Unit 065 Unit 065
Sulphur Spring and Pinon Range foothills between the I-80 valleys: a strong antelope unit with a high-quality, low-density trophy deer tag.
Northeastern Nevada — Elko County (NDOW Area 6) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
979
sq mi
Public land
69%
approx.
Elevation
5,000–8,700
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 065 is a roughly 978-square-mile block of west-central Elko County sitting south of Interstate 80 between State Routes 228 and 278, spanning the Sulphur Spring Range, the Pinon Range and the broad Pine and Huntington valleys between them. It is best known for productive sagebrush antelope country (about 77% five-year success) and a limited, high-quality mule deer tag where success runs near 80% on a small number of permits. This is classic Great Basin foothill hunting — glass the open flats and benches low, work the aspen-and-mahogany pockets high — but note the checkerboard of private ranch and railroad ground threaded through the public land here.
Terrain
Two north-south desert ranges — the Sulphur Spring Range and the Pinon Range — separated and flanked by wide sagebrush valleys (Pine Valley to the west, Huntington Valley toward the east). It hunts as open glassing country across the flats and lower benches, with steeper timbered and brushy pockets on the upper slopes and in the higher draws where deer and elk hold. Elevations run from roughly 5,000 ft on the valley floors to about 8,700 ft on the range crests.
Cover: Big sagebrush and grass steppe across the valleys and lower slopes, transitioning upslope to mixed aspen stands, mountain mahogany, pinyon-juniper and serviceberry. Green riparian pockets, springs and aspen draws concentrate game in an otherwise dry landscape.
Landmarks: Sulphur Spring Range (west-side crest) · Pinon Range (east-side crest) · Pine Valley (west) · Huntington Valley (toward the east) · State Route 278 corridor (Carlin–Eureka, west boundary reference) · State Route 228 corridor (Jiggs road, east boundary reference) · Interstate 80 (north boundary)
Access
Roughly two-thirds public — predominantly BLM sagebrush ground with scattered higher-elevation Forest parcels — but a checkerboard of private railroad sections and large valley ranches is interlaced through the public land, so verify ownership before crossing. Access is via graded county and dirt roads off the SR 278 and SR 228 corridors and a network of two-tracks into the ranges. Cell service is limited, often nonexistent on the western side of the unit.
Managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (scattered upper-elevation parcels), Private (checkerboard railroad sections and valley ranches)
Access points: State Route 278 (Carlin south toward Eureka, west side) · State Route 228 / Jiggs road (east side) · Interstate 80 exits at Carlin (north) · BLM dirt-road network into the Sulphur Spring and Pinon ranges
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityAntelope are the unit's headline hunt, with roughly 77% five-year success across the productive sagebrush of Pine and Huntington valleys and the surrounding benches. Tags are limited-draw, so drawing one usually means a genuine opportunity at a good buck.
- →Glass the big sagebrush flats and low benches from high points at first and last light — antelope live by their eyes and hold to open country.
- →Key on water sources and green riparian pockets during warm early seasons when bucks pattern to water.
- →Use swales and terrain folds to close on a located buck rather than chasing across open ground.
- →Scout pre-season to inventory bucks and locate groups on public ground away from the checkerboard private sections.
Mule Deer
common qualityMule deer permits are limited here but success is high — near 80% over five years — reflecting a low-pressure, quality-managed tag rather than a numbers unit. The latter half of the rifle season is the prime window for locating and tagging a trophy-class buck as the rut pulls animals into the open.
- →Glass sagebrush slopes, aspen edges and mahogany pockets morning and evening; mature bucks use timber and brush for thermal and security cover.
- →Hunt the second half of the rifle season if you hold that tag — rutting bucks move most and lower their guard.
- →Climb into the higher draws of the Sulphur Spring and Pinon ranges, away from the road corridors, where the better bucks live.
- →Let water and season drive your plan; movement in this dry country keys heavily on where the water and green feed are.
Pro tips
- →Come for the antelope — about 77% success and good sagebrush habitat make it the unit's most reliable hunt.
- →The deer tag is a quality sleeper: few permits but near-80% success, so hunt it patiently for a mature buck.
- →Save your hardest deer effort for the late rifle season when rutting bucks move into the open.
- →Study land-ownership layers before you go — checkerboard private railroad sections and valley ranches are laced through the public ground.
- →Scout water hard; animal movement across this dry range-and-valley country keys on where the water is.
- →Assume no cell coverage on the west side — carry offline maps, extra fuel and recovery gear.
Watch out for
- !Checkerboard private railroad sections and large valley ranches are interlaced with public land — verify ownership before crossing to reach BLM ground.
- !Limited to no cell service, especially on the western side — go self-sufficient and prepared for a breakdown.
- !Unmaintained dirt and gravel roads get muddy and impassable after rain or early snow.
- !Overlapping deer and antelope seasons cause crowding on the main access roads.
- !The higher ranges are steep and remote — plan pack-out and recovery accordingly.
Logistics
Carlin, just off I-80 at the north end, has fuel, food and basic supplies; Elko (east on I-80) is the full-service hub for lodging, groceries, fuel and gear; Eureka lies to the south on SR 278. Dispersed camping is easy on the surrounding BLM and Forest ground, and there are no developed campgrounds central to the unit. Cell service is limited and often absent on the west side — download offline maps, carry a paper backup and tell someone your plan. Most travel is on dirt and gravel two-tracks that turn greasy after rain.
Nearest towns: Carlin, Elko, Eureka
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Nevada Unit 065 Unit Profile (size ~977 sq mi, elevation 5,000–8,700 ft, ~68.8% public, Sulphur Spring and Pinon ranges, SR 228/278, vegetation, late-rifle trophy deer, limited cell service) · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets (unit descriptions, access, recommended areas) · BLM Nevada Elko District Office (land status, checkerboard ownership, dispersed camping)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 065 in Nevada?
- Unit 065 (Unit 065) covers about 979 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 8,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 065?
- Approximately 69% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF (scattered upper-elevation parcels), Private (checkerboard railroad sections and valley ranches). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 065?
- 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 065 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.