Nevada Mule Deer

Unit 105 (Humboldt County / Northern Basins)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

Nevada Unit 105 covers the open basin and low mountain terrain of north-central Humboldt County, extending toward the Oregon border in the far north of the state. Mule deer in this unit use the scattered mountain ranges and their associated sagebrush foothills, with bucks summering at elevation and drifting to lower terrain as fall hunting seasons open. This remote unit offers hunting in authentic, lightly pressured Great Basin mule deer country.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 105

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 105

Unit 105 mule deer occupy the mountain ranges and their sagebrush foothills across north-central Humboldt County, concentrating in forage-rich drainages and transitional terrain.

Mountain Range Foothills

The smaller ranges of north-central Humboldt County and their sage-covered foothills hold bucks through the early season. Glass systematically from BLM roads targeting north-facing slopes that retain moisture and support dense mountain shrub communities.

Seasonal Water Corridors

Drainages with seasonal to year-round water are reliable deer magnets — look for willow and other riparian shrubs as locating signals. Walk slowly through these corridors at first light.

Open Basin Sage Flats

During the October–November rut, bucks may be visible traveling across open sage terrain between drainages in search of does. Glass extensively at dawn and dusk from elevated BLM roads.

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How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 105

Glass-and-stalk with a systematic approach to known water sources and mountain foothill terrain are the core tactics for Unit 105 mule deer.

Systematic Glassing Grid

Work a systematic glassing grid from BLM road pull-offs using a spotting scope. Cover all visible terrain in quadrants at first light before the sun gets high. Mule deer in open Great Basin terrain are visible at extreme ranges — note animal location relative to landmarks for your stalk approach.

Wind-Conscious Stalking

Check wind direction constantly and plan all stalks to approach from downwind or crosswind. In open Unit 105 terrain, smell is often the stalk-breaker before eyes or ears. Use terrain features aggressively even when they seem inadequate.

Rut Period Hunting

During the late October–November rut in northern Nevada, bucks become predictably active and less cautious. Hunt the mountain-to-basin transition zones during rut peak for bucks chasing does across open terrain.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Unit 105 mule deer hunters in the limited-draw 101-109 group benefit from light hunting pressure and predictable deer behavior in open terrain. Success rates for prepared hunters who scout the unit before the season are generally favorable.

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 105 mule deer tags draw through NDOW's 101-109 Humboldt County group. The remote location of Unit 105 may mean slightly lower applicant pressure compared to more accessible units in the group. Check the ProHunt Draw Odds chart for current statistics.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Self-contained rigs on BLM dispersed areas. Full hookup parks in Winnemucca.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM camping throughout. No developed campgrounds in the immediate hunting terrain.

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Trailer Access

Access roads are BLM dirt two-tracks — not suitable for trailers beyond initial staging points.

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Water

Limited — carry camp water. Seasonal streams available but require treatment.

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Road Conditions

Paved main routes to area. BLM interior roads are primitive — high clearance required, impassable when wet.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate. Primarily rolling to flat open terrain with occasional mountain foothill access.

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Hunting Pressure

Very light. Remote location and limited tags result in minimal competition in the field.

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Weather

Increasingly cold as season progresses into October and November. Wind exposure is high on the open basins. Snow possible by late October.

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Cell Service

No coverage in most of the unit. Satellite communicator essential.

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Nearest Town

Paradise Valley (~20–40 mi south, NV-290) — minimal services. Winnemucca (~65–80 mi south via US-95) — full services hub.

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Permit Notes

NDOW mule deer tag required. Confirm current draw group boundaries and season dates — northern Nevada units may have different season structures than more southern units.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Unit 105 different from the other units in the 101-109 draw group?

Unit 105 is one of the more northerly and remote units in the 101-109 group, sitting in open north-central Humboldt County with scattered small mountain ranges rather than a dominant range like the Santa Rosa or the Ruby Mountains. This means slightly more basin-oriented hunting with less dramatic mountain terrain, but also typically lower hunting pressure and deer that have seen less human activity.

When is the best time to hunt mule deer in Unit 105?

Early season (September) targets summer-range bucks in and around mountain terrain at their fattest and most predictable. The October–November rut period is the most exciting and often the most productive window, as bucks become active and visible during daylight hours while chasing does. Many experienced hunters time their NV draws for the late-season rut if tag flexibility allows.

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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 Nevada 2025-26 Big Game Regulations — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 105 in 101-109 draw group, North-central Humboldt County mule deer range · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 105 (Humboldt County / Northern Basins)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 105

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 105

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 105

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 104 — Humboldt County / Santa Rosa Range Mule Deer

Unit 102 — Humboldt County Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification