Nevada Mountain Goat Mule Deer Pronghorn

Unit 103 (Ruby Mountains (South))

Nevada Hunting Guide — Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Pronghorn

Nevada Unit 103 in the southern Ruby Mountains is one of only three units in the entire state where mountain goat tags are issued by NDOW. The Ruby Mountains — designated Units 101, 102, and 103 — represent the only mountain goat hunting opportunity in Nevada, supported by a transplanted herd established in the range. Unit 103 tags are effectively once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, with NDOW issuing only a handful of tags statewide per year across the three Ruby Mountain goat units.

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Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 103

Where to Find Mountain Goat in Unit 103

Mountain goats in Unit 103 occupy the highest cliff and talus terrain of the southern Ruby Mountains, using the steep rock faces, narrow ledge systems, and exposed rocky ridgelines that define goat habitat everywhere in their range. The Ruby Mountain Wilderness provides the core goat habitat, with animals typically found at and above 9,000 feet on the most technically demanding terrain in the range. Goats are often visible from a distance on open cliff faces — glass systematically from canyon rims and high vantage points.

How to Hunt Mountain Goat in Unit 103

Mountain goat hunting in Unit 103 requires physical fitness for sustained hiking at high elevation and technical comfort on steep, exposed terrain. The Ruby Mountain Wilderness is foot-access only — no motorized vehicles are permitted inside the wilderness boundary. Plan access via the NDOW-listed wilderness trailheads serving the south end of the Ruby Mountains.

Goats are not evasive in the way big game species are — they rely on terrain for security rather than flight. Patience and careful approach planning are more important than speed. A successful goat hunter identifies animals, evaluates gender, and executes a careful stalk through the cliff terrain. Nevada's extremely limited goat tag quota means your guide or hunting partner's experience in goat country is invaluable.

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Rifle65%

Nevada mountain goat hunters who draw a Ruby Mountains tag — one of the rarest tags in the American West — consistently achieve high success rates. The low tag numbers, combined with focused pre-hunt scouting time, give each licensed hunter an exceptional opportunity to harvest a billy in the Ruby Mountain terrain.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Season	1	628	0.2%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Nevada mountain goat tags are the rarest big-game draw opportunity in the state. NDOW issues only a tiny number of tags across the three Ruby Mountain goat units (101, 102, 103) annually. This is effectively a once-in-a-lifetime draw for most applicants — Nevada's weighted preference point system gives long-term applicants accumulating entries, but even with maximum points the tag pool is so small that most hunters will apply for decades. Review NDOW's official hunt draw statistics for current annual tag quotas and point data for Unit 103 specifically.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 103

Nevada Unit 103 covers mule deer habitat in Lander County and the northern Toiyabe Range, part of NDOW's 101-109 mule deer draw group. While Units 101-102 anchor the core East Humboldt/Ruby Mountains deer concentration, Unit 103 extends the draw group's territory westward into the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest terrain of central-northern Nevada. The Toiyabe Range's aspen-sage mosaic and mountain mahogany drainages support quality mule deer in a landscape with fewer hunters than the famous eastern Nevada units.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 103

Unit 103 mule deer occupy the Toiyabe Range's northern extensions and the adjacent Lander County high-desert terrain — mountain ranges rising from basin floors with the characteristic Nevada Great Basin deer distribution pattern.

Mountain Mahogany and Aspen Drainages (7,000–9,500 ft)

The north-facing drainages in Unit 103's Toiyabe Range terrain concentrate mule deer in the mountain mahogany, aspen, and mixed conifer zones at mid-elevation. Bucks bed high in the dense mahogany and feed in adjacent meadow openings and sage-grass parks. Glass these drainages from opposing ridges at first and last light.

Sage-Grass Parks and Basin Edges

Where mountain terrain transitions to the high desert valley floors, sage-grass parks at 5,500–7,000 ft attract deer for evening feeding. Deer move predictably from mountain cover to these open feeding areas at dusk — set up on a downwind rim above a known sage park for consistent action in the low-light periods.

Water Sources in Arid Terrain

Unit 103 terrain is drier than the East Humboldt/Ruby Mountains core — reliable water is a primary deer distribution driver. Map springs and seasonal streams on a USGS topo before the hunt. Deer in central Nevada's arid ranges visit water predictably, especially in the warmer early-season periods.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 103

Unit 103 mule deer hunting rewards hunters who invest in road-trip glassing and are willing to cover ground on foot in terrain that is less extreme than the East Humboldt Wilderness but equally demanding in terms of physical output.

