Unit 103 Unit 103
The quieter south end of the Rubies — mature-buck mule deer with far better access than the crowded north.
Northeastern Nevada — Elko County (NDOW Units 101-109, southern Ruby Mountains) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
254
sq mi
Public land
90%
approx.
Elevation
5,600–10,800
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 103 takes in the central-to-southern Ruby Mountains south of Harrison Pass Road, running the west slope down into Huntington Valley. It's a smaller, less-pressured piece of the famed Ruby range, from valley floors near 5,600 ft to peaks around 10,800 ft, and it has a reputation among hunters chasing mature mule deer. Unlike the north end, access is excellent — extensive roads and very few private-land headaches — so the trade is more country you can reach for slightly fewer deer per acre. Antelope carry the highest odds, and a lone goat tag reminds you this is still the Rubies.
Terrain
The southern spine of the Ruby Mountains and its west-slope benches falling into Huntington Valley. Timbered canyons and aspen draws feed off a high, broken crest down through mahogany benches to open sagebrush. Gentler and more road-accessible than the northern wilderness core, but the upper canyons still hold classic steep deer country.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass on the valley benches, rising through mountain mahogany, aspen and pinyon-juniper into mixed conifer and alpine meadow near the crest. The mahogany-aspen transition band is prime mule deer habitat.
Landmarks: Southern Ruby Mountains / Ruby Crest · Harrison Pass / Harrison Pass Road (north boundary) · Huntington Valley (west) · Green Mountain trailhead (Ruby Crest Trail, south end) · Overland Lake / Overland Pass · South Ruby (USFS campground, Ruby Valley side)
Access
Public access is excellent — extensive road networks and very few private-land issues, a marked contrast to Units 101-102. Harrison Pass Road forms the northern boundary and offers a broad road network with historically high deer densities. The southern Ruby Mountains Wilderness edge is reachable on foot via the Green Mountain, Overland Lake and related trailheads. As the season progresses, deer seek refuge away from roads — hunt the canyons just out of sight of vehicle access.
Managers: USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, BLM
Access points: Harrison Pass Road (north) · Green Mountain trailhead · Overland Lake trailhead · Huntington Valley roads (west) · Ruby Valley Road / South Ruby (east)
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityA good mule deer population with a reputation for mature bucks and less pressure than the north end. Five-year success (~35%) is typical of the range's steep terrain, but the quieter country and better access make this a strong choice for a patient buck hunter.
- →Glass the mahogany-aspen transition benches and canyon shadows at first and last light.
- →Work off Harrison Pass Road's network, then hike a canyon beyond the trucks where mature bucks hold.
- →Hunt the west-slope draws into Huntington Valley that see less foot traffic.
- →Save the steeper upper basins for late season when pressure and weather move the best deer.
Mountain Goat
limited trophyThe southern Rubies share the range's small, prized mountain goat resource — a premium, effectively once-in-a-lifetime tag with only a handful of animals taken. High success for the very few who draw.
- →Glass the highest crags and cliff bands of the southern Ruby Crest from valley vantages.
- →Coordinate with NDOW biologists on current goat locations before the hunt.
- →Plan for real alpine climbing and multi-day effort at elevation.
Pronghorn
limited qualityAntelope hold the highest success in the unit (~73%) on the sagebrush of Huntington Valley and the range's lower benches. Few tags, but a located buck is usually worth the stalk.
- →Glass open Huntington Valley sagebrush and benches from high points early and late.
- →Key on water and valley edges during warm early seasons.
- →Use swales and folds to close on a spotted buck in the open.
Rocky Mountain Elk
limited opportunityA modest elk presence with moderate success (~41%). Bulls use the timbered canyons and aspen stringers of the southern Rubies; expect a limited tag and a working hunt.
- →Hunt aspen and conifer canyon heads and meadow edges at dawn and dusk.
- →Locate on bugles during the rut, then still-hunt the timber.
- →Focus on drainages away from the main road network for undisturbed elk.
Moose
transient lowOnly incidental moose appear in the harvest as Nevada's small, expanding moose presence occasionally reaches the range. Not a species to plan around here.
- →Check willow bottoms and riparian aspen if you hold a rare tag.
- →Report moose sightings to NDOW to aid population monitoring.
Pro tips
- →This is the access-friendly end of the Rubies — use the road network off Harrison Pass Road, then hike a canyon out of sight for the mature bucks.
- →Fewer hunters here than Units 101-102, so patience and glassing pay off more than racing crowds to trailheads.
- →The west-slope draws into Huntington Valley are underrated deer country — work them when the front gets pressured.
- →Antelope are the highest-odds tag; hunt Huntington Valley sagebrush rather than the mountain.
- →If you draw the rare goat tag, treat it as a serious alpine hunt and lean on NDOW for current locations.
Watch out for
- !Southern Ruby Mountains Wilderness edge is foot/horse only — no vehicles.
- !Early alpine snow can close upper canyons and make the crest dangerous.
- !Cell coverage is minimal in Huntington Valley and the canyons — carry a satellite communicator.
- !Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Ruby Valley) is closed to big-game hunting.
- !Steep upper-canyon terrain still demands a realistic pack-out plan despite the good road access below.
Logistics
Elko and Spring Creek to the north are the primary supply and staging points for fuel, groceries and lodging; Eureka offers services to the south. USFS improved camping is at South Ruby on the Ruby Valley side (reserve via recreation.gov), with abundant dispersed camping on surrounding BLM and forest land. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent in the canyons and in Huntington Valley — plan communications accordingly.
Nearest towns: Elko, Spring Creek, Eureka, Wells
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Mule Deer Units 101-109 Hunt Information Sheet · Ruby Mountains Wilderness (Wilderness.net / Humboldt-Toiyabe NF) · Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest — Wilderness (USFS)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 103 in Nevada?
- Unit 103 (Unit 103) covers about 254 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,600 to 10,800 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 103?
- Approximately 90% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 103?
- Mule Deer, Mountain Goat, Pronghorn, 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.
Put Unit 103 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.