Nevada Mule Deer Pronghorn

Unit 13 (Yerington / Antelope Valley)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Pronghorn

Nevada Unit 13 encompasses the Antelope Valley, the Singatse Range, and the lower Desert Mountains east of Yerington in Lyon and Mineral counties. This high-desert unit sits at the edge of the Walker River agricultural corridor, and mule deer here exploit both the irrigated lowlands and the rugged volcanic uplands. Open sagebrush basins and rocky canyon systems make this a productive glassing unit with manageable terrain for most hunters.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 13

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 13

Unit 13 mule deer use a broad range of habitats across the Antelope Valley floor and the surrounding volcanic ranges. Understanding the seasonal transition is key to locating animals consistently.

Singatse Range Canyon Systems

The Singatse Range running through the heart of the unit harbors good mule deer numbers in its rocky canyon drainages. Bucks use the shade and thermal cover of deeper canyons during summer and early season. Work along canyon benches above 5,500 ft where forb diversity is higher and browse is less grazed.

Antelope Valley Agricultural Edges

Deer move down from upland range into the irrigated edges of Antelope Valley in the evening, feeding on alfalfa stubble and irrigated pasture edges. Permission from private landowners is required for most of these areas, but the adjacent public land transition zones see concentrated deer activity from animals that bed upslope by day.

Desert Mountain Brushfields

The Desert Mountains on the unit's eastern boundary have mountain mahogany and bitterbrush stands that concentrate deer, especially as early cold fronts push animals off the higher north-facing slopes. These shrubfields are productive from mid-October through the end of rifle season.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 13

Unit 13 rewards hunters who put time into pre-season glassing. The open Antelope Valley terrain makes it possible to locate bucks before the season opens and plan systematic access once the hunt begins.

Pre-Season Scouting

Drive BLM roads through the Singatse Range in late August, glassing the canyon mouths and upper benches at dawn and dusk. Locate specific bucks and note their bed-and-feed patterns. Nevada's warm September weather means bucks are on predictable summer routines until the first cold front.

Stalk Approaches in Volcanic Terrain

The rocky volcanic terrain in Unit 13 provides good stalk cover — broken rimrock and canyon walls let you close distance if you plan your approach to use topography as a visual barrier. Move slowly and glass frequently during your stalk to confirm the buck hasn't relocated.

Two-Buck Strategy

Identify a primary buck and a backup buck in your scouting. Nevada draw tags are hard to come by — don't burn days on a single animal if it leaves the area after opening-morning pressure. Having a second target ready ensures you can pivot quickly.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

See the Draw Odds chart above for current NDOW tag quotas and draw statistics for Unit 13 mule deer. The Yerington/Antelope Valley area supports a stable deer population with access to both agricultural browse and native range, contributing to good deer body condition heading into fall seasons.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

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

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Unit 13 mule deer tags are drawn through NDOW's annual big game draw using Nevada's weighted bonus-point system. The live Draw Odds chart above reflects the most current applicant and tag numbers from NDOW's published draw statistics. Residents typically draw within 1–3 years; nonresident hunters should expect to accumulate points before drawing.

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 13

Nevada Unit 13 covers sagebrush-steppe terrain in Humboldt County near Winnemucca, including the Winnemucca Hills and surrounding BLM land. Pronghorn are a consistent presence on these open basins between the Humboldt River corridor and the higher ranges to the north — an accessible unit with serviceable roads and good proximity to full services.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 13

Unit 13 antelope are distributed across the sagebrush basins and low hills between the Humboldt River valley and the higher terrain to the north.

Winnemucca Hills Sage Flats

The Winnemucca Hills area provides rolling open terrain with sagebrush and bunchgrass communities that pronghorn favor. Glass from high points along the unit boundary roads to locate herds at first light.

BLM Basin Floors

Broad BLM basin floors between low mountain ranges hold resident pronghorn populations year-round. These animals are habituated to vehicle traffic on BLM roads, making locating them from a truck straightforward — the challenge is executing a stalk across the open ground.

Water Sources

Seasonal ponds, stock tanks, and BLM water developments concentrate pronghorn during the hot early season. Locating active water sources before the hunt is valuable reconnaissance for Unit 13's dry terrain.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 13

Unit 13 sits close to Winnemucca — a real advantage for hunters wanting to resupply daily and sleep in a motel. The open terrain rewards patient spot-and-stalk hunters.

