Unit 105, Nevada

The unit spans approximately 726 square miles with elevations ranging from about 5,500 feet in the western reaches of Clover Valley up to 10,200 feet at the summit of Spruce Mountain. The southern Pequop Mountains provide steep, rugged terrain while the remainder of the unit features rolling hills, deep and shallow swales, benches, and extensive basin flats. Water sources are scarce and scattered above 6,500 feet.

The majority of Unit 105 is BLM-administered public land managed by the Wells Field Office (Elko District). Public vehicle access is excellent throughout Unit 105 with extensive road networks and very little private land — a distinct advantage compared to neighboring units 101-103. US Highway 93 (Great Basin Highway) provides primary access along the western side of the unit. Shafter Road in Goshute Valley gives access to the eastern side. The northern boundary can be approached via the road paralleling the Union Pacific Railroad. The South Pequop Wilderness Study Area (approximately 41,090 acres, administered by the BLM Elko Field Office) falls within the unit; within the WSA, motorized and mechanized transport is limited to pre-inventory roads and ways only. Maps of open routes within the WSA are available from the BLM Elko Field Office (775-753-0200). No formal trailheads or developed campgrounds exist within the unit; dispersed camping on federally managed lands is available throughout. Wells, Ely, Elko, and Wendover provide the nearest services (groceries, fuel, lodging).

Sagebrush dominates the lower elevations and valley floors, with dense stands of pinyon-juniper covering much of the Pequop mountain flanks. Small pockets of mountain mahogany occur on mid-elevation ridges. Lowland areas in Clover Valley support winterfat and saltbrush communities. Feral horse overutilization is an ongoing management concern that has degraded portions of the unit's vegetation; hunters and visitors should seek out areas with intact vegetation cover.

Mule deer are present as a small resident herd plus a larger influx of transitioning and wintering animals moving down from the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt ranges to the west; the unit has produced trophy-class bucks. Rocky Mountain elk are the unit's most notable big game resource — NDOW describes Unit 105 as having high elk densities and notes it supports the majority of harvest within the unit group (078, 105-107, 109); BLM and NDOW have partnered since 2013 on approximately 10,000 acres of habitat enhancement on Spruce Mountain. Elk can be found on all portions of Spruce Mountain and throughout the South Pequop WSA; elk regularly move between Unit 105 and adjacent Unit 109. Pronghorn antelope are present in the valleys within the unit; Steptoe Valley is a stronghold for antelope in this unit group. Focus on big game water developments (guzzlers) in the southern portions of the unit. Mountain lion occur statewide and are present in the unit. Chukar and greater sage grouse inhabit appropriate habitats in the unit's sagebrush and rocky terrain.

1. Mule deer tag_quota of 2,109 is the sum of all resident antlered mule deer tags (ALW Early 600 + Mid 600 + Late 120 + Archery Early 516 + Late 30 + Muzzleloader 243) for the entire unit group 101-109 per CR 25-13; Unit 105's individual share is not published. 2. Elk tag_quota of 60 is the total resident antlered tag count for unit group 078, 105-107, 109 per CR 25-13. hunter_success of 69% is from 2024 ALW Early hunt for this group (NDOW 2024 Elk Hunt Statistics). 3. Pronghorn tag_quota of 3 is the nonresident ALW quota only; resident ALW quota for unit group 078, 105-107, 121 is not listed in CR 25-13. 4. Public land 89% (rounded from GoHunt 88.7%). 5. Feral horse overutilization confirmed by NDOW elk hunt info sheet. 6. South Pequop WSA acreage 41,090 confirmed by Friends of Nevada Wilderness and BLM Elko Field Office.