Unit 072

The Jarbidge and Mary's River ranges provide major backbone ridges for orientation and glassing. Coon Creek Peak and Cougar Peak serve as reliable navigation markers visible across multiple drainages. The Elk Mountains offer high-country staging areas with commanding views into surrounding basins.

Jarbidge Lake and Emerald Lake, though small, are distinct features worth knowing. Elk Meadows and Jaboonek Flat represent key flat-country thermal cover and bedding zones. The Mary's River itself acts as a major drainage reference, dividing the unit clearly and providing reliable water access.

These features let you navigate without constant map consultation—recognize them and you're oriented.

The terrain spans from lower sagebrush basins around 5,400 feet to higher elevations touching nearly 10,800 feet, with most country falling between 6,500 and 8,500 feet. Sparse timber characterizes the unit—juniper scattered across ridges and canyon breaks, with ponderosa and Douglas-fir on north-facing slopes and higher benches. Lower elevations hold open sagebrush flats and grass meadows suitable for pronghorn and early-season elk.

As elevation increases, forest density picks up gradually, creating a transition zone rather than a sharp timber line. The rolling topography means continuous variation—glassed from one ridge, you'll often find different habitat just beyond the next draw.

Over 500 miles of roads exist in and around the unit, creating fair accessibility from the Charleston and Jack Creek areas. Major access corridors follow the Mary's River drainage and Coon Creek approaches. The road density is moderate enough that hunters can stage from reasonable driving distances, but the terrain is big enough to spread pressure.

Most hunters concentrate near established camps and main drainages; side canyons and upper basins see lighter pressure. The Idaho border proximity means some competition from out-of-state hunters during peak seasons. The complexity of the terrain works in favor of those willing to hike beyond the first ridge.

Unit 72 occupies the northeastern corner of Nevada's Elko County, bounded by the Idaho state line to the north and east, with the Mary's River marking the southern limit and the Jarbidge-Coon Creek complex defining the western edge. This is remote, high-desert basin country where elevation ranges from mid-5000s in the valleys to peaks approaching 10,800 feet. The unit includes significant portions of the Jarbidge Mountains and the Mary's River Range, creating a landscape of ridgelines, side canyons, and interconnected drainages.

Proximity to Idaho means overlap with regional migration patterns and a moderate baseline of hunting pressure.

Water is limited but present for those who scout beforehand. The Mary's River provides permanent flow on the unit's southern portion, offering reliable drinking water and likely hunter congregation points. Major drainages include the Jarbidge system, Coon Creek, and multiple forks of Willow, Cottonwood, and Canyon creeks—most flow seasonally.

Springs scattered throughout the unit include Elk Spring, Buckhorn Spring, Chicken Spring, and Anderson Springs—critical knowledge for mid-hunt water access. Coyote Lake, Charleston Reservoir, and Little Reservoir hold water but may see use pressure. Plan your water strategy before hunting; knowing spring locations separates efficient days from desperate searches.

Unit 72 offers elk, mule deer, pronghorn, moose, mountain goat, bighorn and desert sheep, black bear, and mountain lion. Lower basins and flats suit pronghorn early season before heat drives them to higher country. Elk inhabit transition zones between sagebrush and timber; hunt ridges and saddles during peak season, pushing into higher basins as temperatures drop.

Mule deer follow similar patterns—lower draws and benches early, higher forested slopes as season progresses. The rolling terrain demands patience with optics; glass aggressively from vantage points rather than hiking blindly. Moose and mountain goat populations occupy higher elevation drainages and steep terrain—specialized terrain hunting.

Water access knowledge becomes critical by mid-season as springs dry. This unit rewards hunters who arrive early, scout thoroughly, and don't stay on primary trails.