Utah Moose Elk Mule Deer

Unit Causey Spring (Causey Spring)

Utah Hunting Guide — Moose, Elk, Mule Deer

Causey Spring is a limited-entry Shiras moose hunt on the north slope of the Wasatch, managed by UDWR through the weighted-random bonus-point draw. With only about 4 tags clearing a 3-year applicant pool of ~583, this is one of Utah's toughest moose draws. The terrain — mixed aspen and conifer around Causey Reservoir and the East Fork of the Ogden River — is classic Shiras habitat: willow-choked creek bottoms, spruce-fir pockets, and aspen transition zones.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit Causey Spring

Where to Find Moose on Causey Spring

Shiras moose on Causey Spring follow willow, water, and conifer edge. We hunt all three.

Willow Creek Bottoms

The willow stringers along the East Fork of the Ogden and its tributaries are the primary food source. Bulls bed in spruce nearby and feed the willows morning and evening.

Aspen-Conifer Transitions

Mixed aspen and fir at 7,500–9,000 ft hold bulls through the rut. We check clearings and parks within these stands daily.

Reservoir Edges

Causey Reservoir's margins pull moose during warm early-season mornings. A glass session from the opposing shore often locates animals before they push back into timber.

How to Hunt Causey Spring Moose

Drawing this tag is effectively a once-in-a-lifetime event. We plan the hunt around patience and careful bull selection.

Glass Willow Edges at Low Light

Bulls feed in and out of willow stringers on a predictable pattern. We glass from elevated opposing ridges at first light and just before dark.

Judge Antler Growth Carefully

Shiras are smaller than their Alaskan or Canadian cousins — a 45-inch bull is a trophy here. We wait for the right bull rather than fill early.

Plan Pack-Out

A bull moose in a willow bottom becomes hundreds of pounds of meat to move uphill. We line up pack stock or a crew of packers before the shot, not after.

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Moose Success Rates

Rifle70%

UDWR's Big Game Harvest Data page publishes moose harvest annually. With only a handful of Causey Spring tags, individual hunts drive the numbers — we track antler size and age trends over multiple years rather than single-season success percentages.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	192	0.5%	11

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Roughly 583 applicants chasing ~4 tags over three years puts aggregate odds well under 1%. UDWR's weighted bonus-point lottery awards half of the tags to the max-point pool and half through a random-weighted draw. Most Causey Spring draws go to maximum-point applicants — the random-weighted pool is a long-odds lottery for everyone else.

Elk Hunting in Unit Causey Spring

Causey Spring elk is a limited-entry bull elk unit in the northern Wasatch Range in Weber County, Utah, covering the same aspen-conifer and drainage terrain near Causey Reservoir that also supports the unit's famous moose population. UDWR manages a small bull elk tag allocation here, with the northern Wasatch's spruce-fir, aspen, and mountain-brush terrain producing quality bulls under limited-entry management. The Causey drainage's mix of private and USFS land creates a hunt that rewards thorough pre-season scouting.

Where to Find Elk on Causey Spring

Causey Spring elk concentrate in the northern Wasatch drainages that feed the East Fork of the Ogden River and Causey Reservoir.

Aspen Parks and Spruce Edges (7,500–9,000 ft)

Bulls feed aspen park edges at dawn through September. Glass from opposing ridges across the drainage before first light. The best bulls hold at elevation through early season.

Willow and Riparian Corridors

The same willow-choked creek bottoms that draw moose also concentrate elk during warm weather. Elk use these corridors to travel between upper feeding terrain and lower shelter.

Mountain-Brush Benches

Serviceberry and mountain-brush benches on mid-elevation slopes hold elk during October, especially as the rut winds down and cows concentrate on forage.

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How to Hunt Causey Spring Elk

Northern Wasatch elk hunting at Causey Spring combines classic high-country spot-and-stalk with aggressive rut calling in tight drainage terrain.

Pre-Dawn Drainage Glass

Set up on ridge points above the drainage before first light and glass into the aspen parks below. The Causey drainage is compact — a single good vantage point can cover significant bull habitat.

September Rut Calling

Set up in the creek bottom and call toward the timbered slopes above. The narrow drainage concentrates sound and creates close-range encounters with rut-active bulls.

