Quick Tips
- Limited cell phone service, often none
- This unit is fairly isolated, so hunters should come well prepared with supplies, water and fuel
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 160"-180" | 190"+ |
| Elk | 300"-340" | 350"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 75"+ |
| Desert Bighorn Sheep | 140"-150" | 155"+ |
On The Ground
The White Pine Range is a notable portion of land in this area, home to mule deer, elk, desert bighorn sheep and antelope. Most land is covered in sagebrush, dense pinyon pines and junipers.
Terrain
The steepest terrain is near Mount Hamilton and Currant Mountain. Other parts of the White Pine Range also are steep. The rest of the unit has gentle slopes, rolling hills, swales and benches. Currant Mountain is the high point at 11,513 feet. Valleys around the range are as low as 5,000 feet above sea level on Highway 379.
Roughly 1,561 square miles
98.3% public land
Elevations from about 5,000-11,500 feet
Vegetation
Sagebrush takes up much of the unit. Some areas are forested with pinyon pines and juniper trees. Quaking aspens, mountain mahoganies, limber pines, white pines and firs grow above 8,500 feet. Bitterbrush, serviceberries and cliffrose are sparse between elevations of 7,000-9,000 feet. Some places have been burned in the past decade, resulting in dense grass, new forbs and brush. Some places have been invaded by Old World cheatgrass, which has limited value to wildlife and is a fire hazard. At elevations below 6,500 feet sagebrush, greasewood, fourwing saltbush and other desert plants cover benches and flats.
Access
Most of this unit is public land, but large tracts of private property are in Little Smoky Valley in the northwest. Private land also is along White River and Ellison Creek in the southeast and in and near Ruth and Ely in the northeast. The public has access through or around most private ground.
U.S. Highway 50 provides access to the northern reaches of the unit. State Route 379 provides the access in the west. U.S. 6 provides access in the east and both roads access the south. Primitive routes branch from these primary routes. Hunters can hike into roadless areas.
Camping and Lodging
Hunters may get motel rooms and supplies in Ely to the east and in Eureka to the northwest. Hunters may camp almost anywhere on public land. Campsites can be found at Illipah Reservoir, located at the north end of the unit and along the White River Road in the southeastern part of the unit.
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