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Nevada Bighorn Sheep

Unit 281 (Arrow Canyon / Las Vegas Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep

Nevada Unit 281 covers the Arrow Canyon Range and northern Las Vegas Range country north of I-15 between Las Vegas and Mesquite. Desert bighorns use the limestone escarpments and narrow canyon systems, and NDOW draws rifle ram tags annually through the southern Nevada bighorn draw.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 281

Nevada Unit 281 covers the Arrow Canyon Range and northern Las Vegas Range country north of I-15 between Las Vegas and Mesquite. Desert bighorns use the limestone escarpments and narrow canyon systems, and NDOW draws rifle ram tags annually through the southern Nevada bighorn draw.

Where to Find Bighorn in Unit 281

The Arrow Canyon Range is compact but steep — bighorns concentrate near water and the high limestone.

Arrow Canyon Wilderness Core

The 27,530-acre Arrow Canyon Wilderness holds the best escape terrain in the unit. Glass from the non-wilderness rim roads at first light.

Las Vegas Range North

The northern extension of the Las Vegas Range holds bighorns in mid-elevation limestone. Access via BLM two-track off US-93.

Water Sources

Arrow Canyon itself holds natural springs and seasonal water. These are the ram magnets during hot hunts.

How to Hunt Unit 281 Bighorn

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Rifle65%

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

SeasonTagsApplicantsDraw %Pts Req
Rifle— Late Season6639.5% 0
Rifle— Late Season4775.2% 0
Rifle— Late Season4805.0% 0
Rifle— Late Season4904.4% 0

Data from 2020 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 281 averaged 157 applicants for 8 rifle ram tags across a three-year window — relatively friendly odds for a southern Nevada bighorn unit. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system — one extra entry per point held, straight count. See the live chart on this page for current NDOW data.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive through the Arrow Canyon Wilderness?
No — the Arrow Canyon Wilderness is a 27,530-acre BLM-designated wilderness and is closed to motorized travel. Hunters park at wilderness boundary trailheads and hike in on foot. Non-wilderness portions of Unit 281 remain accessible by BLM two-track for high-clearance vehicles.
What are the draw odds for Unit 281?
Unit 281 averaged 157 applicants for 8 rifle ram tags across a three-year window — one of the friendlier Clark County bighorn draws. Nevada uses a weighted bonus-point system (one extra entry per point held, straight count) that rewards point accumulation.

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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 Big Game Unit 281 — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit 281 — Arrow Canyon / Las Vegas Range area · accessed 2026-04-17
  2. Arrow Canyon Wilderness — Bureau of Land Management · supports: 27,530-acre designated wilderness, Steep narrow canyon system · accessed 2026-04-17
  3. Desert Bighorn — Arrow Canyon herd — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Arrow Canyon bighorn population · accessed 2026-04-17