This unit and the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge are identical except for a sliver of the high desert refuge that extends into Oregon.

The average deer quality here has seemed to slip over the past decade.

Some big cliffs and rimrock but typically mild elevation changes from about 5,000 feet in the valley floors to about 7,500 feet at Catnip Mountain. Scattered natural and artificial water sources.

The entire Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge is public land. Public road access is very good with primitive roads throughout the unit. Some regions are reached only by foot. County Road 8A, State Route 34A, and State Route 140 are primary travel routes through the Refuge. Primitive roads branching from these provide more direct routes into most areas.

Sagebrush dominates with scattered stands of bitterbrush and mountain mahogany and small pockets of aspens, particularly in the upper elevations. Playa, saltbush and juniper cover some areas.

There are no convenience stores, gas stations or paved roads. Carry plenty of supplies, food, water and spare tires. The closest places to get supplies, repair a flat tire or to take a hot shower are Cedarville or Fort Bidwell, California; Denio, Nevada, to the east; or Gerlach, Nevada to the south. Numerous public campgrounds are in the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service brochure that includes a map of all public campgrounds.