Systematic Range Glassing

Drive the perimeter roads of the unit and identify glassing vantage points overlooking major drainages and mountain mahogany zones. The central Nevada basin-and-range topography provides long-distance visibility — invest in quality optics (10x or 15x binoculars plus a spotting scope) and glass methodically for 2–3 hour sessions at dawn and dusk before committing to a stalk.

Canyon Refuge Application

The canyon refuge tactic described in NDOW's 101-109 hunt information sheet applies equally in Unit 103. As hunters concentrate on the most accessible drainages, mature bucks shift to adjacent terrain that receives no pressure. Identify the "road-less canyon" on your topo map before the season and hunt it first.

Water-Source Hunting

In Unit 103's drier terrain, ambushing active water sources during the midday heat is a productive tactic that complements dawn/dusk glassing. Confirm active use with fresh tracks and beds before committing to a long wait. Deer in central Nevada visit water on tight daily schedules during dry conditions.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

See the Draw Odds chart above for NDOW's current harvest data for the 101-109 mule deer group. Unit 103 is part of the same group as the famous East Humboldt units — draw odds apply across the entire group. Hunters targeting Unit 103 specifically may find less competition on the ground compared to the concentrated trailhead access at Units 101-102.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Mid Season	600	976	61.5%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	600	842	71.3%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	120	441	27.2%	0
Rifle— Limited Entry	400	434	92.2%	0
Rifle— Limited Entry	600	476	99.6%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	350	309	100.0%	0
Archery— Early Season	516	266	98.5%	0
Archery— Late Season	30	54	55.6%	1
Muzzleloader— Early Season	243	219	98.6%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	190	5	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 103 mule deer tags draw through NDOW's Unit Group 101-109. A drawn tag is valid across all units in the group — you can hunt Units 101, 102, 103, and the rest of the group during your season window. The 101-109 group is competitive due to the East Humboldt/Ruby Mountains reputation, but long-term bonus point accumulators draw regularly. See the live Draw Odds chart for current statistics.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 103

Nevada Unit 103 is the northernmost Humboldt County pronghorn unit, pushing against the Oregon border in the far north of Nevada's sage country. Pronghorn range freely across the state line in this remote corner, using the broad McDermitt area basins and high-desert flats on both sides. This unit combines classic open-country hunting with genuine remoteness — the kind of place where you might not see another hunter all week.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 103

Pronghorn in Unit 103 use the open sagebrush basins and rimrock terrain of the far northern Humboldt County landscape near the Oregon border.

McDermitt Basin Sage Flats

The broad sage basin around McDermitt and north toward Oregon holds pronghorn year-round. Animals concentrate near the few reliable water sources in this dry country — locate these on BLM maps before your hunt.

Oregon Border Rimrock Terrain

The rimrock and juniper-sage transition near the Oregon state line provides loafing and escape terrain. Pronghorn use these elevated edges for thermal and visibility advantage — glass from below at dawn before animals move to the flats.

Wash and Draw Networks

Dry washes and their associated forb/grass cover provide important foraging habitat, particularly in the hours after morning thermals shift. Animals often bed in adjacent cover and feed in the open wash margins in early morning.

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How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 103

Unit 103's extreme remoteness and open terrain reward hunters who self-scout thoroughly and commit to a multi-day backcountry camp in the McDermitt area.

Pre-Season Road Scouting

Drive the BLM network in the weeks before season to locate active pronghorn bands and identify water sources. The low human presence in Unit 103 means animals are often undisturbed and predictable in their daily patterns.

Open-Country Spot-and-Stalk

Glass from elevated road pull-offs and rimrock edges using a quality spotting scope. When a target buck is located, plan your approach using washes and any terrain relief to close within range. Shots may be long — practice to 400 yards before the season.

