Nevada Unit 115 Pronghorn Antelope Hunting Guide
Nevada Unit 115 sits in the high desert of the Silver State, spanning just over 410,000 acres with an elevation range of 5,109 to 11,472 feet. With 98% public land and zero wilderness designation, this unit is about as accessible and DIY-friendly as a Nevada pronghorn hunt gets. Hunters researching Unit 115 will find a unit that has consistently produced strong harvest numbers across recent years, making it a serious contender for anyone building a Nevada antelope application strategy.
Pronghorn antelope in Unit 115 occupy the classic Great Basin terrain — open sagebrush flats, rocky benches, and basin edges that define the best antelope country in the West. The combination of vast public access, manageable terrain for foot hunters, and documented harvest success makes this unit worth a close look. This article pulls from HuntPilot's structured data to give hunters an honest, data-driven assessment of what Unit 115 offers.
Harvest Success Rates
Unit 115 has posted back-to-back years of exceptional harvest success, and the three-year trend is consistent enough to be meaningful.
In 2023, 45 hunters took the field and 40 came out successful — an 89% success rate. The following year in 2024, the unit saw a jump in hunter participation to 63 hunters, with 52 harvested for an 83% success rate. The most recent data from 2025 shows 80 hunters participated, with 71 harvested for another 89% success rate.
A few things stand out in this data:
- Participation has nearly doubled in two years — from 45 hunters in 2023 to 80 in 2025. This reflects either increased tag allocations or rising demand for this unit.
- Success rates have held steady at 83–89% despite the increased hunter load. That's a meaningful signal about pronghorn availability in the unit.
- Over the three-year period, 163 hunters combined for 163 tags filled out of 188 total — an aggregate success rate right around 87%.
For context, Nevada antelope success rates across the state vary considerably, and sustaining 83%+ across three consecutive years while absorbing significantly more hunters is a strong indicator that this unit supports a healthy, accessible pronghorn population.
Trophy Quality
The counties overlapping Unit 115 carry a moderate history of trophy records for pronghorn antelope. Hunters should not expect elite, world-class trophy production from this unit — it does not stand among Nevada's handful of premier trophy pronghorn destinations. However, the area has produced trophy-class animals historically, and the right buck is out there for hunters willing to be patient and selective.
Nevada's bonus squared draw system means hunters applying here likely have meaningful point totals invested. It would be a mistake to fill a tag on the first legal buck if the goal is a true trophy-class animal. The moderate trophy history of this unit's overlapping counties means hunters who glass hard, cover ground, and hold out for the right animal do have a reasonable chance at a quality buck — but it is not the unit to apply for if the primary goal is a top-tier record-book animal.
Herd Health & Population Trends
The tag quota data from 2024 to 2025 provides a useful window into how Nevada wildlife managers view the herd status in Unit 115.
For the "Horns Longer Than Ears" hunt — the primary buck tag category — quotas increased from 35 tags in 2024 to 40 tags in 2025, a 14% increase. The single-permit version of this same hunt type also saw a quota increase, moving from 6 to 7 tags (a 17% increase). The "Horns Shorter Than Ears" category held stable at 20 tags between 2024 and 2025, and the remaining hunt type also held flat at 6 tags.
Tag quota increases in Nevada's controlled system are a meaningful indicator. The Nevada Department of Wildlife does not expand quotas without survey data supporting a population capable of sustaining higher harvest. The 14–17% increase in buck tag quotas across multiple hunt types suggests managers have confidence in the Unit 115 pronghorn population heading into the 2025 cycle. Hunters should treat this as a positive signal for herd health, though single-year quota changes should be interpreted cautiously until a multi-year trend develops.
Access & Terrain
Unit 115 offers exceptional public access for a Nevada hunting unit. At 98% public land across 410,248 acres, DIY hunters are looking at a true blue-chip access situation. There is virtually no private land barrier to navigate, meaning hunters can glass basins, follow pronghorn, and reposition camps without worrying about land ownership patchworks.
The elevation range from 5,109 to 11,472 feet tells an important story about the terrain diversity within the unit. The lower elevations are where pronghorn will spend most of their time — classic Great Basin sagebrush flats and basin floors. The upper reaches of the unit push into mountain terrain that is unlikely to hold significant antelope numbers but may factor into camp placement and glassing setups.
With zero wilderness designation, there are no Wyoming-style guide requirements for nonresidents here. Nevada does not impose a mandatory guide requirement for wilderness hunting the way Wyoming does — all hunters, resident and nonresident alike, can run a fully self-guided hunt across this entire unit.
The open, rolling terrain that characterizes most of the prime antelope habitat in Unit 115 rewards hunters who bring quality optics and are prepared to cover ground on foot or by vehicle between glassing positions. Pronghorn in open country are best located through systematic glassing before committing to a stalk — the lack of dense cover means animals spotted at distance can also see hunters approaching. Plan entry routes that use terrain breaks and minimize sky-lining.
HuntPilot Analysis
Is Unit 115 worth applying for?
