At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Hike off steep ridges to find solitude
- Keep alert while driving through forests
- Still hunters kill some big bucks in dense woods




Hunters discussing the San Juan, Abajo Mountains unit in Utah share a consensus on its challenging terrain, with steep slopes and thick vegetation that demand physical preparedness. They highlight the unit as having lower draw odds but emphasize its potential for quality elk and mule deer hunting during the peak rut. Contributors advise scouting the area beforehand to become familiar with access points and note the seasonality of game movement, with elk moving to lower elevations when snow falls. This unit is celebrated for its remote feel, rewarding those who are willing to invest the time and effort in scouting and preparation.
Some of America’s most stunning landscapes are home to a healthy herd of mule deer that occasionally reach trophy class. Due west of Monticello, the Abajo Mountains tower over foothills, bean fields and desert lowlands that are 4,000 to more than 6,500 feet below.
This unit is one of Utah's general deer units. Some desert terrain hardly gets hunted. Few hunters leave roads.