Decoy During Rut

In the late August rut, a buck decoy visible at 400+ yards in open terrain can trigger a territorial response from dominant bucks. Set up near known buck territory and be patient — a responding buck will typically investigate at a trot from a distance.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Unit 103 pronghorn hunters benefit from light hunting pressure and predictable animals in open terrain. As part of the 101-109 draw group, hunters who draw this far-north unit typically find excellent buck quality and minimal competition in one of Nevada's most remote corners.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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Unit 103 pronghorn tags draw through NDOW's 101-109 Humboldt County group. This far-north unit may see slightly lower applicant pressure due to its remoteness. Check the ProHunt Draw Odds chart for current statistics.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Terrain Difficulty

Extremely difficult — high-elevation alpine cliff terrain, wilderness foot access only

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Hunting Pressure

Virtually none — among the fewest tags issued for any big game species in Nevada

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Nearest Town

Elko (approx. 50 mi north) or Wells (approx. 55 mi northeast)

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Permit Notes

Once-in-a-lifetime caliber tag; NDOW issues only a small number of mountain goat tags across all three Ruby Mountain units (101, 102, 103) combined; preference points required; Ruby Mountain Wilderness is foot-access only

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nevada Unit 103 the only place to hunt mountain goat in Nevada?

No — NDOW designates three units for mountain goat: 101, 102, and 103, all in the Ruby Mountains of Elko County. These are the only mountain goat hunting units in the entire state. Each unit has its own tag quota and draw pool. Unit 103 covers the southern portion of the range. If you draw a Unit 103 tag, you may hunt within that unit's boundaries only — not in Units 101 or 102.

Are Nevada mountain goat tags truly once-in-a-lifetime?

Nevada does not have a formal statutory once-in-a-lifetime restriction for mountain goat the way some states do for bison or moose. However, the tag quotas are so small — typically just a few tags across all three Ruby Mountain units combined — that most hunters will never draw one in their lifetime regardless of how many years they apply. Check NDOW's official regulations for any residency or tag-limit rules that may apply.

How is Unit 103 different from Units 101 and 102 in the same draw group?

Units 101 and 102 cover the East Humboldt and Ruby Mountains core — Nevada's most famous mule deer terrain with designated wilderness and iconic alpine scenery. Unit 103 extends the group westward into the northern Toiyabe Range in Lander County — different terrain with less concentrated pressure. A drawn tag is valid for the entire 101-109 group, so you can choose where to hunt after drawing.

What is the nearest services town for hunting Unit 103?

Battle Mountain on I-80 is the most accessible full-services town for the northern portion of Unit 103. Austin on US-50 serves the more southern Toiyabe terrain. Both have fuel and basic services — Elko (I-80) has full hunting supplies and meat processing.

Can pronghorn cross the Oregon–Nevada border in Unit 103?

Yes — pronghorn move freely across the state line in the McDermitt area, and animals seen in Unit 103 may have ranged into southern Oregon during the summer. Your Nevada tag is valid only for harvests within Nevada's state boundary. Confirm your GPS coordinates if hunting near the state line.

What is the closest town with full services to Unit 103?

McDermitt sits right on the US-95 corridor at the Nevada–Oregon border and provides basic services including fuel. For full services — meat processing, hardware, grocery, lodging — Winnemucca is the practical hub, about 100 miles south on US-95. Stock up in Winnemucca before driving north to the unit.

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Sources & Verification

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

NDOW Big Game Hunting — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 103 mountain goat management, Ruby Mountains goat units 101/102/103, Tag quota framework · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Hunt Information Sheets — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Mountain goat unit-specific hunt data, Herd objectives for Ruby Mountain goats, Access information · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Hunt Draw — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Preference point system, Mountain goat draw statistics, Once-in-a-lifetime tag rules · accessed 2026-04-17
Hunt Info Sheet — Mule Deer Unit Group 101-109 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit group 101-109 boundaries and herd distribution, Units 101-103 hold majority of herd, Canyon refuge strategy · accessed 2026-04-18
Nevada 2025-26 Big Game Regulations — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 103 mule deer season dates, Tag quota for 101-109 group · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 103 (Ruby Mountains (South))

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit 103

Where to Find Mountain Goat in Unit 103

How to Hunt Mountain Goat in Unit 103

Mountain Goat Success Rates

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 103

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 103

Mountain Mahogany and Aspen Drainages (7,000–9,500 ft)

Sage-Grass Parks and Basin Edges

Water Sources in Arid Terrain

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 103

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 103

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 103

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 103

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 101 — East Humboldt Range

Unit 131 — Elko County South

Unit 141 — Battle Mountain Area

Unit 102 — Humboldt County Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification