Quick Tips
- Hunt ducks at Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area east of Elmo
- Pheasants may be hunted at Desert Lake
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Elk | Raghorn | 280"+ |
On The Ground
This mostly public unit holds a small number of elk, which are scattered on Cedar Mountain and across a series of low mountains and foothills east of Castle Valley.
This is one of the more difficult elk hunting areas in the West with very few elk found in the unit.
Terrain
The most prominent feature of this unit is Cedar Mountain, a large desert plateau that is 6,600 to 7,600 feet above sea level, overseeing a sprawling treeless desert. The edges of the plateau have steep cliffs and precipitous slopes. Most of the desert below is flat and is usually brown and dry, covered with sagebrush and other low shrubs. A few old creek and river beds cut through the desert flatlands and foothills with many rock outcroppings.
Roughly 1,683 square miles
86% public land
Elevations from 4,100-7,600 feet
Vegetation
Lowlands are mostly treeless, rocky flats with lots of barren ground. Desert bunchgrasses, many different forbs and low brush cover much of the desert. Junipers and pinyons grow densely on some slopes and in some of the steep canyons dropping off the Cedar Mountain plateau. Aspen and a few pines and firs grow in places. Much of the plateau is covered with sagebrush and grass. Farm lands planted in alfalfa, grass hay and other crops are common in Castle Valley, where lowlands have some cottonwoods, willows and riparian brush.
Access
Gravel and dirt roads provide access to Cedar Mountain and most other parts of the unit. Private land in Castle Valley prevents access to some public land, but otherwise, a hunter can drive within a couple miles of almost anywhere except in the SIDS Mountain and Mexican Mountain wilderness study areas in the south. The main route through the Cedar Mountain area is Cedar Mountain Road, which can be accessed from roads that begin in Wellington in the north and Huntington in the west. This unit also has two WMAs, Desert Lake and Upper San Rafael.
Camping and Lodging
Hunters may camp almost anywhere on public land except on Indian reservation property. Check for fire restrictions before hunting. Do not camp within 200 feet of a water hole or windmill. A couple of BLM managed campgrounds in the area are The Wedge and Swinging Bridge. Some places to lodge include Huntington Village Inn in Huntington, Greenwell Inn & Convention Center in Price, and National 9 Inn in Wellington.
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