Unit 072, Nevada

The unit is dominated by the Jarbidge Mountains, with Jarbidge Peak reaching approximately 10,700 feet and several neighboring summits exceeding 10,000 feet. The lowest elevations occur along the East Fork Jarbidge River canyon near the Nevada–Idaho border. Terrain ranges from steep, rugged mountain faces and deep river canyons to gentler benchlands, rolling sagebrush slopes, shallow swales, and broad flats outside the mountain core.

Unit 072 is approximately 92.9% public land, managed by BLM and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Mountain City–Ruby Mountains–Jarbidge Ranger District). The Jarbidge Wilderness (110,000 acres) prohibits all motorized and wheeled vehicle access; access within the wilderness is foot and horseback only. Vehicle access is good to nearly all regions outside the Jarbidge Wilderness boundary. The Jarbidge–Charleston County Road provides western boundary access, and the O'Neil Basin County Road provides eastern access. US Highway 93 (via Jackpot) serves as primary eastern approach, with Wells and Elko as southern staging towns. Cell service is limited throughout; nearest lodging is in Jackpot, with additional services in Wells and Elko. Private parcels exist near the town of Jarbidge and along O'Neil Basin Road.

Sagebrush shrublands cover most of the lower and mid-elevation terrain. Above roughly 6,000 feet, dense aspen groves and mountain mahogany are prevalent on slopes and north-facing drainages. Additional shrub species include bitterbrush, serviceberry, and chokecherry. Scattered stands of limber pine occur at higher elevations. Drainage bottoms support wet meadows and willow thickets along perennial streams including the East Fork Jarbidge River and Mary's River. The wilderness core provides sub-alpine habitat above timberline.

Mule deer are the primary big game species, occupying all habitat zones from sagebrush foothills to alpine peaks. Major fall migrations occur in late September and throughout October when deer from units 071, 072, and 073 move through unit 075 to winter ranges in units 077, 078, and 079; some deer also move north into Idaho in response to snowfall. Rocky Mountain elk reside predominantly in the Jarbidge Wilderness, with concentrations documented in Slide Creek, T Creek, Draw Creek, Canyon Creek, Mary's River, the East Fork Jarbidge River, and Elk Mountain. Elk distribution shifts significantly after summer thunderstorms or early snowfall, and hunter pressure drives elk deeper into the wilderness interior away from roads and trailheads. Pronghorn antelope occupy the northern portion of unit 072 in the drainages between Poison Creek and Elk Mountain, and on the east side in O'Neil Basin and Wildcat Creek; animals stay within roughly one mile of reliable water during dry periods. Mountain lion and black bear are present. Chukar partridge and sage grouse occur in appropriate lower-elevation habitat.