Nevada Mule Deer Elk Moose

Unit 72 (Austin / Toiyabe Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Elk, Moose

Unit 72 encompasses the central Toiyabe Range around Austin, Nevada — the heart of the "Nevada Alps" sky island system. The unit straddles Lander and Nye Counties, with US-50's famous "Loneliest Road in America" passing through Austin at the base. The Toiyabe Range Crest Trail traverses the unit, providing backcountry access to high-elevation mule deer habitat. Strong deer populations in isolated mountain mahogany and aspen habitat make this one of central Nevada's most productive mule deer units.

View Draw Odds Nevada Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 72

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 72

Unit 72 encompasses the central Toiyabe Range — the tallest sky island in the Great Basin. Mule deer are distributed from the valley-edge sagebrush all the way to the 11,773 ft crest.

Canyon Mouth Concentrations (Early Season)

The canyon mouths where BLM and forest roads meet the mountain base hold deer early in the season, before hunting pressure pushes them higher. Lookout Pass, Ophir Canyon, and Toiyabe Canyon are key early-season access points from Austin.

High Basins and Crest Zone (9,000–11,773 ft)

Arc Dome, Nevada's second-highest peak, anchors the southern portion of Unit 72. The high basins below the crest hold the largest, most undisturbed bucks. This terrain requires multi-day access via the Toiyabe Crest Trail.

Reese River East Slope

The east-facing slopes above the Reese River Valley transition from PJ to mountain brush to aspen — classic mule deer stacking habitat for the fall season.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 72

Unit 72 is the flagship Toiyabe Range hunt — the terrain around Austin offers multiple canyon access points and the Crest Trail connects them all.

Multi-Day Crest Trail Hunt

The Toiyabe Range Crest Trail runs the length of the range. A 3–5 day backpack from the Peavine Canyon or Ophir Canyon trailheads above Austin puts you in the best, least-pressured deer country at 9,000–11,000 ft. Pack frame for meat hauling — mature bucks in this country are large-bodied.

Canyon System Hunting

For hunters not up for multi-day backcountry, the canyon mouths off US-50 near Austin allow day-hunting into aspen and mountain mahogany at 7,000–9,000 ft. Start before light, glass from the first canyon rim, and plan your approach before the thermals shift midday.

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Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Mid Season	763	2,144	35.6%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	63	1,443	4.4%	1
Rifle— Mid Season	50	1,077	4.6%	0
Rifle— Limited Entry	260	451	57.6%	0
Rifle— Limited Entry	360	623	57.8%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	230	340	67.6%	0
Archery— Early Season	330	363	90.9%	1
Archery— Late Season	25	105	23.8%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	142	205	69.3%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	160	30	100.0%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 72 is part of NDOW's 071-079, 091 mule deer unit group. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system applies. See the live Draw Odds chart for current odds and applicant data.

Elk Hunting in Unit 72

Nevada Unit 72 covers elk habitat in the Humboldt Range and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest lands of northern Elko County, northwest of the Ruby Mountains complex. The unit is part of NDOW's 072-074 elk draw group and supports a relatively accessible elk herd compared to the high-wilderness Ruby Mountains units. Aspen-dominated drainages, mountain meadow systems, and mixed conifer stands in the Humboldt Range provide elk forage and cover across a landscape that sees lower hunting pressure than the more famous eastern Nevada elk units.

Where to Find Elk in Unit 72

Unit 72 elk occupy the Humboldt Range's mountain terrain — aspen-conifer drainages, mountain meadows, and the BLM-administered high desert fringes of northern Elko County. The habitat is classic Great Basin mountain range country with elk concentrated in the higher-elevation wet meadows and aspen zones.

Mountain Meadow Systems (7,000–9,500 ft)

The wet meadow parks and aspen-conifer forests of the Humboldt Range high country hold the core elk population in Unit 72. These mountain meadows are productive feeding areas at dawn and dusk — glass from elevated canyon rims or ridgelines to survey the open parks before committing to an approach.

Aspen Drainages

Aspen stands concentrated in north-facing drainages and canyon bottoms are prime elk habitat in fall. Brows pressure on aspen in October and November indicates active elk use — look for stripped bark, antler rubs, and tracks in the soft soil of aspen groves. Bulls bed in the dense aspen and feed in adjacent meadows.

Water Sources and Riparian Zones

In the drier Humboldt Range terrain, reliable water sources concentrate elk activity. Map the permanent streams, springs, and developed water sources before the season — elk in arid Great Basin ranges visit water on predictable daily schedules, especially during warm early-season hunts.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 72

Unit 72 elk hunting in the Humboldt Range rewards methodical glassing and a willingness to cover ground on foot in a landscape with more vehicle-accessible terrain than the Ruby Mountains wilderness.

