Nevada Elk Mule Deer Pronghorn

Unit 111 (Schell Creek Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Pronghorn

Unit 111 covers the Schell Creek Range in White Pine County — a long, rugged mountain range in eastern Nevada with the High Schell Wilderness at its core. Per NDOW's hunt information sheet, Unit 111 supports the largest elk population of the 111-115 elk group, with aspen-conifer forests, mountain meadows, and mixed PJ habitat spanning a crest that runs for tens of miles north-south through the range.

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Elk Hunting in Unit 111

Where to Find Elk in Unit 111

The Schell Creek Range rises from the desert valleys of White Pine County, and elk concentrate in the upper-elevation forests and meadow systems along the range crest.

Upper Mountain Meadows (8,500–11,000 ft)

The core elk population inhabits the high meadow systems and aspen-conifer forests along the Schell Creek ridge. Bulls hold in the high parks during summer and early fall, feeding in mountain meadows and retreating to adjacent spruce-fir timber. Glass from the ridge tops and prominent points along the range crest.

Riparian Corridors

The permanent streams draining the Schell Creeks concentrate elk activity. Creek bottoms with willow, aspen, and meadow habitat are magnets for elk in this otherwise arid landscape. Cleve Creek, Timber Creek, and other named drainages hold the highest elk concentrations where water and forage intersect.

South-Facing Winter Slopes

As snow accumulates on the upper range, elk drop to south-facing slopes at 7,000-8,500 feet. The PJ and mountain brush on these exposures provide browse and thermal cover. Late-season hunters should focus on the lower-elevation fringes where the Schell Creeks meet Spring Valley and Steptoe Valley.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 111

Hunting the Schell Creek Range is a remote backcountry pursuit in eastern Nevada's basin-and-range country.

Access Strategy

The Schell Creek Range is accessed via US-93 on the east side (Steptoe Valley) and US-50/US-93 on the west side (Spring Valley). Forest roads and rough two-track roads climb into the range from both valleys. The Timber Creek and Cleve Creek roads provide the primary vehicle access to mid-elevation areas. High-clearance 4WD is recommended for most access roads.

Ridge-Top Glassing

The Schell Creek ridge offers outstanding glassing terrain. Hike to the crest and glass the basins and meadow systems on both sides of the range. The long north-south orientation means you can cover enormous country from elevated positions. Morning and evening glassing sessions are most productive.

Water-Based Hunting

In this arid environment, water drives elk distribution. Locate permanent springs, seeps, and flowing creeks and you'll find elk. Set up near active water and hunt the surrounding timber and meadows. Trail cameras on water during scouting trips reveal elk patterns and timing.

Rut Calling

These low-pressure elk are responsive to calling during the rut. A bugle from a ridgetop can produce responses from bulls across the canyons. The limited tag numbers mean bulls hear very few callers each season, keeping them vocal and approachable.

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Elk Success Rates

Use the Draw Odds chart on this page for the most recent NDOW harvest and success data for Unit 111 elk. NDOW's hunt information sheet notes that Unit 111 supports the largest elk population in the 111-115 hunt group.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Late Season	60	3,192	1.9%	1
Rifle— Late Season	60	845	7.1%	1
Archery— Early Season	30	477	6.3%	1
Muzzleloader— Mid Season	17	173	9.8%	1

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 111 elk tags are issued through NDOW's 111-115 (and related 111, 112) hunt groups — Nevada's elk draws aggregate multiple units under a single tag number. The Draw Odds chart on this page pulls directly from NDOW's published draw results; use it for current odds and bonus-point trendlines.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 111

Unit 111 covers the Schell Creek Range in White Pine County — a long, north-south range with the High Schell Wilderness at its core. Per NDOW's hunt information sheet, Unit 111 supports most of the mule deer in the 111-113 hunt group. Deer use the full elevation gradient, from PJ and mountain brush on the flanks up into the aspen-conifer forests of the High Schell Wilderness.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 111

Mule deer in the Schell Creek Range use the full elevation gradient, with mature bucks favoring the mid-slope brush and aspen zones along this long north-south range.

Mountain Brush and Aspen (7,500–9,500 ft)

The mountain brush and aspen zones on the mid-slopes of the Schell Creeks hold the highest deer density. Bucks bed in the thick brush and feed in adjacent openings. These transitional areas between the desert valleys of Spring and Steptoe and the alpine crest are the core mule deer habitat.

Rimrock and Canyon Country

The canyons cutting into the Schell Creek Range hold mature bucks that use the rimrock ledges for bedding and the canyon bottoms for feeding and watering. Glass the rimrock edges carefully along Timber Creek, Cleve Creek, and other major drainages — big bucks hide in small ledges and pockets invisible from below.

Water Source Concentrations

In this arid range, every water source is a deer magnet. Springs, seeps, and creek crossings concentrate deer activity. The biggest bucks may control the best water sources, visiting them on predictable schedules during dry conditions.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 111

Schell Creek mule deer hunting rewards dedicated hunters willing to cover ground across this long mountain range.

Multi-Day Backcountry Hunts

The best Schell Creek bucks live in the remote interior drainages away from the main access roads. Plan multi-day backcountry hunts with a spike camp positioned in the core deer habitat. The extra effort of camping deep puts you on bucks that see minimal pressure.

Marathon Glassing

Set up on the Schell Creek ridge crest or prominent points and glass the basins, canyons, and brush edges methodically. The basin-and-range terrain provides excellent long-range visibility that can cover thousands of acres from a single position. Dedicate entire mornings to glassing — rush nothing.

