At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Scout and learn the unit, it is big country
- Have a detailed map that shows land ownership
- Plan to hunt all or as much of the season as possible
- Take plenty of fuel and water
- Bonneville Salt Flats are a must see
Hunters in the Box Elder unit note a successful eight-for-eight group performance, indicating good opportunities if strategies are effectively planned. It is a general season unit that sees heavy hunting pressure, largely from those who stick to road hunting. Savvy hunters suggest branching out to less accessible high elevations or utilizing water sources close to food and shelter to locate game. Despite recent severe winters impacting fawn survival rates, hunters remind that larger bucks can still be found with diligence, especially away from crowded, easily accessed areas. Use ATVs or other off-road vehicles to reach more remote parts of the unit and prepare with appropriate gear for cold and windy conditions to enhance your hunting experience.
Located in the northwest corner of the state, this unit has good genetics, but the deer can be difficult to find. With moderate terrain, this is a good unit for anyone wanting a good challenge at pursuing mature mule deer bucks.
This general deer unit is managed for hunter opportunity, but still holds good bucks.
Located in the northwest corner of the state, this unit has a lot of desert country. The valley floor leads up through different creek drainages, through rolling foot hills to the steeper mountain ranges. There are three main mountain ranges the Grouse Creek, Pilot Mountain and the Raft River.
Some of this unit is part of the Sawtooth National Forest and some is managed by the BLM, giving some public access. There is road access on all sides of the unit with well-maintained dirt roads leading to less-maintained 4-wheel-drive roads and ATV trails. There is a lot of private land and some large ranches on the unit and they control some of the critical water sources. Hunters should try and obtain permission to hunt on private property before their hunt starts.
Low elevations have irrigated farmland, sagebrush, pinyon pines, junipers and some oak brush. Continuing up through the middle elevations sagebrush with aspen, spruce and fir trees starting to mix in. Higher elevations have scattered aspen groves with the steep slopes covered in conifer forests. Many of the high basins are grassy with short sagebrush.
Most hunters camp along roads, there are several locations that have good, flat camping locations for travel trailers or tents. There are a couple of designated campgrounds open to the public. Wendover is the nearest city that has lodging and supplies.
Roughly 9,000 square miles
57% public land
Elevations from 5,000-9,600 feet
ATVs recommended
4-wheel-drive recommended
Arrive early for better camping locations
Expect to camp near other hunters