Utah Moose Mule Deer Antelope

Unit Deseret (Deseret)

Utah Hunting Guide — Moose, Mule Deer, Antelope

Deseret is a limited-entry Shiras moose hunt administered by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) under the state's weighted-bonus-point draw. The hunt sits on and around the Deseret Land and Livestock ranch complex, with a mix of cooperative private and public ground. Tag numbers are tiny relative to applicant demand.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Moose Hunting in Unit Deseret

Where to Find Moose in Deseret

Moose here favor willow-lined creek bottoms and aspen draws tied into the ranch's water infrastructure.

Willow Creeks

Focus morning and evening glassing on willow stringers where the creek exits heavier timber.

Aspen Benches

Cow-calf groups often feed on aspen and mixed browse through midday when temperatures rise.

How to Hunt Deseret Moose

Coordinate with the landowner and UDWR biologist early; both can dramatically shorten the learning curve.

Vehicle Glassing

Slow truck drives on ranch roads at first and last light, paired with regular glassing stops, locate most bulls.

Stalk Discipline

Once a shooter bull is located, wait for him to feed into a good wind or stand-up opportunity rather than forcing a poor approach through timber.

Pack-Out

Even with vehicle access, plan a team and coolers — a bull moose is a major butchering project.

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Moose Success Rates

Rifle70%

Utah once-in-a-lifetime moose hunts routinely post very high success given dedicated tag holders. Consult the UDWR harvest portal for the most recent Deseret-specific results.

Moose Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	2	657	0.3%	17

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Utah uses a weighted-bonus-point draw for limited-entry moose. Moose is once-in-a-lifetime in Utah — drawing any moose tag disqualifies the hunter from future moose applications. Nonresident quota is capped at roughly 10% of permits.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Deseret

The Deseret mule deer unit is a landmark cooperative wildlife-management area (CWMU) in northern Utah — the Deseret Land and Livestock ranch in Rich and Morgan counties — managed under a partnership between UDWR and the private Deseret Land and Livestock Company. This is a limited-entry CWMU hunt on private ground with strong trophy management, high success rates, and premium buck quality. Unlike most Utah public-land units, Deseret is a quota-controlled private-land hunt with guaranteed access for drawn tag holders.

Where to Find Deseret Deer

Deseret deer roam across 200,000+ acres of private ranch ground in northern Utah. The CWMU operator provides detailed access guidance to drawn tag holders.

Aspen-Sage Transition Benches

Deer concentrate on the transition between aspen groves and sage benches across the ranch's higher country. Morning glassing from ranch roads reveals most mature bucks.

Pinyon-Juniper Draws

Lower PJ country provides thermal cover and bedding habitat. Bucks use these draws during midday and retreat into them when pressured.

Irrigated Meadows and Water Sources

Ranch water features and irrigated hay meadows hold deer during warm early-season conditions. Ranch operators can direct tag holders to the most productive zones based on current conditions.

How to Hunt the Deseret CWMU

Deseret operates a structured CWMU program — your hunt experience depends heavily on coordination with the ranch. Plan ahead.

Contact the Operator Immediately After Draw

Once you draw, contact the Deseret Land and Livestock hunting office. They'll schedule hunt dates, provide access maps, and clarify whether you're in a guided or semi-guided package.

Glass from Ranch Vantage Points

Ranch operators know the deer movement patterns intimately. Work with them to set up at known glassing points at first and last light.

Stalk with Ranch Access

You'll typically have drive-in access to proximity of deer, then stalk in on foot. This is not a remote backcountry hunt — it's a managed trophy experience.

Trophy Patience

Deseret is known for mature, old-age-class bucks. Don't rush — the ranch produces bucks worth holding out for. A 180+ inch buck is a realistic goal on this unit.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Deseret CWMU mule deer success rates regularly exceed 90% on any-legal-weapon hunts, often approaching 100%. Archery and muzzleloader are slightly lower (70–85%) due to weapon limitations but still far above public-land averages. Buck quality is exceptional: 170–190-class bucks are routine, with occasional 200-inch-plus bucks taken most seasons. It is one of Utah's top trophy deer hunts, public or private.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	14	252	5.6%	11

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Deseret CWMU tags are drawn through UDWR's CWMU-specific draw under the weighted bonus-point system (half random, half weighted bonus — each point adds one chance, not squared). CWMU draws often have better odds than premium public-land limited-entry units because applicants self-select (the hunts typically carry trespass fees). With roughly 937 applicants over three years for 42 tags (raw odds ~4.5%), residents with 5–10 bonus points regularly draw. Important: drawing a Deseret tag obligates you to coordinate with the ranch; standard ranch access fees apply.

Antelope Hunting in Unit Deseret

The Deseret pronghorn unit covers the Deseret Land and Livestock Ranch landscape and adjoining public and private lands in northern Utah. Deseret has a reputation as one of the better-managed pronghorn units in the state thanks to the ranch's habitat work and controlled access. Tag numbers are modest but success is high, and the combination of private ranch access and adjoining BLM ground makes for a classic northern Utah pronghorn hunt.

Where to Find Pronghorn in Deseret

Deseret pronghorn use a mix of ranch sage country and adjoining BLM ground. Knowing the boundary and where pronghorn spend daylight is half the battle.

Sage Flats and Meadow Edges

The core ranch holds extensive sagebrush flats broken up by irrigated meadows and hay ground. Pronghorn cycle between the flats (security) and meadow edges (feed) morning and evening.

Ranch-Public Boundary Zones

Where ranch ground meets BLM, pronghorn routinely spill back and forth. Hunters who carefully map the boundary and plan stalks for when bucks cross onto public ground consistently tag good animals.

