Nevada Pronghorn Mule Deer Bighorn Sheep

Unit 033 (O'Neil Basin East)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep

Unit 033 covers the O'Neil Basin and the high sage country north of Wells. NDOW publishes it as a standalone pronghorn unit with solid tag quotas and consistent herd numbers.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 033

Unit 033 covers the O'Neil Basin and the high sage country north of Wells. NDOW publishes it as a standalone pronghorn unit with solid tag quotas and consistent herd numbers.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 033

O'Neil Basin's sage flats hold the densest bands, especially within 2 miles of the improved water sources. The benches east toward the 034 line produce consistently in mid-morning.

How to Hunt Unit 033

Pro Members Only

Unlock Pro tactics for Unit 033

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Pronghorn Success Rates

Rifle pronghorn success in 033 runs 75–85% in normal forage years. Archery success is lower but the open country is actually friendlier to decoying bucks than a lot of timbered units.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Early Season	20	300	6.7%
Rifle— Early Season	20	131	15.3%
Archery— Early Season	9	17	52.9%
Muzzleloader— Early Season	4	9	44.4%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

118 tags across three years against 1,910 applicants makes 033 one of the better-odds pronghorn hunts in the northeast. Single-year odds are reasonable even without bonus points.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 033

Unit 033 covers the Krum Hills and surrounding low-to-mid elevation ranges south of Paradise Valley in Humboldt County. The unit shares geography with the Unit 032 / 033 California bighorn hunt group but draws as its own mule deer unit (sometimes paired into larger 031-033 applicant pools). Habitat is a mix of mountain brush, PJ, and canyon systems with year-round water in the major drainages. Winnemucca on I-80 is the closest full-service town.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 033

Unit 033 mule deer use the mountain brush and canyon systems of the Krum Hills and adjacent low ranges. This is not alpine wilderness — it's mid-elevation broken country with good road access and moderate physical demands.

Krum Hills Interior

The Krum Hills rise west of Paradise Valley with mountain brush, PJ, and scattered aspen at 6,000-7,500 ft. Deer hold in the heads of drainages and on north-facing slopes where cover is thickest.

Canyon Bottoms with Water

Permanent water in the major drainages concentrates deer activity. Big bucks use canyon bottom seeps and springs on predictable schedules — scout in August to identify the most-used water.

Rimrock and Brush Transitions

The rimrock edges above the canyons hold mature bucks that bed in rock ledges and feed in adjacent brush. Glass the rim-to-brush transitions carefully — bucks hide in small pockets invisible from below.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 033

Unit 033 rewards hunters who combine road-based glassing with targeted canyon hikes.

Road-Based Glassing

Unit 033 has a decent BLM and county road network reaching most canyon mouths. Drive to elevated positions at first light and glass the brush-to-rim transitions on adjacent ridges. Move to fresh positions mid-morning.

Hike Into the Drainages

Once you locate bucks, plan a canyon hike that uses the drainage bottom as a stalking corridor. Wind and thermals in canyon country run predictably — downslope in the morning, upslope in the afternoon.

Water Ambush

Setting up within shooting range of an active spring or creek crossing produces consistent results in Unit 033's arid country. Especially effective during warm early-season hunts and during the November rut when bucks cruise between doe groups.

Pro Members Only

Unlock detailed mule deer tactics for Unit 033

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle30%

Archery18%

Muzzleloader22%

NDOW's draw statistics for Unit 033 mule deer show three-year totals of roughly 590 applicants against 72 tags. Use the live Draw Odds chart on this page for current-year success percentages and hunt-specific tag allocations.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Mid Season	20	162	12.3%	1
Rifle— Limited Entry	5	11	45.5%	0
Rifle— Limited Entry	6	14	42.9%	0
Rifle— Early Season	6	8	75.0%	0
Archery— Early Season	10	13	76.9%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	5	12	41.7%	1

