Unit 045, Nevada

The Tobin Range runs approximately 32.5 miles north-to-south and 6 miles wide with a NNE orientation, typical of Great Basin basin-and-range structure. The western flank drops into Pleasant Valley (and the Grass Valley/Buena Vista Valley corridor), while the eastern flank descends into Buffalo Valley. Mount Tobin reaches 9,754 feet as the high point. The 1915 Pleasant Valley earthquake produced dramatic fault scarps with up to 19 feet of vertical displacement along the western base of the range. Terrain at higher elevations is steep, rocky, and physically demanding; lower valley floors are flat to gently rolling. Elevation band roughly 4,700–9,754 feet.

Unit 045 is managed almost entirely by the BLM Winnemucca District (Humboldt River Field Office), with approximately 95% public land and small private parcels on the eastern and western flanks. Primary access routes (per NDOW Hunt Information Sheet): - West side: Grass Valley Road (State Route 294) south from Winnemucca, or via the Coal Canyon exit on Interstate 80 onto State Route 396 through the Humboldt Range, across Buena Vista Valley, over McKinney Pass, then down into Pleasant Valley. - East side: State Route 305 southwest from Battle Mountain, then west on State Route 121 through Buffalo Valley. - South: Jersey Valley Road along the west side of the Fish Creek Mountains; Smelser Pass Road (dirt) crosses the range connecting Buffalo Valley to Grass Valley. Primitive dirt roads branch into canyons; road quality deteriorates at higher elevations and is subject to seasonal closures. Hiking is required to reach most bighorn habitat. No developed campgrounds; dispersed camping on BLM land available along dirt roads. Nearest full services: Lovelock, Winnemucca, and Battle Mountain.

Sagebrush (big sagebrush) dominates the lower slopes and valley floors throughout the unit, providing primary winter range for mule deer. Pinyon-juniper woodland covers mid-elevation slopes. Scattered aspen stands occur in higher drainages. Riparian corridors are limited but present along canyon bottoms and springs. The steep, rocky upper ridges and cliffs of Mount Tobin and the southern portion of the range provide core desert bighorn sheep habitat. Past wildfires have affected portions of the surrounding area, with ongoing BLM habitat rehabilitation efforts.

Mule deer inhabit the unit year-round. Deer use lower sagebrush slopes and valley edges as winter range and move to higher pinyon-juniper and aspen drainages in summer. Desert bighorn sheep occupy the steep rocky terrain of the Tobin Range. Recommended hunting areas (per NDOW) include, north to south on the west side: Pollard Canyon/Jim Creek, Cottonwood Canyon, Bushee Creek, Rim Peak, Golconda Canyon south to Miller Basin and the Indian Caves (south of Pleasant Valley); bighorns also use the area from Mount Tobin north along the ridge to Wood Canyon. Mountain lion are present throughout the range and have been documented as a predation pressure on bighorn sheep. Pronghorn antelope are present in the unit and surrounding valleys, managed within the broader 043-046 unit group. Chukar partridge are widespread on rocky canyon slopes. Feral horses use the Tobin Herd Management Area within the unit group.