Unit 011, Nevada

Highly variable terrain ranging from relatively flat rimrock plateaus and sagebrush basins to steep canyon walls and elevated tablelands. Elevation spans approximately 4,100 to 7,200 feet, with the volcanic rimlands (Massacre Rim, Coleman Rim, Vya Rim) forming the dominant structural feature. The northern reach borders Oregon; the western edge abuts the California state line. Upper-elevation lakebeds such as Crooks Lake and Holy Lake provide seasonal water. Fortynine Mountain and the Coleman Canyon area represent the most topographically rugged and road-access-challenged terrain in the unit.

The unit is primarily BLM-managed land administered by the BLM Winnemucca District (Humboldt River Field Office), with less than 5 percent private land. Old State Route 8A (now an unimproved county road connecting California SR 299 near Cedarville east through Vya) forms the southern boundary and provides the primary east-west access corridor. To access from the west, travel east on Highway 299 from Alturas and Cedarville, CA. To access from the south, travel north from Reno or Gerlach on Highway 447. The Vya Rim area north of old SR 8A is generally accessible by BLM two-track and unimproved roads. Fortynine Mountain and Coleman Canyon (northeast end of the Vya Rim) represent the only significant access problems due to private land blocking routes to public land interior; overall access to public land is otherwise good. There is no National Forest within this unit. The adjacent Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge (excluded from unit 011) is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. No congressionally designated Wilderness exists within unit 011 (unit 012 to the east contains designated wilderness). Burn restrictions are periodically issued — hunters should contact the BLM Winnemucca District Office before the season. No developed campgrounds exist; tent camps are recommended.

Sagebrush steppe dominates at lower and mid-elevations, representing one of the largest intact Great Basin sagebrush landscapes in Nevada. Bitterbrush is an important mid-elevation shrub species. Scattered pinyon and juniper stands occur at mid-elevations; mountain mahogany and aspen stringers appear at higher elevations along the rims and canyon heads. Riparian corridors follow springs, seeps, and creek drainages. The unit is prime greater sage-grouse habitat, and historic fire and cheatgrass encroachment have locally degraded sagebrush communities. Critical antelope summer ranges concentrate on upper-elevation benchlands near springs.

Mule deer are widely distributed throughout the unit but occur at lower densities than most other Nevada units. Deer concentrate on mahogany and bitterbrush stands at upper elevations during archery and muzzleloader season; earlier in the season deer are closely tied to the limited distribution of water. During the any-legal-weapon hunt deer will be entering the rut and bucks will be associated with doe groups. Key deer areas include the Hays Canyon Peak to Packsaddle Spring corridor east to Boulder Mountain, the Vya Rim north of Highway 8A to the Oregon border (including Crooks Lake and Holy Lake areas north of Gravelly Spring), and Cherry Mountain east of Wall Canyon Reservoir (productive particularly later in the regular deer season). Pronghorn antelope are the most abundant and productive big-game species in the unit; primary antelope habitat centers on Vya and Massacre Rims, Coleman Canyon, and Bitner Table, where upper-elevation benchlands with reliable springs hold animals longest. A recovering population of California bighorn sheep occupies Coleman Rim and Massacre Rim; no hunt tag has been issued for unit 011 (population below hunt thresholds). Mountain lion are present. Greater sage-grouse occupy the sagebrush steppe portions of the unit. Chukar partridge are reported in canyon-wall habitat.

1. Mule deer harvest and quota data are reported for the combined unit group 011-013. The 50% success rate and 14-buck harvest are from the 2024 resident ALW season. Archery success was 8% (1 of 13 scored), muzzleloader 25% (1 of 4). 2. Mule deer tag_quota of 45 is the 2025-2026 resident ALW quota per eregulations.com; the 2024 season approved quota was 35. 3. Pronghorn tag_quota of 35 is the 2025-2026 resident ALW quota per eregulations.com; the 2025 season issued 30 resident ALW tags. Harvest of 23 and 82% success are from the 2025 ALW resident season. 4. public_land_pct of 95 is derived from the NDOW hunt information sheet stating less than 5% of the area is private land. 5. SR 140 does not pass through unit 011 (northwest Washoe County/Vya area) — it was rerouted in 1960 and now runs through Humboldt County to the Oregon border. Primary access is via Hwy 299 from Alturas/Cedarville and Hwy 447 from Reno/Gerlach. 6. No bighorn hunt open in unit 011 in 2025; California bighorn harvest report confirms no tags for unit 011. 7. Unit 012 (adjacent east) contains designated wilderness; unit 011 itself has no congressional wilderness designation.