Unit 280 Unit 280
A once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn tag on the closed western edge of the Nellis range
Southern Nevada — Clark County (Spotted Range, Nevada Test and Training Range) · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
404
sq mi
Public land
100%
approx.
Elevation
3,000–5,700
feet
Motorized
limited
access
Overview
Unit 280 covers the Spotted Range in northwestern Clark County, one of the low, sun-blasted Mojave ranges that make up the western half of the Desert National Wildlife Refuge complex north of Las Vegas. Nearly the entire unit lies inside the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR), co-managed by the U.S. Air Force (Nellis) and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, so this is a desert bighorn-only, permit-and-escort hunt rather than a general-access area. Rams are scattered at low density across big country; the reward is solitude and an essentially untouched sheep herd, and drawing a tag here is a lifetime event.
Terrain
A short, steep north-south desert range rising abruptly from Mojave basin floors. Rocky ridgelines, cliff bands and rugged canyons hold sheep; the surrounding valleys are open, flat and hot. Hunting is a glassing game from high vantage points over long distances.
Cover: Mojave desert scrub — creosote, white bursage and blackbrush on the flats and bajadas, with scattered Joshua trees, cactus and sparse pinyon-juniper on the higher rocky slopes. Cover is thin and water is scarce.
Landmarks: Spotted Range · Mercury Valley · Cane Spring · Rock Valley · Nevada Test and Training Range boundary · adjacent Nevada National Security Site (former Nevada Test Site)
Access
Effectively 100% federal land but access is tightly controlled. The unit sits within the NTTR, which is closed to general public entry. Bighorn tag holders and their party must comply with NTTR safety and security requirements: pass a criminal-history background check, be at least 14 on opening day, and attend the mandatory Nellis Air Force Base hunter safety briefing. Party size is limited (tag holder plus a small number). Only the fraction of the unit outside the NTTR boundary is open to general public access. Coordinate early with NDOW and Nellis Natural Resources — access is arranged, not walk-up.
Managers: USAF Nellis / Nevada Test and Training Range, USFWS Desert National Wildlife Refuge, BLM
Access points: U.S. 95 corridor near Mercury / Indian Springs (staging outside the range) · Nellis-controlled range roads (escorted access only)
Species notes
Bighorn Sheep
limited trophyDesert bighorn are the only managed big-game species here and the sole reason for the unit. Densities are low and rams are spread thinly across the range, but hunter success historically runs well (roughly 60% over recent five-year data on very few tags). This is a premium, once-in-a-lifetime draw.
- →Treat it as a pure spot-and-stalk glassing hunt: gain a high vantage at first light and grid the rocky faces, saddles and cliff bands for hours
- →Focus on terrain near reliable water — study NDOW guzzler and spring locations, as rams orient to it in this arid range
- →Bring the best optics you can (spotting scope plus tripod-mounted binos); rams are found by patience, not by covering ground
- →Plan for a hard, dry hunt — pack water, sun protection and durable boots, and expect long approaches over broken rock
Pro tips
- →Start the access process the moment you draw — the background check and mandatory Nellis safety briefing take lead time and are non-negotiable
- →Scout via maps and NDOW hunt information sheets, not boots — you likely can't pre-scout inside the closed range
- →Prioritize water sources: rams in the Spotted Range key on guzzlers and springs, so glass those basins hardest
- →Keep your party small and briefed on NTTR rules; violations can end the hunt
- →Bring redundant sun, water and heat management — this is a Mojave hunt, not a mountain hunt
Watch out for
- !Most of the unit lies in the active Nevada Test and Training Range — do not enter without proper escort and clearance; unauthorized entry is a federal matter
- !Adjacent Nevada National Security Site (former Test Site) land is strictly off-limits
- !Extreme heat and near-total lack of natural water — carry everything you need
- !No cell service and long distances from help; a breakdown or injury is serious
- !Party size and access rules are strictly enforced by Nellis
Logistics
No services inside the unit. Stage out of Las Vegas, Indian Springs or Pahrump for fuel, lodging, water and last supplies along the U.S. 95 corridor. Because access runs through the NTTR, expect to coordinate entry, escort and timing with Nellis Natural Resources and NDOW well in advance. Cell coverage is unreliable to nonexistent off the highway; carry a satellite communicator, ample water and self-recovery gear. There are no developed campgrounds — dispersed camping is dictated by access arrangements.
Nearest towns: Indian Springs, Mercury, Las Vegas, Pahrump
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Nevada sources:
Research sources: NDOW Big Game Hunting Seasons (CR 25-07, 2025-2027) — NTTR unit access requirements · Nevada Bighorn Sheep Hunts — eRegulations (unit 280 = Spotted Range, NTTR rules) · USFWS Desert National Wildlife Refuge — About / ranges & bighorn habitat · Friends of Nevada Wilderness — Desert NWR (western half closed, ranges list)
FAQ
- How big is Unit 280 in Nevada?
- Unit 280 (Unit 280) covers about 404 square miles, ranging from roughly 3,000 to 5,700 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 280?
- Approximately 100% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USAF Nellis / Nevada Test and Training Range, USFWS Desert National Wildlife Refuge, BLM. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 280?
- 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 280 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.