On The Ground
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Camping and Lodging
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This unit, which is northeast of Salt Lake City and east of the population corridor in Davis County, offers good hunting opportunities to anyone holding a tag.
Hunters with access to large private tracts can find good odds for success. Those on public land can find success but will need to stay commited to the hunt through its entirety.
This unit varies from the Great Salt Lake at about 4,200 feet above sea level to some rough and rocky peaks of the Wasatch Range, some of them exceeding 9,000 feet. The mountains drain into steep canyons to the west and to more gradual canyons and draws to the east. Many foothills are in the 5,500-6,500 foot range.
Elk habitat consists of mountains, foothills, canyons, and creek bottoms that are mostly timbered or covered by dense brush with some farm fields, pastures and grassy meadows providing feed. Gambel oak brush is the most common cover along with sagebrush, maple brush, mahogany, junipers, firs, aspens, spruces and several species of pines. Find cover near water and away from roads and you often find elk sign.
Most of this unit is private. Public land is limited to East Canyon Wildlife Management Area, which is open to elk hunting but gets plenty of hunting pressure. Lands along the Wasatch Mountains above Kaysville, Farmington, Bountiful and Salt Lake City also have limited public land. Roads give access from canyons such as Parleys, Weber, Emigration and North Canyon. ATVs are recommended on dirt roads and on primitive roads that branch from the main access routes. Carry a GPS to avoid trespassing on private property. ATVs are allowed on most dirt roads. Do not drive off designated roads or trails.
Hunters may camp on most Forest Service land. There are campgrounds at East Canyon and Rockport state parks, both situated on the shores of reservoirs that provide good fishing for trout and smallmouth bass. Hunters may camp along dirt roads on public land above Bountiful, Layton and Farmington, but elk numbers are low. Sunset Campground in Farmington Canyon provides primitive camping. Lodging options include renting a condo from a member at East Canyon Resort, staying in a motel in Salt Lake Valley and renting a condo, home or cabin in the Park City area.
Roughly 631 square miles
26% public land
Elevations from 4,200-9,700 feet
Emigration Township is closed to firearms hunting
Red Butte Canyon Research Natural Area is closed to hunting
Hunting on 9,000-acre East Canyon Resort is reserved for members