Unit 261, Nevada

The unit consists of broken, steep, and rocky desert mountain terrain with narrow valleys separating several small sub-ranges. Elevations range from approximately 2,460 feet at the desert floor to 4,984 feet at the highest peak on the southeast end of the Last Chance Range. The lower reaches feature softly rolling desert hills and bajadas; the upper slopes are extremely steep with rocky ledges and boulder fields demanding physical fitness to access.

The vast majority of Unit 261 is BLM-administered public land managed by the BLM Southern Nevada (Las Vegas) District Office (4701 N. Torrey Pines Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89130; 702-515-5000). Nevada State Route 160 (Pahrump to Las Vegas corridor) forms the eastern boundary of the unit and provides the primary paved access. The Last Chance Range is accessible around most of its perimeter via county roads and powerline roads, with numerous 4WD tracks and primitive trails penetrating the range from multiple directions. Pahrump (full services) and Lathrop Wells (limited services) are the closest towns; Las Vegas provides full logistics support. Camping is permitted on all BLM public ground; primitive camping is the norm as no developed campgrounds are noted in the unit. Two restricted areas exist within the unit boundary: hunting bighorn sheep is prohibited on Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (northwest portion of unit) and on Death Valley National Monument (Devils Hole). No wilderness areas are identified within Unit 261.

Dominant vegetation at lower elevations is Mojave Desert scrub — creosote bush (Larrea tridentata) and white bursage (Ambrosia dumosa) with scattered cactus — characteristic of the Amargosa Desert/Mojave transition zone. The range sits at the intersection of the Mojave Desert and Great Basin geographic regions. No significant pinyon-juniper, aspen, or riparian corridor habitat is documented for this unit; natural and artificial water sources within the range are limited.

Desert Bighorn Sheep (Nelson/Desert subspecies) are the marquee species; mature rams are well dispersed throughout the Last Chance Range. In the most recent aerial survey (September 2022) NDOW classified 62 bighorn sheep with observed ratios of 70 rams:100 ewes:37 lambs. Seven radio-collars were deployed on ewes and rams in the Last Chance Range in June 2023; all tested negative for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (M. ovi) at time of collaring. Note: the Mojave strain of M. ovi spread into the Last Chance Range beginning in 2013, contributing to decade-long elevated lamb mortality and herd declines across Clark County herds (per NDOW 2025 Big Game Status Book). Migration is possible to and from the Spring Range or adjacent California ranges (Nopah, Resting Spring, Funeral Mountains) when resources are limited, but no movements out of unit were observed for collared animals in 2023 or 2024. Mule Deer occur in low resident numbers within Unit 261; most of the deer in unit group 261-268 are concentrated in the Spring Mountains (Unit 262). Overall mule deer harvest success across unit group 261-268 has declined since 2018 despite tag reductions. Mountain Lion is present as a predator of bighorn sheep and mule deer throughout southern Nevada ranges; no unit-specific population data is published for Unit 261.