Quick Tips
- Be prepared for steep-angled shots
- Carry a card with holdover at steep angles
- Bring a rod to catch trout in Payson Lakes
- Weather cna vary dramatically in this high elevation unit
On The Ground
This unit is located in the central portion of the state and offers some great mountain goat opportunities. Herds were originally introduced into the area in 2007 and have since grown to healthy populations with good record-book size billies to be found.
Bigger goats should be old enough and should have eaten well enough that they should have horns of record-book size. Goats in this area seldom stray from cliffs that provide escape cover from cougars. Look for goats at elevations of 9,000 feet or more
Terrain
Elevation changes are extreme in this unit, which averages about 20 miles from east to west and 75 miles from north to south. Virtually all mountain goats in the unit, however, are found in the northern third of the unit on mountains with peaks more than 10,000 feet above sea level, including the unit’s namesake, 11,877-foot-high Mount Nebo.
Roughly 1,473 square miles
49% public land
Elevations from 4,550-11,877 feet
Vegetation
In summer and fall goats in this unit live in rocky or steep terrain that has few trees. In winter the animals descend to slopes with scattered oakbrush, aspens and conifers but spend most of their time on steep hillsides and rocky ridges that are covered with grass or low-lying forbs and brush.
Access
There is great access in this unit with trailheads that lead to the high peaks throughout the unit. Four-wheel-drive is recommended to travel this road during wet or snowy weather. The Mount Nebo Wilderness is restricted to foot traffic only. The primary access road in the unit is the Nebo Loop Road.
Camping and Lodging
Most hunters camp along the Nebo Loop Road. There are also campgrounds within the unit. Backpacking is a good way to hunt this unit. There is hotel lodging in nearby Payson and Spanish Fork. Nephi provides supplies, groceries, and services.
Payson Lakes Campground southeast of Payson open till Oct. 20
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