Road-System Glassing

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest road system in Unit 72 allows hunters to cover significant ground by vehicle before committing to foot pursuits. Drive slowly at dawn and dusk along forest roads overlapping mountain meadows and aspen edges — elk are often visible from roads during low-light periods. Once located, plan your ground approach with wind in mind.

Rut Tactics (Early Season)

Nevada's archery and early rifle elk seasons overlap the September rut in Unit 72. Bull elk in the Humboldt Range are vocal during the rut and respond to both aggressive bugling and soft cow calls. Set up near active wallows and freshly worked rubs for the highest success rate. Morning and evening calling sessions from downwind positions are most productive.

Backcountry Spike Camps

The interior drainages of Unit 72 away from accessible roads hold elk that receive minimal pressure. A 2–4 mile pack-in to a backcountry camp on a proven drainage can produce exceptional hunting compared to road-accessible areas that multiple hunting parties work simultaneously.

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Elk Success Rates

See the Draw Odds chart above for current NDOW harvest data for the 072-074 elk draw group. Unit 72 is part of a less-publicized northern Nevada elk unit group that can provide quality hunting with better draw odds than the higher-profile Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt units.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Mid Season	30	789	3.8%	1
Rifle— Late Season	30	272	11.0%	1
Rifle— Early Season	140	724	19.3%	0
Rifle— Early Season	20	202	9.9%	0
Rifle— Late Season	20	90	22.2%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	90	752	12.0%	0
Rifle— Mid Season	10	208	4.8%	0
Rifle— Late Season	20	88	22.7%	0
Rifle— Early Season	40	640	6.3%	0
Rifle— Early Season	20	217	9.2%	0
Archery— Early Season	110	143	76.9%	1
Archery— Early Season	25	81	30.9%	0
Archery— Early Season	25	104	24.0%	1
Archery— Early Season	9	27	33.3%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	55	220	25.0%	1
Muzzleloader— Early Season	10	129	7.8%	0
Muzzleloader— Early Season	7	167	4.2%	1
Muzzleloader— Early Season	8	95	8.4%	0
Muzzleloader— Mid Season	6	111	5.4%	1
Muzzleloader— Early Season	25	64	39.1%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Unit 72 elk tags draw from NDOW's Unit Group 072-074. This group covers Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest elk range in northern Elko County. Draw odds may be more favorable than the most competitive Nevada elk groups — check the live Draw Odds chart for current bonus-point requirements and success rates. Nevada's weighted bonus-point system rewards consistent annual applicants.

Moose Hunting in Unit 72

Nevada Unit 72 falls within the expansive NDOW northeastern Nevada moose draw group, which spans the Ruby Mountains, East Humboldt, Humboldt-Toiyabe, and adjacent mountain ranges. The Humboldt Range's riparian corridors — willow-lined stream bottoms, beaver pond complexes, and wet meadow systems in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest — provide suitable moose habitat in this portion of the draw group. Nevada's moose population is expanding; Unit 72 represents western fringe moose range within the large group.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 72

Moose in Unit 72 are concentrated in the riparian habitats of the Humboldt Range — the stream-fed canyon bottoms of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are the primary search area. Nevada moose are still establishing range in some western units of this large draw group, so scouting is especially important in Unit 72.

Willow-Lined Stream Corridors

Dense riparian willows along permanent streams in the Humboldt Range drainages are the most reliable moose habitat in Unit 72. Focus on the canyon bottoms with year-round water and established willow margins. Moose may be partially hidden in dense willow stands — systematic slow glassing of all visible water and adjacent cover is required.

Mountain Meadow Wetlands

The higher-elevation mountain meadow systems in Unit 72 with seasonal wetlands and beaver activity are productive moose habitat. Open marshy meadow complexes are easier to glass than dense willow thickets — incorporate them into your morning survey from elevated positions overlooking the meadow.

USFS Road-Adjacent Cover

Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest roads frequently cross or run alongside riparian corridors — driving slowly at dawn and dusk and glassing these road-adjacent water features is an efficient way to locate moose before conducting a foot stalk.

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 72

Hunting moose in Unit 72's Humboldt Range requires the same riparian-focused approach used across the northeastern Nevada moose draw group — but with relatively easier terrain and more road access than the wilderness core units.

Spot-and-Stalk from Forest Roads

The Humboldt-Toiyabe NF road system through Unit 72 allows hunters to cover the riparian corridors efficiently by vehicle at dawn and dusk. Once a moose is spotted, plan a careful stalk using the terrain and vegetation for cover. Shots in riparian terrain are often at close to moderate range (20–100 yards) — be prepared for a quick approach.

