Unit 172, Nevada

The Shoshone Mountains run roughly northeast-to-southwest through the unit, rising from broad sagebrush valleys at approximately 5,000–6,000 ft to the 10,305 ft summit of North Shoshone Peak (the range high point, confirmed). Terrain transitions from gently rolling valley floors and low foothills into moderately steep pinyon-juniper slopes between roughly 6,000 and 7,500 ft, then open mountain-brush basins and aspen pockets from about 7,500 to 8,500 ft, with steep, rocky ridges and cliff formations above 8,500 ft. Adjacent basins (Reese River Valley to the east, Big Smoky Valley to the west) are largely flat drainages at 5,000–6,000 ft.

Unit 172 is approximately 97% public land — a mix of Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest (Toiyabe Ranger District, Austin NV) and BLM Battle Mountain District (Tonopah Field Office covers the southern portion). Private inholdings on valley floors do not block access to public land. Primary highway access: US-50 borders the north (nearest community: Austin, full services), SR-376 runs along the eastern edge connecting US-50 near Austin south to US-6/US-95 near Tonopah, and SR-722 (old US-50 alignment) crosses the northern fringe via Carroll Summit. Major access roads paralleling the mountain ranges run north-to-south on both flanks; these include maintained gravel roads and jeep/ATV tracks. Four-wheel-drive vehicles, ATVs, and horses are recommended for reaching upper-elevation hunting areas. Off-road vehicle travel is restricted in some areas per BLM/Forest Service travel management plans; no wilderness designation exists within Unit 172 itself (the Arc Dome Wilderness is in the adjacent Unit 173). Developed trailhead facilities and primitive dispersed camping are available throughout. Middlegate Station (US-50/SR-722 junction) provides limited fuel and services for the northern part of the unit.

Dominant cover types by elevation: (1) Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and shadscale shrub-steppe on valley floors and low slopes; (2) Pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla) and Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma) woodland from roughly 6,000–7,500 ft; (3) Mountain brush community—bitterbrush, mountain mahogany, and serviceberry—interspersed with meadow openings and aspen (Populus tremuloides) pockets near springs and drainages at 7,500–8,500 ft; (4) Sparse alpine shrubs and exposed rock above 8,500 ft. Riparian zones along perennial and intermittent creek drainages support willows and cottonwoods. Some irrigated crop fields and hayfields occur on private valley-floor parcels, particularly in the Reese River Valley.

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are the primary big game; they are present throughout the unit from valley foothills to alpine ridges, with highest densities above the pinyon-juniper belt during the fall hunting season. NDOW conducts helicopter population surveys in late November and early March. Pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) occur in the sagebrush valleys and lower slopes. Elk (Cervus canadensis) are present at low densities; Unit 172 serves as a winter range area — elk summer primarily in the southern portion of Unit 173 and winter in Units 171 and 172. Mountain lions (Puma concolor) are resident throughout the range, following deer herds. Coyotes and bobcats are widespread. Sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) inhabit sagebrush basins on valley floors. Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar) occupy rocky canyon slopes. Desert bighorn sheep tags are issued for Unit 173 North (Arc Dome area) but not independently for Unit 172.