Unit 113, Nevada

The unit consists of broad, flat desert valleys at roughly 5,960 ft elevation rising steeply to the Kern Mountains, which reach a high point of approximately 8,619 ft. The only significant mountain range in the unit, the Kern Mountains run north-south and feature steep drainages, ridgelines, and canyon systems — including Sanford Springs, Mormon Canyon, Rye Grass, and Gravel Wash — that funnel off to valley floors. The southern portion of the unit (south of White Pine County Road 35) is more gradual valley-and-foothill terrain; the northern sub-area (113 North, north of CR 35) is more remote and rugged with no paved roads.

Unit 113 is approximately 82% public land managed primarily by the BLM Ely District (Nevada), with about 18% private land. The Goshute Indian Reservation occupies a substantial portion of the northern unit and is CLOSED to public hunting. There are no paved roads in the unit. Primary access routes: (1) Highway 893 / White Pine County Road 31, accessible from US-50/6 at south Spring Valley or from US-93 at the Schellbourne Rest Area, connecting to County Road 32 and County Road 35; (2) From Utah, via Highway 21 (Gandy Road) to Pleasant Valley Road to County Road 35. County Road 35 forms the boundary between the main unit and the 113 North sub-area. High-clearance 4WD vehicles are recommended and extra spare tires are advised. Seasonal weather (especially winter storms) can rapidly cut off access. Hunters should check with the BLM Ely District Office for seasonal road closures, prescribed burns, or wild-horse gathers that may temporarily restrict access. No designated wilderness areas have been identified within unit 113.

Valley bottoms below roughly 6,500 ft are dominated by sagebrush, greasewood, fourwing saltbush, and other Great Basin shrubs. Mid-elevations feature pinyon-juniper woodland, which has been encroaching into lower shrublands; BLM and RMEF pinyon-juniper treatment projects have been conducted in the Kern Mountains to restore sagebrush and mountain-brush forage. Upper slopes and ridgelines support mountain mahogany, open grassy parks, and limited aspen. Riparian corridors and springs (e.g., Sanford Spring) provide year-round water and attract concentrations of wildlife. Cheatgrass and halogeton have invaded lower-elevation flats. Feral horses also compete for forage in portions of the unit.

Mule deer are the primary big game species; the unit group 111-113 herd was recovering as of 2024 after impacts from the 2018-2019 and 2022-2023 winters and multi-year drought. Spring 2024 survey yielded 38 fawns:100 adults — the best recruitment in years relative to the previous 5-year average of 24 fawns:100 adults. Rocky Mountain elk are present throughout the unit but densities are highly variable due to seasonal movements between Nevada, Utah, and the Goshute Indian Reservation. Radio-collar data (2021-2023) showed collared cows in unit 113 spent 53% (2022) and 36% (2023) of their time in Nevada; those 5 collared cows represent an estimated 150-200 elk. The MA 11 elk herd (units 111-115) was within population objective as of 2024 with a static population trend. Resident elk concentrate in Sanford Springs, Mormon Canyon, Rye Grass, and Gravel Wash; the Badlands area holds small numbers year-round with potential for large wintering groups late in the season; Pleasant Valley (north of CR 35) holds wintering elk. Pronghorn are present; the unit group 111-114 herd numbered approximately 1,173 in the January-February 2024 survey (34 bucks:100 does:29 fawns), recovering from drought-driven declines of 2017-2021. Mountain lion are present. Sage-grouse and other sagebrush-obligate birds occupy appropriate habitat. Migratory birds use springs and riparian corridors as stopovers.