This area consists of the western side of the Bear Range from Utah to Strawberry Canyon and holds enough moose that harvest success is good for hunters in this area.

This a great place for hunting moose and has high success rates. Trophy size has been averaging to about 36” in outside spread over the past few years. Bulls with antler spreads of 34-40” are harvestedTag holders also can hunt elk and deer during part of the season

This area includes the land around Oneida Reservoir, the Mink Creek drainage and the hills east of Preston and Franklin. The eastern part of this unit is in the Cache National Forest and is mountainous and forested. Parts are steep, especially the Mink Creek Steeps. The western two-thirds are divided among farmland, hills covered with sagebrush and some wooded and densely brushed places. The western border roughly follows the spine of the Bear River Range, which is mostly aligned with Franklin County’s eastern edge and runs between 8,700 - 9,100 feet in elevation.

The National Forest is largely covered by aspens, Douglas firs, Engelmann and blue spruces, subalpine firs, chokecherry bushes, mahoganies and grasses. The backbone of the Bear River Range is open in places, and many grassy and brushy meadows and openings are scattered in the forest, resulting in good glassing opportunities. Late in the season bull moose are typically found on the foothills covered with sagebrush, bigtooth maple brush, mahoganies, junipers and scattered conifers and aspens. Moose are usually found in or near slopes covered with ceanothus, which is common at high elevations. Private flat lands are planted in alfalfa and grass hay with hilly sections used as grazing rangeland. Creek bottoms are choked with willows that usually attract moose.

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 permit ATVs only on roads that can be used by full-size vehicles.

Some hunters camp on National Forest land along four-wheel-drive or gravel roads. Lodging is available in Logan, Utah and Preston. Some lodging options in the area include:

Roughly 263 square miles

47% public land

Elevations from 4,900-9,100 feet

Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended off paved roads

GPS units with land ownership memory cards are recommended