Unit 078, 107 (Snake Mountains / Pilot Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Elk

Nevada's combined 078/107 elk hunt draws tags across northeast Elko County's Snake Mountains, Pilot Range, and Toano Range country near the Utah line. The unit group produces bulls in remote basin-and-range terrain with aspen-conifer pockets, mountain meadows, and long ridges. NDOW issues elk tags via the combined draw each year.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 078, 107

Where to Find Elk in Units 078/107

This corner of Nevada carries elk in discrete pockets — aspen stringers, upper-basin meadows, and timbered draws. We split our scouting across the two named ranges.

Snake Mountains Uplands

The Snake Mountains (Unit 078) hold elk in aspen-conifer benches at 7,500-9,000 ft. Morning glassing from ridge tops reveals feeding herds.

Pilot Range Basins

The Pilot Range (part of Unit 107) is arid but holds elk in the highest basins. Water and meadow intersections concentrate activity.

Rut Meadows

During September archery windows, mountain meadows across both ranges are the priority — bugle and glass from adjacent ridges.

How to Hunt Units 078/107 Elk

These combined units cover a lot of ground — we treat the hunt as a multi-day backcountry operation.

Pick Your Range

Like our bighorn strategy, we commit to one range early. The drive between the Snake Mountains and the Pilot Range is significant and eats hunt time.

Ridge Glassing

Long Nevada ridges give excellent glassing platforms — we set up at first light and grid-scan meadow edges and burn scars for elk.

Bugle During Rut

In low-pressure country, elk respond well to calls. We bugle strategically from ridges to locate bulls, then close on them with wind in mind.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle35%

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Season	80	210	38.1%	0
Rifle— Early Season	10	42	23.8%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

The combined 078/107 elk hunt averaged 167 applicants for 86 tags across a three-year window — friendlier odds than most Nevada elk units thanks to the larger quota. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — one extra entry per point held, straight count. Use the live chart on this page for current NDOW point-tier data.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Limited but present — springs, creeks, and tanks exist. Filter all water.

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Road Conditions

Access via I-80 and a network of BLM/Forest Service roads. 2WD passable on graded routes; 4WD recommended for interior spurs and after storms.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous. Long ridges, steep canyon approaches, and elevation up to ~10,000 ft.

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Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate — 86 tags over 3 years distributes across two sizable ranges.

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Weather

September archery highs 60-80°F; October rifle 40-70°F. Snow possible above 8,000 ft from mid-October.

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Cell Service

Along I-80 and in Wells/Wendover. None in the range interiors.

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Nearest Town

Wells (30-60 min from Snake Mountains access) and Wendover (30-45 min from Pilot Range access) for fuel and basic services. Elko (1-2 hr) is the full-service hub.

Note: These combined units favor hunters willing to drive far, camp self-sufficiently, and cover ground. With 86 tags over 3 years, this is one of the more draw-friendly Nevada elk units for point accumulators.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the draw odds better for this unit than other Nevada elk hunts?

Units 078/107 averaged 167 applicants for 86 tags over a three-year window — NDOW issues a larger quota here than in marquee units like the Ruby Mountains. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system (one extra entry per point held, straight count) plus the higher tag count make this a realistic mid-point draw.

Snake Mountains or Pilot Range — which is better?

We pick the range based on summer scouting. The Snake Mountains (Unit 078) carry more consistent aspen-conifer elk habitat; the Pilot Range (Unit 107) is drier but holds elk in its highest basins. Commit to one range rather than splitting time driving between them.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

NDOW Big Game Elk Hunt Structure — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Combined 078/107 elk hunt group · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Wells Field Office — Bureau of Land Management · supports: Public land administration in northeast Nevada · accessed 2026-04-17
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Ruby Mountains Ranger District coverage · accessed 2026-04-17