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Nevada Bighorn Sheep

Unit 134, 251 (Desatoya / Clan Alpine)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Units 134 and 251 combine for a central Nevada bighorn hunt spanning the Desatoya Mountains and surrounding basin-range country in Churchill and Lander counties. This is California bighorn habitat — subalpine ridges above pinyon-juniper benches, with limited road access and long glassing legs between sub-ranges.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 134, 251

Units 134 and 251 combine for a central Nevada bighorn hunt spanning the Desatoya Mountains and surrounding basin-range country in Churchill and Lander counties. This is California bighorn habitat — subalpine ridges above pinyon-juniper benches, with limited road access and long glassing legs between sub-ranges.

Where to Find Bighorn in Units 134, 251

Central Nevada bighorn split between subalpine ridges and mid-elevation canyons.

Desatoya Ridge Crest

The Desatoya Mountains crest (9,000-9,900 ft) holds summer-and-fall bighorn. We glass from Forest Service roads on the east and west flanks.

Clan Alpine Connections

The Clan Alpine Range to the north shares bighorn with the Desatoyas via the Smith Creek Valley passes. We scout the connecting saddles during pre-hunt trips.

Pinyon-Juniper Benches

Lower PJ benches hold rams during cold snaps and late in the season. Bighorn drop off the crest to feed in mixed grass-sage-PJ at 6,500-7,500 ft.

How to Hunt Bighorn in Units 134, 251

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle65%

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Late Season2682.9% 0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

The compound unit issues about 6 tags per year against 125 three-year applicants — a favorable California bighorn draw ratio. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system: each accumulated bonus point gives one additional entry in the random draw (straight count, one-per-point).

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What bighorn subspecies lives in Units 134 and 251?
Nevada's central ranges, including the Desatoya and Clan Alpine Mountains, hold California bighorn sheep. The herds were re-established through NDOW restoration work and represent a distinct subspecies from the desert bighorn of southern Nevada.
How competitive is the Units 134, 251 draw?
The compound unit draws roughly 125 applicants per year for 6 tags — relatively favorable by Nevada sheep standards. Nevada's weighted bonus system adds one entry per point held, straight count, so accumulated points materially improve odds.

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Sources & Verification

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

  1. NDOW Units 134 and 251 boundaries — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Central Nevada bighorn unit structure, Desatoya / Clan Alpine coverage · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. California Bighorn Sheep — Nevada populations — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: California bighorn restoration, Central Nevada herds · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest central Nevada ranges — USDA Forest Service — Humboldt-Toiyabe NF · supports: Desatoya Mountains administration, Forest Service access roads · accessed 2026-04-17