The Beaver, Utah hunting unit is facing significant challenges, as evidenced by long-time hunters reporting a marked decline in deer sightings and quality over recent years. Where robust herds once thrived, recent hunts have turned up scant numbers, indicating potential mismanagement and raising concerns about herd sustainability. Hunters are calling for changes to management practices, noting the lack of official presence and questioning the accuracy of current wildlife data. Additionally, there is some confusion regarding possible changes to the archery season, with hunters awaiting official confirmation on any updates before strategic planning for upcoming hunts.
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
High
Low
This unit is one of the more popular general deer units in Utah. The area consists of the Tushar Mountains and parts of valleys on the eastern and western sides. The town of Beaver is on the west, where Interstate 15 is the boundary. U.S. HIghway 80 is the eastern boundary.
This is one of the few Utah units where deer numbers have reached state goals. Previous fires have opened up and improved much of the northern part of the unit in terms of glassing and habitat. There are several remote areas to hunt. Much of the unit is covered with dense timber.
Much of the Beaver unit is steep and rugged. Several deep canyons with jagged cliffs on the sides and with creeks in the bottoms run east and west. A number of trailheads start at high elevations, reducing the elevation a hunter must climb to reach prime hunting areas. Several hunters find glassing spots half a mile from roads, allowing them to view parts of roadless areas. Private property lies along the bases of some mountains, and a ski resort and cabin developments limit access in some of the high country. Previous fires in the north end of the unit were helpful in opening areas that had been hard to glass and improving them with new browse and grass.
Well-maintained roads access some high mountains. Other access roads are maintained to campsites and are not maintained at higher elevations. State Road 153, Fremont Canyon Road and Forest Service Road 113 give hunters access to different parts of this unit. A lot of roads are maintained through summer and fall. Snow or heavy rainfall can make some of the small dirt roads difficult to navigate. A good trail system is available for hikers and horseback riders. ATV trails access much of the unit. ATVs are limited to 50 inches in width on some trails.
Dense Engelmann spruce mingled with pines and firs dominate high elevations. Some alpine tundra is on the highest peaks. Middle elevations have Douglas fir, aspens, manzanita, grass meadows and sagebrush, and low elevations have pinyon/juniper woodlands, sagebrush, oak brush, grasses and other browse. There are a lot of water sources because of springs, small lakes and perennial streams.
Beaver and Marysville have lodging, gas, groceries, and other supplies. Camping is permitted on most public land.
Roughly 1,787 square miles
80% public land
Elevations from about 5,950 feet to 12,133 feet on Mount Baldy
ATVs are recommended
Snow and rain can impede travel in some areas
Lots of remote areas