Based on the available data, yes — Unit 115 is a legitimate target for pronghorn applicants, particularly hunters who value high harvest success and exceptional public land access over elite trophy potential.
The three-year harvest record (89% / 83% / 89%) is among the more consistent success profiles in Nevada pronghorn hunting. The near-doubling of hunter participation from 2023 to 2025 without a collapse in success rates indicates the unit is carrying pronghorn well and that animals are accessible to average hunters.
The 98% public land figure eliminates one of the most common frustrations in western antelope hunting — accessing landlocked public land surrounded by private. Here, hunters can freely pursue animals wherever they go.
The moderate trophy history means Unit 115 is not the unit to apply for if a hunter's singular goal is a potential record-book buck. Hunters with that goal should look at Nevada's more historically elite pronghorn units, understanding those carry significantly more draw pressure. For hunters seeking a quality hunt with realistic trophy opportunity and a very high probability of filling a tag, Unit 115 represents a strong value proposition.
The ongoing quota increases in both primary buck hunt types are an encouraging sign. Nevada managers are signaling confidence in this herd's trajectory heading forward.
Bottom line: Unit 115 earns a strong recommendation for hunters who prioritize success rates, public land access, and a genuinely enjoyable DIY hunt experience. Trophy chasers holding out for a historic buck may want to weigh other options — but there is real trophy potential here for hunters who are selective and put in the glassing work.
How to Apply
For 2026, the Nevada pronghorn draw application window opens March 23, 2026, with a deadline of May 13, 2026. Draw results are released May 29, 2026.
Both resident and nonresident applications carry a $10 application fee.
2026 Resident costs:
- Application fee: $10
- Tag fee: $60
- License fee: $33.00 (required to apply — must be purchased before submitting application)
- Point fee: $10 (if applying without drawing)
2026 Nonresident costs:
- Application fee: $10
- Tag fee: $300
- License fee: $156.00 (required to apply — must be purchased before submitting application)
- Point fee: $10 (if applying without drawing)
Nevada's license requirement is an important detail that catches first-time applicants off guard. Hunters must hold a valid Nevada hunting license before the application is submitted — the license fee is in addition to the application fee and tag fee, and it is not refunded if the hunter does not draw.
Nevada uses a bonus squared draw system, meaning a hunter's entries in the draw equal their bonus points squared plus one. This creates a compounding advantage for high-point holders, but it does not guarantee a draw even with a substantial point bank. The draw is competitive — hunters should research current point distribution for Unit 115 before deciding how to apply, as the number of applicants and their point levels directly affect draw probability for any given year.
For current draw odds and per-hunt application data, visit the HuntPilot Nevada page at huntpilot.ai/states/nv to review up-to-date draw statistics for Unit 115.
Dates and fees are subject to change. Always verify current application details at the Nevada Department of Wildlife website before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the terrain like in Nevada Unit 115?
Unit 115 spans 410,248 acres with an elevation range of 5,109 to 11,472 feet. The lower elevations consist of the classic Great Basin sagebrush and open basin terrain where pronghorn concentrate. Upper elevations push into mountain country that is less relevant to antelope hunters but creates a varied landscape. With 98% public land and no wilderness designation, the unit is entirely accessible to DIY hunters without guide requirements. Expect open, glassing-intensive country where long-range optics and patience are the primary tools.
What is the harvest success rate in Nevada Unit 115 pronghorn hunting?
Unit 115 has posted an 89% success rate in both 2023 and 2025, with an 83% success rate in 2024 — averaging just under 87% over the three-year period. Hunter participation grew from 45 hunters in 2023 to 80 hunters in 2025, and success rates held steady despite the increased pressure. This is one of the more consistent success profiles documented for a Nevada antelope unit.
How big are the pronghorn in Nevada Unit 115?
The counties overlapping Unit 115 carry a moderate history of trophy records. This is not among Nevada's top-tier trophy pronghorn destinations, but the area has produced trophy-class animals. Hunters who glass systematically, cover ground, and hold out for the right buck have a reasonable chance at a quality animal. Hunters with a primary goal of a record-book buck may want to research Nevada's historically stronger trophy units before committing their points.
Is Nevada Unit 115 worth applying for?
For hunters who value high harvest success and nearly unlimited public land access, yes. The three-year harvest trend is strong, the 98% public land makes for a pure DIY experience, and recent quota increases indicate managers have confidence in the herd. The unit carries moderate trophy potential rather than elite trophy potential, so the ideal applicant is a hunter looking for a high-quality, high-probability pronghorn hunt rather than a strictly trophy-focused application. For current draw odds specific to your point level, check the HuntPilot Nevada unit page for Unit 115.
When do Nevada pronghorn draw applications open and close for 2026?
For 2026, Nevada pronghorn draw applications open March 23, 2026, and the deadline is May 13, 2026. Results are posted May 29, 2026. Both residents and nonresidents pay a $10 application fee. Hunters must hold a valid Nevada hunting license before applying — $33.00 for residents, $156.00 for nonresidents. Always confirm current dates and fees at the Nevada Department of Wildlife website before submitting an application.