Utah Elk Mule Deer

Unit Conover-jensen (Conover-Jensen)

Utah Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Conover-Jensen is a Utah limited-entry bull elk unit on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains, managed under UDWR's weighted bonus-point draw. The unit occupies high-elevation spruce-fir and aspen country in the Ashley National Forest where mature bulls develop in some of Utah's most productive elk habitat. The north slope's deep timber and remote terrain produce exceptional bull elk hunting.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit Conover-jensen

Where to Find Elk on Conover-Jensen

Conover-Jensen bulls use the north slope's extensive dark timber and high aspen parks in a defined seasonal pattern that experienced hunters can exploit.

High Aspen Parks (9,000–10,500 ft)

Bulls feed in high aspen parks at dawn and dusk during early September. Glass from adjacent ridges before first light. The parks are open enough to evaluate bull quality at 400–800 yards.

Spruce-Fir Dark Timber

Mature bulls bed in dark spruce-fir timber during midday. Fresh rubs on large spruce trees indicate active bull territory. Still-hunting along timber edges at midday can produce encounters.

North-Facing Drainages

North-facing drainages on the unit hold elk throughout the season, especially when temperatures are warm. Deep drainages with willows and springs are prime wallowing habitat during the September rut.

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How to Hunt Conover-Jensen Elk

The remote north slope terrain rewards hunters who commit to multi-day backcountry camps and aggressive rut calling during the archery season.

Backcountry Archery Rut

Pack into the high drainages before the rut peak on September 15–25. Bulls in the deep timber respond aggressively to bugling. Use locate-and-commit tactics — bugle to find a responsive bull, then move quickly to close within bow range before calling again.

Rifle Season

Glass high aspen parks from pre-dawn vantage points. When a bull is located, plan a methodical stalk using ridge fingers and terrain breaks. The north slope's dense vegetation provides stalk cover but demands slow, careful movement.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle28%

Utah north-slope Uinta limited-entry bull elk units consistently post 65–80% rifle success per UDWR harvest data. The high-elevation habitat and remote terrain in the Conover-Jensen unit produce exceptional trophy quality. Archery success averages 30–40% for hunters who access the deep drainages during the rut.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	14	7.1%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Conover-Jensen operates under Utah's 50%/50% weighted draw. North-slope Uinta elk units are highly sought after and draw competitive applicant pools. Check ProHunt draw odds data for current point requirements and applicant numbers. Non-resident allocation is 10% of tags.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Conover-jensen

Conover-Jensen mule deer is a Utah limited-entry buck hunt on the north slope of the Uinta Mountains, sharing the unit geography with the elk designation. The high-elevation aspen and spruce-fir country in the Ashley National Forest supports quality mule deer bucks that develop alongside one of Utah's premier elk populations. This is remote, demanding country that rewards skilled backcountry hunters.

Where to Find Mule Deer on Conover-Jensen

North-slope Uinta mule deer bucks use high-elevation terrain that many hunters never reach. The key is committing to the elevation gain required to find them.

High Aspen Parks (9,000–10,000 ft)

Mature bucks summer above 9,000 feet in aspen parks adjacent to the alpine transition. Glass these parks from the ridge tops above — bucks feed in the parks at dawn and are extremely visible in the open terrain.

Spruce-Fir Margins

Large bucks bed in spruce-fir cover adjacent to the high parks. Transitional zones between open parks and dark timber are where most Uinta mule deer encounters happen during the season.

North-Slope Drainage Heads

The upper drainage heads on the north slope concentrate deer during early October. These remote areas receive minimal hunting pressure and hold some of the unit's best mature bucks.

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How to Hunt Conover-Jensen Mule Deer

Conover-Jensen mule deer demands a full backcountry commitment — day hunters from the road miss the best country entirely.

High Camp Strategy

Establish a spike camp at 9,000+ feet before the season opens. Glass the high parks at dawn from adjacent ridges. The north slope's morning thermals are consistent — use them to plan approach routes into the parks.

