492
sq mi
Public land
85%
approx.
Elevation
5,200–9,000
feet
Motorized
extensive
access
Overview
Unit 064 is a compact (~490-square-mile) unit in western Elko County, taking in the southern Independence Mountains, the eastern flank of the Tuscarora Range, and the broad Adobe Range and bench country northwest of Elko. It is primarily a mule deer and pronghorn unit, with pronghorn success among the best in the region and steady mid-range deer opportunity. It also lies at the southern edge of Nevada's newly established moose range, so a stray moose tag is a genuine — if vanishingly rare — once-in-a-lifetime possibility.
Terrain
Sagebrush benches, rolling hills and broad valley bottoms broken by draws climb into the moderate foothills of the Independence and Tuscarora ranges and the Adobe Range. This is more mountainous and broken than most Nevada antelope country, which makes glassing animals harder despite the open feel. Elevations run from around 5,200 feet in the valleys to roughly 9,000 feet on the higher slopes.
Cover: A mosaic of perennial grasses and low sage mixed with tall sagebrush, bitterbrush and mountain brush on the benches, with aspen, mahogany and pinyon-juniper on the higher and steeper ground. Springs, riparian stringers and old fire scars concentrate forage and game.
Landmarks: Independence Mountains (south end) · Tuscarora Mountains (eastern flank) · Adobe Range · Independence Valley · Marsh Creek Bench · Maggie Creek country
Access
Mostly public BLM land with Forest Service ground on the higher range flanks; access is generally excellent by vehicle. Private ranch parcels exist within the unit, particularly along creek bottoms and valley ag ground, so verify boundaries before crossing. Watch for no-trespassing signs and regularly spaced orange-topped fenceposts marking restricted private land.
Managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF
Access points: SR-225 (main route north from Elko) · SR-226 from Lone Mountain Station · Maggie Creek Summit Road · secondary BLM bench roads off SR-225
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityA strong pronghorn unit with roughly 80% five-year success. Antelope favor the Adobe Range benches, the Marsh Creek Bench, and the mosaic bench country, generally living between 5,500 and 7,500 feet in low sage and grass.
- →Glass the open bench and valley country at first and last light — the broken terrain hides animals, so cover elevations methodically
- →Hunt old fire scars where fresh forage draws antelope, and check springs and riparian edges
- →Use draws and low ridges to close on bucks in this spot-and-stalk country
Mule Deer
common opportunitySteady mule deer opportunity with about a 44% five-year success rate. Deer use the mountain-brush and aspen zones of the Independence and Tuscarora flanks and shift with weather and migration timing.
- →Hunt the mountain-brush and aspen pockets on the range flanks early
- →Follow deer to lower transition benches as snow and cold set in
- →Get off the roads — deer here avoid even moderately traveled routes under pressure
- →Glass draws and mahogany pockets at dawn
Moose
transient trophyUnit 064 sits at the southern fringe of Nevada's young, expanding moose population. Sightings are incidental and any tag is an exceptionally rare once-in-a-lifetime draw, but riparian bottoms occasionally hold a bull.
- →Check willow-lined creek bottoms and riparian meadows
- →Glass wet drainages at first and last light
- →Treat any moose tag as a scouting-heavy, low-density pursuit
Pro tips
- →This is more broken and mountainous than typical antelope country — glass patiently and expect bucks to be tucked in draws, not standing in the open
- →Base out of Elko and run the SR-225 corridor; much of the unit is close enough for efficient day hunts
- →Old burn scars are magnets for both antelope and deer — prioritize the fresh-forage flushes
- →Verify private boundaries along creek bottoms and valley ag ground before crossing; orange-topped fenceposts mean restricted private land
- →Carry recovery gear and extra fuel — services drop off quickly once you leave the Elko area
Watch out for
- !Private ranch parcels are scattered along drainages and valley ag ground — confirm access before crossing
- !Extreme fire danger in cured grass; range fires and burn closures are a real risk
- !Limited services north of Elko; long distances between fuel stops
- !Broken terrain makes spotting and judging antelope harder than in open desert units
Logistics
Elko (on I-80) is the full-service hub for fuel, lodging, groceries and gear and is close enough to make day trips feasible for much of the unit. Services thin out fast to the north, so carry extra fuel, water and a spare. Camping is mostly dispersed and primitive on BLM and Forest ground, with developed campgrounds available up at Wild Horse Reservoir to the north. Cell coverage fades quickly off SR-225.
Nearest towns: Elko, Tuscarora, Carlin
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Pronghorn Antelope Unit Group 061/062/064/071/073 Info Sheet · NDOW Mule Deer Unit Group 062/067/068 Hunt Information Sheet · NDOW — Help Us Track Nevada's Moose Populations · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets
FAQ
- How big is Unit 064 in Nevada?
- Unit 064 (Unit 064) covers about 492 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,200 to 9,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 064?
- Approximately 85% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 064?
- Pronghorn, 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 064 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.