Utah Elk Mule Deer Bear

Unit 16A (Nebo)

Utah Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer, Bear

Unit 16A covers the Mount Nebo area along the southern Wasatch Front — one of Utah's most accessible limited-entry elk units. The unit sits on the southern Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest within reach of the Provo-Payson corridor, offering a realistic limited-entry elk hunt without the extreme remoteness of Book Cliffs or Henry Mountains. Peak elevation on Mount Nebo reaches 11,928 ft.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Elk in Unit 16A

Mount Nebo's elk use the dramatic elevation changes of the southern Wasatch to their advantage, shifting between summer and fall ranges predictably.

High Alpine Basins (9,000–11,000 ft)

Early-season bulls hold in the high basins and alpine meadows around Mount Nebo's upper ridges. These open parks surrounded by spruce and fir provide summer feed and cool temperatures. Glass these basins from the Nebo Loop Road overlooks for early scouting.

Aspen-Oak Transition (7,500–9,000 ft)

The thick aspen groves and oak brush transition zone is where most elk are taken during rifle season. Bulls push into this cover as pressure increases, using the dense vegetation for security. Focus on the drainages and saddles between major ridgelines.

Winter Range Foothills

Late-season muzzleloader and archery hunters find elk dropping to the lower foothills on the east and south sides of Mount Nebo. These sagebrush and juniper areas concentrate elk when snow covers higher ground.

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 16A

Nebo rewards hunters who scout thoroughly and are willing to hike past the easily accessible areas.

Glassing from the Nebo Loop

The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway provides outstanding glassing access to large portions of the unit. Use pulloffs and overlooks to glass high basins and timbered slopes at dawn and dusk. This is an efficient way to locate bulls before committing to a stalk.

Calling in the Aspen

The aspen forests on Nebo are excellent for calling during the rut. Bugle from ridgetops to locate bulls, then drop into the timber to set up. The relatively open understory of mature aspen allows for effective cow calling at 100-200 yard distances. Be ready for bulls to come in fast and quiet.

Pressure Pockets

Due to the unit's proximity to population centers, pressure is moderate near roads and trailheads. Push past the first mile of easy access and pressure drops dramatically. The best bulls hold in the steepest, thickest terrain where most road hunters won't venture.

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Elk Success Rates

Unit 16A elk success rates average 35-45% for rifle hunters, with archery around 15-20%. The limited-entry structure keeps tag numbers reasonable, and the accessible terrain allows hunters to effectively cover ground. Success correlates strongly with willingness to hike away from roads — hunters who invest effort into reaching less-pressured areas report significantly higher success.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Limited Entry	12	217	5.5%	13
Rifle— Limited Entry	2	121	1.7%	13
Muzzleloader— Limited Entry	8	187	4.3%	10

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Nebo elk tags are competitive but more attainable than Utah's premier units. Rifle hunters typically need 8-14 bonus points, making this a realistic 10-15 year goal for most applicants. Archery and muzzleloader tags draw with fewer points — often 4-8. Non-resident odds are tighter but not impossible. This is a good unit to target if you want a quality limited-entry elk hunt without the 20+ year commitment of the Book Cliffs or Henry Mountains.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 16A

Unit 16A provides a general-season mule deer hunt in the accessible Wasatch Front country around Mount Nebo. The unit sits on the southern Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest with proximity to the Payson-Nephi corridor. Mount Nebo itself tops out at 11,928 ft, and the mix of aspen, oak brush, and alpine terrain creates diverse habitat. Note: UDWR publishes no separate Unit 16A herd management plan as of 2025 — management is through the statewide mule deer plan and annual Big Game Application Guidebook.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 16A

Mule deer on Mount Nebo favor different terrain than the elk, typically holding at lower and mid-elevations in thicker cover.

Oak Brush Slopes (6,000–8,000 ft)

The extensive oak brush on the lower and mid slopes of Mount Nebo holds the bulk of the deer population. Bucks bed deep in the brush during the day and feed along the edges at dawn and dusk. Glass the brush-to-meadow transitions for the best results.

Aspen Benches

North-facing aspen stands provide excellent deer habitat with good browse and cover. During the early season, mature bucks favor the cooler temperatures and open understory of the aspen groves. Look for rub lines and trails connecting bedding to feeding areas.

Ridgeline Saddles

Bucks travel through saddles between drainages, especially during the rut. Position yourself overlooking known saddles and crossings during the morning and evening movement periods.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 16A

Nebo mule deer respond well to classic spot-and-stalk tactics in the broken mountain terrain.

Glassing Oak Brush Edges

The oak brush is too thick to hunt through effectively. Instead, set up on opposing ridges and glass the edges where oak brush meets meadow or aspen. Bucks emerge to feed at the margins, giving you an opportunity to plan a stalk before they melt back into cover.

Rut Hunting

During the November rut, bucks on Nebo become far more visible as they cruise for does. Focus on doe concentration areas — the lower foothills and agricultural edges where does feed. Bucks travel between doe groups and can cover miles in a single day.

Snow Hunting

A fresh snowfall transforms Nebo mule deer hunting. Tracking becomes possible in the aspen and PJ zones, and deer are more visible against the white background. Snow also pushes deer to lower elevations where they're more accessible.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Unit 16A mule deer success rates average 30-40% for rifle hunters. Buck quality is above average for Utah, with most harvested bucks scoring 150-170 inches and occasional bucks breaking 180. The general season structure means more tags are issued than limited-entry units, but the habitat and management still produce quality animals.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Muzzleloader— Limited Entry	21	84	25.0%	21

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Nebo mule deer tags are more accessible than the unit's elk permits. Depending on the hunt type, rifle tags may draw with 2-6 bonus points. Archery opportunities are even easier to obtain. This makes Unit 16A an excellent option for hunters who want above-average mule deer hunting without a long point commitment.

Bear Hunting in Unit 16A

The Nebo bear unit overlays the Central Mountains Nebo elk country — Mount Nebo and the southern Wasatch in Juab and Utah counties. Mixed-conifer and aspen high country, prolific oakbrush transition zones, and spring green-up timing combine to produce solid bear numbers on primarily Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest ground.

Where to Find Bears on Nebo

Nebo bears follow spring green-up and fall mast like bears anywhere, but the Nebo Loop road corridor lets you cover elevation bands fast.

Oakbrush Transition Zone (6,500–8,000 ft)

The oakbrush band on Nebo's flanks is the heart of bear country in spring and fall. Acorn crops draw heavy fall activity; serviceberry and chokecherry drive spring-summer use.

Aspen Benches Above the Oakbrush

By mid-summer bears move up into aspen-fir benches at 8,000–9,500 ft. Look for rubs and digs on north-facing benches with spring water.

Salt Creek and Payson Canyon Drainages

The major drainages cutting Nebo hold fall bears working fruit-bearing riparian shrubs and late mast. Travel corridors between the high country and valley floor funnel through these canyons.

How to Hunt Nebo Bears

Nebo's layout — a single mountain with a road around it — makes it a good unit for method flexibility.

Spring Bait in Oakbrush Zones

Spring bait permits placed in the 7,000–8,000 ft oakbrush band produce consistently. UDWR bait registration is required; follow distance-from-water and signage rules.

Hounds on the Nebo Loop

Pursuit hunters cut roads on the Nebo Loop pre-dawn for fresh tracks, then turn hounds in the oakbrush or aspen. Scent holds well in the damp Wasatch mornings.

Fall Spot-and-Stalk

September acorn drop pulls bears onto oakbrush ridges. Glass from across-canyon vantage points at first and last light. Shots are often 150–400 yards across oak-choked ravines.

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Bear Success Rates

Nebo bear success runs moderately high across methods — bait permits typically 35–50%, pursuit 30–40%, spot-and-stalk 15–25%. A strong oak mast year can push fall spot-and-stalk success sharply higher. Most harvested bears are 3.5–5.5 year-old boars, with occasional mature 6+ year-old bears from the wilderness interior.

Bear Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	3	245	1.2%	19

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Nebo is a relatively small-allocation bear unit — roughly 26 tags per year against 834 applicants over a rolling 3-year window. That makes it one of the tougher Utah bear draws, typically taking 3–5 bonus points for residents in the weighted bonus point draw. UDWR weights by point count, not points-squared.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Payson Lakes and other developed campgrounds accommodate RVs. The Nebo Loop is accessible for larger rigs through mid-October.

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Camp Sites

Several developed Forest Service campgrounds along the Nebo Loop. Dispersed camping available on National Forest land. Payson Lakes Campground is a popular base camp.

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Water

Good. Multiple streams and springs throughout the unit. Pack water for day hunts but camps near water are feasible.

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Road Conditions

Nebo Loop Scenic Byway is paved and well-maintained through October. Forest roads off the Loop are generally good but can deteriorate with weather. Standard 4WD sufficient for most access.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Steep terrain on the mountain but well-established trails provide access. Not as physically demanding as remote desert units.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate near roads, light 1+ miles from trailheads.