Reservoir and Stock Water Corridors

Reservoirs and stock tanks act as daily travel anchors, especially in dry years. Glass these water sources in late afternoon when bucks drift in to drink before bedding.

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Deseret

The Deseret hunt rewards hunters who coordinate with the ranch for access and treat the boundary work seriously.

Ranch Access Coordination

If you draw Deseret, contact Deseret Land and Livestock early to understand their hunter access program for the year — access rules and any trespass fees can change. Some years the ranch runs a guided-only access program; other years it is walk-in with permission.

Glass First, Move Second

Set up on a high point before legal light and grid the country with a 15x binocular on a tripod. Identify a shooter buck and watch his pattern for 30-60 minutes before committing to a stalk.

Wind and Terrain

Wind in this country is almost constant. Use it — approach from downwind and let the rolling sage flats hide your silhouette. A short belly crawl through the last 200 yards is routine.

Long-Range Confidence

Pronghorn rarely give up a closer shot. Be comfortable out to 400 yards off a pack or bipod, with a verified drop chart and a rangefinder that accounts for angle.

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Antelope Success Rates

Deseret pronghorn success is typically very strong — UDWR harvest summaries show 90%+ success in most years. The combination of active ranch management, low pressure, and controlled access keeps animal numbers and quality high. Mature buck horns routinely run 13-15 inches, with occasional bucks above 16.

Antelope Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	16	173	9.2%	12

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Utah UDWR uses a weighted bonus-point lottery for pronghorn — 50% of tags go to max-points applicants and 50% are awarded through a random weighted draw where each bonus point adds one more chance. With roughly 48 tags across the last 3 years and 561 applicants, overall odds sit near 8% per year. Residents with 4-7 points are drawing consistently in recent years.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Coordinate with the ranch; public land camping available on adjacent BLM ground.

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Water

Reliable in creek bottoms; filter before drinking.

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Road Conditions

Paved access off I-80; interior ranch and BLM roads are gravel.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Rolling sage-aspen country broken by timbered drainages.

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Hunting Pressure

Very low — once-in-a-lifetime tag structure keeps hunters few and far between.

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Cell Service

Patchy — expect dead zones inside the ranch and higher country.

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Nearest Town

Coalville, Evanston (WY), and the Woodruff area provide nearby services.

Note: Review access rules for cooperative private ground carefully; some areas require escort or scheduling through the landowner.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permission to hunt the Deseret Land and Livestock portion?

Yes. Portions of the hunt area include cooperative private ground with landowner rules; UDWR provides contact information to tag holders.

Can nonresidents apply for Deseret moose?

Yes. Nonresidents apply through the same draw; the nonresident cap is roughly 10% of issued permits.

Is Deseret a public-land hunt?

No. Deseret Land and Livestock is private ranch ground participating in Utah's CWMU program. Drawn tag holders gain access under the CWMU agreement but must coordinate with the ranch and pay applicable trespass/access fees.

Is a guide required on a Deseret tag?

Not required by UDWR. Some Deseret packages are fully guided; others are semi-guided or DIY. Confirm with the ranch at the time of draw. Most successful hunters use some level of ranch assistance for trophy assessment and access.

Does the Deseret pronghorn tag include ranch access?

The state tag gives you the legal right to hunt the unit, but access to Deseret Land and Livestock private ground is governed by the ranch's annual access program. Contact the ranch as soon as you draw — their rules, fees, and access windows can change year to year.

How hard is it to draw Deseret pronghorn?

With about 48 tags over the last 3 years and 561 applicants, overall odds sit around 8% per year. Utah's weighted bonus-point lottery means residents with 4-7 points are drawing reliably, and zero-point applicants can still connect through the random side of the draw.

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Sources & Verification

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: Limited-entry moose seasons and weapon choices for Deseret · accessed 2026-04-17
UDWR Hunt Boundary Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Authoritative GIS boundary for the Deseret moose hunt · accessed 2026-04-17
UDWR Big Game Harvest Data — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Multi-year moose harvest and age summaries · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Cooperative Wildlife Management Units (CWMU) Program — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: CWMU program allows private landowners to manage big-game hunting on their ground in cooperation with UDWR, Deseret Land and Livestock is one of Utah's oldest and largest CWMUs · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Big Game Guidebook — CWMU Regulations and Listings — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: CWMU tags drawn through the general UDWR draw; successful applicants coordinate directly with the CWMU operator, Deseret offers archery, muzzleloader, and any-legal-weapon CWMU tags · accessed 2026-04-17
Deseret Land and Livestock — Hunting and Ranch Information — Deseret Land and Livestock · supports: Ranch operates a long-running cooperative wildlife management program, Offers guided and semi-guided hunts on private CWMU tags · accessed 2026-04-17
Deseret Land and Livestock Ranch — Conservation and Wildlife — Deseret Land and Livestock · supports: Private ranch actively manages for wildlife, including pronghorn habitat, Coordinates with UDWR on big-game population objectives · accessed 2026-04-17

Unit Deseret (Deseret)

Moose Hunting in Unit Deseret

Where to Find Moose in Deseret

Willow Creeks

Aspen Benches

How to Hunt Deseret Moose

Moose Success Rates

Moose Draw Odds

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Deseret

Where to Find Deseret Deer

Aspen-Sage Transition Benches

Pinyon-Juniper Draws

Irrigated Meadows and Water Sources

How to Hunt the Deseret CWMU

Mule Deer Success Rates

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Antelope Hunting in Unit Deseret

Where to Find Pronghorn in Deseret

Sage Flats and Meadow Edges

Ranch-Public Boundary Zones

Reservoir and Stock Water Corridors

How to Hunt Pronghorn in Deseret

Antelope Success Rates

Antelope Draw Odds

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Explore Related Units

North Slope, Summit — Pronghorn

Frequently Asked Questions

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Sources & Verification