Quick Tips
- Scout the unit, find a couple bucks to focus on
- Have a detailed map that shows road access
- Let optics cover the ground for you
- Plan to hunt all or as much of the season as possible
- Be prepared for adverse weather
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 170"-180" | 190"+ |
On The Ground
Located in the southeast corner of the state, the San Juan Elk Ridge has great genetics and healthy deer herds. With moderate terrain and good public access, this is a good area for hunters wanting to pursue mature mule deer bucks.
Managed for trophy deer, this unit offers hunters who are willing to wait a few years fan opportunity at a mature mule deer. With limited tag numbers and lots of public land, hunters can be selective when choosing a deer to harvest.
Terrain
The unit gets its name from the Elk Ridge that runs north and south down the east side of the unit. With moderate elevations of 9,300 feet, this unit does not have high mountain peaks. A lot of rolling ridges with deep canyons and large mesas covers much of the area.
Roughly 3,080 square miles
99% public land
Elevations from 9,300-3,700 feet near the river
Vegetation
Low elevations are primarily desert land with yucca, prickly-pear cactus, sagebrush and scattered grass. Pinyon pines and juniper trees cover the middle elevations that also include sagebrush and oak brush. Higher elevations have large ponderosa forests with scattered aspen groves. There are grass and sagebrush flats and meadows scattered along the ridge tops.
Access
With much of the unit being part of the Manti-La Sal National Forest and BLM land, there are a lot of dirt roads winding through the unit offering great public access. There are areas that allow hunters to get away from roads, walking or on horseback. Canyonlands National Park takes up much of the northern part of the unit and does not allow hunting. Dark Canyon Wilderness Area along with Fish Creek Canyon and Butler Wash Wilderness Study Areas covers some of the canyon country in the unit and does not allow vehicle travel. The Ute Tribal Lands prohibits hunting and hunters should be aware of the boundaries. The Elk Ridge Road crosses both the South and North Elk Ridges and offers access to much of the higher elevations in the unit.
ATVs recommended
4-wheel-drive recommended
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along roads. There are several locations that have good, flat camping locations for travel trailers or tents. There are several designated campgrounds open to the public. Monticello and Blanding are the nearest towns and both offer lodging and supplies.
Arrive early for better camping locations
Expect to camp near other hunters
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