Reservoir-Edge Morning Checks

The Causey Reservoir edge attracts both elk and moose. A morning glass session from the opposing shore before moving to higher terrain often reveals elk using the reservoir margins.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle28%

Causey Spring limited-entry bull elk tags produce 65-80% success rates for rifle hunters and 30-45% for archery, consistent with northern Wasatch limited-entry elk units per UDWR data. Bulls average 280-310 inches in this drainage, with the managed tag structure allowing mature 6x6 bulls to develop.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	26	3.8%	1

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Causey Spring elk operates under Utah's 50% max-points / 50% weighted-random draw. The unit's proximity to the Wasatch front makes it more popular than remote southern Utah units. Expect a 7-12 year build timeline for mid-point applicants. Non-residents are capped at 10% of tags.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Causey Spring

Causey Spring is a northern Utah mule deer unit in the South Fork Ogden River drainage of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest where steep aspen-covered ridges, dense mountain mahogany slopes, and the Causey Reservoir area create excellent deer habitat. The unit produces good-quality mature bucks and sees limited hunting pressure given the demanding terrain.

Where to Find Mule Deer on Causey Spring

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How to Hunt Causey Spring

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Causey Spring mule deer rifle success rates average 58-72%. The demanding canyon terrain rewards hunters who go beyond road-accessible areas. Most harvested bucks are in the 155-175 Boone and Crockett range.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	24	4.2%	2

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Causey Spring is a limited-entry deer unit with moderate competition. Most residents draw with 3-5 bonus points. Non-residents should plan on 6-9 years of accumulation.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

💧

Water

Adequate; streams and the reservoir are reliable.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Paved state highway to Causey Reservoir; forest roads and spurs require high-clearance vehicles past the reservoir.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate — mountain and creek-bottom terrain with steep side slopes in places.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Very low due to extremely limited moose tags.

🌦️

Weather

Fall snow is common; overnight freezing temperatures happen well before the general deer opener.

📱

Cell Service

Fair near the reservoir, spotty deeper in the forest.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Huntsville and Ogden provide full services within 20-45 minutes of access points.

Note: Winter-range closures shape late-season access — we verify current forest travel plans before the hunt.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shiras moose a once-in-a-lifetime species in Utah?

Utah manages moose as a once-in-a-lifetime species for most hunters. Verify the specific rule in the 2025 UT Big Game Guidebook before applying.

What's a good Shiras bull here?

A 45-inch spread bull is a true trophy for Shiras moose. Many Causey Spring bulls fall in the 38-45 inch range — use UDWR's published antler data as your reference.

How does Utah's moose draw work?

UDWR uses a weighted bonus-point lottery. Half of the tags go to the max-point pool and half through a random-weighted draw where each bonus point adds a chance. Points are weighted, not squared.

Does Causey Spring have both elk and moose tags?

Yes. Causey Spring is a named unit with separate limited-entry tag allocations for both bull elk and Shiras moose. The moose tags are significantly harder to draw — Causey Spring moose is among Utah's most competitive draws. The elk draw is more attainable with a realistic multi-year point strategy.

Is Causey Reservoir a good base camp for elk hunting?

Causey Reservoir provides an excellent reference point and water source, but the best elk habitat is above the reservoir in the aspen and spruce terrain. Dispersed USFS camping above the reservoir puts you closer to prime hunting ground than camping at the reservoir itself.

What time of year is best for Causey Spring elk?

September archery during the rut provides the most exciting hunting with vocal bulls in the tight drainage terrain. Early rifle in October offers the highest success rates before rut disturbance settles. Both seasons produce mature bulls on this limited-entry unit.

Is Causey Reservoir accessible during deer season?

Yes. The Causey Reservoir access road is typically open through October and provides a staging area for hunters accessing the surrounding canyon terrain.

What is the dominant cover type on the Causey Spring unit?

Mountain mahogany and aspen are the dominant cover types with oak brush appearing at lower elevations. The dense mahogany is the primary buck holding cover throughout the season.

Are there access easements through private land on Causey Spring?

Some access to the unit interior requires passing through or near private parcels. Check current land-status maps on onX Hunt before hunting.

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Sources & Verification

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

UDWR Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Authoritative GIS polygon for the Causey Spring moose unit · accessed 2026-04-17
2025 Utah Big Game Application Guidebook — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Causey Spring listed as a Shiras moose limited-entry unit in the 2025 UT Big Game Guidebook PDF · accessed 2026-04-17
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest — Ogden Ranger District — USDA Forest Service · supports: Causey Reservoir and the surrounding East Fork Ogden drainage sit on the Ogden Ranger District, Forest road access closes seasonally for wildlife winter range · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit Causey Spring (Causey Spring)

Moose Hunting in Unit Causey Spring

Where to Find Moose on Causey Spring

Willow Creek Bottoms

Aspen-Conifer Transitions

Reservoir Edges

How to Hunt Causey Spring Moose

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Elk Hunting in Unit Causey Spring

Where to Find Elk on Causey Spring

How to Hunt Causey Spring Elk

Elk Success Rates

Elk Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Causey Spring

Where to Find Mule Deer on Causey Spring

How to Hunt Causey Spring

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification