Humboldt Wildlife Management Area: hunting rules and map
Humboldt Wildlife Management Area is 36,060 acres in Pershing and Churchill Counties, managed by NDOW in its Western Region and inside hunt units 043 and 041. NDOW lists hunting on the area, with this rule first: the use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited.
Data updated October 2026. Area rules: NDOW's public land page, read 2026-10-18. Boundary and acres: NDOW GIS. Land around it: BLM.
BLMNational wildlife refugeBureau of ReclamationMilitary and Energy DepartmentHumboldt WMAHunt unit lineLake or riverHighway
| Size | 36,060 acres (NDOW legal acres) |
|---|---|
| County | Pershing and Churchill Counties |
| NDOW region | Western Region |
| Hunt units | 043, 041 |
| Status in NDOW's map | Designated; Leased from BOR/State Owned |
| Camping | Permitted at sites designated for camping |
| Nearest towns | Lovelock (8 mi), Humboldt River Ranch (29 mi) and Fallon (30 mi) |
What is Humboldt WMA?
The Humboldt Wildlife Management Area (HWMA), also known as Humboldt-Toulon, is located in Pershing and Churchill counties, Nevada, approximately 10 miles southwest of Lovelock and 80 miles east of Reno/Sparks. The area that comprises the HWMA has a rich history of human activity starting as early as 2,000 B.C. with Native American tribes that occupied cave dwellings in the West Humboldt Range and hunted for wetland associated wildlife within the Humboldt Sink (Sink).
In NDOW's words, from NDOW's public land page.
What are the rules on Humboldt WMA?
| Topic | NDOW's rule |
|---|---|
| Hunting | The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited. |
| Camping | Permitted at sites designated for camping |
| Campfires | Permitted in those sites designated for camping |
| Trespass and travel | No restrictions |
| Boats | Airboats are prohibited on Upper and Lower Humboldt Lakes until 1 hour after the legal shooting time on the opening day of the waterfowl season. Airboats are prohibited on the Toulon Lake portion of the area during the waterfowl season. All vessels are prohibited on the ponds 5 days before the opening day of the waterfowl season |
| Trapping | Permitted on a first come, first serve basis and may contain designation of specific trapping areas, dates or other restrictions to ensure compatibility with other public activities. |
| Bodies of water | Upper and Lower Humboldt Lakes and Toulon Lake |
Source: NDOW, Your Public Land. Big game seasons on the area follow the hunt unit's regulations.
Which big game unit groups take in Humboldt WMA?
NDOW draws big game tags by unit group. The groups that include units 043 and 041, with NDOW's 2025 figures for the whole group, not the WMA alone:
| Species and group | Tags issued, 2025 | Successful hunters, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Pronghorn antelope, 041, 042 | 88 | 69 |
| Pronghorn antelope, 043 - 046 | 257 | 173 |
| Mule deer, 041, 042 | 34 | 11 |
| Mule deer, 043, 044, 046 | 152 | 74 |
Source: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
What land surrounds Humboldt WMA?
Inside the WMA boundary, BLM's surface management map shows Bureau of Reclamation 17,958 acres and BLM 6 acres. NDOW's WMA map records its status as designated (Leased from BOR/State Owned). Highways within 8 miles: US 95, I-80, NV 397, US 95 Alt and NV 394. Nearest towns: Lovelock (8 miles), Humboldt River Ranch (29 miles), Fallon (30 miles) and Fallon Station (34 miles).
Questions hunters ask
Can you hunt on Humboldt WMA?
Yes. NDOW's rule for hunting on the area: The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-sized T is prohibited.
Can you camp on Humboldt WMA?
NDOW lists camping as: Permitted at sites designated for camping
Which hunt unit is Humboldt WMA in?
By NDOW's boundaries: unit 043 (35,408 acres) and unit 041 (483 acres).
Where is Humboldt WMA?
The Humboldt Wildlife Management Area (HWMA), also known as Humboldt-Toulon, is located in Pershing and Churchill counties, Nevada, approximately 10 miles southwest of Lovelock and 80 miles east of Reno/Sparks. The nearest town by the census map is Lovelock, 8 miles away.
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Where these facts come from
- Description and rules: NDOW, Your Public Land.
- Boundary, acres and status: NDOW wildlife management areas. Surrounding land: BLM Surface Management Agency map (national, limited scale).
- Unit group figures: NDOW Big Game Hunt Statistics (2022 to 2025; 2025 from NDOW's 2025 hunt data workbook).
FilledTag is not part of the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
Nevada hunting Western Region Pronghorn antelope 041, 042 Pronghorn antelope 043 - 046 Mule deer 041, 042 Mule deer 043, 044, 046