Nevada Mule Deer Moose Elk

Unit 66 (Ruby Mountains Core)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Moose, Elk

Unit 66 covers the core of the Ruby Mountains — the "Nevada Alps" — in Elko County, including Lamoille Canyon and the heart of the 92,652-acre Ruby Mountains Wilderness. Ruby Dome at 11,387 ft anchors a long range crest with pristine glacial cirques, high alpine lakes, and extensive aspen and mountain mahogany habitat. Mule deer quality in this unit group is exceptional, with mature bucks using the wilderness interior through the early fall season.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 66

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 66

Unit 66 holds the Ruby Mountains Wilderness core, and the most productive mule deer habitat spans from Lamoille Canyon up to the alpine crest and into the glacier-carved basins on both sides of the range.

Lamoille Canyon (7,600–9,000 ft)

The paved Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway provides easy access to the canyon mouth before the road ends at Road's End Trailhead (8,800 ft). Deer are visible from the road in the morning and evening, but hunting pressure is highest here. Push into the side drainages off the main canyon for less-pressured animals.

Wilderness Cirques (9,000–11,387 ft)

The glacial cirques accessible from the Ruby Crest Trail hold mature bucks through October. Island Lake, Favre Lake, and Liberty Lake basins are known deer concentration areas. Access requires a 3–5 mile hike from the Lamoille Canyon trailhead.

Western Slope Aspen Benches

The west face of the Rubies above the Ruby Valley (US-93 corridor) has less traffic and can be accessed via BLM roads from the valley floor. Aspen draws and mountain mahogany are the key habitat features here.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 66

Unit 66 is Nevada's showcase mule deer country — alpine scenery, glacial lakes, and quality bucks in a designated wilderness. The wilderness boundary (no motorized vehicles) means success depends on your willingness to hike in.

Wilderness Access Strategy

The Ruby Crest National Recreation Trail runs the length of the range and connects the main cirque basins. Most serious hunters base camp at the alpine lakes — Liberty Lake or Island Lake — and hunt the surrounding high benches and rocky ridgelines. Plan for 3–5 miles of approach hiking from Road's End.

Glassing the Cirques

Glass from the rim of the cirques at dawn. Mature bucks bed on the rocky points and scree fields above the lake basins and feed in the grass/forb meadows around the lake shores. Wind usually channels through the main canyon — approach from above or across the wind.

Season Timing

Early-season rifle hunts (late September/early October) find deer at their highest elevations and in their hardest-to-reach habitat. Late-season hunts push deer down to the 7,000–9,000 ft aspen-conifer zone where stalk opportunities open up considerably.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Use the Draw Odds chart above for current NDOW harvest data on the 061/062/064/066-068 group. The Ruby Mountains wilderness core is Nevada's premium mule deer habitat and historically produces above-average buck quality.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Mid Season	855	2,237	38.2%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	99	746	13.3%	1
Rifle— Mid Season	70	1,794	3.9%	0
Rifle— Limited Entry	340	471	72.2%	0
Rifle— Limited Entry	480	551	86.4%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	240	295	81.4%	0
Archery— Early Season	325	334	97.3%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	153	204	75.0%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	180	14	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Tags for Unit 66 are drawn as part of NDOW's Unit Group 061/062/064/066-068. The Ruby Mountains core units in this group are highly coveted, and tag numbers are limited. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system rewards patience — hunters accumulating points over multiple years have a significant advantage. See the live Draw Odds chart for current statistics.

Moose Hunting in Unit 66

Nevada moose are a true rarity — the state supports a small but growing population in the northern and central mountain ranges, and the Ruby Mountains (Unit 66) are among the most likely locations for a rare moose sighting. The Nevada moose draw spans a massive multi-unit grouping across northern and central Nevada. Tags are issued in very limited numbers — sometimes just 1–3 tags for the entire draw pool across many units — making a Nevada moose tag one of the rarest big-game opportunities in the continental US.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 66

Nevada moose are highly localized and rarely seen. The best habitat in Unit 66 mirrors classic moose country — willow riparian corridors and wet meadow systems at mid-elevation in the Ruby Mountains.

Riparian Willow Corridors

Moose in Nevada concentrate in willow-rich stream bottoms and spring seep areas. In the Ruby Mountains, look for the larger canyon drainages with permanent water and willow/aspen riparian growth. Lamoille Creek and its tributaries above the canyon are known to occasionally hold moose.