Vehicle-Assisted Glassing

Drive BLM roads at first and last light to locate pronghorn from distance. Once animals are identified, park well out of sight and execute a ground stalk using whatever terrain features are available — BLM roads give access to a surprisingly large portion of the unit.

Water Ambush

Set up a portable blind or natural cover ambush on a confirmed active water source 24 hours before the opener. Pronghorn in the arid Winnemucca Hills rely on concentrated water points during warm weather hunts.

Rut Calling

September rut calling with a snort-wheeze and decoy works well on Unit 13's open terrain. Territorial bucks will often commit to a decoy at 200+ yards from a long distance, giving hunters time to prepare for the shot.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

See the Draw Odds chart for current NDOW harvest data on Unit 13 pronghorn. Proximity to Winnemucca services and accessible BLM roads make Unit 13 one of northwest Nevada's more hunter-friendly pronghorn units.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

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

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Unit 13 pronghorn tags draw as a stand-alone group in NDOW's annual draw. Check the live Draw Odds chart for current bonus-point requirements and tag numbers — Winnemucca-area units attract a moderate applicant pool given their accessibility.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Dispersed BLM camping accommodates self-contained RVs on maintained dirt roads. Full-hookup RV parks in Yerington.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed camping on BLM land throughout the unit. No developed campgrounds within Unit 13. Camp on public land away from water sources per BLM regulations.

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Trailer Access

Most BLM access roads are accessible with a standard truck and trailer in dry conditions. Singatse Range interior roads are rougher and may require high-clearance vehicles.

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Water

Limited natural water in the uplands — bring all water you need for day hunts. Stock tanks in BLM grazing allotments. Walker River irrigation canals in the valley bottom.

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Road Conditions

US-95A and NV-208 provide paved access. BLM roads off these corridors range from graded gravel to two-track. Check recent conditions — volcanic soil roads become slippery when wet.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Antelope Valley floor is flat to gently rolling. Singatse Range and Desert Mountains involve 500–1,500 ft of relief with rocky footing. Pack out plan for harvest across open terrain.

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Hunting Pressure

Light to moderate. Unit 13 receives less attention than units closer to Reno/Carson City. Tag numbers keep pressure manageable. Midweek hunting is typically uncrowded.

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Weather

High desert with extreme diurnal temperature swings. October daytime highs 55–70°F; overnight lows 25–40°F. Snow possible in the uplands from mid-October forward. Wind can be a factor in the open valley.

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Cell Service

Reliable along US-95A and in Yerington. BLM interior roads have partial coverage. Canyon bottoms and the interior Singatse Range have limited to no coverage.

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Nearest Town

Yerington (central to unit) — fuel, groceries, lodging. Full services. Fernley (~50 mi northwest) and Carson City (~65 mi northwest) for expanded gear and outfitter options.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is there public land access in Nevada Unit 13 for mule deer?

Yes — a significant portion of Unit 13 is BLM-administered public land, particularly in the Singatse Range and Desert Mountains portions. The Antelope Valley floor has a higher proportion of private agricultural land. Use onX or a current BLM surface-ownership map to identify public parcels before your hunt.

What is the best time to hunt mule deer in Unit 13?

The early rifle season in October catches bucks in predictable late-summer patterns before heavy hunting pressure disperses them. Cold fronts in mid-to-late October trigger deer movement and can concentrate animals in sheltered canyon systems. Late-season hunts in November can intercept rut activity.

Is Unit 13 a good choice for a first-time Nevada pronghorn hunter?

Yes — Unit 13's proximity to Winnemucca makes logistics easy, and open BLM terrain with accessible roads means hunters can cover a lot of ground. It's one of the more beginner-friendly northwest Nevada antelope units for hunters new to Nevada's draw system.

What draw group covers Unit 13 pronghorn?

Unit 13 pronghorn tags draw as a stand-alone group through NDOW's annual draw. Check the ProHunt Draw Odds chart for current bonus-point requirements and historical success rates.

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Sources & Verification

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

Nevada 2025-26 Big Game Regulations — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 13 mule deer season dates, Tag structure, Unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-18
NDOW Hunt Information Sheets — Mule Deer — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 13 deer distribution, Draw statistics · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 13 (Yerington / Antelope Valley)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 13

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 13

Singatse Range Canyon Systems

Antelope Valley Agricultural Edges

Desert Mountain Brushfields

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 13

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit 13

Where to Find Pronghorn in Unit 13

Winnemucca Hills Sage Flats

BLM Basin Floors

Water Sources

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Unit 13

Pronghorn Success Rates

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Unit 14 — Quinn River Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification