Quick Tips
- GPS with land ownership memory cards are recommended
- Hunt pockets away from public roads to find elk
- Some of the more remote areas can be physically challenging
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 160"+ |
| Elk | 280"-300" | 310"+ |
On The Ground
Made up of the western side of the Bear Range from Utah to Strawberry Canyon and the foothills and flat lands below, this area holds big numbers of mule deer and a decent amount of elk. Tags are sold over the counter.
Once famous for producing record book mule deer, but overhunting, drought, severe winters, predation and other factors have changed things. Most hunters take small to medium-size mule deer. A few mature bulls travel between Idaho and Utah's North Cache unit.
Terrain
On the west side of the Bear River Range between Utah and Strawberry Canyon and includes the land around Oneida Reservoir, the Mink Creek drainage and the hills east of Preston and Franklin. The western two-thirds is mostly private land and is divided among farmland and hills, which are mostly covered with sagebrush but have wooded and densely brushed places. The western border roughly follows the spine of the Bear River Range that is also mostly aligned with Franklin County’s eastern edge.
Roughly 263 square miles
47% public land
Elevations from 6,000-9,500 feet
Vegetation
The national forest is largely covered by aspens, Douglas firs, Englemann, blue spruces, subalpine firs, chokecherry bushes, mahoganies and other grasses. The backbone of the Bear River Range is open in certain places and many grassy and brushy meadows and openings are scattered throughout the forest. Foothills are mainly covered with sagebrush, bigtooth maple brush, mahoganies, junipers and scattered conifers and aspens.
Access
Hunters can drive to forest roads in the Bear River Range from access points at Strawberry Canyon, Mink Creek, Cub River and Franklin Basin. Forest and ATV trails lead to many interior sections, but game department rules only let ATVs on roads that can be used by full-size vehicles.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended off paved roads
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp on national forest land along four-wheel-drive or gravel roads. Lodging is available in Logan, Utah and Preston. Lodging options in the area:
Cub River Guest Ranch
Riverdale Resort
Beaver Creek Lodge
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