Unit 284, Nevada

Unit 284 spans three distinct mountain ranges: the rugged, north-south-trending Sheep Range (approximately 40 miles long, elevations from ~4,000 ft on the valley floor to 9,912 ft at Hayford Peak), the East Desert Range in Lincoln County (~25 miles long, trending northwest-southeast along Three Lakes Valley), and the lower Elbow Range in Clark County (highest point ~3,583 ft). Much of the Sheep Range consists of jagged limestone peaks, precipitous outcroppings, and very steep canyons. Valley floors sit near 2,500–4,000 ft; the high Sheep Range presents genuinely alpine conditions near the summit.

Unit 284 lies almost entirely within the Desert National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS). The main entry point is Corn Creek Field Station, ~30 miles northwest of Las Vegas via US Highway 95. Beyond Corn Creek, two primitive roads cross the publicly accessible portion of the refuge: Mormon Well Road (providing access to Fossil Ridge, Gass Peak, John Day Peak, Long Canyon, and Desert Pass Campground) and Alamo Road (providing access to Cow Camp Road, Hidden Forest trailhead, Hayford Peak area, and the town of Alamo to the north). Both roads are rough dirt requiring high-clearance 4WD. OHVs, side-by-sides, and quads are prohibited; only street-legal vehicles allowed. Desert Pass Campground (28 miles from Corn Creek, 6 primitive sites, fee-free) is the only developed camping; dispersed camping is allowed within 100 feet of designated roads and at least 100 yards from any water source. The western half of the DNWR — including portions of the East Desert Range — is closed to public access as it falls within the Nevada Test and Training Range (NTTR) jointly managed by the U.S. Air Force. Bighorn sheep hunters must contact the USFWS DNWR office at (702) 646-3401 or (702) 375-4006 to become familiar with all access and camping restrictions before hunting.

Seven distinct life zones span the elevation gradient. Lower valley floors support Mojave Desert creosote bush scrub and white bursage. Mid-elevation slopes (roughly 4,000–6,000 ft) transition through blackbrush scrub and Joshua tree woodland. Higher zones (6,000+ ft) support pinyon-juniper woodland giving way to ponderosa pine and white fir forest. Near the summit of Hayford Peak, bristlecone pine forest and pseudo-alpine conditions prevail. Riparian and spring-associated habitat is limited but critical for wildlife; the refuge manages numerous artificial water developments (guzzlers) for bighorn sheep.

Desert bighorn sheep (Nelson subspecies) are the primary management focus; unit 284 supports a small, recovering herd. The most recent aerial survey (2021) classified approximately 88 animals across unit group 283/284. Mule deer are present throughout the refuge but are not open to hunting. Mountain lions occupy the higher elevations of the Sheep Range. Coyotes, cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, spotted skunks, and porcupines inhabit mid-elevation brush. Mojave desert tortoises are present at lower elevations. The refuge supports approximately 320 bird species including bald eagle, peregrine falcon, northern goshawk, and burrowing owl; Corn Creek has historically been one of the premier birding sites in southern Nevada. Limited dove, chukar, and quail hunting is available only in the Sitting Dog Unit (~8,500 acres) in the northeastern corner of the refuge on designated days.