Unit 144 Unit 144
The Diamond Range — the mule deer core of the Eureka County units, plus strong valley antelope
Central Nevada — Eureka & White Pine Counties · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
915
sq mi
Public land
83%
approx.
Elevation
5,700–10,614
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 144 is the big one — it takes in Diamond Valley and the long Diamond Range (Diamond Mountains) in Eureka County plus Newark Valley on the White Pine County side. This is where the mule deer of the 141-145 group are concentrated, and it produces far more deer than its sister units along with quality bucks in a good year. Antelope hunting is strong across the two flanking valleys, and a tiny incidental elk presence rounds it out. The catch is access: private farm ground in Diamond Valley pinches public reach along the west side of the range.
Terrain
A roughly 60-mile-long north-south range topping out at Diamond Peak (about 10,614 ft) between two broad agricultural valleys — Diamond Valley (~5,700 ft) to the west and Newark Valley to the east. Deer hold in the timbered canyons, mahogany, and aspen of the range; antelope work the open sage and farmland edges of both valleys.
Cover: Sage and irrigated ground on the valley floors, grading up through bitterbrush and pinyon-juniper to extensive mountain mahogany, aspen stringers, and limber pine with spring-fed meadows on the high spine.
Landmarks: Diamond Mountains (Diamond Range) · Diamond Peak · Diamond Valley · Newark Valley · U.S. Highway 50 · State Route 278 · Eureka
Access
The Diamond Range itself is a large BLM block (roughly 145,000 acres BLM), but the surrounding valleys carry significant private ground — Diamond Valley is heavily farmed center-pivot ag, and parcels of private on the WEST side of the range block access to public land in places. Reach the country on U.S. Highway 50 at Eureka and State Route 278 north up Diamond Valley; the east side off Newark Valley is generally easier public access into the high country. Map the private carefully before choosing an access point on the west flank.
Managers: BLM
Access points: U.S. Highway 50 (Eureka) · State Route 278 (Diamond Valley) · Newark Valley roads · BLM roads into the Diamond Range canyons
Species notes
Mule Deer
common qualityThe deer engine of the Eureka County units — the majority of the group's mule deer live in the Diamond Range, and Unit 144 produces the most deer harvest of its sister units with recent success around 51%. Bucks can reach quality class in a good year in the high mahogany and aspen.
- →Glass the timbered canyon heads, mahogany benches, and aspen pockets high on the Diamond Range at first and last light.
- →Access the high country from the Newark Valley (east) side where public reach is cleaner, or map west-side private carefully before committing.
- →Hunt water early season, then push to the crest and north-facing timber as it cools and the rut approaches.
- →Cover ground on foot along the spine; the biggest bucks hold in the roughest, least-roaded canyons.
Pronghorn
common qualityStrong antelope hunting across Diamond and Newark Valleys — recent draw success runs near 77%. Bucks work the open sage and the edges of the irrigated valley ground on both sides of the range.
- →Glass the open valley flats and farm-ground edges at dawn and dusk, then stalk using the low terrain.
- →In dry early hunts key on springs, tanks, and irrigation — antelope tighten to water and green feed.
- →Judge from long range with a tripod; the wide valleys let you pick a buck before moving.
- →Respect Diamond Valley farm private — hunt the public sage and get permission before crossing ag ground.
Rocky Mountain Elk
transient lowElk are incidental here — only a token amount of harvest and very low success, reflecting a small, wandering presence rather than an established herd. Not a unit to target for elk.
- →Treat any elk as a bonus while deer hunting the high Diamond Range timber.
- →If chasing an elk tag, glass the aspen and mahogany pockets and the heads of the wettest canyons where scattered animals hold.
Pro tips
- →This is THE deer unit of the Eureka County group — if deer are the goal, 144 is the draw to chase.
- →Work the east (Newark Valley) side for cleaner public access into the high Diamond Range.
- →Map the west-side Diamond Valley private before you go; farm parcels block public in spots.
- →For antelope, glass the valley sage and farm edges — success is high but respect ag boundaries.
- →Ignore elk as a target; the harvest is incidental only.
- →Hunt the roughest, least-roaded high canyons on foot for the better bucks.
Watch out for
- !Private farm ground on the west side of the Diamond Range blocks access to public land in places — verify boundaries before committing to a west-side route.
- !Diamond Valley is heavily farmed private; do not assume valley-floor ground is open.
- !Cell service is unreliable off the highways — carry a satellite communicator.
- !Early snow can close upper Diamond Range roads; carry chains and recovery gear.
- !Valley dirt roads turn to gumbo after rain.
- !Seasonal fire restrictions are common — confirm with the BLM before you go.
Logistics
Eureka, on U.S. Highway 50 at the southwest corner of the unit, is the main stop for fuel, food, and lodging; Ely is the nearest larger town off to the southeast. No developed campgrounds in the range — camp dispersed on BLM near tree cover or water. Haul drinking water and carry extra fuel and recovery gear. Cell service drops off quickly away from Highway 50 and the valleys; bring a satellite messenger. Check road and fire status with the BLM Mount Lewis Field Office before your hunt.
Nearest towns: Eureka, NV, Ely, NV
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Mule Deer Hunt Info Sheet, Unit Group 141-145 · BLM Diamond Herd Management Area (145,341 acres BLM, range geography/wildlife) · Diamond Mountains / Diamond Peak — PeakVisor (elevation ~10,614 ft, Diamond & Newark Valleys)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 144 in Nevada?
- Unit 144 (Unit 144) covers about 915 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,700 to 10,614 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 144?
- Approximately 83% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 144?
- Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 144 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.