Rut Calling (September–October)

Bull moose during the September–October rut respond aggressively to cow calls and antler raking. Set up near active willow corridors and use a megaphone-style moose call. The response can be rapid and close-range — have your shot plan ready before calling. Moose hearing is excellent; stay quiet on your approach to the calling position.

Pack-Out Logistics Planning

A mature bull moose represents 400–600 lbs of boned meat. Plan your pack-out before taking a shot — know how far you are from vehicle access and whether you have adequate help or horse packing resources for a riparian-terrain recovery.

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Moose Success Rates

Nevada moose harvest success for drawn tags is historically high across the large northeastern group — moose are the least pressured big game species in Nevada and are relatively approachable once located. The primary challenge is locating animals in potentially dense riparian vegetation. See the Draw Odds chart for current NDOW statistics for this group.

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 72 moose tags draw from NDOW's large group 061, 062, 064, 066-068, 071-077, 081, 101-103. This is the same group covering all of northeastern Nevada's primary moose range. Tag numbers are extremely limited. Apply annually and accumulate preference points under Nevada's weighted system — a drawn tag may be a decade or more in the making. See the live Draw Odds chart above for current statistics.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed USFS/BLM camping. Peavine Canyon and Toiyabe Canyon have primitive sites near the road-end. No hookups.

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Road Conditions

US-50 paved through Austin. Canyon access roads (Ophir, Toiyabe, Peavine) are gravel/dirt with steep grades. High clearance required. Some roads require 4WD in wet conditions.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. The Toiyabe rises 5,000–6,000 ft from the valley floor to the crest. Long canyon approaches on foot. Altitude at the crest above 11,000 ft.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate near Austin canyon mouths — light in the interior crest country. The 120-mile length of the range disperses hunters effectively.

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Weather

October temperatures 25–65°F. The Toiyabe crest is exposed to extreme winds and rapid storms. Snow common above 8,000 ft by mid-October.

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Cell Service

No service in the mountains. Spotty in Austin. Satellite device recommended.

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Nearest Town

Austin (US-50) — fuel, limited motels, minimal grocery. The 'Loneliest Road' services are thin — resupply in Fallon (~100 mi west) or Ely (~100 mi east) before the hunt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arc Dome accessible from Unit 72?

Arc Dome (11,773 ft) sits near the boundary of Units 72 and 73. The Arc Dome Wilderness is accessible from the Toiyabe Range Crest Trail via several canyon approaches near Austin. Check your unit boundary carefully — the wilderness spans the area around Arc Dome across both units.

What draw group covers Unit 72 elk?

Unit 72 elk tags are drawn through NDOW's 072-074 unit group, which covers Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest elk range in northern Elko County. A drawn tag is valid across all units in the group.

How does Unit 72 compare to Ruby Mountains elk units?

Unit 72's Humboldt Range terrain is generally less steep and more road-accessible than the Ruby Mountains Wilderness, which makes logistics easier. Draw odds may also be more favorable. The Ruby Mountains units (066-068 group) are more famous and likely carry longer point requirements.

How likely is it to find moose in Unit 72 specifically?

Unit 72 is in the western portion of the large northeastern Nevada moose draw group. Nevada's moose population is expanding but still concentrated in the northeastern corner of the state — Units closer to the Ruby Mountains and East Humboldt tend to have more reliable moose sightings. Thorough pre-season scouting is especially important for the western units in this group.

Is there a specific subspecies of moose in Nevada?

Nevada moose are Shiras moose (Alces alces shirasi), the smallest of the North American moose subspecies. Bulls average 800–1,000 lbs on the hoof — smaller than Canadian or Alaska-Yukon moose but still the largest deer-family animal in Nevada.

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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: Unit 72/073/074 elk distribution, Draw statistics for group 072-074 · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit 72 (Austin / Toiyabe Range)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 72

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 72

Canyon Mouth Concentrations (Early Season)

High Basins and Crest Zone (9,000–11,773 ft)

Reese River East Slope

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 72

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit 72

Where to Find Elk in Unit 72

Mountain Meadow Systems (7,000–9,500 ft)

Aspen Drainages

Water Sources and Riparian Zones

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 72

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 72

Where to Find Moose in Unit 72

Willow-Lined Stream Corridors

Mountain Meadow Wetlands

USFS Road-Adjacent Cover

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 72

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 71 — Toiyabe North

Unit 73 — Toiyabe / Arc Dome

Unit 72 — Humboldt Range Moose

Unit 66 — Ruby Mountains Elk

Unit 131 — Elko County South Elk/Deer

Unit 67 — Ruby Mountains Moose

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification