Nevada Mule Deer Elk Moose

Unit 68 (Ruby Valley / East Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Elk, Moose

Unit 68 covers the Ruby Valley and surrounding mountain ranges in southeastern Elko County. The unit encompasses both private agricultural land in the valley bottom and extensive BLM public land in the surrounding foothills and ranges. Mule deer use the Ruby Valley as transitional and winter range, concentrating in the pinyon-juniper and mountain brush on surrounding slopes during the fall hunting season.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 68

Unit 68 is centered on Ruby Valley — a broad agricultural valley at ~5,600 ft surrounded by BLM foothills and the Ruby Mountains to the west. Deer concentrations shift across the unit through the season.

Valley-Edge Brush (5,500–6,500 ft)

The sagebrush and mountain brush on the valley margins hold good deer numbers, particularly where agricultural fields meet public-land foothills. Morning and evening deer movement between valley bottom and hillside bedding areas can be predictable.

East-Facing Foothills (6,500–8,000 ft)

BLM land on the eastern slopes of the Ruby Valley has extensive PJ and mountain mahogany. These less-pressured areas hold mature bucks through the season — access via BLM two-track roads off NV-229.

Ruby Lake NWR Vicinity

The Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a key area in this unit — check current hunting regulations for NWR-specific rules and seasons. Wetland and riparian habitat around the refuge edges attract deer year-round.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 68

Unit 68 allows a more vehicle-accessible approach than the wilderness units to the north, with BLM two-track roads penetrating much of the hunting terrain.

Road-Hunt the BLM Foothills

Drive BLM roads at dawn and dusk to locate deer on valley-edge sagebrush flats and hillsides, then glass systematically before committing to a stalk. The open terrain makes long-range shooting opportunities common — 200–350 yards is typical.

Work the Ruby Lake NWR Boundary

Areas adjacent to the NWR often concentrate deer due to reduced hunting pressure on refuge lands. Hunt the public-land perimeter with wind in your favor toward the refuge edge.

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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.

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Unit 68 tags are drawn as part of NDOW's Unit Group 061/062/064/066-068. See the live Draw Odds chart above for current applicant and tag data. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system applies.

Elk Hunting in Unit 68

Nevada Unit 68 covers the southern Ruby Mountains and adjacent terrain in Elko County — part of NDOW's premier Ruby Mountains elk draw group (062/064/066-068). The southern Rubies offer rugged canyon country, aspen and conifer forest, and extensive mountain meadow habitat that holds quality bull elk. This is one of Nevada's most coveted elk tags, with draw difficulty reflecting the exceptional trophy quality the Ruby Mountains produce.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 68

Unit 68 elk habitat centers on the southern Ruby Mountains in Elko County — a complex of canyons, aspen-conifer forests, and subalpine meadows that extends south from the wilderness core.

Southern Ruby Canyon Systems (7,000–9,500 ft)

The deep canyon drainages of the southern Rubies hold elk through the early season. Aspen groves on north-facing slopes and the conifer stands along canyon rims are primary bedding cover. Glass canyon heads and open meadow parks at dawn and dusk from elevated ridge positions.

Mountain Mahogany Benches

Mid-elevation mountain mahogany zones (7,500–9,000 ft) on the eastern Ruby slopes provide critical early-season forage. Bulls use these dense browse areas in the pre-rut as they build mass before the September rut.

Alpine Meadows & Springs

Subalpine meadows and spring seeps at 9,000–10,500 ft concentrate elk during warm weather. Locating active wallows in aspen groves near springs before the opener is the highest-value scouting activity in Unit 68.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 68

Unit 68's southern Ruby Mountains terrain rewards hunters who combine aggressive rut calling with quality optics work and willingness to access steep canyon country on foot.

Rut Calling in the Canyon Systems

Nevada's early elk seasons intersect with the September rut. Set up near active wallows and freshly worked rubs in the aspen zones and use cow calls with aggressive bull bugles. The southern Rubies' canyon acoustics amplify bugling — bulls respond from impressive distances in this terrain.

Canyon Rim Glassing

Walk canyon rims at first light with quality glass (10x+ binoculars and a 60-80mm spotting scope) to locate bull activity below before committing to a descent. The canyon country allows for observation without spooking animals — identify your target before moving in.

Spike Camp Strategy

The highest-quality elk in Unit 68 are 3–6 miles from the nearest road access point. A spike camp at 8,500 ft puts you on undisturbed bulls with minimal competition — the key advantage of the remote southern Ruby drainages.

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Elk Success Rates

See the Draw Odds chart for current NDOW harvest data on the 062/064/066-068 Ruby Mountains elk group. The Ruby Mountains is Nevada's flagship elk territory — hunters who draw this tag have excellent prospects for mature bulls.

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 68 elk tags draw as part of NDOW's Unit Group 062/064/066-068 — the Ruby Mountains group. This is among Nevada's most competitive elk draws due to the exceptional bull quality produced by the Rubies. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system rewards long-term applicants. See the live Draw Odds chart for current statistics and point requirements.

Moose Hunting in Unit 68

Nevada Unit 68 is part of NDOW's statewide moose draw group covering northeastern Nevada mountain ranges. Moose in this area use the riparian willow corridors, beaver pond complexes, and marshy meadows in the Ruby Mountains and adjacent drainages. Nevada moose tags are among the rarest in the West — drawn hunters typically pursue the hunt of a lifetime in the Rubies' scenic canyon and mountain terrain.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 68

Moose in Unit 68 use riparian habitats in the Ruby Mountains and adjacent drainages — willow-choked stream corridors, marshy flats, and beaver pond systems are the key habitat features.

