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Utah Bighorn Sheep Elk Mule Deer Mountain Goat Pronghorn Bear

Unit 22 (Beaver)

Utah Hunting Guide — Bighorn Sheep, Elk, Mule Deer, Mountain Goat, Pronghorn, Bear

Unit 22 encompasses the Tushar Mountains near Beaver — home to one of Utah's Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herds. The shared unit geography spans Iron, Garfield, Piute, Beaver, and Millard counties (UDWR 2020 deer plan — big-game seasons share the same unit boundary). Summer range is USFS-dominated (70%) with BLM at 22%; winter range flips to BLM-dominant (68%). The Tushar Mountains are the highest range in Utah outside the Uintas, reaching over 12,000 feet, and the alpine terrain provides spectacular bighorn habitat.

Bighorn Sheep Hunting in Unit 22

Unit 22 encompasses the Tushar Mountains near Beaver — home to one of Utah's Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herds. The shared unit geography spans Iron, Garfield, Piute, Beaver, and Millard counties (UDWR 2020 deer plan — big-game seasons share the same unit boundary). Summer range is USFS-dominated (70%) with BLM at 22%; winter range flips to BLM-dominant (68%). The Tushar Mountains are the highest range in Utah outside the Uintas, reaching over 12,000 feet, and the alpine terrain provides spectacular bighorn habitat.

Where to Find Bighorn Sheep in Unit 22

Bighorn sheep in the Beaver unit inhabit the high, rugged terrain of the Tushar Mountains — Utah's highest peaks outside the Uinta Range.

Alpine Ridges and Cliffs (10,500–12,000 ft)

During summer and early fall, rams occupy the highest alpine terrain — cliff bands, rocky ridges, and talus slopes above timberline. They use the vertical terrain for security, bedding on ledges with commanding views and feeding in the alpine meadows and grassy slopes between rock outcrops.

Mountain Bowls and Cirques

The glacial cirques and bowls on the upper Tushar Mountains hold bighorn sheep throughout the season. These protected basins provide feed and shelter from wind while keeping sheep near escape terrain. Glass the rim edges and the grassy areas within the bowls.

Lower Migration Routes

As winter approaches and snow builds at the highest elevations, rams begin moving to lower cliffs and south-facing slopes. Late-season hunters may find rams at 8,000-10,000 feet on the rocky outcrops and cliff bands below the main alpine zone.

How to Hunt Bighorn Sheep in Unit 22

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Bighorn Sheep Success Rates

Beaver bighorn sheep success rates are very high — typically 80-95% — due to the extremely limited tags (often 3-5 per year) and pre-season scouting that most tag holders invest in. Ram quality is exceptional, with most harvested rams scoring 170-185 inches. The Tushar herd is well-managed and produces rams that rival any Rocky Mountain bighorn population in the West.

Bighorn Sheep Draw Odds

Draw odds data not available for this specific unit/species combination in our database.

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Bighorn sheep is a once-in-a-lifetime (OIAL) species in Utah — you can only draw one tag in your lifetime. With only 3-5 tags issued per year and thousands of applicants, the odds are extremely low even with maximum bonus points. Most successful applicants have 20+ points, but the weighted random draw means some draw with fewer. Apply every year from the moment you're eligible and hope for the best.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does once-in-a-lifetime mean for Utah bighorn sheep?
In Utah, bighorn sheep is classified as an OIAL species. You can only draw one bighorn sheep tag in your lifetime, regardless of unit. Once you draw and hunt (even if unsuccessful), you cannot apply again. This makes the tag incredibly precious and motivates extensive pre-season preparation.
Should I hire a guide for my Beaver bighorn sheep hunt?
Strongly recommended. This is a once-in-a-lifetime tag in challenging alpine terrain. An experienced guide with knowledge of the Tushar bighorn herd dramatically increases your odds of locating and harvesting a quality ram. Most tag holders invest in guided or semi-guided hunts.
How physically demanding is the Beaver bighorn hunt?
Very demanding. You'll be hunting above 10,000 feet on steep, rocky terrain with significant altitude exposure. Start a fitness program months before the season and spend time at elevation to acclimatize. Hunters who are not in excellent cardiovascular shape will struggle.
How does Beaver elk compare to the Book Cliffs?
Both produce exceptional bulls (330-370+ class), but the terrain is very different. Beaver is high-mountain with spruce-fir and alpine terrain, while the Book Cliffs are desert canyons. Beaver tends to be more physically demanding due to elevation but has better road access to mid-elevation areas. Draw odds are similar — both require 15-20+ points.
Is the Tushar Mountain range too high for older hunters?
The Tushar Mountains reach over 12,000 feet, and much of the elk habitat is above 8,000 feet. Altitude can be challenging for anyone, regardless of age. However, some effective hunting can be done from roads at mid-elevation, and late-season hunts when elk move lower reduce the altitude demand. Physical preparation and acclimatization are important for all hunters.
How does Beaver mule deer compare to the Paunsaugunt?
Beaver produces very good bucks (165-185 class) but doesn't quite reach the Paunsaugunt level (180-200+). The trade-off is significantly easier draw odds — Beaver draws with 10-16 points versus 18-25+ for the Paunsaugunt. For many hunters, the Beaver is the sweet spot between quality and accessibility.
Can I hunt multiple species in Unit 22 the same year?
Only if you draw tags for each species separately. Elk and mule deer have independent draw systems with separate bonus points. Bighorn sheep is a once-in-a-lifetime tag. It's theoretically possible but extremely unlikely to hold multiple tags for the same unit in one year.
How does Utah's mountain goat draw work?
Utah uses a weighted-random bonus-point draw administered by UDWR. Each bonus point adds an additional chance in the random drawing, but there is no guaranteed point threshold — every applicant has some chance every year.
Is a mountain goat hunt in Beaver a once-in-a-lifetime tag?
Yes — Utah classifies mountain goat as a once-in-a-lifetime species, meaning drawing a permit removes you from future mountain goat draws in the state.
What bonus point level typically draws Beaver pronghorn?
Because Utah's draw is weighted rather than guaranteed, there's no firm cutoff — but most successful applicants carry several bonus points. Review UDWR's published odds report each spring for current numbers.
What weapons are allowed?
Utah offers archery, muzzleloader, and any-legal-weapon pronghorn seasons depending on the hunt code; check the current UDWR big game guidebook for the specific Beaver hunt dates and weapon choices.
Can I bait bears on the Beaver unit?
Utah allows bait under registered-station rules for specific seasons and sub-hunts. Verify the current Utah Big Game Guidebook bear section and register any bait station with UDWR before setting one up.
Is the Beaver a hound unit?
Yes, Beaver runs hound and pursuit sub-hunts during summer and some fall seasons. Check the 2025 Guidebook for the specific season-and-method mix for the year you're applying.
How big do Tushar bears get?
Mature Tushar boars routinely hit 300+ pounds dressed with occasional bears pushing 400. Color-phase bears (cinnamon, chocolate) are harvested here most seasons.

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Sources & Verification

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

  1. Deer Herd Unit Management Plan — Unit #22 Beaver (2020) — used for shared unit boundary and land-ownership data — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Unit spans Iron, Garfield, Piute, Beaver, and Millard counties, Summer range: 70% USFS, 22% BLM, 6% private (305,201 acres), Winter range: 68% BLM, 14% USFS, 9% private (580,564 acres), Boundary: SR-130 / I-15 / I-70 / US-89 / SR-20, Same Tushar Mountains geography supports the once-in-a-lifetime bighorn hunt · accessed 2026-04-16
  2. Utah Big Game Application Guidebook and Field Regulations index — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Beaver Rocky Mountain Bighorn listed as once-in-a-lifetime hunt · accessed 2026-04-16
  3. Utah Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — Hunt Planner · supports: Authoritative GIS polygon for Unit 22 Beaver bighorn hunt · accessed 2026-04-16
  4. Utah Big Game Harvest & Survey Data Index — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Annual once-in-a-lifetime bighorn sheep success and ram age tables · accessed 2026-04-16
  5. Dixie National Forest — Beaver Ranger District (Tushar Mountains) — USDA Forest Service · supports: Core Tushar Mountain bear habitat lies on the Beaver Ranger District · accessed 2026-04-17