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NVPronghornUnit 013July 2026

Nevada Unit 013 Pronghorn Antelope Hunting Guide

Nevada Unit 013 offers hunters a compelling pronghorn antelope opportunity on fully public land in the high desert terrain characteristic of northern Nevada. Sitting between 4,471 and 7,909 feet in elevation across nearly 392,000 acres, this unit gives hunters a wide range of terrain to work — from lower basin flats where pronghorn thrive on open sagebrush to mid-elevation benches and ridgelines. With 100% public land and zero wilderness, every acre of Unit 013 is accessible to DIY hunters without special permits, outfitter requirements, or complex land access negotiations.

What makes Unit 013 particularly interesting is its demonstrated harvest performance over recent seasons. The unit has consistently produced harvest success rates in the upper tier for Nevada pronghorn, with multiple years clearing the 50% mark. That kind of production across a large, fully public unit signals a healthy resident antelope population and huntable animal density — two factors that matter most when evaluating whether a draw permit is worth burning points on.

The counties overlapping Unit 013 also carry a meaningful pronghorn trophy history, giving hunters reason to believe genuine quality animals inhabit this country. This article breaks down everything researchers need to evaluate Unit 013 before the 2026 application deadline.

Harvest Success Rates

Unit 013's harvest data over the past four seasons tells a consistent story: this is a productive unit.

  • 2022: 105 hunters afield, 48 harvested — 46% success
  • 2023: 143 hunters afield, 70 harvested — 49% success
  • 2024: 151 hunters afield, 82 harvested — 54% success
  • 2025: 118 hunters afield, 62 harvested — 53% success

The four-year average hovers around 50% — a strong benchmark for a Nevada pronghorn unit. Success rates climbed from 46% in 2022 to 54% in 2024, held near that level in 2025, and the hunter count dropped from 151 to 118 between those two years. That reduction in hunter pressure while maintaining a 53% success rate is a positive sign for antelope density and distribution. When fewer hunters are working a unit and success stays high, it typically means the resource is stable or improving.

The 2023 and 2024 hunter counts — 143 and 151, respectively — were the highest in this data window, yet success rates still tracked upward. That's an encouraging correlation. Units where success collapses as hunter numbers increase signal overcrowded hunting pressure; Unit 013 showed the opposite.

Trophy Quality

The counties overlapping Unit 013 carry an extensive history of trophy-class pronghorn production. Based on available trophy records, this area demonstrates strong trophy potential — meaning the region has produced record-caliber animals consistently over time, not just in isolated peak years.

Importantly, trophy records are logged at the county level, not the hunt unit level. The counties overlapping Unit 013 share boundaries with neighboring units, so the same trophy history is distributed across multiple units within those counties. Hunters should treat the trophy record data as a regional indicator of potential rather than a unit-exclusive guarantee. That said, extensive county-level trophy production combined with Unit 013's high harvest success rates indicates that quality pronghorn are present and that hunters who locate mature bucks have legitimate opportunities at trophy-class animals.

For context, pronghorn are the fastest land animals in North America, and Nevada's high desert basins produce bucks with long, well-curved horns when herds are healthy and hunting pressure is managed. Unit 013's data profile supports the expectation that hunters willing to put in glassing time can locate quality animals.

Herd Health & Population Trends

The tag quota trend data for Unit 013 provides a useful — if somewhat mixed — picture of herd management direction.

The ALW-Antelope Horns Longer Than Ears hunt type saw a significant quota reduction: 122 tags in 2024 dropped to 75 tags in 2025, a cut of 39%. That's a substantial management adjustment. Quota cuts of this magnitude typically reflect one of a few scenarios: post-drought herd reduction, population survey results indicating lower numbers than desired, or a deliberate management shift toward lower harvest pressure to allow herd growth. Hunters should not interpret this as an alarm, but it does indicate the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) made a conservative call on harvest pressure for this hunt type entering 2025.

The AR-Antelope Horns Longer Than Ears hunt type saw a modest reduction from 27 to 25 tags — a minor 7% trim that suggests stable management without significant concern.

The M-Antelope Horns Longer Than Ears hunt type moved in the opposite direction: up from 10 to 15 tags in 2025, a 50% increase. This increase indicates confidence in the herd segment targeted by this hunt.

Taken together, the quota movements suggest NDOW is actively managing the unit's antelope herd — tightening pressure in the highest-volume hunt type while cautiously expanding another. Hunters should monitor whether the ALW quota recovers in future years, as that will be the clearest signal of herd trajectory.

Access & Terrain

Unit 013's most hunter-friendly attribute is straightforward: 100% public land, 0% wilderness. Every acre within the unit boundary is accessible to any hunter holding a valid tag. There are no private land negotiations, no trespass fees, and no wilderness-mandated guide requirements. This is a fully DIY-accessible unit by any metric.

The elevation range — 4,471 to 7,909 feet — spans roughly 3,400 feet of vertical, which means Unit 013 is not flat desert from end to end. Pronghorn in Nevada are predominantly basin and rim animals. The lower-elevation sagebrush flats and open basins are where hunters will spend most of their glassing time. The mid-elevation benches and broken terrain at upper elevations can hold animals pushed by hunting pressure or seeking forage, and hunters who cover more country tend to encounter more bucks.