Riparian Willow Corridors

Dense willow stands along the creeks draining the southern Rubies are primary moose habitat. Check the major drainage bottoms at first light — moose often stand in or near water and may be partially hidden by thick willow growth.

Beaver Pond Systems

Where beaver activity has created pond complexes and marshy flats in the lower Ruby drainages, moose concentrate for forage and thermoregulation. Glass these open wetland areas from elevated positions before entering dense riparian vegetation.

Conifer-Edge Bedding Cover

Moose use the conifer stands adjacent to riparian corridors for midday bedding. The edge zone between willow-alder thickets and spruce-fir stands is productive to still-hunt slowly at midday when animals have retreated from open water areas.

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How to Hunt Moose in Unit 68

Nevada moose hunting in Unit 68 demands riparian-specific tactics — calling during the rut, still-hunting dense willow corridors, and glassing from elevated positions overlooking marshy terrain.

Rut Calling (September-October)

Bull moose in the Rubies become aggressive and responsive to cow calls and antler-raking during the rut. Use a megaphone-style call near dense riparian cover and be ready for close-range encounters — rutting bulls may close 200 yards in seconds. Expect the shot to be inside 100 yards in this terrain.

Still-Hunting Willow Corridors

Move slowly into the wind through willow corridors at first light, pausing every 50 yards to listen and glass openings. Moose have excellent noses — wind discipline is critical. The dense vegetation makes this style of hunting physically demanding but highly effective when conditions are right.

Elevated Glassing

Position on ridge spurs or hillsides overlooking lower drainage beaver ponds and marsh complexes before first light. Moose are easiest to locate from height in open wetland terrain before they move into dense willow thickets for the day.

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Moose Success Rates

Nevada moose tags are extremely rare — typically 0–5 statewide per year across the entire northeastern Nevada draw group. Drawn hunters in Unit 68 enjoy a nearly pristine moose hunting experience with very high success rates. The primary challenge is accessing the riparian habitats, not finding animals once you're in the right terrain.

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

Unit 68 moose tags draw as part of NDOW's large northeastern Nevada moose group: 061, 062, 064, 066-068, 071-077, 081, 101-103. Nevada moose are an expanding population but total statewide tag numbers remain very small. Expect to apply many years before drawing — the ProHunt Draw Odds chart shows current statistics and bonus-point trends.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM camping on valley margins. Ruby Lake NWR campground (check current regulations for hunting access).

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Road Conditions

NV-229 through Ruby Valley is paved. BLM roads off NV-229 are gravel/dirt — high clearance recommended. Ruby Lake NWR has paved access roads.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Valley floor at 5,600 ft with hillside hunting to 8,000 ft. Much more accessible than wilderness units to the north.

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Hunting Pressure

Light. The valley-edge terrain sees less hunter traffic than the mountain wilderness units.

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Weather

Fall temperatures 30–65°F. Valley floor can see early snow by November. Less extreme than high-elevation Ruby units.

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Cell Service

Very limited in the valley. Available in Wells and Elko.

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Nearest Town

Elko (~50 mi northwest) — full services. Wells (~40 mi north) — fuel, lodging. Ely (~80 mi south via US-93) — full services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge?

Ruby Lake NWR allows hunting for certain species and seasons — however, regulations vary and change annually. Always check current NWR hunting regulations at fws.gov and the Nevada hunting regulations for any NWR-specific season dates and restrictions that differ from the general unit season.

What draw group covers Unit 68 elk?

Unit 68 elk tags draw from NDOW's 062/064/066-068 Ruby Mountains group — Nevada's premier elk draw complex. A drawn tag is valid across all units in the group.

How difficult is the Unit 68 elk draw?

The Ruby Mountains elk group is one of Nevada's hardest elk draws due to high applicant demand and limited tags. Expect to accumulate significant bonus points before drawing. The ProHunt Draw Odds chart shows current point requirements and historical odds.

How many moose tags are issued for Unit 68?

Nevada moose tag numbers are extremely limited — often 0–1 tags for individual units in the statewide northeastern NV draw group in any given year. NDOW publishes annual tag quotas; check the current regulations and ProHunt Draw Odds chart for the latest numbers.

What is the best habitat to find moose in Unit 68?

Focus on riparian willow corridors along the major Ruby Mountains creek drainages, beaver pond complexes at the canyon bottoms, and marshy flats where water spreads into open meadow terrain. These riparian habitats are where Nevada's expanding moose population concentrates.

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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

Unit 68 (Ruby Valley / East Range)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 68

Valley-Edge Brush (5,500–6,500 ft)

East-Facing Foothills (6,500–8,000 ft)

Ruby Lake NWR Vicinity

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 68

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Elk in Unit 68

Southern Ruby Canyon Systems (7,000–9,500 ft)

Mountain Mahogany Benches

Alpine Meadows & Springs

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 68

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 68

Where to Find Moose in Unit 68

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 68

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 67 — Southern Ruby Mountains

Unit 73 — Independence Mountains Elk

Unit 68 — Ruby Mountains Moose

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification