Unit Box Elder, Grouse Creek (Box Elder, Grouse Creek)
Utah Hunting Guide — Elk
The Box Elder, Grouse Creek elk unit covers the remote Grouse Creek Mountains and adjacent desert ranges in the extreme northwestern corner of Utah, primarily in Box Elder County. This isolated unit sees minimal hunting pressure — it is one of Utah's least-visited elk units due to its remote location and distance from population centers. Elk inhabit scattered conifer stands and sagebrush parks in a Great Basin landscape that transitions from Nevada rangelands. BLM land dominates, with good public access.
Elk Hunting in Unit Box Elder, Grouse Creek
The Box Elder, Grouse Creek elk unit covers the remote Grouse Creek Mountains and adjacent desert ranges in the extreme northwestern corner of Utah, primarily in Box Elder County. This isolated unit sees minimal hunting pressure — it is one of Utah's least-visited elk units due to its remote location and distance from population centers. Elk inhabit scattered conifer stands and sagebrush parks in a Great Basin landscape that transitions from Nevada rangelands. BLM land dominates, with good public access.
Where to Find Elk in Box Elder, Grouse Creek
Elk in the Grouse Creek Mountains use the limited conifer stands and water sources across this primarily sagebrush-dominated landscape. Pinyon-juniper and mountain mahogany stringers hold bulls through the day; look for elk on the edges of these cover types at first and last light. Water is the critical resource in this dry Great Basin unit — stock tanks, springs, and seasonal drainages concentrate elk activity during warm weather.
The isolation of the Grouse Creek range means elk see very little hunting pressure. Scout the higher terrain in the range for areas where multiple drainages converge — these saddles and benches often hold bulls.
How to Hunt Box Elder, Grouse Creek Elk
Elk Success Rates
Elk success rates in the Grouse Creek unit are bolstered by low hunting pressure and animals with limited human contact. Limited-entry elk hunters in similar remote Great Basin Utah units typically achieve 35–55% success rates. The quality of bulls available here may surprise hunters expecting typical herd-unit elk — isolation allows bulls to age well.
Elk Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts Req |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle— Limited Entry | 13 | 111 | 11.7% | 10 |
| Muzzleloader— Limited Entry | 3 | 26 | 11.5% | 3 |
Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.
Open in Draw Odds EngineThe Box Elder Grouse Creek elk unit draws fewer applicants than Utah's more famous elk areas, which can translate to better draw odds for hunters willing to make the remote trip. Hunters with 5–10 bonus points may have competitive odds in this unit depending on current applicant numbers. Check the UDWR draw statistics for current permit totals and applicant ratios.
Unit Logistics & Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
What land management agency controls access in the Box Elder Grouse Creek unit?
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Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.
- UDWR Big Game Application Guidebook — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Box Elder Grouse Creek elk permit structure, Season dates, Tag quotas · accessed 2026-04-17
- UDWR Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Unit boundary in northwestern Box Elder County, BLM access roads · accessed 2026-04-17
- UDWR Big Game Harvest Data — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Elk harvest statistics, Success rates · accessed 2026-04-17