Unit 134 Unit 134
An isolated central-Nevada desert unit centered on the Pancake Range, best known for its desert bighorn.
Central Nevada — Nye County (Pancake Range) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
823
sq mi
Public land
98%
approx.
Elevation
4,700–7,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 134 is a remote, lightly traveled block of eastern Nye County built around the Pancake Range between Railroad Valley and Little Smoky Valley. It is nearly all public land — better than 98% — and made up mostly of open desert brush country broken by low, rocky ranges. The unit is best known for its desert bighorn sheep herd, backed by a quality migratory mule deer draw and a strong pronghorn tag, all with very few permits in the field.
Terrain
Wide desert basins and alluvial fans rising into the low, rugged crest of the Pancake Range. Relief is moderate but the country is big and waterless, so the game concentrates around scattered springs, rimrock and the range fronts.
Cover: Sagebrush, shadscale and greasewood across the flats, with pinyon-juniper and mountain mahogany on the higher slopes of the Pancake Range.
Landmarks: Pancake Range · Railroad Valley · Little Smoky Valley · Railroad Valley Wildlife Management Area
Access
Almost entirely BLM ground crossed by unimproved dirt and gravel roads off the main valley routes. There are small private and agricultural inholdings along Railroad Valley and near the Duckwater area — respect posted boundaries. This is isolated country with no cell service in many places; carry plenty of supplies, spare tires, water and fuel.
Managers: BLM
Access points: U.S. Highway 6 (Currant / Warm Springs corridor) · Railroad Valley roads · Little Smoky Valley backroads · BLM two-tracks into the Pancake Range
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyThe marquee tag and a premium, essentially once-in-a-lifetime draw. Desert bighorn use the steep, broken terrain of the Pancake Range; a drawn ram tag here is a rare prize.
- →Concentrate on the steepest rimrock and cliff bands of the Pancake Range.
- →Glass hard from a distance at first light before rams move to shade and water.
- →Scout water sources pre-season — desert sheep tie tightly to reliable springs.
Pronghorn
common qualityA strong antelope draw on the open flats, with recent success in the mid-90s percent for the few tag holders. Bucks pattern off the sage basins and water.
- →Glass the open flats of Railroad and Little Smoky Valleys from vantage points.
- →Set up on reliable water and long sightlines during the warm early season.
- →Use a spotting scope to judge bucks before committing to an open-ground stalk.
Mule Deer
limited qualityA migratory desert mule deer unit with modest deer numbers but recent success near 70%. The better bucks hold in the mahogany and rimrock away from roads.
- →Hunt the pinyon-juniper and mahogany benches of the Pancake Range at dawn and dusk.
- →Focus on springs and pockets of cover in an otherwise dry unit.
- →Cover ground on foot; deer are thin and spread out, so glassing time pays off.
Pro tips
- →In a unit this dry, springs and guzzlers are the key — inventory water before you hunt.
- →The Pancake Range rimrock is the sheep and deer engine; the flats are for antelope.
- →Very low tag density means very low pressure — a drawn tag is worth a thorough, prepared effort.
- →Respect the private and tribal inholdings around Railroad Valley and Duckwater.
Watch out for
- !Isolated with no close services — self-rescue capability is essential.
- !No cell coverage in much of the unit; carry paper maps, GPS and a satellite communicator.
- !Deep dirt roads and long distances between water — extra tires, fuel and water are mandatory.
- !Small private and tribal parcels near Railroad Valley and Duckwater — know the boundaries.
Logistics
There are no real services in the unit. Currant on U.S. 6 is a minimal stop; Eureka, Ely and Tonopah are the nearest towns for fuel, lodging and supplies. Plan a fully self-supported hunt: bring all water and extra fuel, two spare tires and recovery gear, and expect long stretches with no cell coverage.
Nearest towns: Currant, Duckwater, Eureka, Ely
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Nevada Unit 134 Profile · NDOW Hunt Unit Boundaries
FAQ
- How big is Unit 134 in Nevada?
- Unit 134 (Unit 134) covers about 823 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,700 to 7,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 134?
- Approximately 98% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 134?
- Bighorn Sheep, 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 134 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.