Unit 245 Unit 245
Rough desert ranges above the Pahranagat Valley where water is everything.
Southern Nevada – Pahranagat & Mount Irish Ranges · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
553
sq mi
Public land
96%
approx.
Elevation
4,100–8,000
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Unit 245 sits in Lincoln County above the Pahranagat Valley, taking in the rugged Mount Irish and Pahranagat ranges on the northern edge of the Mojave. It is remote, dry, and almost entirely public, with limited motorized access into the interior. Desert mule deer here don't migrate the way northern herds do — they live tight to scarce water — and the unit also carries a small antelope band and a premium once-in-a-lifetime bighorn sheep draw.
Terrain
Desert basin-and-range: broad, dry valley floors climbing into steep, rocky, broken mountains. The country is rough and remote, with much of the high ground reachable only on foot.
Cover: Mojave and Great Basin desert scrub and sagebrush on the flats, grading into pinyon-juniper and scattered mahogany on the higher slopes. Cover is sparse and water-dependent.
Landmarks: Mount Irish Range · Pahranagat Range · East Pahranagat Range · Pahranagat Valley · Crystal Springs · Key Pittman WMA
Access
The Pahranagat and East Pahranagat ranges are rough and remote with limited motorized access, so plan on hiking well off the roads to reach deer and sheep country. Access is anchored off the U.S. 93 corridor through the Pahranagat Valley and the small communities of Alamo and Hiko.
Managers: BLM, USFS Humboldt-Toiyabe NF
Access points: U.S. Highway 93 (Pahranagat Valley corridor) · Alamo / Hiko · Crystal Springs junction (SR-318 / U.S. 93) · BLM two-tracks off the valley floor
Species notes
Mule Deer
common opportunityA rough-country desert deer unit that hunts in the high-50s percent for success. These deer are largely non-migratory and stay tied to water and the rugged range interiors.
- →Build your hunt around water — get a guzzler map and glass the springs and catchments at first and last light.
- →Be ready to hike; the best deer ground has limited motorized access, so foot travel off the two-tracks pays.
- →Because deer don't migrate out, focus on the ranges themselves rather than waiting for a valley push.
Pronghorn
limited opportunityA small antelope presence with very few tags, though success has been very high (mid-90s percent) for those who draw. An opportunity animal in low numbers.
- →Glass the open valley flats and lower benches between the ranges.
- →Watch water sources — in this dry country antelope, like deer, orbit reliable water.
- →Expect few animals; a patient glassing approach beats covering miles blind.
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyA premium, essentially once-in-a-lifetime draw. The rough, rocky desert ranges are classic desert bighorn habitat.
- →Focus on the steepest, most broken rock in the Mount Irish and Pahranagat ranges.
- →Pre-season glassing from valley vantage points is critical to locate rams before opening day.
- →Plan a boots-heavy, water-conscious hunt into remote terrain.
Pro tips
- →A guzzler and spring map is the single most valuable piece of scouting for this unit.
- →Plan to hunt on foot — the interior has limited motorized access and rewards hikers.
- →Glass water and shaded north slopes during hot early stretches.
- →Confirm your tag's unit-group validity before the hunt; NDOW deer tags in this group cover multiple units.
Watch out for
- !Heat and scarce water are the real hazards — dehydration is a genuine risk out here.
- !Antelope and sheep tags are very few; treat any draw as a rare opportunity.
- !Rough, remote roads mean recovery is a long way off — travel prepared and self-sufficient.
Logistics
Alamo and Hiko in the Pahranagat Valley offer basic fuel and supplies; plan on Caliente or a run toward Las Vegas for anything substantial. This is hot, dry, remote country — carry far more water than you think you need, expect little to no cell service off U.S. 93, and prepare vehicles for rough desert two-tracks.
Nearest towns: Alamo, Hiko, Ash Springs, Caliente
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Nevada Unit 245 Profile · NDOW Mule Deer Hunt Unit Group 241–245 map · NDOW Big Game Status Report
FAQ
- How big is Unit 245 in Nevada?
- Unit 245 (Unit 245) covers about 553 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,100 to 8,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 245?
- Approximately 96% 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 245?
- Mule Deer, Pronghorn, Bighorn Sheep. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Nevada agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put Unit 245 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.