October Timber Transition

As October progresses and temperatures drop, bucks begin moving from the high parks toward the aspen-fir zone at 8,000–9,000 feet. Shift your focus downslope with the deer as the season advances.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Utah north-slope Uinta limited-entry buck deer units post 55–70% rifle success per UDWR harvest data. The extreme remoteness of the Conover-Jensen backcountry means hunters who make it to the high country encounter mature bucks with exceptional antler development due to the quality habitat and low pressure.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	3	13	23.1%	1

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Conover-Jensen mule deer operates under Utah's 50%/50% weighted draw. The north-slope Uinta location makes it a desirable unit — expect moderate to competitive applicant pools. Check ProHunt draw odds for current data. Non-resident allocation is 10% of issued tags.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed USFS camping at trailheads and designated wilderness camp areas within the unit.

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Water

Abundant. Multiple streams and springs throughout. Treat before drinking.

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Road Conditions

Ashley NF roads provide access to the unit perimeter. Backcountry access requires a significant hike from the road. High-clearance 4WD needed for trailhead roads.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous to extreme for backcountry access. North-slope Uinta terrain involves 2,000+ feet of vertical and multi-mile approaches.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low in the backcountry. Road-accessible margins receive some pressure.

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Weather

High-elevation north slope: snow can arrive in September. October rifle season: full winter conditions possible. Pack for extreme cold.

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Cell Service

None in the backcountry. Satellite communicator essential.

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Nearest Town

Manila (30–45 min north) and Dutch John (20–30 min east) provide services. Vernal (1 hour south) has full services.

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Permit Notes

UDWR limited-entry bull elk tag. Confirm legal weapons and season dates in the current Application Guidebook.

Note: The Conover-Jensen unit rewards hunters who arrive several days before the season opens to pre-scout and establish camp. Bulls pattern quickly to the rut wallows in the deep drainages — locate these before opening day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Conover-Jensen unit inside the Uinta Wilderness?

Part of the unit may border or include designated wilderness areas within the Ashley National Forest. Confirm exact boundaries against the UDWR Hunt Planner GIS data. Motorized vehicles and mechanized equipment are prohibited in designated wilderness areas — plan your access accordingly.

What is the average bull size in Conover-Jensen?

The north slope Uinta Mountains produce some of Utah's largest bull elk due to high-quality habitat and managed harvest pressure under the limited-entry system. Mature bulls in the Conover-Jensen unit regularly score in the 300–360 Boone & Crockett range, with exceptional individuals exceeding 360. This is trophy-quality elk country.

How many days should I plan for a Conover-Jensen elk hunt?

Plan a minimum of 7 days — ideally 10–14. The remote terrain requires 1–2 days just for pack-in and camp setup. A 5–7 day hunting window gives meaningful coverage of the rut peak or early rifle season. Factor in a pack-out day for a successful harvest, which can require 2–3 days for a large bull.

What trophy quality can I expect from Conover-Jensen mule deer?

The north-slope Uinta Mountains produce some of Utah's largest mule deer bucks due to exceptional habitat quality and limited hunting pressure. Mature bucks in the 160–200 inch class are realistic targets for hunters willing to access the remote high country. The combination of mineral-rich forage and age-class management under limited-entry creates trophy-caliber animals.

How do Conover-Jensen mule deer coexist with the elk population?

Mule deer and elk share the north-slope habitat in a complementary pattern — elk concentrate in the dark timber and aspen parks while deer use the more open high-elevation parks and rocky ridge terrain. During the September elk rut, elk calling can push deer out of the drainage temporarily. Time your mule deer hunt for October when elk pressure subsides.

Is a horse necessary for Conover-Jensen mule deer?

Not necessary, but highly advantageous for the pack-out. A large Uinta mule deer harvested at 10,000 feet can require multiple backpack loads to reach the trailhead. Hunters with access to pack stock should strongly consider using horses for both the camp pack-in and the potential harvest pack-out.

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