Nevada mule deer hunting in unit 203
Unit 203 is a single unit in Lyon County: 602,707 acres, 57.5% public land, mostly BLM (291,864 acres), measured from BLM's surface management map. In 2025, NDOW issued 56 antlered mule deer tags here across 6 hunts; 48 hunters went afield and 21 were successful (44% of those who hunted, worked out from NDOW's two figures).
Data updated October 2026. Tags and harvest: NDOW hunt statistics, 2022 to 2025. Seasons: NDOW's 2026-2027 regulation with its January 2026 amendment. Land: BLM.
BLMNational forestState landBureau of ReclamationMilitary and Energy DepartmentTribal landUnit 203Neighboring unitsLake or riverHighway
| Units | 203 |
|---|---|
| County | Lyon |
| NDOW region | Western Region |
| Size | 602,707 acres (942 square miles) |
| Public land | 57.5% (346,298 acres) |
| Antlered mule deer tags, 2025 | 56 issued, quota 56 |
| Successful hunters, 2025 | 21 of 48 afield |
| Resident antlered mule deer season, any legal weapon, 2026 | November 5 to 30 |
| Towns in and near it | Fernley, Yerington, Smith Valley, Fallon and Sparks |
How many mule deer tags does NDOW issue in unit 203?
NDOW issued 56 antlered mule deer tags for unit 203 in 2025, against a quota of 56. Every 2025 hunt in the group, as NDOW reports it:
| Hunt | Residency | Weapon | Season | Quota | Tags issued | Demand | NDOW draw rate | Hunters afield | Successful | Hunter success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer Antlered | Resident | Archery | Aug 10 - Sep 9 | 10 | 10 | 45 | 22% | 8 | 2 | 25% |
| Mule Deer Antlered | Resident | Archery | Dec 16 - Jan 1 | 10 | 10 | 24 | 42% | 8 | 2 | 25% |
| Mule Deer Antlered | Resident | Weapon restriction | Nov 5 - Nov 30 | 30 | 30 | 149 | 20% | 28 | 15 | 54% |
| Mule Deer Antlered | Nonresident | Archery | Aug 10 - Sep 9 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 29% | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Mule Deer Antlered | Nonresident | Archery | Dec 16 - Jan 1 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 17% | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Mule Deer Antlered | Nonresident | Weapon restriction | Nov 5 - Nov 30 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 17% | 2 | 2 | 100% |
Source: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook). Demand is NDOW's count of tags awarded plus unsuccessful first-choice applicants. NDOW's draw rate is its quota divided by that demand; NDOW says it does not account for bonus points. Hunter success is successful hunters out of hunters afield.
What is hunter success for mule deer in unit 203?
21 of 48 hunters afield were successful in 2025, 44% across the group's hunts. For the resident weapon restriction hunt (Nov 5 - Nov 30), NDOW reports 47% of the harvest were bucks with 4 or more points. The group year by year:
| Year | Hunts | Quota | Tags issued | Hunters afield | Successful hunters | Success, all hunts | Labels NDOW used for the group |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 56 | 56 | 48 | 21 | 44% | 203 |
| 2024 | 6 | 76 | 76 | 62 | 29 | 47% | 203 |
| 2023 | 5 | 59 | 59 | 45 | 11 | 24% | 203 |
| 2022 | 6 | 66 | 66 | 49 | 18 | 37% | 203 |
Source: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook). Totals are NDOW's hunt rows added together; the success share is worked out from NDOW's own two figures. A year is shown only where NDOW published the group's hunts; NDOW sometimes splits a unit with a letter (108B, 144A) or a portion, and those labels are listed.
What other mule deer hunts cover these units?
NDOW's other 2025 mule deer hunts with exactly this unit group:
| Hunt | Residency | Weapon | Season | Quota | Tags issued | Demand | NDOW draw rate | Hunters afield | Successful | Hunter success |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer Guided Antlered | Nonresident | Weapon restriction | Nov 5 - Nov 30 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 67% | 1 | 0 | 0% |
| Mule Deer Junior | Resident | Special weapon restriction | Aug 10 - Sep 9; Nov 5 - Nov 30 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 33% | 6 | 5 | 83% |
Source: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
When is mule deer season in unit 203 in 2026?
