My dad and I drove 14 hours to NW Nevada for an antelope hunt this past week. It was fun to discover the hidden treasures within this vast and rugged landscape. This part of Nevada is very remote and we ended up staying in Cedarville, CA, the closest civilized town that had a gas station, etc. The huge valleys and vistas surrounding the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge was beautiful and something I will not soon forget.
The Sheldon refuge protects over 900 square miles of wildlife habitat in the NW corner of the state and is home to pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, huge muleys, and many other forms of wildlife. This refuge is the heart of the high desert and a place few people visit.
The remains of old homesteads and ranches were scattered throughout the valleys and a good reminder of the hearty pioneers that came before us.
Free roaming horses frequent refuge waterholes and are a tremendous impact on the range and environment. These horses are at the heart of controversy within this region since they compete with native wildlife for water and food.
Check out of camp #1 location...
An unfortunate sparrow flew into my mirrow and remained straddled around my mirror through Utah and Nevada...
Bruce found some cool rocks on the trip from Gran...these rocks (forgot the name) resembled glass and were used to make arrow heads, etc during primitive times.
Around the turn of the 20th century, pronghorn (antelope) populations were dwindling in North America. Conservation efforts, such as the establishment of refuges, have helped them rebound. Large numbers of pronghorn gather around the perimeter of the refuge in late summer and fall. Although this goat had no clue I was around, these animals rely on keen eyesight and remarkable speed for safety.
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