At a Glance
Quick Tips
- Scout and learn the unit, it is big country
- Have a detailed map that shows road access
- Let optics cover the ground for you
- Plan to hunt all or as much of the season as possible
- Mountain lakes with good trout fishing
Located in the south end of the state, this unit has good genetics and healthy deer herds. With moderate terrain and good public access, this is a good unit for hunters wanting to pursue mature mule deer bucks.
This general deer unit, managed for hunter opportunity, still holds good bucks and offers good public access. The limited entry muzzleloader hunt puts hunters close to the dates of the rut and can increase the chances of locating mature bucks.
One of the larger units in the state, with a large variation in terrain and habitat. On the southern border there is Lake Powell, with a large stretch of desert and red slickrock canyon country leading up to Boulder Mountain. Boulder Mountain is a large plateau sitting at 11,000 feet above sea level. Off of the flat plateau tops are large, steep, timber-covered canyons leading down to the desert floor. The unit has several small mountain lakes with good trout fishing.
Much of the unit is part of the Dixie National Forest or desert land managed by the BLM, giving great 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. Highway 12, a scenic byway, cuts through the middle of the unit and wraps around the southeast side of the Boulder Mountain. The Box-Death Hollow Wilderness, to the west of the town of Boulder, is canyon country and is limited to foot and horse traffic.
Low elevations are dry with desert rolling hills and flats. They also contain some grass, prickly-pear cactus, and sagebrush with scattered pinyon pines and juniper trees. Middle elevations are covered in ponderosa pines and oak brush while sagebrush continues through this elevation, as well. The higher elevations have scattered aspen groves with steep slopes covered in conifer forests. Mesa tops have large grassy meadows with scattered ponds, thick aspen and conifer forest.
Most hunters camp along roads in this unit. Several locations have good, flat camping places for travel trailers or tents. There are a couple of designated campgrounds open to the public. Teasdale, Torrey, Boulder, Loa and Escalante are the nearest towns and some offer lodging, but it is limited.
Roughly 5,232 square miles
93% public land
Elevations from 3,700-11,340 feet
ATVs recommended
4-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended
Arrive early for better camping locations
Expect to camp near other hunters