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Nevada Bighorn Sheep

Unit 280 (Spring Mountains North)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Unit 280 covers the northern Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas, home to a desert bighorn population that uses the high limestone faces of the Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon drainages. The Spring Mountains rise sharply from the desert floor to nearly 12,000 ft at Mount Charleston, and Unit 280 offers a mountain-desert bighorn hunt with real elevation.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 280

Unit 280 covers the northern Spring Mountains west of Las Vegas, home to a desert bighorn population that uses the high limestone faces of the Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon drainages. The Spring Mountains rise sharply from the desert floor to nearly 12,000 ft at Mount Charleston, and Unit 280 offers a mountain-desert bighorn hunt with real elevation.

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 280

Northern Spring Mountains bighorn concentrate on the limestone faces flanking the major canyon systems.

Kyle Canyon Rims

The limestone cliffs above Kyle Canyon (SR-157) hold rams that we glass from pullouts and side roads. The transition between the desert floor and the forested upper canyon is prime habitat.

Lee Canyon

Lee Canyon's limestone bands are more forested, but rams use the cliff outcrops for escape terrain and daytime bedding. We glass from access roads and the Lee Canyon Ski Resort approach area.

West Side Approaches

The west side of the range drops toward Pahrump Valley. BLM two-track approaches give access to glassing knobs that cover the west-face cliff systems.

How to Hunt Bighorn in Unit 280

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle65%

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Late Season5588.6% 0
Rifle— Late Season3734.1% 0
Rifle— Late Season5628.1% 0
Rifle— Late Season5846.0% 0

Data from 2020 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 280 issues about 8 bighorn tags per year against roughly 135 three-year applicants — one of the more drawable Nevada ram tags. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system where each bonus point grants you one additional entry in the random draw (straight count). A mid-point applicant has a realistic shot in Unit 280.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Unit 280 different from other Nevada bighorn units?
Unit 280 combines classic desert bighorn escape terrain with genuine high-elevation mountain hunting. The Spring Mountains top out near 12,000 ft, and bighorn use cliff bands from 3,000 ft up to 8,000+ ft depending on season.
How competitive is the Unit 280 draw?
Unit 280 is one of Nevada's more accessible bighorn draws, averaging about 135 applicants for 8 tags. Nevada's weighted bonus system (one extra entry per point) gives mid-point applicants a realistic chance.

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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 280 boundary — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Northern Spring Mountains coverage, Clark County · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. Desert Bighorn — Spring Mountains herd — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: High-elevation desert bighorn habitat, Spring Mountains population · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest — Spring Mountains NRA — USDA Forest Service · supports: Spring Mountains National Recreation Area administration, Trailhead access · accessed 2026-04-17