Humboldt Wildlife Management Area

The Nevada Department of Wildlife owns or has long-term leases on more than 155,000 acres of land incorporated into wildlife management areas (WMAs) across the state of Nevada. The primary conservation goal on WMAs is the protection of wetlands and waterfowl, including the use of WMAs for recreational hunting.

The area that comprises the Humboldt WMA has a rich history of human activity starting with Native American tribes that occupied cave dwellings in the West Humboldt Range and hunted for wetland associated wildlife within the Humboldt Sink.  In later years, numerous artifacts were discovered in the cave sites surrounding the Sink including the oldest known waterfowl decoy - made from tules. During the mid 1850’s, emigrants traveling to the West Coast would use the Emigrant Trail which travels along the west side of the Sink.  The settlers would stop at what is now the Toy railroad siding to stock up on fresh water before beginning their trek across the Forty Mile Desert.  In 1953, the Nevada Fish and Game Commission began efforts to create a state managed wildlife area within the Sink.  Through a series of leases, purchases, land trades and donations, the Humboldt WMA was created and today comprises a total of 37,140 acres (58 sq mi) of land. 

From Reno, take I-80 east to a point 11 miles west of Lovelock (Toulon Exit). Exit freeway and travel northeast on frontage road for approximately 4.6 miles to Airport Road. Travel southeast on Airport Road for 1.6 miles to main entrance road. Area may also be accessed by traveling southeast on frontage road from Toulon Exit for 4.6 miles to Toy Mill entrance.

Click on any point in the map to learn about the location or select a topic and scroll down to explore the Humboldt WMA! To view the map legend, click the right hand arrow next to the the display image.

The Humboldt Wildlife Management area is open year-round, without hourly restrictions. There is no charge for use of the area, but users are asked to complete visitor cards before leaving.

Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, it is prohibited, within a wildlife management area, to operate a motor vehicle: 1. Off an interior road or trail that is designated for vehicular travel; or 2. On an interior road or trail that is marked as closed to vehicular travel. (Refer to NAC 504.115)

Airboats are prohibited on the Humboldt Sink until 1 hour after the legal shooting time on the opening day of the waterfowl season. Airboats are prohibited on the Toulon portion of the area during the waterfowl season. All vessels are prohibited on the ponds 5 days before the opening day of waterfowl season.

Hunting is allowed every day for wildlife species upon which there is an established open season.

When water levels are suitable, many hunters use airboats, long-shaft boats and other types of water conveyances to improve their access to the large bodies of water.

Upland bird hunting is very limited with a small amount of activity related to the pursuit of Ring-necked pheasant and California quail that inhabit some of the more dense vegetative stands on the area. 

Although some mule deer inhabit the area, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of interest in hunting the area – probably due to the almost impenetrable stands of tamarisk that are used by the deer.  Hunters interested in hunting deer on the area are advised that the HWMA lies within big GameManagement Unit 043.

The use or possession of shells for a shotgun containing shot that is toxic or larger than standard-size T is prohibited. The use of shotguns capable of holding more than three shells is prohibited on all wildlife management areas owned or managed by this State unless the shotgun is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so that the total capacity of the shotgun does not exceed three shells. The use or possession of shotgun rounds with sabots that contain other than rifled slugs of conventional design is prohibited on all wildlife management areas owned or managed by this State. (Refer to NAC 504.135)

Want to print a map before your visit? Free to download here:  Humboldt WMA PDF Map 

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