Unit La Sal (La Sal)
Utah Hunting Guide — Black Bear
The La Sal unit covers the La Sal Mountains — a sky island rising to over 12,000 feet above the canyon country of Grand County in southeastern Utah. Black bears inhabit the dense aspen, Gambel oak, and mixed conifer forests of this isolated mountain range surrounded by desert slickrock. UDWR manages bears here under both limited-entry and general-season permit structures. The La Sal's isolation and varied terrain — from pinyon-juniper at the base to spruce-fir at the summit — creates a diverse bear habitat.
Black Bear Hunting in Unit La Sal
The La Sal unit covers the La Sal Mountains — a sky island rising to over 12,000 feet above the canyon country of Grand County in southeastern Utah. Black bears inhabit the dense aspen, Gambel oak, and mixed conifer forests of this isolated mountain range surrounded by desert slickrock. UDWR manages bears here under both limited-entry and general-season permit structures. The La Sal's isolation and varied terrain — from pinyon-juniper at the base to spruce-fir at the summit — creates a diverse bear habitat.
Where to Find Black Bear in La Sal
Black bears in the La Sal Mountains use a classic elevation-migration pattern. In spring and early summer, they forage on new green vegetation along south-facing avalanche chutes and oakbrush hillsides at mid-elevations. As berries ripen in late summer and fall, bears shift to higher aspen and serviceberry stands, then push into oak brush again when acorns drop.
Look for fresh digging, scat, and hair-rubbed trees as sign indicators. The north-facing slopes above the Manti-La Sal National Forest road system hold good bear concentrations. Active cattle grazing allotments can also concentrate bears where carrion or gut piles are present during hunting seasons.
How to Hunt La Sal Black Bear
Black Bear Success Rates
Black bear success rates in Utah's mountain units vary considerably — typically 15–35% for general-season hunters and 30–50% for limited-entry permit holders. The La Sal unit's small geographic footprint and isolated population means hunters who scout thoroughly and understand bear patterns have good harvest prospects. Boar body weights in Utah's mountain units average 150–250 lbs, with older males reaching 350+ lbs.
Black Bear Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts Req |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pursuit— Limited Entry | 0 | 0 | 0.0% | 3 |
| Rifle— Limited Entry | 9 | 313 | 2.9% | 20 |
Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.
Open in Draw Odds EngineLa Sal bear permits are moderately competitive within Utah's bear drawing. Hunters with 2–5 bonus points typically have reasonable odds for limited-entry spring or fall permits. The unit's small size limits tag numbers, but it also draws fewer applicants than major elk or deer units. Check the UDWR application guidebook for current La Sal permit numbers and historical draw odds.
Unit Logistics & Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use bait or hounds for bear hunting in the La Sal 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 — Black Bear — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: La Sal bear permit structure, General vs limited-entry options, Bait and hound hunting restrictions, Season dates · accessed 2026-04-17
- UDWR Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: La Sal unit boundary, Access road information · accessed 2026-04-17
- UDWR Big Game Harvest Data — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Bear harvest statistics for La Sal unit, Population estimates · accessed 2026-04-17