Unit 073, Nevada

Unit 073 consists mostly of broad valleys and low foothills ranging from 5,100 to roughly 6,000 feet, with scattered mountains featuring benches. The highest point is 8,204-foot Stag Mountain. Terrain drains northeast into the Marys River (a Humboldt River tributary) along the eastern edge, and westward into other Humboldt tributaries. The wide-open, rolling character of the unit provides long sightlines across most of the landscape.

Public land (~71.7%) is administered by the BLM Elko District (Tuscarora Field Office and Wells Field Office). Private land parcels exist near water sources but do not block access to public land. Primary vehicle access: Interstate 80 along the south boundary (exits at Elko and Deeth/Exit 321); State Route 225 (Mountain City Highway) along the west boundary provides the main north-south artery into the unit from Elko. Interior access is via a network of BLM dirt and gravel roads, including the Charleston Road, Charleston-Deeth Road, and the Marys River-Orange Bridge Road along the north boundary. Most main roads are passable by two-wheel-drive vehicles; four-wheel drive is recommended for primitive spurs and after precipitation. ATVs are useful but not required. There are no designated wilderness areas within unit 073 itself; the adjacent Jarbidge Wilderness is in neighboring unit 072 to the northwest (Jarbidge Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest). No formal USFS land falls within unit 073. Seasonal road closures are possible after heavy snow at higher elevations; check with the BLM Elko District at 775-753-0200 for current conditions.

A 2006 wildfire transformed much of the unit from shrub-dominated cover into grassland and forb communities that now support dense forage for all three big-game species. Recovering vegetation is dominated by perennial grasses, sagebrush, and buckbrush (bitterbrush and other shrubs); aspen stands persist in the higher benches around Stag Mountain. Pinyon-juniper occurs on the elevated mountain masses. Riparian corridors along the Marys River and its smaller tributaries provide water and shade. Ongoing BLM and NDOW seeding and shrub-restoration projects aim to rebuild the pre-fire sagebrush communities critical for mule deer winter survival.

Mule deer are widespread throughout the unit; the Area 7 herd (units 071-079, 091) showed strong rebound in 2024-2025 with fawn ratios at or near multi-decade highs per NDOW Area 7 reports. Deer summer on the higher mountain benches and migrate to lower valley winter range. Rocky Mountain elk occupy the unit under the Western Elko County Elk Plan: an objective of 200 elk is set for the west side of unit 073 and 220 elk on BLM ground on the east side; the total 072-075 herd is estimated below its population objective and is being managed for growth. A sub-herd of elk centered on the Diamond A Desert and JP Desert (units 061/071) also seasonally moves through the north portion of unit 073 before crossing into Idaho. Pronghorn antelope in unit group 061/062/064/071/073 are at strong population levels following several mild winters and good fawn recruitment per NDOW 2025 Status Book. Mountain lions (North subpopulation) are present statewide; chukar partridge inhabit rocky talus slopes and canyon rims throughout Elko County including this unit; greater sage-grouse use sagebrush flats in the unit. Upland game is open under statewide regulations.