Unit 241, 242 (Southern Nevada Elk)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Elk

Units 241 and 242 sit in the extreme southeast corner of Nevada — ranges in Lincoln and Clark Counties that support a transplanted southern Nevada elk herd. NDOW three-year data show 43 tags issued against 812 applicants (~14/yr) in this two-unit elk group. The hunt is on higher-elevation PJ/mountain-brush country in the Mormon Mountains and surrounding ranges, well away from the bigger-name central Nevada elk units.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 241, 242

Where to Find Elk in Units 241, 242

The southern Nevada elk herd is smaller and more dispersed than the central and northeast populations. Expect to cover long distances between pockets of elk sign.

Mormon Mountains Mid-Slopes

The Mormon Mountains rise to over 7,400 ft in Unit 242 and hold the densest pocket of the southern elk herd. Glass mid-slope mountain-brush and PJ benches at 5,500-7,000 ft, especially on the north and east aspects.

Tule Springs Hills / Arrow Canyon

The Tule Springs and Arrow Canyon ranges in Unit 241 hold dispersed elk. Water sources are limited and concentrate elk activity during warm seasons.

Meadow Valley Wash Corridor

Meadow Valley Wash is a riparian corridor that elk use for travel between the surrounding ranges. Set up on benches overlooking the wash to intercept moving animals.

How to Hunt Elk in Units 241, 242

This is a sleeper Nevada elk hunt — low pressure, but low elk density means extra scouting work.

Water Source Inventory

In the arid southern Nevada climate, every spring and stock tank is a potential elk magnet. Use BLM maps and trail cameras in the pre-season to inventory which waters show fresh elk sign.

Cover Ground in Vehicle

The BLM road grid in Units 241/242 is extensive. Drive-and-glass with long optics from prominent points to locate elk before committing to stalks on foot.

Rut Calling on Limited Herd

The southern herd is small, so bugling produces fewer responses than northern elk units. When you do get a response, close the distance — these bulls hear callers rarely and are less pressured than northern Nevada bulls.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle35%

Archery22%

Muzzleloader28%

NDOW three-year data: 43 tags issued against 812 applicants — roughly 14/yr. Per NDOW, harvest success on southern Nevada elk tags is below the state average due to low herd density. See the draw-odds chart on this page for the current trend.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Season	3	168	1.8%	1
Rifle— Early Season	10	123	8.1%	0
Rifle— Late Season	3	168	1.8%	1
Rifle— Mid Season	8	243	3.3%	0
Archery— Early Season	3	16	18.8%	0
Archery— Early Season	2	24	8.3%	0
Archery— Early Season	3	18	16.7%	1
Archery— Early Season	3	12	25.0%	0
Muzzleloader— Mid Season	2	14	14.3%	1
Muzzleloader— Early Season	2	43	4.7%	1
Muzzleloader— Early Season	2	9	22.2%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	3	12	25.0%	0

Data from 2020 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Units 241/242 are drawn as a combined elk hunt group. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point draw — applicants with more accumulated bonus points get more entries in the random draw, with each point earning one additional entry.

Three-year totals: 812 applicants / 43 tags ~ 5.3% raw-odds success. This is more accessible than the celebrity-status central Nevada elk units, though with lower success on the ground.

The live chart on this page reflects the current NDOW dataset.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Mesquite (on I-15) has full-hookup resort parks. Caliente has basic RV parking. Las Vegas offers many large RV parks within day-drive distance.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM camping throughout. No developed campgrounds in the elk habitat itself. Beaver Dam State Park in Unit 241 has developed sites.

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Water

Limited — this is a desert unit cluster. Pack water and plan resupply from the paved highway network.

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Road Conditions

US-93 and I-15 provide paved access. From there, BLM roads reach the Mormon Mountains and surrounding ranges. High-clearance 2WD handles most dry roads; 4WD required in wet conditions and in steeper sections.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Elevations 3,500-7,500 ft with extensive benchland and rolling hills. Less strenuous than northern Nevada elk units.

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Hunting Pressure

Low. ~14 tags across two large units means very little competition from other elk hunters.

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Weather

Fall seasons: 55-80 °F highs, 30-50 °F nights. Southern Nevada stays warm well into November. Afternoon thunderstorms possible in early season.

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Cell Service

Coverage along I-15 and US-93; gaps in the range interiors. Verizon strongest carrier.

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Nearest Town

Caliente (US-93 in Unit 241, basic services including fuel and motel). Mesquite (I-15, full services). Las Vegas (full big-city services, ~1.5 hr from southern portion).

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Permit Notes

Units border the Moapa River Indian Reservation and the Desert NWR — know the boundaries. No elk hunting is permitted on Desert NWR.

Note: 241/242 is Nevada's forgotten elk hunt. Its proximity to Las Vegas makes logistics easier than northern units, but scouting is essential because elk densities are genuinely lower.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the southern Nevada elk herd compare to central Nevada elk?

The southern Nevada herd (Units 241/242) is smaller and more dispersed than the central Nevada herds in Units 111-115 and 161. Tag numbers are lower, elk density is lower, and harvest success is below the state average — but tag-draw odds are materially better.

Is Las Vegas a viable base for a 241/242 hunt?

Yes for the southern portions of the unit cluster (within 1.5 hr of Las Vegas). For the Mormon Mountains core, Mesquite on I-15 is closer and has full services. Caliente serves the Unit 241 interior.

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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 Elk — Statewide Distribution and Herd Management — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Southern Nevada elk population centered on Lincoln and Clark Counties, Management direction for the southern herd · accessed 2026-04-17
BLM Las Vegas Field Office — Units 241/242 public lands — US Bureau of Land Management · supports: BLM manages the core habitat, Road network and access · accessed 2026-04-17
NDOW Draw Statistics — Elk Units 241, 242 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Three-year applicants 812 / tags 43 (~14/yr) · accessed 2026-04-17