Wet Meadow Systems (7,000–9,000 ft)

The mountain meadow systems at mid-elevation in the Rubies provide the aquatic vegetation and browse that moose favor. These areas can be glassed from above — moose are large enough to spot at long distances in open meadow terrain.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 66

A Nevada moose tag is once-in-a-lifetime. The draw pool spans many units across northern and central Nevada, and a drawn tag often allows hunting wherever moose are found across the entire multi-unit area.

Pre-Season Location is Everything

With so few moose in Nevada relative to the vast geographic draw pool, finding a moose before the season opens is the most critical preparation step. Trail cameras on willow riparian areas and networking with NDOW wildlife officers to understand current population locations is essential.

Willow and Riparian Stalk

Nevada moose hunting is a close-range stalking game in willow thickets and canyon-bottom riparian zones. Close to 100 yards is typical — patience and careful wind management in heavy cover are key.

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Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Early Season	2	18,538	0.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Nevada moose tags are drawn through NDOW's massive multi-unit pool: 061, 062, 064, 066-068, 071-077, 081, 101-103. Tags issued are typically 1–3 per sex class per season for the entire pool. This is truly once-in-a-lifetime caliber — draw odds are a fraction of 1% in most years, and bonus points give only marginal improvement when tag numbers are this small. See the live Draw Odds chart for current data.

Elk Hunting in Unit 66

Nevada Unit 66 covers the core Ruby Mountains in Elko County — the same 92,652-acre wilderness that produces premier mule deer also supports a limited-tag elk herd managed under NDOW's 062/064/066-068 elk draw group. Ruby Mountains elk inhabit the upper aspen-conifer forests and mountain meadows below the alpine crest, using the same high basins and glacial cirques that make the Rubies Nevada's most iconic big game destination. These tags are extremely rare and among the most coveted in the state.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 66

Unit 66 elk occupy the same mountain terrain as the famous Ruby Mountains mule deer, but the herd is small and requires thorough scouting to locate. The wilderness core and adjacent high-elevation zones hold the most animals.

Lamoille Canyon and Upper Drainages (7,600–10,000 ft)

The aspen forests lining the upper reaches of Lamoille Canyon and its tributary drainages provide elk forage and thermal cover. Glass the aspen groves and meadow openings from the canyon rim — elk are most visible in the low-light periods when moving between bedding and feeding areas.

Alpine Meadows and Cirque Basins (9,000–11,000 ft)

The glacial cirque basins above 9,000 ft hold summer-resident elk that remain in high country through the early fall season. Island Lake Basin, Favre Lake, and the basins below Ruby Dome are confirmed elk range. Bulls use the subalpine meadows around the lakes and the rocky subalpine slopes.

West Slope Ruby Valley Flank

The less-accessed western face of the Rubies above Ruby Valley receives minimal hunting pressure. BLM roads from the Ruby Valley floor provide access to the lower west-slope aspen and mountain mahogany habitat — look for elk sign at treeline where the forest meets open sagebrush park terrain.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 66

A Ruby Mountains elk tag is one of the rarest in Nevada — hunters who draw it face the welcome challenge of hunting wilderness elk in spectacular alpine terrain. All hunting in the wilderness interior is on foot or horseback.

Wilderness Spike Camp

The most productive strategy is packing into the wilderness and establishing a backcountry camp near the main cirque basins. Liberty Lake and Island Lake provide water, and the surrounding benches and subalpine meadows are the heart of elk range. Plan for a 3–5 mile approach from Road's End Trailhead in Lamoille Canyon.

Calling During the Rut

Nevada's elk archery and early rifle seasons often overlap with the September rut. Bull elk in low-pressure wilderness settings are highly responsive to bugling and cow calls. Set up near wallows, scrapes, and active rubs and work the morning thermal currents. The cirques funnel thermals predictably — air moves upslope after sunrise and drains downslope after sunset.

Post-Rut Transition Hunting

After the rut, elk descend from high cirques into the mid-elevation aspen and mountain mahogany — typically October and November in the Rubies. Glass the 8,000–9,500 ft aspen benches from canyon rims and plan long-distance stalks on visible bulls feeding in the open.