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Weather

Mountain weather changes rapidly. Temperatures range from 30-60°F during rifle season. Snow is common at higher elevations by late October.

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Cell Service

Spotty on the mountain but available in many areas. Reliable service in the foothills and along Highway 15.

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Nearest Town

Payson or Nephi (15-30 minutes). Full services available including lodging, fuel, and supplies.

Note: The proximity to population centers is both a blessing and a challenge. Access is easy but so is competition for camping spots during opening week. Arrive early to secure your preferred camp location.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mount Nebo a good first limited-entry elk unit?

Yes. Unit 16A offers a strong balance of trophy quality, accessibility, and reasonable draw odds. It's an excellent choice for hunters who want a quality limited-entry experience without the extreme remoteness or 20+ year point commitment of units like the Book Cliffs or Henry Mountains.

How close is Unit 16A to Salt Lake City?

The northern boundary of Unit 16A is about 60-75 minutes south of Salt Lake City via I-15. The Nebo Loop Scenic Byway access point near Payson is roughly 70 miles from SLC, making it one of the most accessible limited-entry elk units in Utah.

Is Unit 16A a limited-entry or general season mule deer unit?

Unit 16A has both limited-entry and general season mule deer hunts depending on the weapon type and season dates. Check the current Utah proclamation for specific hunt codes and tag numbers.

What size bucks should I expect in Unit 16A?

Most harvested bucks score 150-170 inches, which is above average for Utah. Bucks in the 180+ class are taken each year but require patience and willingness to pass on smaller animals.

How tough is the Nebo bear draw?

Moderately tough — with only ~26 tags per year, residents typically need 3–5 bonus points. Utah's weighted bonus point draw favors higher-point applicants but includes a random element.

Can I hunt bears in Mount Nebo Wilderness?

Yes, hunting is allowed, but no motorized or mechanized transport is permitted. Spot-and-stalk and pursuit (dogs allowed where UDWR permits) are the viable methods inside the wilderness.

When is peak mast drop on Nebo?

Gambel oak acorn drop typically peaks mid-September to early October on Nebo. That window drives fall bear movement and spot-and-stalk opportunity.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

Utah Big Game — Application Guidebook and Field Regulations (primary current reference since UDWR publishes no standalone Unit 16A Nebo deer/elk management plan as of 2025) — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Nebo Bull Elk listed as Limited Entry hunt with archery, muzzleloader, any-weapon, and multi-season options, UDWR plan index lists Unit 16BC Manti but no separate 16A Nebo plan; geography is managed under the statewide elk and deer plans · accessed 2026-04-16
Utah Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — Hunt Planner · supports: Authoritative GIS polygon for Unit 16A Nebo boundary · accessed 2026-04-16
Utah Big Game Harvest & Survey Data Index — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Nebo LE bull elk annual success, age-class, and permit summaries · accessed 2026-04-16
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache NF (Spanish Fork RD + Nebo Ranger District) — land-manager of record for Nebo unit habitat — U.S. Forest Service — Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest · supports: Primary federal land manager for Mount Nebo Wilderness and surrounding elk habitat · accessed 2026-04-16
Statewide Mule Deer Management Plan (2025) — governing framework for Unit 16A in absence of a unit-specific plan — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Establishes statewide buck:doe objectives (general season 15-17:100) that Unit 16A is managed under · accessed 2026-04-16
Utah Black Bear Hunting — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Nebo is a managed limited-entry bear unit, Spring, summer, and fall seasons available with bait, pursuit, and spot-and-stalk · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit 16A (Nebo)

Elk Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Elk in Unit 16A

High Alpine Basins (9,000–11,000 ft)

Aspen-Oak Transition (7,500–9,000 ft)

Winter Range Foothills

How to Hunt Elk in Unit 16A

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 16A

Oak Brush Slopes (6,000–8,000 ft)

Aspen Benches

Ridgeline Saddles

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 16A

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Bear Hunting in Unit 16A

Where to Find Bears on Nebo

Oakbrush Transition Zone (6,500–8,000 ft)

Aspen Benches Above the Oakbrush

Salt Creek and Payson Canyon Drainages

How to Hunt Nebo Bears

Bear Success Rates

Bear Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

Unit 16A — Nebo Mule Deer

Unit 16B — Manti Elk

Unit 10 — Book Cliffs Elk

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification