Unit 231 Unit 231
The Wilson Creek and Fortification ranges — one of eastern Nevada's premier elk-and-deer units.
Eastern Nevada — Lincoln County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,781
sq mi
Public land
97%
approx.
Elevation
4,730–9,500
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 231 is centered on the Wilson Creek Range with the rocky Fortification Range to the north, in Lincoln County east of Pioche. It's one of Nevada's most recognized units, carrying strong, high-success populations of both elk and mule deer plus a productive desert antelope band on the flats. The country is almost entirely public and well-watered by mountain standards, and it consistently produces quality animals — this is a unit hunters build points to draw.
Terrain
A big unit of contrasting country: the well-vegetated Wilson Creek Range forms the core with canyons, aspen and mahogany, while the Fortification Range to the north is mostly rocky with cliffs on most peaks. Between and around them lie broad sage valleys — Lake Valley and Eagle/Spring valley ground — that carry antelope and lower-elevation deer.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass valleys rising through pinyon-juniper and curl-leaf mountain mahogany, with aspen pockets, mountain brush and grassy meadows in the higher Wilson Creek canyons; the Fortification is sparser and rockier.
Landmarks: Wilson Creek Range · Fortification Range · Lake Valley · Eagle Valley · Ursine · Spring Valley State Park
Access
Almost entirely public. Public roads and four-wheel-drive trails reach several starting points into the ranges, and private land — including working ranch ground in the valleys — does not meaningfully block access. Some depredation hunts exist around valley ranch ground, a sign of how much game the unit holds.
Managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF
Access points: State Route 322 (Ursine / Eagle Valley) · Spring Valley State Park road · Lake Valley roads · Wilson Creek Range four-wheel-drive canyons
Species notes
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityA flagship elk tag with excellent success — historically near 70 percent on strong harvest numbers. The Wilson Creek Range holds good densities and quality bulls, with reputation genetics behind the herd.
- →Hunt the Wilson Creek Range canyons — mahogany, aspen and reliable water hold elk through the season.
- →Glass the range's benches and valley margins at first and last light, then work the timbered canyon heads midday.
- →Bulls use the more broken, higher country; be prepared to hike above the roads.
Mule Deer
common qualityA top-tier deer tag to match the elk — high harvest and success in the low-60s percent, with a reputation for good genetics and mature bucks.
- →Glass the pinyon-juniper-to-sage transition on the Wilson Creek slopes at dawn and dusk.
- →The rockier Fortification Range and broken canyon country hold mature bucks holding tight.
- →A cold front or early snow concentrates deer lower — hunt the migration as weather moves in.
Pronghorn
common qualityAn outstanding antelope band on the valley flats with very high success — over 90 percent on limited tags. Genuinely quality bucks come out of this open country.
- →Glass the open sage of Lake and Eagle valleys from high vantages.
- →Locate a mature buck early, then plan a patient stalk using terrain and water.
- →Watch water sources through dry stretches — antelope pattern to them predictably.
Pro tips
- →This is a build-points draw unit — treat a tag as a full-effort hunt, not a casual weekend.
- →The Wilson Creek Range is the engine of the unit for both elk and big bucks.
- →Don't overlook the flats: the antelope here are high-success and genuinely good quality.
- →Base out of Eagle Valley / Spring Valley State Park for quick access to the west side.
Watch out for
- !Rough four-wheel-drive canyon two-tracks; a flat or stuck rig is a long way from help.
- !Respect working ranch ground in the valleys even though it doesn't block the public country.
- !Fortification Range is rocky and cliff-broken — plan safe glassing and stalking routes.
Logistics
Pioche and Panaca are the closest towns for fuel, food and lodging, with tiny Ursine and Eagle Valley/Spring Valley State Park providing a base right at the unit's western edge; Ely to the north on U.S. 93 is the larger resupply hub. Cell service is unreliable off the highways — carry paper maps or a GPS and plenty of water for the canyon roads.
Nearest towns: Pioche, Panaca, Ursine, Ely
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Hunt Unit Boundaries · NDOW Elk Hunt Unit 231 Map · NDOW Hunt Information Sheet (Elk 231/241/242) · GOHUNT — Nevada Unit 231 Profile
FAQ
- How big is Unit 231 in Nevada?
- Unit 231 (Unit 231) covers about 1,781 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,730 to 9,500 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 231?
- Approximately 97% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 231?
- Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 231 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.