Unit 253 Unit 253
Bare Mountain and the Bullfrog Hills — one of Nevada's premier trophy desert bighorn units
South-Central Nevada — Nye County · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
710
sq mi
Public land
94%
approx.
Elevation
3,300–6,000
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 253 covers Bare Mountain and the Bullfrog Hills around Beatty in southern Nye County, on the northern edge of the Mojave near the Amargosa Valley and Death Valley country. It is first and foremost a trophy desert bighorn sheep unit — rams here are among the best in the state and the very few resident-only tags carry outstanding success — while mule deer are present only in small numbers. This is steep, rocky, water-scarce Mojave desert; a sheep tag here is a coveted, once-in-a-lifetime draw earned through years of points.
Terrain
Rugged low-desert ranges rising abruptly from broad basins. Elevation changes are steep, especially on Bare Mountain, with rocky escarpments, canyons, and cliff bands that hold desert bighorn. Road access to the range fronts is good, but reaching sheep country means climbing on foot.
Cover: Mojave Desert brush — creosote, blackbrush, shadscale, and cactus on the bajadas and lower slopes, with sparse desert scrub clinging to the rocky upper faces; almost no timber.
Landmarks: Bare Mountain · Bullfrog Hills · Amargosa Valley · Beatty · Sterling Gold Mine (east side of Bare Mountain) · US Highway 95
Access
Mostly public BLM land (Battle Mountain District, Tonopah Field Office) with good road access to the range fronts, though you must hike to reach much of the high, rocky sheep country. The active Sterling Gold Mine on the east side of Bare Mountain prohibits trespassing and blocks passage through the mine site — hunters must hike around it to reach that ground. The Nellis Air Force Range lies to the east and is closed to public access.
Managers: BLM
Access points: US Highway 95 (Beatty) · Bare Mountain access roads · Bullfrog Hills roads (Rhyolite / Bullfrog area)
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
common trophyThe marquee species and one of Nevada's better trophy desert bighorn units — Bare Mountain and the Bullfrog Hills hold quality rams and recent resident-only tag holders have filled at very high rates. This is a hard-earned, once-in-a-lifetime draw.
- →Glass the steep escarpments, canyon rims, and cliff bands of Bare Mountain from high vantage points at first and last light.
- →Scout guzzlers and the few scattered natural water sources — desert sheep pattern tightly to water in this arid range.
- →Plan strenuous foot approaches into rocky, broken terrain; road access gets you to the base, not to the rams.
- →Hike around the Sterling Gold Mine site to reach the east side of Bare Mountain rather than attempting to cross it.
Mule Deer
limited lowDeer are present only in small numbers — NDOW notes few if any deer across the 252-254 country and the unit is not known for producing trophy bucks. Treat any deer hunt here as a low-density, scouting-driven effort.
- →Concentrate on the higher, brushier slopes near the scarce water sources; deer are tied to water in this desert.
- →Study maps and locate guzzlers and springs before the hunt — animal distribution follows water, not cover.
- →Keep expectations modest and be prepared to cover rugged ground on foot for limited sightings.
Pro tips
- →This is a trophy desert sheep unit — if you draw the resident-only tag, scout hard for months and pattern the rams to water and cliff country.
- →Locate and mark every guzzler and natural water source; sheep and deer both key on them in this dry range.
- →Do not try to cross the Sterling Gold Mine on Bare Mountain's east side — hike around it.
- →Be ready for steep, rocky foot travel; road access ends where the good sheep country begins.
- →Stage everything in Beatty — it is the last real services before the range.
Watch out for
- !The Sterling Gold Mine on the east side of Bare Mountain prohibits trespassing and blocks passage — plan to hike around it.
- !The Nellis Air Force Range to the east is closed to public access and enforced.
- !Water is scarce and scattered; heat and dehydration are real hazards in this low Mojave country.
- !Steep, loose, rocky terrain on Bare Mountain demands sure footing and good fitness.
- !Cell service is spotty — carry a satellite communicator for a solo desert sheep hunt.
Logistics
Beatty is the hub — fuel, food, and lodging (motels rate well) sit right on US Highway 95, with more services up the road in Goldfield and Tonopah. Camp on BLM ground near the range fronts and haul your own water; natural water is scarce and scattered. Cell service is limited in places, so carry a satellite messenger. Bring plenty of water, sun protection, spare tires, and recovery gear — this is hot, exposed Mojave country.
Nearest towns: Beatty, NV, Amargosa Valley, NV, Goldfield, 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 — Units 251, 252, 253, 254 · NDOW Desert Bighorn Sheep species page · NDOW Hunt Information Sheets · GoHunt Nevada Unit 253 Profile (secondary cross-check)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 253 in Nevada?
- Unit 253 (Unit 253) covers about 710 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,300 to 6,000 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 253?
- Approximately 94% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 253?
- 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.
Put Unit 253 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.