Nevada Mule Deer Moose

Unit 76 (Gabbs Valley Range)

Nevada Hunting Guide — Mule Deer, Moose

Unit 76 covers the Gabbs Valley Range and surrounding terrain in western Nye County. The unit encompasses a series of smaller Nevada ranges — Gabbs Valley Range, Fitting Range, and adjacent BLM terrain — in the transition zone between central and western Nevada. Mule deer populations are present throughout the unit's pinyon-juniper and sagebrush habitat. Public land access is excellent with BLM roads providing vehicle access to most of the huntable terrain.

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Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 76

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 76

Unit 76 is lower-elevation country compared to the northern Toiyabe units, with deer concentrated in the PJ foothills and sagebrush benches of the Gabbs Valley Range system.

Gabbs Valley Range PJ Foothills

The pinyon-juniper foothills of the Gabbs Valley Range concentrate deer in the 5,500–7,500 ft zone. Focus on north-facing slopes with denser PJ cover adjacent to open sagebrush benches — classic mule deer bedding and feeding habitat.

Valley Edge Sagebrush

Gabbs Valley's margins provide sagebrush transition habitat that deer use for movement between ranges. Glass from elevated points at dawn and dusk for deer in open terrain.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 76

Unit 76 is accessible BLM country — drive BLM roads at dawn, glass PJ hillsides, and stalk spotted deer on relatively gentle terrain compared to the high wilderness units.

BLM Road Network

A grid of BLM roads accesses most of the Gabbs Valley Range hunting terrain. Glass the PJ hillsides from the road at first light, then park and hike toward identified bucks. Shots in this terrain typically run 150–300 yards on open hillsides.

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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.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Unit 76 is part of NDOW's 071-079, 091 mule deer unit group. See the live Draw Odds chart for current statistics.

Moose Hunting in Unit 76

Nevada Unit 76 covers eastern Elko County terrain including portions of the Ruby Valley area — part of NDOW's northeastern Nevada moose draw group. This unit sits at the interface of the Ruby Mountains and the Humboldt basin country, with moose using riparian willow corridors and marshy terrain in the mountain drainages draining eastward from the Rubies into Ruby Valley.

Where to Find Moose in Unit 76

Unit 76 moose use the eastern Ruby Mountains drainages, Ruby Valley riparian margins, and associated wetland complexes in eastern Elko County.

Eastern Ruby Mountains Drainages

The creek systems draining the east face of the Ruby Mountains into Ruby Valley support willow and riparian vegetation that moose favor. Focus on drainages with permanent water and dense willow margins at canyon mouths and mid-elevation valleys.

Ruby Valley Wetlands

The Ruby Valley floor and associated marsh areas provide open wetland habitat that attracts moose at first and last light. Glass these open areas from elevated terrain on the valley margins before entering dense vegetation.

Mountain Drainage Beaver Ponds

Where beaver activity has created pond complexes in the eastern Ruby drainages, moose concentrate for forage and thermoregulation. Look for active beaver sign and systematically glass pond edges from high ground.

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How to Hunt Moose in Unit 76

Moose hunting in Unit 76 combines valley-bottom glassing of Ruby Valley wetland terrain with riparian still-hunting in the eastern Ruby Mountains drainage canyons.

Valley Glassing & Stalk

Glass Ruby Valley wetland margins from elevated points on the valley rim at first light. Moose are visible at 500–800 yards in open wetland terrain before they move into dense riparian cover. Plan ground-level stalks using irrigation ditches, willow rows, and valley contours for cover.

Drainage Canyon Calling

During the September rut, set up in the eastern Ruby drainage canyons and use cow calls and antler raking. Rutting bulls in these less-hunted drainages respond well to calling — position with wind from the drainage bottom and be prepared for close-range shots in dense willow.

Beaver Pond Ambush

Active beaver ponds in the eastern Ruby drainages are reliable moose attractants. Locate ponds with fresh moose tracks and droppings before season, then set a natural cover ambush for morning and evening visits.

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Moose Success Rates

Drawn moose hunters in Unit 76 benefit from the Ruby Valley's extensive wetland system and the eastern Ruby drainages — quality moose habitat with very limited hunting pressure. Nevada moose success rates across the statewide draw group are among the highest in the West for drawn hunters.

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 76 moose tags draw as part of NDOW's northeastern Nevada moose group: 061, 062, 064, 066-068, 071-077, 081, 101-103. Total statewide tag allocation is extremely limited. Apply annually and accumulate bonus points — check the ProHunt Draw Odds chart for current statistics and historical trends.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM camping throughout the unit.

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Road Conditions

NV-361 paved through Gabbs Valley. BLM side roads are gravel/dirt — high clearance recommended.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Lower elevation than northern units. PJ foothills terrain — easier access than wilderness units.

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Hunting Pressure

Very light. Gabbs Valley Range is among Nevada's least-hunted units.

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Weather

Fall temperatures 35–70°F. More arid and lower-elevation than northern Toiyabe — warmer conditions.

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Cell Service

No service. Available in Tonopah.

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Nearest Town

Tonopah (~40 mi southeast on US-95) — fuel, grocery, lodging. Gabbs (~20 mi north on NV-361) — minimal services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gabbs Valley Range lower elevation than the Toiyabe units?

Yes — the Gabbs Valley Range tops out around 7,500–8,000 ft, significantly lower than Arc Dome (11,773 ft) in the northern Toiyabe units. This makes Unit 76 more accessible and moderate terrain for hunters who prefer a less committing hunt.

What is the Ruby Valley and why is it relevant for moose hunting in Unit 76?

Ruby Valley is a long, low basin on the eastern side of the Ruby Mountains in Elko County. The valley floor has wetlands, irrigation systems, and marshy terrain associated with the Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge to the south — riparian habitat that supports Nevada's expanding moose population along the eastern Ruby drainage system.

What town should I base out of for Unit 76 moose?

Wells on US-93 (I-80) is the closest town with services for the northern portions of Unit 76. Elko is the nearest full-service hub with meat processing, hunting supplies, and lodging — plan to stock up in Elko before heading to the remote Ruby Valley access roads.

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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 76 (Gabbs Valley Range)

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 76

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 76

Gabbs Valley Range PJ Foothills

Valley Edge Sagebrush

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 76

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Moose Hunting in Unit 76

Where to Find Moose in Unit 76

How to Hunt Moose in Unit 76

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 75 — Monitor/Toquima Overlap

Unit 77 — Shoshone/Crescent Peak

Unit 68 — Ruby Mountains Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification