Nevada Bighorn Sheep

Unit 264 (Newberry Mountains)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 264 is the Newberry Mountains of southern Clark County — a decomposed-granite desert range on BLM and Lake Mead National Recreation Area lands near Laughlin. The NDOW 264-266 hunt sheet describes topography ranging from rolling hills to the steep, rugged faces of Spirit Mountain, with two-track roads throughout most of the area and wilderness sections where motorized and mechanized transport is prohibited.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 264

Where to Find Desert Bighorn in Unit 264

NDOW's Desert Bighorn Sheep 264-266 hunt information sheet lists six specific anchor areas across the combined unit group. Ireteba Peaks, Keyhole Canyon, White Rock Wash, and Pipe Spring Canyon sit closest to the Newberry Mountains side (Unit 264 proper), while Boy Scout Canyon and Burro Wash reach into the Eldorado country.

Spirit Mountain and the Newberry Range

Spirit Mountain is the dominant peak in Unit 264 — the NDOW sheet specifically flags its steep, rugged faces as characteristic terrain. Glass the granite faces and the benches below for rams holding near escape cover.

Ireteba Peaks and Keyhole Canyon

Both listed by NDOW as recommended hunting areas. The country here is drier and rougher than the limestone ranges elsewhere in Clark County — expect unstable decomposed-granite footing.

Lake Mohave Canyons

NDOW notes that small, tight canyons near Lake Mohave define part of the terrain, and that some hunters use boats to access points that would be difficult to reach on foot. Boat-supported scouting is a legitimate tactic here in a way it isn't for most Nevada sheep hunts.

How to Hunt Desert Bighorn in Unit 264

This is a once-in-a-lifetime Nevada desert bighorn hunt. NDOW's description of the ground — granite faces, tight canyons, Lake Mohave access — drives the practical tactics below.

Start Scouting Months Out

NDOW's sheet is explicit that hunter access is "considered very good" because of the two-track road network, so you can cover a lot of country on scouting trips. Use that access to pattern individual rams before opening day. A once-in-a-lifetime tag justifies months of pre-season work.

Glass the Granite

Decomposed granite dominates Units 264 and 265 — unlike the limestone-heavy country elsewhere in Clark County. Sheep silhouette differently against granite than against limestone, and the unstable surface changes stalking geometry. Glass from stable, elevated positions rather than still-hunting across the grain of the rock.

Consider Boat Access

NDOW specifically notes that some hunters use boats on Lake Mohave to learn their area and reach points that are difficult on foot. For the Black Canyon / Lake Mohave edges of the hunt group, a boat is a legitimate scouting and pack-out tool.

Know the Wilderness Rules

Sections of these units are designated wilderness. Per NDOW: motorized equipment, mechanized transport, wheeled game carriers, and chainsaws are all prohibited in wilderness areas. Contact BLM before the hunt to confirm your specific hunt area's boundaries.

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

NDOW does not publish unit-specific ram-class or success-percentage numbers in the 264-266 hunt information sheet. The Draw Odds chart on this page is keyed to NDOW's published draw results for the 264, 265, 266 group — use it to see tag allocations, applicants, and how the ram tag has trended year-over-year.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Winter Season	3	356	0.8%	0
Rifle— Winter Season	3	727	0.4%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Nevada desert bighorn sheep is a once-in-a-lifetime species — draw one ram tag and you're done with the species in this state. Draw odds for Units 264-266 are published by NDOW each year; use the chart on this page to track how the hunt group compares to other southern Nevada desert bighorn units before you decide where to spend your application.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Primitive camping is the rule per NDOW. No developed campgrounds inside the unit group. Hotel-based hunts out of Laughlin, Bullhead City, or Boulder City are practical for day access.

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Water

Carry all water. This is Mojave Desert country; on-unit water is unreliable and not a hunting aid the way it is in the north.

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Road Conditions

Two-track roads exist throughout much of the area, which is why NDOW rates hunter access as 'very good.' Some tracks require high-clearance and 4WD, particularly to reach granite-cliff country around Spirit Mountain.

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Terrain Difficulty

Decomposed granite throughout Units 264 and 265 presents an unstable surface for hunters afoot — NDOW calls this out specifically. Spirit Mountain adds steep rugged faces. Sheer vertical cliffs of Black Canyon appear in Unit 266 if your hunt reaches that part of the group.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low. Ram tag quotas for the 264-266 group are typically single-digit annually; applicants are thinly distributed across a large multi-unit group.

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Weather

Mojave Desert — mild-to-warm even in the fall-winter sheep seasons. Season dates vary year to year; confirm exact window in the current NDOW season schedule.

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Cell Service

Coverage exists near the highways and Lake Mohave but drops off quickly in the backcountry.

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Nearest Town

NDOW's hunt sheet lists Henderson, Boulder City, and Las Vegas for full services. Accommodations are also available in Laughlin and Bullhead City, AZ — the closest lodging to Unit 264. Few services are available in Searchlight.

Note: All bighorn sheep hunters in this unit group should contact the National Park Service at (702) 293-8908 or (702) 293-8905 for Lake Mead National Recreation Area rules and regulations — NDOW's hunt sheet directs hunters to make that call before the hunt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Unit 264 the same as the River Mountains?

No. NDOW's 264-266 hunt information sheet places Unit 264 in the Newberry Mountains of southern Clark County, with Units 265 and 266 in the southern and northern Eldorado Mountains respectively. The River Mountains, near Boulder City and Lake Mead, are a separate range in a different NDOW unit.

Can I use a boat to hunt this unit?

Yes. NDOW's sheet specifically notes that some hunters use boats on Lake Mohave to learn their area and reach points that are more difficult to access on foot. Be aware that Lake Mead National Recreation Area is managed by the National Park Service — call (702) 293-8908 or (702) 293-8905 before you hunt to confirm NPS rules.

Where do I base camp for this hunt?

NDOW points hunters to Henderson, Boulder City, and Las Vegas for full services, and to Laughlin and Bullhead City, AZ for accommodations closest to the Newberry Mountains. Searchlight has few services. Primitive camping is the rule inside the unit group — there are no developed campgrounds.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-16.

Desert Bighorn Sheep Hunt Information Sheet — Unit Group 264, 265, 266 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 264 is the Newberry Mountains; Unit 265 is the southern Eldorado Mountains; Unit 266 is the northern Eldorado Mountains, Units are in southern Clark County on BLM Las Vegas District and NPS Lake Mead National Recreation Area lands, Topography: rolling hills; small tight canyons near Lake Mohave; steep rugged faces of Spirit Mountain; sheer vertical cliffs of Black Canyon in Unit 266, Decomposed granite (not limestone) dominates Units 264 and 265, creating unstable footing for hunters afoot, Hunter access is considered very good — two-track roads exist throughout much of the area, Some hunters use boats to learn the area and access otherwise-difficult points, Wilderness areas exist within the unit group; motorized/mechanized transport, wheeled game carriers, and chainsaws are prohibited, Recommended hunting areas: Ireteba Peaks, Keyhole Canyon, White Rock Wash, Pipe Spring Canyon, Boy Scout Canyon, Burro Wash, Full services in Henderson, Boulder City, Las Vegas; accommodations also in Laughlin and Bullhead City, AZ; few in Searchlight, Primitive camping is the rule, National Park Service contact for Lake Mead rules: (702) 293-8908 or (702) 293-8905 · accessed 2026-04-16