Unit Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt (Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt)
Utah Hunting Guide — Pronghorn
The Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt pronghorn unit spans the high plateaus of Garfield County in south-central Utah, encompassing the Paunsaugunt Plateau and Mt. Dutton highlands at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. This is exceptional high-desert pronghorn terrain — open sagebrush parks, pine and aspen forests, and broad meadows managed primarily by the USDA Forest Service (Dixie National Forest). Pronghorn here tend to be larger-bodied and better-antlered than low-desert populations due to the productive high-elevation habitat.
Pronghorn Hunting in Unit Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt
The Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt pronghorn unit spans the high plateaus of Garfield County in south-central Utah, encompassing the Paunsaugunt Plateau and Mt. Dutton highlands at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. This is exceptional high-desert pronghorn terrain — open sagebrush parks, pine and aspen forests, and broad meadows managed primarily by the USDA Forest Service (Dixie National Forest). Pronghorn here tend to be larger-bodied and better-antlered than low-desert populations due to the productive high-elevation habitat.
Where to Find Pronghorn in Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt
Pronghorn on the Paunsaugunt Plateau and Mt. Dutton highlands concentrate in the open sagebrush parks and meadow complexes between forested stands. The high-elevation terrain (7,000–9,000 ft) creates a lush sagebrush ecosystem where pronghorn thrive. In late summer and early fall, animals move across the open plateaus in small bachelor groups and mixed herds.
Early morning glassing from forest road pullouts covering open meadow terrain is highly productive. Pronghorn on high plateaus can often be spotted from miles away — use binoculars from vehicle pullouts to locate herds before committing to a stalk. Water sources including springs and stock ponds concentrate animals during dry periods.
How to Hunt Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt Pronghorn
Pronghorn Success Rates
Pronghorn hunters on Utah's high plateaus typically achieve strong success rates of 50–75%. The productive habitat and moderate hunting pressure make this one of the more reliably successful pronghorn units in the state. Buck horn length tends to run above average compared to low-desert Utah units, with mature bucks regularly exceeding 14 inches.
Pronghorn Draw Odds
| Season | Tags | Applicants | Draw % | Pts Req |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rifle— Limited Entry | 28 | 198 | 14.1% | 13 |
| Archery— Limited Entry | 7 | 22 | 31.8% | 1 |
Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.
Open in Draw Odds EngineThe Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt unit draws moderate applicant interest — more than remote West Desert units but less than high-profile units near population centers. Hunters with 3–8 bonus points often have competitive draw odds. The high-elevation habitat and productive hunting conditions make this a sought-after unit by serious pronghorn hunters in the southern Utah region.
Unit Logistics & Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is most of the Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt pronghorn unit on public land?
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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: Mt Dutton/paunsaugunt pronghorn permit structure, Season dates, Tag allocations · accessed 2026-04-17
- UDWR Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Unit boundary details, Paunsaugunt Plateau extent · accessed 2026-04-17
- UDWR Big Game Harvest Data — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Pronghorn harvest data, Buck quality statistics · accessed 2026-04-17