Water Ambush

Locate active water sources during scouting or the first day of the hunt. Set up within shooting range of the most active spring or creek crossing and wait during midday heat. Deer in this arid environment visit water predictably, especially during warm early-season hunts.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

See the Draw Odds chart on this page for current NDOW harvest and success data for Unit 111 mule deer. NDOW's hunt information sheet notes that Unit 111 supports most of the mule deer in the 111-113 hunt group.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Mid Season	170	1,214	14.0%
Rifle— Mid Season	15	327	4.6%
Rifle— Limited Entry	55	164	33.5%
Rifle— Limited Entry	90	259	34.4%
Rifle— Early Season	70	144	48.6%
Archery— Early Season	80	126	63.5%
Muzzleloader— Early Season	30	62	48.4%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 111 mule-deer tags are issued through NDOW's 111-113 hunt group. The Draw Odds chart on this page pulls from NDOW's published draw results — use it for current odds and bonus-point trendlines.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 111

Nevada pronghorn Units 111-114 cover a block of east-central Nevada antelope country managed under NDOW's pronghorn hunt framework. Expect sage flats, rolling benches, and mixed public-land access.

Where to find pronghorn in 111-114

Focus on sage flats and rolling bench country across these four units. Watch water sources in early season and sheltered draws after cold fronts.

How to hunt 111-114 pronghorn

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Success rates track the strong statewide pronghorn average. Check NDOW hunt information sheets for season-by-season harvest data.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %
Rifle— Early Season	85	1,109	7.7%
Rifle— Early Season	25	491	5.1%
Archery— Early Season	20	38	52.6%
Muzzleloader— Early Season	4	8	50.0%

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

NDOW aggregates draw statistics by unit group. This four-unit pool generally has mid-range odds. Use the Draw Odds tool for recent-year percentages.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM/Forest Service camping. No developed campgrounds in the core hunting areas. Ely provides town-based hunting options.

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Water

Limited for humans. Pack ample water. Some reliable streams and springs exist on the range but verify current conditions.

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Road Conditions

Forest roads from US-93 and US-50 access the range. Most are rough but passable with high-clearance vehicles. Interior roads are unmaintained two-track. 4WD recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Mountain terrain at 7,000-11,000 feet with steep canyons and long ridgelines. Good fitness and backcountry skills required.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low. Limited tags spread across a large range.

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Weather

Fall temperatures 20-50°F. Snow possible at elevation from October. The range is exposed to wind — expect sustained gusts. Prepare for rapid weather changes at elevation.

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Cell Service

None in the mountains. Available in Ely. Satellite communicator recommended for the backcountry.

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Nearest Town

Ely (30-45 minutes from most access points). Full services including hotels, restaurants, fuel, and supplies. McGill is closer but has minimal services.

Note: The Schell Creek Range offers a more accessible backcountry elk experience than Nevada's most remote units. Ely is 30-45 minutes away with full services, making town-based hunting feasible for the western access points. The range is less famous than the Ruby Mountains but produces quality bulls in impressive terrain.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Unit 111 the elk core of the 111-115 group?

Per NDOW's hunt information sheet for the 111-115 elk group, Unit 111 supports the largest elk population in the group. The Schell Creek Range's length, aspen-conifer cover, and High Schell Wilderness interior all contribute to the concentration.

What town works as a base for a Unit 111 elk hunt?

Ely on US-93 is the primary services town for the Schell Creek Range, with full lodging, fuel, and supplies. McGill is closer to some northern access points but has minimal services.

Where are the mule deer concentrated in the 111-113 hunt group?

Per NDOW's Mule Deer 111-113 hunt information sheet, Unit 111 supports most of the deer in the group. The Schell Creek Range's aspen-conifer and PJ mosaic is the core habitat.

What town should I base out of for Unit 111 mule deer?

Ely on US-93 is the primary services town for the Schell Creek Range, with full lodging, fuel, and supplies within 30-45 minutes of most access points.

Is there much public land in 111-114?

Yes — BLM and USFS land dominate across these units. Confirm boundaries with a GPS mapping app before hunts.

What's the best base town?

Ely and Eureka are the main services towns for this unit group. Plan fuel and groceries before heading to the field.

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Sources & Verification

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

Elk Hunt Information Sheet — Units 111-115 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 111 is the Schell Creek Range in White Pine County, Unit 111 supports the largest elk population in the 111-115 hunt group, High Schell Wilderness is the non-motorized interior of the range · accessed 2026-04-16
Mule Deer Hunt Information Sheet — Units 111-113 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 111 is the Schell Creek Range in White Pine County, Unit 111 supports most of the mule deer in the 111-113 hunt group, High Schell Wilderness is the non-motorized interior · accessed 2026-04-16
NDOW Big Game Hunting — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: NV pronghorn framework · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Hunt Information Sheets — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Per-unit-group pronghorn hunt information · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Hunt Draw — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Draw application for pronghorn · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 111 (Schell Creek Range)

Elk Hunting in Unit 111

Where to Find Elk in Unit 111

Upper Mountain Meadows (8,500–11,000 ft)

Riparian Corridors

South-Facing Winter Slopes

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 111

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 111

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 111

Mountain Brush and Aspen (7,500–9,500 ft)

Rimrock and Canyon Country

Water Source Concentrations

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 111

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 111

Where to find pronghorn in 111-114

How to hunt 111-114 pronghorn

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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