Nevada Bighorn Sheep

Unit 133, 245 (Toiyabe / Toquima)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Nevada's combined 133/245 hunt covers the Toiyabe and Toquima ranges in central Nevada — towering basin-and-range country with peaks above 11,000 ft. Desert bighorns use the mid-elevation limestone and rimrock, and NDOW issues rifle ram tags annually through the southern draw. This is remote backcountry bighorn hunting at its most demanding.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 133, 245

Where to Find Bighorn in Units 133/245

Both ranges run 60-80 miles north-south and include designated wilderness — we break scouting into several sub-regions.

Arc Dome Wilderness Perimeter

The Toiyabe Range (Unit 133) includes the 115,000-acre Arc Dome Wilderness. Glass the non-wilderness perimeter from ridge spur roads.

Table Mountain Wilderness (Toquima)

Unit 245 includes the Table Mountain Wilderness, a high plateau capped by Mount Jefferson (11,941 ft). Bighorns use the limestone escarpments below the plateau.

Low Saddles

Ram movement between the Toiyabe and Toquima ranges happens via the low country in Big Smoky Valley — unlikely but worth noting during rut pushes.

How to Hunt Units 133/245 Bighorn

These are among the most remote bighorn hunts in the Lower 48 — plan accordingly.

Commit to One Range

Like other combined hunts, we pick Toiyabe or Toquima during summer scouting and commit fully. The drive around Big Smoky Valley is a multi-hour ordeal.

Extended Backcountry Camps

We run 7-10 day camps with full resupply. These ranges reward hunters who outlast the first wave of road-hunters and push deep into canyons.

Alpine-Capable Gear

Central Nevada's 10,000-ft peaks can see October snowstorms. We pack four-season tents, insulated sleeping bags rated to 0°F, and tested shell gear.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle65%

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Late Season	1	66	1.5%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

The combined 133/245 hunt averaged 158 applicants for 7 rifle ram tags across a three-year window. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — one extra entry per point held, straight count. Reference the live chart on this page for current NDOW point-tier data.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Better than most Nevada bighorn country — creeks and springs exist. Still filter all water.

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Road Conditions

Paved access via US-50, US-95, and SR-376 (Big Smoky Valley). Interior access on USFS/BLM gravel and two-track. High-clearance 4WD recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous to extreme. Peaks over 11,000 ft, designated wilderness, long foot approaches.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — 7 tags over 3 years across two enormous ranges.

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Weather

October-November rifle can see 30-70°F temperature swings and legitimate alpine storms. December hunts see snow.

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Cell Service

None in the range interiors. Coverage in Austin, Tonopah, and along US-50/US-6.

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Nearest Town

Austin (for Toiyabe access via US-50) and Tonopah (for Toquima access via US-6) — both with fuel, lodging, basic groceries. Reno (3-4 hr) is the full-service hub.

Note: This is a bucket-list Nevada bighorn hunt. Treat it like Alaska — full self-sufficiency, quality alpine gear, and a conservative timeline.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Toiyabe and Toquima ranges combined for bighorn?

NDOW groups Unit 133 (Toiyabe Range) and Unit 245 (Toquima Range) under a combined hunt because the two central Nevada ranges share desert bighorn populations and management concerns. A single tag is valid in both ranges, though hunters typically commit to one after summer scouting.

How does the draw work for this combined hunt?

Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — one extra entry per point held, straight count. The combined 133/245 hunt averaged 158 applicants for 7 rifle ram tags over a three-year window, making it a mid-point to high-point draw for most applicants.

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Sources & Verification

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

NDOW Big Game — Unit Group 133/245 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Combined Toiyabe/Toquima bighorn draw · accessed 2026-04-17
Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest — Austin-Tonopah RD — USDA Forest Service · supports: Arc Dome Wilderness (Toiyabe), Table Mountain Wilderness (Toquima) · accessed 2026-04-17
Desert Bighorn — Toiyabe/Toquima herds — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Central Nevada bighorn populations · accessed 2026-04-17