Unit 263 Unit 263
A once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn stronghold in Las Vegas's backyard
Southern Nevada — Clark County (McCullough & Highland Ranges) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,018
sq mi
Public land
94%
approx.
Elevation
2,500–7,026
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
Unit 263 wraps the McCullough Range and Highland Mountains just south of Las Vegas and Henderson, running down toward Jean, Sloan, and Goodsprings. It is best known as one of southern Nevada's premier desert bighorn sheep units — a coveted, once-in-a-lifetime ram draw with excellent trophy genetics and a herd on the upswing. A small desert mule deer resource exists but is secondary; expect this to be a sheep hunt first and foremost.
Terrain
Rugged, steep desert mountains with rocky ledges, chutes, and cliff bands rising from broad rolling bajadas and desert flats. Spot-and-stalk sheep country that hunts hard on foot despite good road access to the base of the ranges.
Cover: Mojave desert scrub — creosote, blackbrush, yucca, cholla and other cactus on the lower slopes; sparse desert grasses and a few pinyon-juniper pockets on the higher McCullough peaks. Little canopy cover; glassing-dominant terrain.
Landmarks: McCullough Mountain (~7,026 ft) · McCullough Pass · Black Mountain · Highland Range / Highland Peak · Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area · North & South McCullough Wilderness
Access
Overwhelmingly public BLM land. A network of graded and four-wheel-drive roads reaches starting points around nearly the entire unit; private land generally does not block access. Two designated wilderness areas (North and South McCullough) are non-motorized — foot access only inside those boundaries. Numerous natural springs and man-made guzzlers hold water and concentrate sheep.
Managers: BLM, Sloan Canyon NCA (BLM)
Access points: Sloan Canyon Access Road (North McCullough Wilderness) · I-15 corridor near Sloan/Jean · McCullough Pass roads · Goodsprings / SR 161 area on the west
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
abundant trophyA high-density, healthy desert bighorn herd with strong genetics that has been trending upward. One of the marquee ram units near Las Vegas and effectively a once-in-a-lifetime tag; recent ram harvest success is essentially 100%.
- →Glass the steep, rocky escarpments and cliff-bands from first light — rams hold on the roughest broken terrain
- →Focus effort between McCullough Pass and Black Mountain where most mature rams concentrate
- →Pattern water sources (springs and guzzlers) in warm early-season conditions
- →Hunt on foot into the North/South McCullough Wilderness where roads end and pressure drops
- →Bring a spotting scope and plan for long, steep spot-and-stalk approaches over rock
Mule Deer
limited opportunityA thin, scattered desert mule deer population lives in the higher and better-watered pockets of the ranges. Numbers are low and success is modest — an opportunity hunt rather than a trophy draw.
- →Concentrate on the higher McCullough elevations and drainages holding water and browse
- →Glass shaded north-facing slopes and canyon heads at dawn and dusk
- →Keep expectations realistic — this is marginal desert deer habitat with light densities
Pro tips
- →Treat 263 as a sheep-first unit — the desert bighorn is why hunters chase this tag
- →Rams key on the roughest, steepest rock; glass cliff-bands and chutes rather than open slopes
- →The stretch between McCullough Pass and Black Mountain historically holds the best mature rams
- →Scout and hunt water in warm weather — springs and guzzlers concentrate animals
- →Get off the roads into the wilderness on foot to escape the metro-adjacent pressure
- →Pre-hunt e-scouting pays off: the road network lets you stage close, but the killing ground is still a steep hike
Watch out for
- !North and South McCullough Wilderness are non-motorized — know the boundaries before you drive
- !Extreme early-season heat and limited natural water; dehydration is a real hazard
- !Steep, loose rock and cliff exposure demand caution on stalks
- !Metro-edge unit means other recreational users (hikers, OHV, target shooters) on the fringes
- !Respect Sloan Canyon NCA rules and any scattered private inholdings near the valley floors
Logistics
Full services, fuel, lodging, and outfitters are minutes away in Henderson and Las Vegas, with fuel and basics also at Jean and Primm on I-15. Cell coverage is strong across most of the unit given its proximity to the metro area but drops in the deeper wilderness canyons. Camp on BLM land or stay in town and day-hunt. Access is primarily off I-15 and SR 161/146.
Nearest towns: Henderson, Las Vegas, Jean, Sloan, Goodsprings
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Hunt Information Sheets · BLM North McCullough Wilderness Management Plan · NDOW Big Game Status Book
FAQ
- How big is Unit 263 in Nevada?
- Unit 263 (Unit 263) covers about 1,018 square miles, ranging from roughly 2,500 to 7,026 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 263?
- Approximately 94% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: BLM, Sloan Canyon NCA (BLM). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 263?
- 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 263 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.