UTAH'S TOP HUNTS
By Species:

ELK

 MULE DEER PRONGHORN
ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP MOOSE
MOUNTAIN GOAT BISON  

UTAH ELK

Utah has some of the best Rocky Mountain Elk hunting in the world. Many of Utah's elk units can produce giant bulls year in and year out. Every few years a unit will have a stand out year, predicting this can be difficult. 2009 looks good for Utah due to a wet spring and should result in good antler growth. Nearly every unit in the state has potential for a bull over 350. While they are few and far between in many units, it's not uncommon for bulls over 380 to be found in many units.

The Cooperative Management Wildlife Unit (CMWU) program is also something to look into. Many of these CMWU's produce tremendous trophies every year. The hunting experience on a CMWU depends a lot on the operator. It's best to contact hunters who have hunted a particular CMWU as well as contacting the operator before applying for these units.

  1. San Juan: There weren't too many reports of huge bulls coming off the San Juan in 2009. This unit is still right near the top of the elk hunting world. Combine the animal quality with early rifle hunts that fall right in the heat of the rut and you have an awesome hunt. Huge bulls on this unit, 400+ killed every year.
  2. Fillmore, Pahvant: This unit has been on the ups for several years. While some say it has already peaked, this unit is one of the best in the state.
  3. Plateau, Beaver: The beaver unit has the make-up for the hunt of a lifetime. Some really big bulls are taken every year here as well.
  4. Southwest Desert: This is a huge unit for Utah. Don't expect to find bulls throughout the whole unit. Spend some time scouting and you'll find a big bull. You should see several 360+ bulls, probably a couple of really big boys if you put in the time.
  5. Dutton: There is a lot of talk about the Dutton lately in online hunting circles. This unit is steep and tough. That being said, there are great bulls in this unit. Horses and/or a strong back recommended for hunters considering this hunt.
  6. Book Cliffs (Roadless): The Book Cliffs is a great unit in eastern Utah. While some say this unit is in decline compared to 5 or 10 years ago, 350+ bulls are consistently taken off the Cliffs. You'll probably need a horse to be successful in this unit. (If you don't have horses the North Book Cliffs unit is a decent option as well).
  7. Monroe: The "Spider Bull" frenzy has pushed this unit out of obscurity into the mainstream media. Probably making it sound better than it really is. However, the Monroe unit is surrounded by several of the top units in the state and has had a few 390+ bulls taken off of it in the past couple of years. This unit may receive a few extra applications because of "Spider," but it is a great unit with a lot of really nice bulls.
  8. Other units of Interest: The Boulder, Wasatch, Central Moutains Manti. The Wasatch and Manti units have very large herds of elk. Don't expect to kill a 400 inch bull, but there are a fair amount of 370+ bulls on these units. Just be prepared to pass a lot of smaller ones.

UTAH MULE DEER

Utah has an interesting Mule Deer system. The general hunts have in a sense become Limited Entry because you can't draw some of them every year. Speaking of general hunts, the northern end of the state probably has the most difficult hunting. Central, Southern, and Southeastern all have decent general hunts, the most popular of which is the Southern unit. Don't overlook the extended archery areas. These archery only hunts extend through the rut and tremendous bucks are taken every year. Hunting pressure is high on these hunts, but if the time is put in and luck goes your way, you could take a buck of a lifetime on one of these hunts.

  1. Henry Mountains: Henry Mountains is the best Mule Deer hunt in the nation. Multiple 200+ inch bucks are killed every year out of a very limited number of hunters. Drawing this tag will take a long time unless you are extremely lucky, especially for non-residents as the number of tags is very low, usually 1-3. The management hunts on this unit are also very hard to draw but have produced some big 3 points. This could be considered for those without maximum bonus points.
  2. Paunsaugunt: The Pauns hunt has long been considered one of the best hunts in the nation as well. This hunt is not a guaranteed 190 buck. It can be difficult at times, depending on the weather. The earlier hunts are more consistent, but with a pushed back rifle hunt, it can either be really good, or not as good due to migrations. Spend some time getting to know this unit. If the deer start moving down, you need to know where they are going. This is a world class deer hunt.
  3. West Desert - Vernon: Vernon has a lot of good bucks. While I probably wouldn't hold out for a deer over 200, finding a 180 class buck is probably reasonable. There always seems to be a good number of very nice deer taken off this unit every year.
  4. Book Cliffs: The Book Cliffs is a unique unit. It produces great buck deer and bull elk. This unit has a lot of deer, finding a buck over 180 may prove a little challenging. Expect to see a lot of decent bucks, but you may have to wade through a few before you find the one you like. It seems "crabby" forks are quite prevalent here, so if you're worried about score, don't just look at main frames. Take the time to study these bucks, try to get away from the crowds, and be willing to do a little hiking. If you put in the time, the Books can produce a very nice buck.
  5. La Sal Delores Triangle: This is a pretty small unit along the Colorado border. The La Sal mountains have decent deer hunting even on the general hunts, but with management this has become a pretty good deer hunt. Some bucks come out of there every year that make the books, with the occasional monster. Great chance for a 170-180 class buck.
  6. San Juan - Elk Ridge: This unit borders the Henry Mountains Unit on the map. It was once arguably the best unit in the state, but in recent decades, deer number have declined. Some blame this on the rising elk population. However, this unit is on the rise, and might be the place to apply in Utah in 5-10 years. It should be interesting to see what this year produces.
  7. Wasatch Front: The front lines of opportunity; the Wasatch Front is tremendous habitat for big bucks. This area is in the Central general deer region and consistently produces a few bucks over 200 inches. While this area does get a lot of pressure, if you are willing to go a lot of miles on a backpack over very rugged country to get away from the crowds, you can kill one of these big bucks. The extended season only makes this area better, now it can be hunted in the rut and for several months after all other hunts have ended; which is why there will be a lot of people. Be willing to get away from the crowds and you can kill a buck of a lifetime.

UTAH PRONGHORN (ANTELOPE)

Utah's antelope hunts typically take 5-8 for residents and 6-8 years to draw a tag with maximum points, add another 1-2points and for some of the hardest to draw units in the state. Don't expect to see thousands of antelope on these hunts likeyou might in Wyoming. Utah doesn't have the number of antelope as some neighboring states, but the opportunity is there to take a nice buck.

  1. West Desert Hunts: Riverbed, Rush Valley, and Snake Valley areprobably the best hunts in the state. Not all of these hunts have tags available for non-residents every year.
  2. Plateau: This hunt has by far the most animals in the state--also the most hunters. With more animals, one could expect to find bigger bucks. Scouting will be very important on this hunt to find the buck you are after.
  3. San Rafael, North: This unit is probably the hardest unit to draw in Utah -- for good reason. There are some good bucks taken off this unit every year.

UTAH DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP

  1. San Rafael: This is one of the two units available for both residents and non-residents. (Only one tag available to non-residents). The San Rafael units have the most sheep in the state. While tag numbers are very limited, this will be a great hunt with a chance for a great desert ram. The desert scenery is hard to beat.
  2. Kaiparowits: This unit is also available for both residents and non-residents to hunt in 2009. (Only one tag available to non-residents). Non-residents are able to hunt all the subunits if successful in drawing this tag. This hunt is difficult as most sheep hunts are. There are a decent number of animals in the Kaiparowits units, scout your tail off until you find a ram you like.

UTAH ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIGHORN SHEEP

  1. Nine Mile, Range Creek: This unit has the only available non-resident rocky mountain bighorn tag in Utah. If this tag is drawn, the hunter is also able to hunt in the book cliffs unit. This hunt is probably the best in the state as far as number of animals is concerned. Utah is currently doing a lot of sheep transplants and their efforts should be applauded in behalf of bighorn sheep. There is some great habitat in Utah, and sheep hunting should improve in the coming years. This unit should provide opportunity to take a 160 - 170 class ram.
  2. Book Cliffs, South (Rattlesnake): This unit can also be hunted on the non-resident tag. This unit is mostly road less. Be prepared to hike a lot to find many sheep. Like any unit in the state, there are decent rams. One could expect a 160 class ram, maybe bigger if the start align and the scouting is thorough.
  3. ***Wasatch Mountains: Don't apply for this hunt because there aren't any available tags. This unit looked like the up and comer in Utah for great herd size and some really nice rams. Due to disease, the herds have been deprecated. Lamb recruitment is very low and we can only hope the herd will survive. This tragic occurrence should emphasize the delicate nature of North American Wild Sheep and their susceptibility to foreign disease introduced from livestock and domestic sheep.

UTAH MOOSE

Utah has a decent moose population, and some great bulls are taken every year. The hardest part about killing a big bull moose (besides drawing the tag), is finding him. Scouting is key when moose hunting. The more moose you look at, the better your chances at finding one you want to fill your tag with.

  1. Ogden: This unit has a lot of moose, and some really nice bulls. The downside to the Ogden unit is that there is a lot of private land, which may be difficult to get access to.
  2. North Slope - Summit: The north slope of the Uinta's has some very nice moose, with a lot of big bulls. Get off the roads and glass the meadows and creek bottoms.
  3. Wasatch Mountains: This is a pretty big unit that has some big bulls harvested every year. There is plenty of public land on this unit...
  4. East Canyon: This unit consistently produces nice Bull Moose, and would be a good way to spend your points in Utah.

UTAH MOUNTAIN GOAT

  1. Beaver: This unit has the best access, most tags and makes for the best mountain goat hunt in the state. It is also the hardest to draw.
  2. High Uintas: There are four units in the high Uintas and every one would make for a great mountain goat hunt. This is very remote and rugged country. Horses are recommended to get you back as far as they can. The rest is up to your legs. High Uintas West has the most available tags and would probably rank highest among the four Uinta Mountains Goat units.
  3. Ogden, Willard Peak: This unit is not as remote as the high Uintas and can be accessed by road to get most of your elevation. This is still a difficult and rugged hunt as all goat hunts are, but a decent population makes for a great hunt on this unit.
  4. Ogden, Willard Peak (nanny hunt): As far as mountain goat hunting goes, this is a unique hunt. It is fairly easy to draw as far as mountain goat hunts are concerned and can be very easy. The nannies can be accessed via road and the hunt can be easy if the goats are in the right spot. If you are willing to take a nanny, this hunt should be considered.

UTAH BISON

Essentially, Utah has two bison hunt units. While there are several dates corresponding to these hunt units either one would provide for a great opportunity at harvesting a rare free range bison. Antelope Island would be considered an easier hunt. There are fewer tags available here, but the hunt is easier. The Henry Mountains unit is the other bison hunt in Utah. This hunt is split into several seasons, some of which are bull only, others being cow only. The earlier hunts make fore easier hunts. These Bison are very wary, and may surprise you with how difficult they can be to harvest. The later hunts can be hard due to bad weather and previous hunting pressure from the earlier hunts. This should be taken into account when applying for these hunts.