With no wilderness designation, road-accessible terrain is the rule here rather than the exception. Hunters can glass from vehicles, glass from ridge tops, and access much of the unit without committing to multi-day pack-in camps — though scouting the backcountry portions of the unit will always reveal less-pressured animals. Pronghorn are open-country animals that use their eyesight as their primary defense, which rewards systematic glassing from high points over random hiking.

The fully public land base also means hunters can focus scouting energy on identifying where pronghorn actually are, rather than worrying about property lines or access permission. For hunters new to Nevada pronghorn, this is as accessible a starting point as the state offers.

HuntPilot Analysis

Is Unit 013 worth applying for?

For most hunters, the answer is yes — with one important caveat.

The case for Unit 013 is built on consistent data: four straight years of 46–54% harvest success on fully public, wilderness-free land is a genuinely strong result in a state where pronghorn hunts are competitive. The county-level trophy record history is extensive, and the unit's terrain profile supports quality animals. The 100% public land base and zero wilderness make this one of the most DIY-accessible pronghorn units in Nevada.

The caveat is the 39% quota cut on the highest-volume hunt type between 2024 and 2025. That cut matters because Nevada's bonus point system is squared — meaning applicants with more points receive exponentially more draw entries. A quota reduction on a popular hunt type pushes the draw harder against lower-point hunters. Hunters with fewer accumulated bonus points may find the draw increasingly competitive as the quota has tightened. Hunters with a meaningful point stack are better positioned to absorb that change.

The other Nevada-specific reality: no hunter is guaranteed a draw in this system. Even hunters with significant bonus points face competitive odds in a squared-point structure where popular units see heavy application pressure. Hunters should visit the HuntPilot unit page at huntpilot.ai/states/nv for current draw odds by point level before committing their points to Unit 013.

That said, the combination of strong harvest rates, full public access, trophy potential, and manageable terrain puts Unit 013 in the upper tier of Nevada pronghorn units worth serious consideration.

How to Apply

Unit 013 pronghorn antelope tags are draw-only for both residents and nonresidents. Nevada uses a bonus point system where successful draws consume accumulated points, requiring hunters to rebuild from near zero after drawing a tag.

2026 Application Dates (both residents and nonresidents):

  • Applications open: March 23, 2026
  • Application deadline: May 13, 2026
  • Draw results: May 29, 2026

2026 Cost Breakdown — Nonresidents:

  • License fee: $156.00 (required to apply — must be purchased before submitting application)
  • Application fee: $10
  • Tag fee: $300
  • Point fee (if not drawing): $10

2026 Cost Breakdown — Residents:

  • License fee: $33.00 (required to apply — must be purchased before submitting application)
  • Application fee: $10
  • Tag fee: $60
  • Point fee (if not drawing): $10

Nonresidents should note that the total cost to hunt — license plus tag — runs $456 before accounting for any travel, gear, or licensing upgrades. That's a significant but reasonable investment for a quality Nevada pronghorn hunt on fully public land.

Applications are submitted through the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) online licensing system. Hunters must hold a valid Nevada hunting license before the application can be submitted — this is not optional and cannot be done retroactively.

Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the state wildlife agency website before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Nevada Unit 013?

Unit 013 spans 4,471 to 7,909 feet in elevation across approximately 392,000 acres of fully public land. The lower elevations consist of classic high desert sagebrush flats and open basins — prime pronghorn country. Mid-elevation terrain features broken benches and ridgelines. There is no wilderness within the unit, which means the entire unit is accessible without a guide. Road networks provide reasonable access throughout, though hunters who push into less-accessible areas will encounter less pressure and potentially better bucks.

What is the harvest success rate in Nevada Unit 013 pronghorn hunting?

Unit 013 has produced consistent results over four recent seasons: 46% success in 2022 (105 hunters), 49% in 2023 (143 hunters), 54% in 2024 (151 hunters), and 53% in 2025 (118 hunters). The four-year average sits near 50%, which is a strong benchmark for a Nevada limited-entry pronghorn unit. Success held above 50% in both 2024 and 2025 despite varying hunter numbers.

How big are the pronghorn in Nevada Unit 013?

The counties overlapping Unit 013 carry an extensive history of trophy-class pronghorn production. While specific scores and counts are not published here, the regional trophy record strongly supports the conclusion that quality bucks are present. Hunters targeting mature animals should invest time in systematic glassing from high vantage points, as pronghorn rely on open terrain and eyesight. Trophy-class pronghorn in Nevada's best country are achievable for hunters willing to cover ground and pass up younger bucks.

Is Nevada Unit 013 worth applying for?

Based on the available data, Unit 013 is a strong candidate for hunters prioritizing public access, consistent harvest success, and meaningful trophy potential. The 100% public land base with no wilderness requirements makes it exceptionally accessible. The main consideration is the 39% quota cut on the primary hunt type between 2024 and 2025, which will tighten draw competition. For current draw odds by point level, visit the HuntPilot unit page at huntpilot.ai/states/nv.

What are the application fees for Nevada Unit 013 pronghorn?

For 2026, nonresidents pay a $156 license fee (required before applying), a $10 application fee, and a $300 tag fee if successful — totaling $466 for a successful draw. Residents pay a $33 license fee, a $10 application fee, and a $60 tag fee if successful. Both residents and nonresidents pay a $10 point fee in years when they apply but do not draw. Applications open March 23, 2026, with a deadline of May 13, 2026, and results posted May 29, 2026.

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