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 033 mule deer tags draw under Nevada's weighted bonus-point system — straight count, max held per species, no weighted multiplier. The unit is sometimes paired with adjacent units in larger applicant pools (032, 033 or 031-033) depending on the year's season structure. Use the live Draw Odds chart for current-year ratios and max points held.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 033

Nevada Unit 033 (Santa Rosa / Winnemucca) offers desert bighorn sheep hunting in the volcanic rimrock, sagebrush basins, and isolated mountain ranges of northwestern Nevada. Desert bighorn are Nevada's most sought-after big game animal, and draw odds for bighorn tags are among the most competitive in the state. This unit's rocky cliff bands, talus slopes, and isolated ridge systems provide the rugged terrain that desert sheep require year-round. Tags are extremely limited and preference points accumulate for years before most hunters draw.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 033

Nevada Unit 033 — Santa Rosa / Winnemucca desert bighorn sheep inhabit the rocky cliff bands, talus slopes, and ridge systems of the volcanic rimrock, sagebrush basins, and isolated mountain ranges of northwestern Nevada. Locating sheep requires patience, quality optics, and systematic glassing of rocky terrain — the hallmark of any successful desert bighorn hunt.

Primary Cliff and Ridge Habitat

Desert bighorn in Unit 033 are concentrated in areas of broken rocky terrain — volcanic rimrock, limestone cliff faces, and steep talus slopes where their surefootedness provides an escape advantage from predators. These habitats are visible from a distance with quality 15x binoculars. Glass systematically across cliff faces and ridgelines in early morning before thermals complicate movement patterns.

Water Sources

In Nevada's desert environment, water is the critical limiting resource for bighorn sheep. Natural springs, seeps, and NDOW-maintained water developments attract sheep reliably in the heat of day and early morning. Contact the relevant NDOW district office for current water development locations in Unit 033 — this information is often the single most valuable pre-hunt intelligence.

Movement Patterns

Desert bighorn typically spend mornings feeding on open slopes and middays resting on shaded cliff ledges or in cave-like alcoves. Evening movement returns to feeding areas and water. Mature rams often segregate from ewes and younger rams outside of the rut — look for them on the highest, most rugged terrain in the unit.

Pro Members Only

Unlock Unit 033 bighorn sheep locations

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 033

Hunting desert bighorn in Nevada Unit 033 — Santa Rosa / Winnemucca is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that requires meticulous planning, top-tier optics, and physical readiness for rugged desert terrain. The low tag numbers and difficult draw mean most hunters will have decades of preference points accumulated — make the most of your one opportunity.

Pre-Season Scouting is Non-Negotiable

At minimum one dedicated scouting trip to Unit 033 before the season is essential. Desert sheep are resident in specific terrain features — identifying which cliff systems, ridges, and water sources hold animals in this particular unit is intelligence that cannot be replicated in the field during a compressed hunt window. A successful desert bighorn hunt almost always begins with thorough pre-season reconnaissance.

Glassing Strategy

Set up tripod-mounted 15x binoculars before first light on high vantage points overlooking multiple cliff systems. Scan methodically from top to bottom of each cliff face, then scan open bench and slope areas where sheep may be feeding or traveling. Mature rams often bed on cliff ledges in mid-morning after feeding — patience with the glass after initial movement periods is as important as the dawn push.

Stalk Execution

Once a ram is located and a target animal identified, plan your stalk step-by-step before moving. Desert bighorn terrain is challenging to navigate quietly — volcanic rock and loose talus create noise. Wind direction in canyon systems shifts unpredictably with thermals. Have a backup approach route planned if the primary stalk is compromised. Take your time; a single opportunity may not repeat.

Pro Members Only

Unlock Unit 033 bighorn sheep tactics

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle65%

Nevada desert bighorn harvest success typically runs in the 65-85% range across units, reflecting strong sheep populations managed under conservative tag quotas. Most unsuccessful hunts result from the extreme difficulty of the terrain and the limited time window rather than deficiencies in animal numbers. Hunters who invest in pre-season scouting and arrive with specific knowledge of ram locations in their unit achieve the highest success rates. Ram quality in Nevada's managed units is generally excellent due to low hunting pressure and conservative harvest.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Season	3	211	1.4%	0

Data from 2020 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Nevada desert bighorn draw odds are among the lowest for any western big game species — plan for 15-25+ years of point accumulation in most units. Unit 033 applicant pressure and odds are shown in the ProHunt draw odds chart above. Nevada's preference point system provides additional draw entries but does not guarantee a draw — the random element means some hunters draw with fewer points while others wait for many years. Apply first choice to your highest-priority unit consistently rather than changing choices year to year.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Pro Members Only

Unlock Pro logistics for Unit 033

Upgrade to Pro — $49/yr

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I stage for a Unit 033 pronghorn hunt?

Wells, NV is the closest services town with fuel, lodging, and restaurants suitable for a base camp.

When is the rifle pronghorn opener in Unit 033?

Nevada pronghorn rifle seasons typically open in mid-August; check current NDOW season dates before applying.

Is Unit 033 the same as the 032, 033 sheep unit?

The geography overlaps — Unit 033 sits inside the same northern Humboldt County range complex as the 032, 033 California bighorn hunt group. But mule deer and bighorn draw as separate tags with different hunt-group structures. Unit 033 deer is often its own standalone unit or paired with 032 or 031-033 depending on the year.

How do Nevada bonus points work for Unit 033 mule deer?

Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — each accumulated point adds one additional entry to the random draw (straight count, max held per species). There is no weighted-bonus multiplier. Max points held are preserved across years until drawn.

What's the best base for a Unit 033 hunt?

Winnemucca on I-80 is the full-service hub with hotels, fuel, groceries, and some gear — roughly 30-45 minutes from most access points. Paradise Valley on SR-290 has limited services and closer proximity to the eastern side of the unit.

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Unlock advanced tactics, the Tag-to-Trail Planner, AI hunt strategy assistant, and personalized camp and trip execution plans.

Upgrade to Pro+AI — $79/yr

Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

NDOW Hunt Info Sheets — Pronghorn 033 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: 033 standalone pronghorn hunt · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Big Game — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Season framework · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Hunt Draw — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Draw process · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Hunt Information Sheets — Mule Deer (Unit 033) — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 033 covers the Krum Hills and surrounding low-to-mid elevation ranges in Humboldt County, Habitat is mountain brush, PJ, and canyon systems with year-round water in major drainages, Paradise Valley and Winnemucca are the services towns · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Nevada Big Game Seasons & Applications Booklet — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 033 is listed as a 2026 mule deer draw unit, Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — straight count, max held per species, Nonresident allocation is statutorily capped · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Winnemucca District — Access and Travel Management — U.S. Bureau of Land Management — Winnemucca District · supports: BLM Winnemucca District manages most surface acreage in Unit 033, Road access reaches most canyon mouths; interior two-tracks require 4WD, Travel management maps show current access restrictions and private inholdings · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Hunt Information — Unit 033 Bighorn Sheep — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit boundaries, Season dates, Tag allocation, Draw statistics · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 033 (O'Neil Basin East)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 033

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 033

How to Hunt Unit 033

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 033

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 033

Krum Hills Interior

Canyon Bottoms with Water

Rimrock and Brush Transitions

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 033

Road-Based Glassing

Hike Into the Drainages

Water Ambush

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 033

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 033

Primary Cliff and Ridge Habitat

Water Sources

Movement Patterns

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 033

Pre-Season Scouting is Non-Negotiable

Glassing Strategy

Stalk Execution

Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

Road Conditions

Cell Service

Nearest Town

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification

Unit 033 (O'Neil Basin East)

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 033

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 033

How to Hunt Unit 033

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 033

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 033

Krum Hills Interior

Canyon Bottoms with Water

Rimrock and Brush Transitions

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 033

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 033

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 033

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 033

Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Units 032, 033 — California Bighorn Sheep

Unit 035 — Santa Rosa Mule Deer

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Hunt with ProHunt Pro+AI

Sources & Verification