Good unit for the hunter not wanting an extremely physical hunt
Species
General Size
Trophy Potential
Mule Deer
150"-170"
170"+
Elk
260"-300"
310"+
On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
November 2024
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Stretching south from Soda Springs to Strawberry Canyon, this area is home to healthy herds of mule deer and lower numbers of elk. Hunters have to apply for muzzleloader deer tags.
Most hunters work hard to take medium-size bucks. Elk numbers are held to low numbers to minimize impacts on private farms and range lands. Even though elk tags are limited in the Bear River Zone that includes Unit 75, there are a few bulls that reach trophy class. Bowhunters can buy elk tags over-the-counter.
The Bear River Range, which is part of the Wasatch Range runs from north to south. The higher parts are in the Caribou Targhee National Forest and includes Sherman Peak and Soda Peak. Parts of the range are steep and rugged, including the northwestern edge and the sides of Strawberry, Cheatbeck, Trout Creek, North Ant and Main canyons and slopes northwest and southwest of Sherman Peak along Eight Mile Creek. Most of the national forest is steep. Flat land is south of Alexander Reservoir in the northern tip, Nounan Valley in the east, Gem Valley in the west and from Georgetown Creek to Montpelier in the Bear River Valley in the east and southeast.
The national forest is largely covered by aspens, Douglas firs, Engelmann, blue spruces, subalpine firs, chokecherry bushes, mahoganies and grasses. The backbone of the Bear River Range is open in some places and many grassy, brushy meadows and openings are scattered in the forest. Foothills are mostly covered with sagebrush, bigtooth maple brush, junipers and scattered conifers and aspens. Buckbrush is common at high elevations. Private flat lands are mostly planted in alfalfa and grass hay with hilly sections used as grazing rangeland. Creek bottoms are choked with willows.
Access to national forest and BLM land is good with public roads well-distributed on both sides of the Bear River Range. Access points include McPherson, South Ant, Main, Emigration and Strawberry canyons with forest roads leading to many interior sections, like the right and left forks of Williams Creek. ATVs can be used only on roads that can be used by full-size vehicles.
Most hunters camp on national forest land along four-wheel-drive or gravel roads. Lodging is available in Montpelier and Soda Springs. Developed campgrounds are usually closed before hunting seasons begin. Private campgrounds and RV parks are in Montpelier, Soda Springs and near Lava Hot Springs.
Roughly 379 square miles
42.1% public land
Elevations from 5,100-9,000 feet
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended off of paved roads