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Nevada Elk Mule Deer Bighorn Sheep Pronghorn

Unit 161 (Toquima Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn

Unit 161 covers the Toquima Range in central Nevada, including the Alta Toquima Wilderness and Mount Jefferson, which tops out at 11,941 feet. The unit spans portions of Nye and Lander Counties and is part of NDOW's 161-164 elk hunt group (sometimes reported as 161-164, 171-173). The Toquima sits between the Big Smoky Valley to the west and Monitor Valley to the east, with services funneling in from Austin, Carvers, Round Mountain, Eureka, and Tonopah.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 161

Unit 161 covers the Toquima Range in central Nevada, including the Alta Toquima Wilderness and Mount Jefferson, which tops out at 11,941 feet. The unit spans portions of Nye and Lander Counties and is part of NDOW's 161-164 elk hunt group (sometimes reported as 161-164, 171-173). The Toquima sits between the Big Smoky Valley to the west and Monitor Valley to the east, with services funneling in from Austin, Carvers, Round Mountain, Eureka, and Tonopah.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 161

Elk in Unit 161 use the high country of the Toquima Range, centered on Mount Jefferson and the Alta Toquima Wilderness.

Alta Toquima Wilderness & Mount Jefferson

The wilderness core around Mount Jefferson is roadless and holds elk summer range on the high ridges and basins. Access is on foot or horseback from trailheads on the Monitor Valley (east) or Big Smoky Valley (west) sides of the range. Plan for long approaches and glass the meadow basins below the 11,941-foot summit.

Monitor Valley & Big Smoky Valley Flanks

Outside the wilderness boundary, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest roads climb into the Toquima from both valleys. The east-side Monitor Valley Road and the west-side Big Smoky Valley Road provide the main vehicle access corridors; side roads climb into the drainages and end at trailheads.

Water Sources

In central Nevada's arid ranges, springs and creeks concentrate elk activity. Scout water sources during summer to identify consistent use, and plan archery or early-rifle setups around them.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 161

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Elk Success Rates

Recent draw results for Unit 161 elk are shown in the Draw Odds chart on this page; apply that tool for harvest and success trends rather than relying on summary estimates.

Elk Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Early Season61,3440.4% 1
Rifle— Late Season306744.5% 0
Rifle— Late Season3026211.5% 1
Archery— Early Season129712.4% 1
Archery— Early Season61753.4% 1
Muzzleloader— Mid Season4488.3% 1
Muzzleloader— Early Season72562.7% 1

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine
Unit 161 elk tags are issued through NDOW's 161-164 hunt group (Nevada's elk draws aggregate multiple units under a single tag number). Use the Draw Odds chart on this page for current odds and bonus-point trendlines — the group and hunt numbers change year to year and are the source of truth.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 161 the Monitor Range?
No — Unit 161 is the Toquima Range, home to the Alta Toquima Wilderness and Mount Jefferson. NDOW's Elk 161-164, 171-173 Hunt Information Sheet explicitly places the Monitor Range in Unit 162, just east of the Toquima.
What towns work as a base for Unit 161 elk?
Austin (on US-50) is the closest full-service town for Monitor Valley–side approaches. Carvers and Round Mountain on SR-376 are closer for Big Smoky Valley approaches, and Tonopah offers larger services further south. NDOW's hunt sheet lists Austin, Carvers, Round Mountain, Eureka, and Tonopah as the services towns for the 161-164 group.
Do I need to backpack the Alta Toquima Wilderness to find deer in Unit 161?
Not necessarily. The wilderness is roadless and holds deer in summer, but a lot of the rifle-season harvest happens at mid-elevations in PJ and mountain-brush zones that are accessible by Forest Service roads off Monitor Valley and Big Smoky Valley.
What sheep variant is in Unit 161?
NDOW lists Unit 161 as a desert bighorn unit.
How do I apply?
Apply through the NDOW big-game draw by the published deadline. Confirm eligibility and license requirements on ndow.org.
Which unit holds more pronghorn?
Unit 162 (around the Pilot Mountains and Gabbs Valley) is typically the higher-density unit; 161 produces scattered groups.
What's the best staging town?
Hawthorne, NV provides the closest services for the 161-162 compound hunt.

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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. Elk Hunt Information Sheet — Units 161-164, 171-173 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 161 is the Toquima Range (Alta Toquima Wilderness, Mount Jefferson), Unit 162 holds the Monitor Range, not Unit 161, Service towns for the hunt group: Austin, Carvers, Round Mountain, Eureka, Tonopah · accessed 2026-04-16
  2. Mule Deer Hunt Information Sheet — Units 161-164 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 161 is the Toquima Range (Alta Toquima Wilderness, Mount Jefferson), Mule-deer summer habitat is at 8,000-10,000+ feet in the range, Service towns: Austin, Carvers, Round Mountain, Eureka, Tonopah · accessed 2026-04-16
  3. NDOW Big Game Hunting — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Bighorn sheep is legally huntable in Unit 161 · accessed 2026-04-17
  4. NDOW Hunt Information Sheets — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 161 desert bighorn distribution · accessed 2026-04-17
  5. NDOW Hunt Draw — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Sheep draw framework — weighted bonus point system · accessed 2026-04-17