Unit 074, Nevada

Dramatic high-desert mountain terrain characterized by deep canyons and rugged peaks. Elevation spans from approximately 5,300 feet at the lowest canyon floors near Jackpot (Salmon Falls Creek drainage) to roughly 8,600 feet at Ella Dee Mountain, the highest point within the unit. The broader Jarbidge Mountains (which include the adjacent unit 072 wilderness) reach 10,838 feet at Matterhorn Peak. Unit 074 encompasses the Badlands area (Salmon Falls Creek drainage), Bear Mountain, Grassy Mountain, and Beaver Creek terrain. Ridges provide good vantage points for glassing across open terrain.

The majority of unit 074 is BLM land (Wells Field Office / Elko District), with Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Jarbidge Ranger District) land also present. Public land comprises roughly 87% of the unit. US-93 forms the eastern boundary, providing primary highway access; Jackpot, NV (on US-93) is the nearest services hub. The O'Neil Basin County Road provides southern access into the unit. Most back-country roads require 4WD. Spare tires and tools are strongly advised given primitive road conditions. The Jarbidge Wilderness (110,000+ acres) is centered in unit 072 immediately to the west — wilderness designation prohibits all motorized and wheeled vehicle use in that area; access is by foot or horseback only (see wilderness.net). National Forest Roads from the 3 Creek Road in Idaho provide alternative northern access when the O'Neil Basin Road is impassable. Cell service is limited throughout the unit. Lodging and supplies are available in Jackpot, NV and Twin Falls, ID.

A diverse elevation-driven mosaic: sagebrush steppe dominates lower valleys and canyon floors, transitioning to mountain mahogany and pinyon-juniper at mid-elevations, with quaking aspen stands, subalpine fir, and whitebark pine forests in the higher reaches. Riparian corridors run along perennial streams including the East Fork of the Jarbidge River, Beaver Creek, and Salmon Falls Creek tributaries. Wildfire over the prior decade affected large portions of the broader unit group, with recovering perennial grasses and forbs on summer range providing pronghorn forage while sagebrush regeneration continues on winter range. BLM vegetation treatments (juniper removal, fuel breaks) have been implemented to improve sagebrush ecosystem health.

Mule deer are the primary big game. The post-season buck ratio for the broader herd was approximately 43 bucks per 100 does in 2024 (statewide surveys). Rocky Mountain elk occupy the Jarbidge Mountains complex; the majority of elk reside in the Jarbidge Wilderness (unit 072). In unit 074, most elk harvest traditionally comes from Bear Mountain and Grassy Mountain, while the Beaver Creek area supports harvest in unit 073. Elk are generally associated with water sources during August and September and will move away from main roads and wilderness access points under hunting pressure. Pronghorn inhabit the Pole Creek to Elk Mountain, O'Neil Basin, and Wildcat Creek areas; antelope migrate north out of unit 072 into Idaho after the rifle season. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Badlands herd, unit 074) experienced a severe all-age die-off from pneumonia in fall 2014; aerial survey in October 2017 classified 26 animals (11 rams, 12 ewes, 3 lambs). Primary habitat is the Ella Dee Mountain, Badlands (Salmon Falls Creek drainage), and Black Mountain/Little Devil's Table areas. The herd remains under recovery management; no harvest tags have been issued since 2015. Mountain lion are present and actively managed.