Unit 272, Nevada

Unit 272 spans a dramatic elevation gradient from approximately 1,700 feet at the Lake Mead shoreline to 8,074 feet at Virgin Peak — the highest point in the Virgin Mountains (Clark County). Topography is highly varied: level desert expanses and rolling hills in the lowlands transition to rugged canyon country, sandstone ridges, and near-vertical cliff faces (notably Iceberg Canyon above Lake Mead). The Gold Butte area features weather-sculpted red sandstone formations. Total unit area is approximately 800 square miles.

Unit 272 is approximately 92–97% public land. The BLM Las Vegas Field Office administers the majority, including Gold Butte National Monument (296,937 acres, designated December 2016; hunting remains permitted per the presidential proclamation). The National Park Service administers Lake Mead National Recreation Area along the western and southern boundary. Primary vehicle access is via Interstate 15 (east side) and State Route 170. The New Gold Butte Road is the principal interior access route. Several maintained and unmaintained dirt roads branch off these highways for OHV travel; high-clearance and 4WD vehicles are recommended as roads are subject to flash-flood damage. No developed trail systems exist — all hiking is cross-country. Some hunters use boats on Lake Mead to access remote canyon terrain. Two BLM Wilderness Areas fall within the unit where motorized equipment, mechanized transport, wheeled game carts, and chainsaws are prohibited: Lime Canyon Wilderness (23,710 acres) and Jumbo Springs Wilderness. Full services available in Mesquite (~30 miles north) and Las Vegas (~80 miles southwest). Limited services at Temple Bar Marina (AZ). Primitive camping is the rule throughout the unit.

Vegetation is strongly elevation-stratified. Low desert floors (below ~4,000 ft) support creosote bush, blackbrush, yuccas, and cacti. Mid-elevation slopes (4,000–6,500 ft) are dominated by sagebrush, single-leaf pinyon pine, and Utah and Rocky Mountain juniper. Higher elevations in the Virgin Mountains support oak, manzanita, white fir, ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and Arizona cypress — an unusually diverse assemblage for southern Nevada. Multiple natural springs and wildlife water guzzlers are scattered throughout, providing critical water sources in this arid landscape.

Mule deer are present at low and sparse densities throughout the unit; the best concentrations occur in the Virgin Mountains. Aerial surveys are not conducted due to low densities and challenging terrain — quota is set using hunter success rates and observation reports. During archery and early muzzleloader seasons deer are found at higher elevations (above 5,000 ft) near permanent water (springs, guzzlers). As temperatures cool in fall, deer shift to lower elevations with shrub cover for winter range. Deer distribution is strongly affected by monsoonal precipitation patterns (late July through mid-August) that drive vegetation green-up; dry years concentrate animals tightly around water. The mule deer population appears to have declined due to recent drought. Desert bighorn sheep (Nelson subspecies) inhabit the rugged mountain terrain bordering Lake Mead; the most recent aerial survey (2023) classified 27 animals and NDOW now estimates the population at approximately 50 animals. Key areas include Bitter Ridge, Iceberg Canyon, Indian Hills, and Lime and Tramp Ridges. The unit supports mountain lions as year-round residents. Golden eagles, prairie falcons, and red-tailed hawks occupy the higher reaches. Mojave desert tortoise (threatened) is present at lower elevations. Gambel's quail and chukar are present in transition-zone habitats.