Nevada Bighorn Sheep

Unit 162 - 163 (South Monitor / Hot Creek Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Units 162-163 cover the southern Monitor Range, Hot Creek Range, and connecting basin country in central Nye County — desert bighorn habitat on isolated Great Basin ranges at 6,000-10,000 ft. NDOW three-year data show 10 tags issued against 749 applicants (~3/yr). The country combines limestone cliff faces with PJ/sage benches and is one of the higher-elevation desert bighorn hunts in the state.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 162 - 163

Where to Find Desert Bighorn in Units 162-163

Units 162-163 bighorn live on the rugged limestone and volcanic spines of the southern Monitor and Hot Creek ranges. Sheep range higher here than in southern Nevada desert bighorn units — up to 10,000+ ft in summer.

South Monitor Cliff Faces

The southern Monitor Range drops from 10,000+ ft with extensive cliff and escape terrain. Rams use the limestone faces and canyon headwalls year-round, moving up in summer and down in winter.

Hot Creek Range Spine

The Hot Creek Range is lower but similar in character — limestone and volcanic cliffs concentrate bighorn. Water sources at Hot Creek Canyon and Butler Basin draw sheep during dry spells.

Little Fish Lake Valley Perimeter

The Little Fish Lake Valley between the ranges has tinaja and spring water that concentrates bighorn during hot, dry weather. Glass from the valley floor into the cliff country both sides.

How to Hunt Desert Bighorn in Units 162-163

162-163 is a remote, high-elevation desert bighorn hunt. Prepare for both mountain and desert conditions.

Extended Pre-Season Scouting

These ranges are 3-4 hours from any major town, so scouting trips are a commitment. Plan at least two multi-day scouts in the month before the hunt to inventory rams on specific cliff faces and water sources.

High-Country Ram Patterns

Unlike southern Nevada bighorn that concentrate around low-elevation tinajas, 162-163 rams summer above 9,000 ft on the Monitor crest. Expect serious elevation on the stalk.

Stalk via Ridge or Canyon

Once a shooter ram is located, plan a stalk using either the ridge above (for a downhill shot) or the canyon below (for an uphill shot). Thermals on these ranges are strong — always approach from the downwind angle.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle65%

Archery40%

NDOW three-year data: 10 tags issued against 749 applicants — roughly 3/yr. Desert bighorn harvest success in Nevada approaches 100% with serious scouting. See the draw-odds chart on this page for the current trend.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Late Season	2	198	1.0%	0
Archery— Mid Season	1	16	6.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Units 162-163 are drawn as a combined desert bighorn hunt. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — applicants with more accumulated bonus points have more entries in the random draw, with each point earning one additional entry.

Three-year totals: 749 applicants / 10 tags ~ 1.3% raw-odds success. Plan on 10-15+ bonus points to be competitive.

The live chart on this page reflects the most recent NDOW dataset.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Tonopah (Tonopah Station, Jim Butler RV) offers full hookups. The unit interior is dispersed-only.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed USFS and BLM camping throughout. No developed campgrounds in the unit core. Hickison Petroglyph BLM site has primitive camping about 40 mi north.

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Water

Limited. Hot Creek Canyon, Little Fish Lake Valley springs, and tinajas provide scattered water. Pack 2+ gallons per person per day for hunters.

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Road Conditions

US-6 and US-50 provide paved access. From those, USFS and BLM roads access the ranges — high-clearance gravel and two-track. 4WD strongly recommended for interior roads.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous — high-elevation desert bighorn country. South Monitor crest tops out above 10,000 ft. Limestone and volcanic rock with loose footing and cliff hazards.

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Hunting Pressure

Minimal sheep-hunt pressure (3 tags/yr). Other hunters (mule deer and elk) may be present but don't conflict with sheep hunts at cliff elevations.

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Weather

Fall seasons: 45-70 °F daytime, 20-40 °F nights. Winter hunts below freezing at night. High-elevation snow possible from October on the Monitor crest.

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Cell Service

None in the unit interior. Limited on the main paved highways. Satellite messenger required.

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Nearest Town

Tonopah (US-6/US-95, full small-town services; ~90 mi south). Eureka (US-50, basic services; ~90 mi north). Austin (US-50, basic services; ~100 mi northwest).

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Permit Notes

No wilderness restrictions inside 162-163 core. Alta Toquima Wilderness is adjacent on the Toquima Range (foot/horse only).

Note: 162-163 is the sleeper Nevada desert bighorn hunt — remote, high-elevation, and overlooked vs southern Nevada units. Budget for a guide or multi-week scouting plan; this is true backcountry.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does 162-163 compare to southern Nevada desert bighorn hunts?

162-163 is higher, colder, and more remote than units like 184 or East 181C. Summer rams push above 9,000 ft on the south Monitor crest, and Tonopah is 90 miles away. Expect a true backcountry hunt, not a Las Vegas day-trip.

Are there wilderness restrictions inside 162-163?

The core of 162-163 is open to motorized access on USFS/BLM roads. The adjacent Alta Toquima Wilderness on the Toquima Range is foot/horse only, but it sits on the other side of Monitor Valley and is a separate unit for hunting purposes.

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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 Bighorn Sheep — Central Nevada Desert Bighorn — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Central Nevada desert bighorn distribution, Monitor / Hot Creek Range herd · accessed 2026-04-17
Humboldt-Toiyabe NF — Tonopah Ranger District (Monitor / Hot Creek) — USDA Forest Service · supports: Forest Service lands and road access, Alta Toquima Wilderness adjacency · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Tonopah Field Office — Monitor / Hot Creek public lands — US Bureau of Land Management · supports: BLM perimeter lands and road grid · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Draw Statistics — Bighorn Sheep Units 162-163 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Three-year applicants 749 / tags 10 (~3/yr) · accessed 2026-04-17