How big is Unit 068 in Nevada?

Unit 068 (Unit 068) covers about 1,771 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,500 to 8,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.

What species does the catalog list for Unit 068?

Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, 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.

Unit 068 Unit 068

Big, rolling Carlin-country sage-and-aspen: antelope-strong, sleeper mule deer, and a premium California bighorn tag.

Northeastern Nevada — Elko & Eureka Counties (NDOW Area 6) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12

Mule deer buck trotting across open prairie at dusk

Area

1,771

sq mi

Public land

88%

approx.

Elevation

4,500–8,700

feet

Motorized

extensive

access

Overview

Unit 068 is a large (~1,771 sq mi) block of northeastern Nevada lying north of Interstate 80 between Carlin and Battle Mountain, built around the Tuscarora Mountains in the south and the Sheep Creek Range. It is overwhelmingly public sagebrush-steppe with aspen and serviceberry pockets in the higher ranges, and it sits astride the Carlin Trend gold district, so expect active large-scale mining alongside the hunting. Antelope are the headline draw (about 70% five-year success), mule deer are a solid sleeper concentrated in the higher country, and the unit holds a small, coveted California bighorn sheep hunt. Elk and moose here are incidental at best.

Terrain

Mostly rolling hills, shallow and deep swales, benches and broad flats, with steeper slopes concentrated in the Tuscarora Mountains and Sheep Creek Range. It hunts as open glassing country low down, with timber-and-aspen pockets on the upper mountains where deer hold. Mule deer concentrate above roughly 6,500 ft.

Cover: Big sagebrush and grass-steppe blanket most of the unit, giving way to aspen, mountain mahogany and serviceberry stands in the Tuscarora Mountains and higher draws. Riparian creek bottoms and springs concentrate game in dry country.

Landmarks: Tuscarora Mountains (southern half of unit) · Sheep Creek Range · Carlin Trend gold-mining district · Rock Creek drainage · Maggie Creek drainage · Interstate 80 corridor (south boundary) · Carlin and Battle Mountain (gateway towns on I-80)

Access

Overwhelmingly public BLM and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest ground with an extensive network of dirt and gravel roads reaching most of the unit. The major exception is the Carlin Trend gold district, where active mine operations, haul roads and posted mining claims can close or restrict access in the southern part of the unit. Scattered private ranch parcels sit in the valley bottoms. Roads turn greasy and impassable after rain or snow.

Managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, Private (mining company lands and valley ranches)

Access points: Interstate 80 exits at Carlin and Battle Mountain · Rock Creek Road (interior access) · Maggie Creek / Independence area roads · BLM and Forest dirt-road network into the Tuscarora Mountains

Species notes

Pronghorn

common quality

Antelope are the unit's strongest draw, with roughly 70% five-year success across productive sagebrush flats and benches. Tags are limited-draw, so a hunt here is a well-earned opportunity at good bucks.

→Glass the big sagebrush flats and benches from high points at first and last light — antelope live by their eyesight in open country.
→Key on water sources, springs and green riparian pockets during warm early seasons.
→Use swales and terrain folds to stalk within range of a located buck rather than chasing across open ground.
→Scout pre-season to inventory bucks and find groups away from the deer and mining-road pressure.

Mule Deer

common opportunity

Mule deer are found at all elevations but concentrate above roughly 6,500 ft in the Tuscarora Mountains and Sheep Creek Range, with about 44% five-year success. A solid sleeper deer unit rather than a numbers machine; the late rifle season is the best window for a mature buck.

→Hunt the higher aspen, mahogany and serviceberry pockets of the Tuscaroras and Sheep Creek Range where bucks hold.
→Glass sage slopes and draw edges morning and evening; move to timber and mahogany for midday.
→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 road network; better bucks live away from vehicle and mining disturbance.

Bighorn Sheep

limited trophy

Unit 068 holds a small California bighorn sheep hunt in the steeper ridges of the Tuscarora Mountains / Sheep Creek Range, with very high success on a handful of tags. This is a premium, essentially once-in-a-lifetime Nevada draw — plan an all-out effort if you draw.

→Focus on the steepest, most broken rimrock and ridge country in the Tuscarora Mountains and Sheep Creek Range.
→Spend days glassing from high vantage points; rams key to escape terrain near reliable water.
→Scout hard pre-season and, if drawn, consider a knowledgeable guide given the rarity of the tag.
→Be prepared for long, steep pack-outs from rough country.

Rocky Mountain Elk

limited opportunity

Elk are present only in small, scattered numbers in this unit group and tags are very few — harvest is essentially incidental (about 40% success on a tiny sample). Treat elk as a bonus, not the reason you come to Unit 068.

→Focus on the timbered and aspen upper reaches of the Tuscarora Mountains where the few resident elk hold.
→Locate bulls at dawn and dusk during the rut, then use wind and terrain to close.
→Work water and wallows in the high country during warm early archery and muzzleloader seasons.
→Glass adjacent units' herds for movement — elk here are part of a larger, fluid regional population.

Moose

transient low

Nevada's small, expanding Shiras moose herd occasionally reaches this country, and a stray animal turns up now and then — incidental and a novelty rather than a huntable target. This is an antelope, deer and sheep unit first.

→Check willow-lined creek bottoms and riparian pockets where a wandering moose would hold.
→Do not plan a trip around moose here — expectations should be near zero.

Pro tips

→Antelope are the smart-money species here — glass the open flats and benches hard at first and last light.
→Push above 6,500 ft into the Tuscaroras and Sheep Creek Range for the better mule deer.
→Respect the Carlin Trend: active mines, haul roads and posted claims can block access in the south — scout roads before opening morning.
→Water dictates everything in this dry country; inventory springs and creeks pre-season.
→If you draw the California bighorn tag, treat it as once-in-a-lifetime and go all in on the steep ridge country.

Watch out for

!Active large-scale gold mining (Carlin Trend) with haul roads, closures and posted claims in the southern part of the unit.
!Scattered private ranch parcels in the valley bottoms — verify boundaries.
!Dirt and gravel roads turn greasy and impassable after rain or snow.
!Very limited cell coverage off the I-80 corridor; carry navigation and survival gear.
!Elk and moose are incidental — do not build a trip around them.

Logistics

Carlin and Battle Mountain sit right on Interstate 80 at the south edge of the unit, with fuel, groceries, motels and mechanics; Elko to the east is the full-service hub. Camping is dispersed on BLM and Forest ground. Cell coverage is limited to nonexistent once off the I-80 corridor — download maps and tell someone your plan. Come self-sufficient with water, recovery gear and extra fuel.

Nearest towns: Carlin, Battle Mountain, Elko

Nearby units

Unit 067 · Unit 067 Unit 064 · Unit 064 Unit 152 · Unit 152 Unit 141 · Unit 141

Seasons & regulations

This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:

Research sources: NDOW Hunt Information Sheets · NDOW Mule Deer Unit Group 061/062/064/066/068 Info Sheet · GOHUNT Nevada Unit 068 Profile (secondary cross-check)

FAQ

How big is Unit 068 in Nevada?: Unit 068 (Unit 068) covers about 1,771 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,500 to 8,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
How much public land is in Unit 068?: Approximately 88% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, Private (mining company lands and valley ranches). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
What species does the catalog list for Unit 068?: Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, 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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