Unit 113 (Egan Range / Ward Mountain)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Elk

Unit 113 covers the central Egan Range and Ward Mountain south and west of Ely in White Pine County. The unit sits in the 111-115 elk hunt group — Unit 111 (Schell Creeks) holds the largest bull population, while Unit 113 anchors the western flank with Ward Mountain's high-elevation aspen-conifer habitat and accessible road network off US-50 and US-93. Ely is the full-service base town less than 30 minutes from most access points, making 113 one of the 111-115 group's more logistically friendly elk draws.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 113

Where to Find Elk in Unit 113

Unit 113 elk use the upper elevations of the Egan Range and Ward Mountain south and west of Ely. NDOW's 111-115 hunt sheet notes that Unit 111 (Schell Creeks) carries the largest bull population in the group, but Unit 113 holds solid numbers on Ward Mountain and the central Egans.

Ward Mountain (~10,900 ft)

Ward Mountain immediately south of Ely is the dominant feature of Unit 113 — aspen and fir benches at 8,500-10,000 ft hold bulls through summer and early fall. NFS roads climb into the range from US-6 and US-93 on the south side of town.

Central Egan Range

The central Egan Range west of Ely offers additional elk habitat in mixed aspen-conifer forest. The range runs north-south with multiple canyon access points from the Steptoe Valley side.

Cow Hunts and Depredation

NDOW runs cow-only elk hunts in Unit 113 to manage ag-depredation pressure. These tags have better draw odds than bull hunts and hunt the same productive country.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 113

Unit 113 rewards hunters who use Ely as a hub and cover multiple drainages during a 5-7 day hunt.

Ely as a Hub

Ely on US-50/US-93 is the full-service town for Unit 113 — less than 30 minutes from most access points on Ward Mountain and the central Egans. Town-based hunts with daily drives to glassing points work well for bull hunts, though backcountry spike camps are effective in the upper drainages.

Ridge Glassing at Dawn

Drive to a high saddle or ridge on Ward Mountain or the Egans before first light, then glass the basins and aspen stringers for 2-3 hours. The aspen edges and meadow systems at 8,500-10,000 ft are the most productive.

Rut Calling on Ward Mountain

Ward Mountain's aspen-fir mix holds bulls during the September rut. Bugle from ridge positions at first light and listen for responses — low hunter density keeps these bulls vocal and workable.

Cow Hunts Near Ag Lands

NDOW's depredation cow hunts focus on areas where elk impact hay ground on the valley edges. These tags require more time on the low-elevation ag interface than on the mountain crest.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle35%

Archery22%

Muzzleloader28%

NDOW's draw statistics show three-year totals of roughly 611 applicants against 94 tags for Unit 113 elk — a healthy tag-to-applicant ratio relative to most of the 111-115 group thanks to cow hunts supplementing bull allocation. Use the live Draw Odds chart for current-year hunt-specific numbers.

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.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 113 elk tags draw under Nevada's weighted bonus-point system — straight count, max held per species, no weighted multiplier. Cow hunts and depredation tags carry much better draw odds than bull hunts; applicants who prioritize time afield over antler size can realistically draw at low bonus-point counts. The live Draw Odds chart breaks down bull vs. cow allocations by hunt number.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Humboldt-Toiyabe NF maintains a few developed sites on Ward Mountain (check current season dates). Dispersed camping on NFS land is widely available. Ely-based hunts with daily commutes are the most common approach.

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Water

Multiple permanent streams and springs drain Ward Mountain and the Egans. Filter or treat all backcountry water.

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Road Conditions

Humboldt-Toiyabe NF roads climb Ward Mountain and the Egans from US-6, US-50, and US-93. High-clearance 2WD works in dry conditions on primary routes; 4WD recommended for upper-drainage access.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Mountain terrain at 7,500-10,900 ft with aspen and conifer cover. Less extreme than wilderness units but demanding at elevation.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Tag numbers are solid relative to other 111-115 units, and Ely's accessibility concentrates pressure on the main access corridors. Backcountry spike camps see lower pressure.

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Weather

Fall days 40-65°F in September; drops to 20-45°F by late October. Snow possible above 9,000 ft from early October. Winter storms close upper roads by November.

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Cell Service

Coverage in Ely and on US-50/US-93. Drops off in the backcountry but returns on major ridges. Satellite communicator recommended for multi-day spike camps.

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Nearest Town

Ely (US-50 / US-93 junction, full services — hotels, fuel, groceries, restaurants, some gear). Less than 30 minutes from most access points.

Note: Ely's position at the US-50 / US-93 junction makes Unit 113 one of the most logistically friendly elk hunts in Nevada's 111-115 group. Hotel-based hunts with daily 20-30 minute drives to trailheads work well.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Unit 113 compare to Unit 111 for elk?

Unit 111 (Schell Creeks) holds the largest bull population in NDOW's 111-115 hunt group. Unit 113 anchors the western flank of the group with Ward Mountain and the central Egans — solid elk numbers, more accessible from Ely, and better draw odds on cow hunts. For a first-time elk tag with realistic draw odds, 113 cow hunts are a strong play.

What's the best base for a Unit 113 hunt?

Ely at the US-50 / US-93 junction is the best base for Unit 113. Full services (hotels, fuel, groceries, restaurants) are less than 30 minutes from most access points on Ward Mountain and the Egans. Hotel-based hunts with daily drives work well; backcountry spike camps improve pressure avoidance for bull hunts.

How do Nevada bonus points work for Unit 113 elk?

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 until drawn. Cow hunts carry better draw odds than bull hunts at any given bonus-point level.

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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 113 sits in the 111-115 elk hunt group alongside the Schell Creeks (Unit 111), Unit 111 supports the largest elk population in the group; Unit 113 anchors the western flank on Ward Mountain and the central Egans, Aspen-conifer forests and mountain meadows at 8,500-10,900 ft are the core habitat · accessed 2026-04-17
2026 Nevada Big Game Seasons & Applications Booklet — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 113 is listed in the 111-115 elk hunt group for 2026, Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — straight count, max held per species, Cow-only and depredation hunts supplement bull tag allocation · accessed 2026-04-17
Ely Ranger District — Ward Mountain and the Egan Range — USDA Forest Service — Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest · supports: Humboldt-Toiyabe NF manages Ward Mountain and the central Egan Range, Ward Mountain peaks at approximately 10,900 ft, Access is from US-6, US-50, and US-93 via Ely Ranger District roads · accessed 2026-04-17