The San Juan unit has a reputation for big bulls. The unit consists of Elk Ridge and the Abajo Mountains as well as hundreds of square miles of desert and canyonlands east of Lake Powell and the Colorado River.

Hunters who draw or buy tags have a good chance of taking the bull elk of a lifetime in this unit. Premium tags allow hunting during all seasons.

East of Monticello and Blanding, this mostly public unit consists of high mountains, huge expanses of desert, foothills, canyonlands, mesas, and valley floors. Some valleys have many sections of irrigated farm land. The highest point in the unit is Abajo Peak at 11,360 feet above sea level.

Most elk live in the Manti-La Sal National Forest or on property managed by the BLM. Dirt roads offer great public access here. Hunters can get away from roads in many areas by walking or riding horses. No hunting is allowed in Canyonlands National Park, which takes up much of the northern half of the unit. Elk Ridge Road crosses South and North Elk Ridges and offers access to the high country. North Creek Lane, Johnson Creek Road and Causeway Road climb the Abajo Mountains. ATVs and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended.

No vehicles are allowed in wilderness or wilderness study areas, which include:

Areas where no hunting is allowed:

Desert plants such as yucca, prickly pear cactus, sagebrush, and wild grasses grow on valley floors. Pinyon pines and juniper trees cover much of the land at elevations from 6,000 to about 7,500 feet, where sagebrush and oak brush grow. Large conifer forests and aspen groves grow at high elevations.

Motels and RV parks can be found in Monticello and Blanding. Prime hunting sites are long drives from those towns, so most hunters camp along dirt or gravel roads where land is flat for travel trailers or tents.