Hunters discussing the West Desert, Deep Creek in Utah highlight its challenging terrain, emphasizing the importance of being physically prepared for the area's rugged and remote landscape. Feedback suggests that scouting ahead of the season can be crucial due to the low density of game, making early planning vital for a successful hunt. Many recommend focusing on water sources as game tends to frequent these areas, particularly during the hot, dry periods of the season. Overall, hunters advise patience and persistence to improve the odds of a successful hunt in this demanding yet rewarding unit.
Consisting of a narrow mountain range that juts out of the desert floor to heights of more than 12,000 feet, this unit has a good number of elk that summer in upper basins and aspen and conifer forests and winter in pinyon/juniper and sagebrush foothills.
In the past 30 years, elk numbers and quality have increased. Hunters who work to get in the better parts of the mountain range typically find bigger bulls. When pressured, some elk travel to bordering Goshute tribal lands. Mature bulls tend to seek out canyons with no vehicle access. Pack horses are recommended and hunters need to be prepared physically.