On The Ground
Terrain
Vegetation
Access
Camping and Lodging
Historical Temperatures
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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.
Decent populations of elk can be found here but can be difficult to find due to the sheer size of the unit. With this unit being so large hunters should scout prior to the start of their hunt also. This is a physically challenging unit that hunters should be prepared for.
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.
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.
Most elk live in the Manti-La Sal National Forest or on property managed by the BLM. Dirt roads offer great public access. 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:
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.
Roughly 4,367 square miles
91% public land
Elevations from 5,000-11,360 feet
Dark Canyon
Butler Wash
Fish Creek Canyon
Grand Gulch
Road Canyon
Bridger Jack Mesa
Indian Creek
Natural Bridges National Monument
Canyonlands National Park
Ute Mountain Indian Reservation