Unit 182 Unit 182
The long, dry Stillwater and East Ranges east of Fallon: high-success antelope, a coveted desert bighorn tag, and scattered desert mule deer.
West-central Nevada — Churchill & Pershing Counties (NDOW Area 18) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,065
sq mi
Public land
92%
approx.
Elevation
3,300–8,786
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 182 is a large (~1,065 sq mi) block of west-central Nevada built around the Stillwater Range and the East Range, running north from the Fallon area and Carson Sink between Dixie Valley and the Humboldt/Lovelock country. It is overwhelmingly BLM desert-mountain terrain and hunts as a remote, water-limited unit where glassing and legwork matter more than road hunting. Antelope are the standout (roughly 90% five-year success on limited tags), the reintroduced desert bighorn herd supports a small but prized ram hunt, and desert mule deer are scattered at moderate densities (about 46% success). Come self-sufficient — this is big, empty country with almost no services.
Terrain
A long, narrow desert range and its flanking valleys. The Stillwater Range rises steeply from the Carson Sink and Dixie Valley floors (roughly 3,300-3,900 ft) to rocky crests topping out near Job Peak around 8,786 ft, with the East Range forming a second spine to the north. It hunts as open glassing country on the alluvial fans and sage flats, with steep, broken cliff-and-canyon sheep ground up high and scattered pockets of cover in the drainages.
Cover: Shadscale, greasewood and salt-desert scrub on the low flats and playa margins, grading up through big sagebrush and bitterbrush on the fans and benches, with mountain mahogany, scattered juniper and pockets of aspen/riparian brush in the higher canyons and around the few springs. Water is the limiting factor and concentrates game.
Landmarks: Stillwater Range · East Range · Job Peak (~8,786 ft, range high point) · Dixie Valley (east) · Carson Sink / Carson Lake (west) · IXL Canyon and La Plata Canyon drainages · Dixie Valley Road · US Highway 50 corridor (south)
Access
Access is almost entirely BLM public land reached by unmaintained dirt and gravel roads off the valley floors. Canyon roads on both the Stillwater and East Range flanks give foot access to the high country, but the crests and much of the sheep habitat are steep, rough and effectively walk-in. Private ranch parcels and geothermal ground sit in Dixie Valley and along the western agricultural edge near Fallon; the U.S. Navy's Fallon Range Training Complex bounds and overlaps parts of the western/southern approaches, so check current range boundaries and closures before hunting near them.
Managers: BLM (Carson City District / Stillwater Field Office), Private (valley-bottom ranches and Dixie Valley parcels), U.S. Navy (Fallon Range Training Complex, western/southern fringe)
Access points: Dixie Valley Road (east side) · IXL Canyon / La Plata Canyon roads · US Highway 50 corridor (Frenchman/Middlegate junctions) · BLM two-tracks off the Carson Sink margin (west)
Species notes
Pronghorn
common qualityAntelope are the unit's strongest draw, with roughly 90% five-year success on tightly limited tags. Bucks use the broad sage flats and low benches of Dixie Valley and the Carson Sink margins; the high success rate reflects both good buck quality and how visible antelope are in this open country.
- →Glass the big sage flats and alluvial fans from high points at first and last light — antelope live by their eyes in the open.
- →Key on the scattered water sources and green pockets during warm early seasons; bucks pattern to water.
- →Use terrain folds, washes and swales to close the distance rather than chasing across open ground.
- →Scout hard pre-season to inventory bucks; with few tags, one located mature buck can define your hunt.
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyDesert bighorn were reintroduced to the Stillwater/East Range complex and now support a very small, highly coveted ram hunt (about 71% five-year success on a handful of tags). A tag here is a once-in-a-lifetime Nevada opportunity — treat drawing it as the trophy hunt of a lifetime.
- →Focus on the steep, rocky escarpments, rims and canyon heads of the Stillwater and East Range crests where rams hold.
- →Glass from vantage points across canyons at dawn and dusk and be prepared to relocate for days to inventory rams.
- →Scout water sources and guzzlers in late summer heat — sheep tie to reliable water.
- →Plan for long, rugged foot approaches and pack for extended backcountry days; this is physical, remote country.
Mule Deer
limited opportunityDesert mule deer are scattered across the range at moderate densities (about 46% five-year success). This is not a numbers unit — deer hold in the higher canyons, mahogany and mountain brush and around water, and the better bucks live away from roads.
- →Glass the upper canyons, mahogany benches and shaded draws morning and evening where deer find cover and thermal relief.
- →Hunt near reliable water and green riparian pockets, especially in warm early seasons.
- →Hike well off the two-tracks into the roughest heads of the drainages for older bucks.
- →Let time of year and water drive your plan; late-season movement puts more bucks in the open.
Pro tips
- →Treat water as the map: inventory springs, guzzlers and green pockets pre-season and you'll find the animals.
- →This is glassing country — bring the best optics and a stable tripod and burn boot leather, not gas.
- →Confirm current Fallon Range Training Complex (Navy) boundaries and any closures before hunting the western/southern fringe.
- →For sheep or high-country deer, plan multi-day foot approaches; the crest ground is effectively walk-in.
- →Carry extra fuel and water — the nearest reliable services are back in Fallon or Lovelock.
Watch out for
- !U.S. Navy Fallon Range Training Complex bounds/overlaps the western and southern approaches — respect posted closures and current range boundaries.
- !Private ranch, agricultural and geothermal parcels in Dixie Valley and along the western edge — know property lines.
- !Steep, rocky sheep terrain and long distances from help; remote with no cell service off the highway.
- !Dirt roads become impassable when wet; heat and lack of water are real hazards in early seasons.
Logistics
Fallon is the practical hub for fuel, groceries, lodging and last-chance supplies; Lovelock covers the north end. Beyond the highways there are no services — carry extra fuel, water, recovery gear and a good spare. Camping is dispersed on BLM ground; expect no cell coverage once you leave the US-50 corridor. Getting in means dirt roads that turn greasy and impassable after rain or snow.
Nearest towns: Fallon, Lovelock, Middlegate, Frenchman (Hwy 50)
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 Big Game Status Report (unit-group data) · Friends of Nevada Wilderness — Stillwater Range WSA · BLM Nevada — Fish & Wildlife featured projects
FAQ
- How big is Unit 182 in Nevada?
- Unit 182 (Unit 182) covers about 1,065 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,300 to 8,786 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 182?
- Approximately 92% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM (Carson City District / Stillwater Field Office), Private (valley-bottom ranches and Dixie Valley parcels), U.S. Navy (Fallon Range Training Complex, western/southern fringe). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 182?
- Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer. 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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