The 2026-2027 seasons NDOW's regulation sets for this unit group:
| Hunt number | Hunt | Weapon | Unit group as NDOW prints it | 2026-2027 season | 2025-2026 season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1331 | Resident Mule Deer - Antlered | Any Legal Weapon | 203* | Nov 5 - Nov 30 | Nov 5 - Nov 30 |
| 1332 | Nonresident Mule Deer - Antlered | Any Legal Weapon | 203* | Nov 5 - Nov 30 | Nov 5 - Nov 30 |
| 1341 | Resident Mule Deer - Antlered | Archery | 203 Early | Aug 10 - Sep 9 | Aug 10 - Sep 9 |
| 1341 | Resident Mule Deer - Antlered | Archery | 203 Late | Dec 16 - Jan 1 | Dec 16 - Jan 1 |
| 1342 | Nonresident Mule Deer - Antlered | Archery | 203 Early | Aug 10 - Sep 9 | Aug 10 - Sep 9 |
| 1342 | Nonresident Mule Deer - Antlered | Archery | 203 Late | Dec 16 - Jan 1 | Dec 16 - Jan 1 |
Source: NDOW Commission Regulation 25-07, 2026-2027 big game seasons, with Amendment #2 (January 2026). * Changed or added by Amendment #2. NDOW can change a season during the year; check NDOW before you go.
How much public land is in unit 203?
57.5% of unit 203 is public land open to hunting under its manager's rules: 346,298 of 602,707 acres. The largest share is BLM, 291,864 acres or 48.4%.
| Manager | Acres | Share |
|---|---|---|
| BLM | 291,864 | 48.4% |
| Tribal land | 48,455 | 8% |
| Bureau of Reclamation | 32,998 | 5.5% |
| State land | 19,893 | 3.3% |
| Military and Energy Department | 3,797 | 0.6% |
| National forest | 1,543 | 0.3% |
Measured by FilledTag inside NDOW's unit boundaries from BLM Surface Management Agency map (national, limited scale), a generalized national map; the rest is private or not mapped. Military, Energy Department and tribal land are not counted as open to hunting (they are closed to the public or need the owner's permission).
Other species NDOW groups with unit 203: Pronghorn antelope (203, 291), Black bear (192, 194 - 196, 201 - 204, 206, 291).
How do you get to unit 203?
Highways through it: US 95 Alt (about 27 miles inside), NV 208 (about 17 miles inside), NV 339 (about 11 miles inside), US 50 Alt (about 9 miles inside) and NV 828 (about 8 miles inside). Along its boundary: I-80, NV 829 and US 95. Towns and places inside: Fernley, Yerington, Smith Valley and Silver Springs. Nearby: Fallon (16 miles) and Sparks (24 miles).
Which units border unit 203?
8 hunt units touch unit 203. Their public land and their own mule deer group:
| Unit | Public land | Mule deer page | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 041 | 77.8% | 041, 042 | Pershing, Churchill, Washoe |
| Unit 181 | 45.4% | 181 - 184 | Churchill, Mineral |
| Unit 195 | 22.5% | 195 | Storey, Lyon, Washoe |
| Unit 201 | 71.3% | 201, 204 | Douglas, Lyon |
| Unit 202 | 75.4% | 202, 205 - 208 | Mineral, Lyon |
| Unit 204 | 95.7% | 201, 204 | Lyon, Mineral |
| Unit 205 | 59.9% | 202, 205 - 208 | Mineral, Nye |
| Unit 291 | 66.1% | 291 | Douglas, Lyon, Carson City |
Questions hunters ask
How many mule deer tags are there in unit 203?
NDOW set a quota of 56 antlered mule deer tags for unit 203 in 2025 and issued 56, across 6 hunts by residency, weapon and season. In 2024 it issued 76.
What is hunter success for mule deer in unit 203?
In 2025, 21 of the 48 hunters NDOW counted afield took an antlered mule deer here, 44% across every hunt in the group. For the resident weapon restriction hunt (Nov 5 - Nov 30), NDOW reports 47% of the harvest were bucks with 4 or more points.
When is mule deer season in unit 203 in 2026?
For antlered mule deer, NDOW's 2026-2027 regulation sets: resident archery, August 10 to September 9 (early); resident any legal weapon, November 5 to 30; resident archery, December 16 to January 1 (late); nonresident archery, August 10 to September 9 (early); nonresident any legal weapon, November 5 to 30; nonresident archery, December 16 to January 1 (late).
How much public land is in unit 203?
57.5% of the 602,707 acres, measured from BLM's surface management map; the largest share is BLM, 291,864 acres.
What is the closest town to unit 203?
Fernley, Yerington and Smith Valley are inside the unit. Just outside: Fallon (16 miles) and Sparks (24 miles).
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Where these numbers come from
- Tags, quota, demand, draw rate, hunters and success: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
- Seasons: NDOW Commission Regulation 25-07, 2026-2027 big game seasons, with Amendment #2 (January 2026).
- Public land: BLM Surface Management Agency map (national, limited scale). Unit boundaries: NDOW hunt units.
- Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of the Nevada Department of Wildlife. Numbers are copied from NDOW or measured from public maps; nothing on this page is estimated by FilledTag.