Utah Elk Mule Deer

Unit Bear Mountain

Utah Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Bear Mountain is a northern Utah elk unit in the Bear River Range of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest featuring high-elevation spruce-fir timber, aspen parks, and brushy avalanche chutes that provide exceptional elk habitat and challenging hunting terrain. The unit holds a robust elk population with quality bulls regularly harvested by dedicated hunters. Draw odds are moderate to competitive.

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Elk Hunting in Unit Bear Mountain

Where to Find Elk on Bear Mountain

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How to Hunt Bear Mountain Elk

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle28%

Bear Mountain elk hunters report bull success rates of 40-58% for limited-entry tags. The high-elevation terrain and challenging access filter casual hunters. Most successful hunters harvest bulls in the 260-320 Boone and Crockett range.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	25	4.0%	1

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Bear Mountain is a moderately competitive limited-entry elk unit in the Cache Valley area. Most residents draw with 4-7 bonus points for premium rifle tags. Non-residents should budget 8-12 years of accumulation.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Bear Mountain

Bear Mountain is a limited-entry mule deer unit in northern Utah's Bear River Range of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. With only one tag issued annually against a modest applicant pool, this unit offers a low-pressure, high-quality hunt for mature mule deer bucks in high-elevation spruce-fir and aspen terrain. The unit shares its geography with the Bear Mountain elk unit and rewards hunters who are willing to cover steep country on foot.

Where to Find Mule Deer on Bear Mountain

Mature bucks on Bear Mountain concentrate in the aspen and mixed conifer transition zone between 8,000 and 9,500 feet during late summer and early fall. Avalanche chutes and steep north-facing slopes hold lush forage that draws bucks out of timber cover at first and last light.

Aspen Parks and Ridgeline Saddles

The open aspen parks scattered along the upper ridgelines of the Bear River Range are consistent buck-sighting areas. Bucks use these parks for feeding in the morning and evening, retreating to dense spruce-fir cover during midday. Glass the park edges from opposing ridges at dawn.

Creek Drainages and Willows

Lower-elevation creek drainages with willow patches hold does and fawns early in the season. Mature bucks often work these drainages during the October rut, cruising between feeding and bedding areas. Focusing your scouting on drainage heads and saddle crossings can reveal which corridors bucks use most frequently.

How to Hunt Mule Deer on Bear Mountain

With only one tag issued annually, every Bear Mountain mule deer hunt should be treated as a dedicated trophy pursuit. Pre-season scouting in August and early September — before the season opens — is essential for locating a specific mature buck.

Glass-and-Stalk from High Points

The best method is to gain elevation early and glass the open parks and upper timber edges at first light. The rolling ridgeline topography of the Bear River Range allows you to cover multiple drainages from a single glassing position. Identify your buck, plan a wind-conscious stalk using the terrain's natural contours, and close the distance before thermals shift mid-morning.

Rut Hunting in October

If your season extends into mid-October, bucks become more active and predictable during the rut. Work the open parks and saddles where does concentrate. Bucks will be cruising openly, making them more vulnerable to both spotting and calling.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Bear Mountain mule deer hunters see approximately 8% draw odds for residents at minimal bonus-point totals. The single-tag structure means the lucky tag holder faces virtually no hunting pressure on the unit. Success rates for drawn hunters are high given the absence of competition and the quality of bucks that reach maturity under low pressure conditions.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	12	8.3%	0

Data from 2022 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Bear Mountain issues just one mule deer tag per year, creating odds around 8% for resident applicants even at 0 bonus points — because the total applicant pool is small (roughly 12 residents applying in 2022). Non-residents compete in their own allocation pool. The Utah weighted bonus-point system means accumulating points improves odds, but the small quota means even high-point holders should not count on this tag.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Streams and springs abundant at elevation

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Road Conditions

Good main roads; high clearance for forest two-tracks

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous - high-elevation spruce-fir and steep avalanche terrain

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate on trails; light in backcountry

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Weather

Early snowfall common in late September; upper unit can close by mid-October

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Cell Service

Moderate on ridgelines; limited in deep drainages

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Nearest Town

Logan, UT (~25 miles)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bear Mountain a good unit for archery elk hunting?

Yes. The high aspen parks and active bugling terrain in September make it one of the better archery elk environments in northern Utah.

What physical fitness level is required for Bear Mountain elk hunting?

Good physical fitness is required - the unit involves significant elevation gain. Hunters should be comfortable hiking 5-10 miles per day with a loaded pack at elevations above 9,000 feet.

Are there horse trailheads for accessing Bear Mountain elk country?

Yes. The Wasatch-Cache National Forest has multiple horse-friendly trailheads on the unit's perimeter. Contact the Logan Ranger District for current conditions.

How many mule deer tags does Bear Mountain issue each year?

Bear Mountain issues approximately one limited-entry mule deer rifle tag per year. With roughly 12 applicants, draw odds run around 8% for residents at zero bonus points.

Is Bear Mountain the same unit as the Cache mule deer unit?

No. Bear Mountain is a separate named unit — a limited-entry CWMU-adjacent area — distinct from the general Cache Valley deer unit. It has its own draw and produces a different hunting experience with minimal competition.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-18.

Utah Big Game Application Guidebook 2026 — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Bear Mountain mule deer — limited-entry rifle, 1 tag per year, Draw odds: ~4–8% for residents at low point totals, Unit located in Cache/Rich County area, northern Wasatch-Cache NF · accessed 2026-04-18

Unit Bear Mountain

Elk Hunting in Unit Bear Mountain

Where to Find Elk on Bear Mountain

How to Hunt Bear Mountain Elk

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Bear Mountain

Where to Find Mule Deer on Bear Mountain

Aspen Parks and Ridgeline Saddles

Creek Drainages and Willows

How to Hunt Mule Deer on Bear Mountain

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification