At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Use trail cameras on or near water sources
- Some good trout fishing in high lakes
- Scout before the season
- Use the good roads to learn the unit
Terrain
Access
Historical Temperatures
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The Monroe unit in Utah offers varied hunting opportunities, with its landscape featuring rolling sage, aspen, conifer, and pinyon juniper, providing decent glassing and spot-and-stalk possibilities. Water sources are present but less effective for sitting. It appears to favor road hunters due to its extensive network of roads and has a decent 60-70% success rate for general deer season, though mature bucks are less common. Dana R.'s input suggests that the muzzleloader season might offer better chances for bigger bucks, while the mention of the Thousand Lakes, Beaver, and Pine Valley units provides alternative suggestions for those with bonus points. Overall, for those with points, this unit offers potential but managing expectations around deer maturity and exploring neighboring units could enhance the hunting experience.
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This mostly public unit is southeast of Richfield and west of Koosharem, bordering U.S. Highway 89, Interstate 70 and State Routes 24 and 62. Though this area is famous for producing huge elk, it is one of Utah’s general deer units and isn't managed for trophy class bucks.
There is good public access here. Archery hunters can buy spike elk tags. Rifle hunters consistently report crowded hunting.
Terrain varies from high tundra in the north to low sagebrush foothills with pinyon-juniper woods in the south. Deer finds water in several lakes and streams. Most of the canyons and basins above 8,000 feet have water sources. Some steep, rocky canyons in the west are not easy to reach. Hunters must walk or ride horses to get to several remote parts. Some private property is in the northern and central parts of the unit. Most private property is leased to outfitters. Hunters have enough public land that they rarely have problems finding deer.
Hunters enjoy good public access. Use Greenwich Canyon and Koosharem Canyon roads to get to the eastern and central parts of the unit, Pole Canyon and Monroe Mountain roads in the south and Dry Creek Road in the west. Monroe Mountain Road runs north and south through most of the unit. Some roads get slick after heavy rainfall or snowfall.
Dense forests of Engelmann spruces mixed with lodgepole pines are in high country, where some alpine tundra also exists. In the tundra are mosses, grasses, wildflowers, forbs and low brush. Middle elevations have Douglas firs, aspens, grass meadows and sagebrush, and low elevations have pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, oak brush, grasses and other browse. There are good water sources becuase of a lot of springs, small lakes and perennial streams
Richfield and Marysville have lodging, gas, groceries, and other supplies. Camping is permitted on most public land. There is a designated campground within the unit close to Koosharem and one right outside the unit near Otter Creek Reservoir.
Roughly 690 square miles
75% public land
Elevations from about 5,700-11,220 feet
ATVs are recommended but not necessary
Snow and rain can impede travel
Some remote areas