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Nevada Bighorn Sheep

Unit 254 (Muddy Mountains / Black Mountains)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 254 covers the Black Mountains and adjacent desert country north of Lake Mead in Clark County, a remote desert bighorn unit with limited access and strong ram quality. The unit sits between the Muddy Mountains to the south and the Mormon Mountains to the north, and rams use the Black Mountains interior and surrounding washes.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 254

Unit 254 covers the Black Mountains and adjacent desert country north of Lake Mead in Clark County, a remote desert bighorn unit with limited access and strong ram quality. The unit sits between the Muddy Mountains to the south and the Mormon Mountains to the north, and rams use the Black Mountains interior and surrounding washes.

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 254

Black Mountains bighorn use volcanic cliff systems and rocky drainages.

Black Mountains Core

The range core holds resident ram groups. Access is limited — BLM two-track from the I-15 corridor and Gold Butte Road provide the main entry points.

Drainage Mouths

Where canyons drain out of the Black Mountains toward the Virgin River or Muddy River systems, bighorn follow water and forage lines. We glass these drainage mouths at first and last light.

Guzzler Ridges

NDOW guzzlers anchor bighorn movement. We build glassing positions around each active drinker.

How to Hunt Bighorn in Unit 254

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle65%

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Late Season2872.3% 0
Rifle— Late Season4824.9% 0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 254 averages 5 tags per year against roughly 130 three-year applicants. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system adds one additional entry per point held (straight count, one-for-one). Mid-to-high-point applicants absorb the draw.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

How remote is Unit 254?
Unit 254 is one of Nevada's more remote bighorn units. The Black Mountains core has limited road access, and most glassing knobs require 30-60 minute drives on BLM two-track from base camp. Budget extra time for logistics.
What's the Unit 254 bonus point situation?
Nevada uses a weighted bonus system — one additional random-draw entry per point held, straight count. Unit 254 typically draws mid-to-high point applicants given its roughly 130-applicants-to-5-tags ratio.

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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 Unit 254 boundary — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 254 Clark County coverage · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. Desert Bighorn Sheep biology — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Black Mountains herd · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. BLM Southern Nevada access and wilderness — Bureau of Land Management — Southern Nevada District · supports: Gold Butte National Monument perimeter, BLM access roads · accessed 2026-04-17