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Elk Success Rates

Use the Draw Odds chart above for current NDOW harvest data for the 062/064/066-068 elk draw group. Ruby Mountains elk tags are issued in very limited numbers; hunters who draw typically find undisturbed bulls in premium wilderness habitat, and harvest success for these tags is historically high.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Mid Season	30	730	4.1%	1
Rifle— Late Season	12	163	7.4%	1
Rifle— Early Season	70	875	8.0%	0
Rifle— Late Season	20	195	10.3%	0
Rifle— Early Season	15	259	5.8%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	2	44	4.5%	0
Rifle— Late Season	5	58	8.6%	0
Archery— Early Season	7	22	31.8%	1
Archery— Early Season	20	43	46.5%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	4	66	6.1%	1

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 66 elk tags are drawn through NDOW's Unit Group 062/064/066-068. This draw group covers the Ruby Mountains core and is one of Nevada's most competitive elk draws due to the extremely limited tag allocation and high demand. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system rewards long-term applicants — expect to accumulate many points before drawing. See the live Draw Odds chart above for current statistics.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Thomas Canyon Campground (fee, near Lamoille Canyon mouth). Dispersed camping on BLM land outside wilderness boundary. Backcountry camping in wilderness — Leave No Trace required.

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Road Conditions

Lamoille Canyon Scenic Byway is paved to Road's End (8,800 ft). West-side BLM roads from Ruby Valley are gravel/dirt. 4WD recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Ruby Mountains Wilderness is foot-access only. Elevation gain to prime cirque habitat is 2,000–3,000 ft. Alpine terrain with loose scree above 10,000 ft.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate overall — limited tags keep numbers low, but pressure concentrates at Lamoille Canyon trailhead. The wilderness interior gets far less traffic.

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Weather

Fall temperatures 20–55°F at elevation. Alpine zone above 9,000 ft can receive snow any time after mid-September. Afternoon thunderstorms common in early fall.

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Cell Service

No service in the canyon or wilderness interior. Available in Lamoille and Elko.

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Nearest Town

Lamoille (~5 mi east on NV-227) — limited services, rustic lodging. Elko (~25 mi north) — full services hub.

Note: Unit 66 is the jewel of Nevada's Ruby Mountains mule deer hunt — world-class alpine terrain with quality bucks. Plan for a genuine wilderness experience with multi-day pack camping. Horse/mule services are available in the Elko area for meat packing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Ruby Mountains Wilderness open to motorized hunting?

No. The 92,652-acre Ruby Mountains Wilderness is foot and horse access only — no motorized vehicles including ATVs. All hunting in the wilderness interior requires hiking in and packing out game on foot or horseback.

What draw group covers Unit 66 mule deer?

Unit 66 tags are drawn as part of NDOW's 061/062/064/066-068 unit group. The tag allows hunting across all units in the group during the designated season.

How many moose tags does Nevada issue per year?

Nevada issues extremely limited moose tags — typically 1–5 total for the entire state in a given year, divided across the massive multi-unit draw pool. The number varies based on NDOW population surveys. Check the NDOW draw statistics page for the most current tag numbers and applicant data.

Should I apply for Nevada moose even with very low odds?

Yes — with Nevada's weighted bonus-point system, accumulated points carry over and accumulating points costs only the application fee. Many hunters apply every year to build points, hoping the tag numbers increase or points give a slight edge. The tag is worth pursuing for its rarity alone.

How rare are Ruby Mountains elk tags in Unit 66?

Very rare. Unit 66 elk tags are drawn as part of NDOW's 062/064/066-068 group — one of Nevada's most limited elk allocations. Applicants should expect to accumulate preference points over many years before drawing. Check the Draw Odds chart for current statistics.

Is a horse outfit necessary for a Unit 66 elk hunt?

Not required, but strongly recommended for packing out meat. The Ruby Mountains Wilderness interior is foot-access only. A mature bull elk quarters at 150–200 lbs of meat from an alpine location 3–5 miles from the trailhead. Horse packing services are available in the Elko area.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

NDOW Big Game Hunting — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Unit boundaries, Species and season info · accessed 2026-04-18
NDOW Draw System — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Draw odds, Application deadlines · accessed 2026-04-18
NDOW Hunt Information Sheets — Elk — Nevada Department of Wildlife · supports: Ruby Mountains elk distribution, Draw statistics for group 062/064/066-068 · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 66 (Ruby Mountains Core)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 66

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 66

Lamoille Canyon (7,600–9,000 ft)

Wilderness Cirques (9,000–11,387 ft)

Western Slope Aspen Benches

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 66

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 66

Where to Find Moose in Unit 66

Riparian Willow Corridors

Wet Meadow Systems (7,000–9,000 ft)

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 66

Moose Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 66

Where to Find Elk in Unit 66

Lamoille Canyon and Upper Drainages (7,600–10,000 ft)

Alpine Meadows and Cirque Basins (9,000–11,000 ft)

West Slope Ruby Valley Flank

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 66

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 67 — Southern Ruby Mountains

Unit 66 — Ruby Mountains Elk (rare)

Unit 71 — Toiyabe Moose

Unit 72 — Humboldt/Toiyabe Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification