Utah Elk Mountain Goat Mule Deer Black Bear

Unit Mt Dutton (Mt Dutton)

Utah Hunting Guide — Elk, Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Black Bear

Mt Dutton is a limited-entry elk hunt in southern Utah, managed by UDWR through the weighted-random bonus-point draw.

Elk Hunting in Unit Mt Dutton

Mt Dutton is a limited-entry elk hunt in southern Utah, managed by UDWR through the weighted-random bonus-point draw.

Where to Find Elk on Mt Dutton

Confirm the Mt Dutton polygon on the UDWR Hunt Boundary Map. Elk use mountain timber and open parks with seasonal shifts.

How to Hunt Mt Dutton

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Elk Success Rates

Archery18%

Rifle28%

Muzzleloader22%

UDWR's Big Game Harvest Data page publishes Mt Dutton elk outcomes annually.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Limited Entry	7	11	63.6%	2
Rifle— Limited Entry	18	288	6.3%	15
Muzzleloader— Limited Entry	10	138	7.2%	9

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

UDWR's weighted-random bonus-point draw issues these tags.

Mountain Goat Hunting in Unit Mt Dutton

Mount Dutton in southern Utah's Garfield County hosts a transplanted mountain goat herd on the Paunsaugunt Plateau's highest ground. UDWR draw statistics show about 506 applicants chasing just 6 permits over three years — once-in-a-lifetime odds under 1% per year. The 2025 Utah Big Game Guidebook lists Mt Dutton as a limited-entry goat hunt on Dixie National Forest at 10,000-11,000+ feet.

Where to Find Goats on Mt Dutton

Mt Dutton is an isolated 11,000+ foot volcanic peak surrounded by plateau country. Goats concentrate on the exposed upper slopes.

Summit Cliffs and Upper Bowls

The cliffs and bowls above 10,500 feet hold the core herd year-round. Glass from the ridge approach off the Griffin Top road.

South and East Rim

Sunny rim edges hold feeding groups in September mornings.

Willow and Dairy Creek Heads

Small bands use the rocky heads of these drainages on the mountain's northeast side.

Meadow-Rock Interfaces

Alpine meadows butting against rimrock are the prime dawn-and-dusk zones.

How to Hunt Goats on Mt Dutton

Dutton is remote, high, and seasonal. Access windows are short because of weather.

Access via Griffin Top Road

The Griffin Top (FR 140) road climbs to a high trailhead on the mountain's shoulder. High-clearance 4WD needed; closes with snow.

Pack-In Camp at the Base of the Peak

A camp at 10,500 feet on the shoulder gives us dawn-to-dusk glassing without daily vertical grind.

Glass from the Rim, Stalk Through the Rocks

Locate billies at distance from rim vantages, then plan a cross-wind approach through the talus.

Watch the Weather

An early October storm can close Griffin Top for the season. We hunt early in the window and have a foul-weather exit plan.

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Mountain Goat Success Rates

Rifle65%

Mt Dutton permit holders post high success — typically 85-100% — because the goat herd is concentrated on a compact mountain and tag numbers are tiny. Trophy quality is solid with dense-coated, mature billies. UDWR goat composition surveys drive the small permit pool, so expect modest year-to-year swings.

Mountain Goat Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	2	169	1.2%	10

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

506 applicants for 6 permits over three years gives raw annual odds well under 1%. Utah's weighted bonus-point lottery puts 50% with top point holders and 50% in a point-weighted random pool. With permits this scarce, even max-point applicants may wait many years. Mountain goat is once-in-a-lifetime — a successful draw ends goat applications for life.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Mt Dutton

We cover Mt Dutton mule deer as a southern Utah limited-entry buck hunt on Dixie National Forest's highest plateau country in Garfield County. The unit sits between Bryce Canyon National Park to the east and the Sevier Plateau to the west — a mix of spruce-fir forest, aspen groves, and sage parks at 9,000-11,000 feet elevation. UDWR draw data shows roughly 280 applicants chasing approximately 35 buck deer tags over three seasons, making it one of the more accessible Limited Entry deer hunts in southern Utah. The unit's isolation from major population centers keeps hunting pressure low and buck age structure excellent.

Where to Find Mule Deer on Mt Dutton

Mt Dutton bucks use the vertical topography of the plateau efficiently — glassing from the correct elevation band at the right time of season is the foundation of success here.

Spruce-Fir and Aspen Parks (9,500–10,500 ft)

The high plateau carries big bucks in aspen parks and spruce-fir openings through September and early October. We glass the meadow edges and aspen fingers at first light — mature bucks feed in the parks at dawn and bed in the heavy timber 100-200 yards away during the day. The elevation keeps daytime temps cool enough for bucks to move through mid-morning.

Sage and Mountain Brush Transition (8,500–9,500 ft)

The sage and mountain-brush benches below the main plateau timber hold transition deer throughout the season. Bucks move through this zone actively during the rut as they cruise between doe groups bedded in different drainages.

Ponderosa and Oak Belt (7,500–8,500 ft)

The unit's lower-elevation ponderosa and oak brush fringe concentrates deer as they descend in November. Late-season archery and muzzleloader hunters find mature bucks pushing does through this zone during peak rut.

Water Sources

Springs and small reservoirs throughout the unit pull deer in warm early-season conditions. We scout water locations during summer glassing trips as a second location reference alongside aspen parks.

How We Hunt Mt Dutton Mule Deer

Mt Dutton rewards patient glassing hunters. The plateau terrain gives long sight lines, and bucks here are less pressured than Wasatch front units — they behave predictably once located.

Glass the Plateau Parks at First Light

We drive Griffin Top Road (FR 140) before dawn and set up glassing positions overlooking the upper aspen parks by first light. Binos and a quality spotting scope reveal bucks feeding 400-800 yards away across meadows. We glass for 2-3 hours before moving to a new position rather than covering ground on foot too early.

Stalk Approach via Side Drainages

Once a shooter buck is located, we study the terrain for approach routes. Side drainages and aspen finger ridges let us drop out of sight, close to 200-300 yards, and glass again before the final stalk. Wind is the critical variable — thermals rise off the plateau in the morning and reverse in the afternoon.

Rut-Period Cruising Setups

During the late-October to early-November rut, we shift to setting up on high saddles and terrain pinch points connecting aspen parks. Bucks cruise these routes with their noses down and often present shots at 200-400 yards crossing open areas between timber patches. Early mornings and afternoons are peak movement windows.

Foul-Weather Push

Early-season snow or rain pushes the plateau deer population to lower terrain rapidly. We time our hunt entry around incoming weather fronts and immediately cover lower drainages when storms clear — bucks often move for hours after a system passes.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Muzzleloader20%

Mt Dutton Limited Entry buck deer tags produce strong success rates — typically 60-75% for rifle hunters and 25-35% for archery, tracking with comparable southern Utah plateau units per UDWR harvest reporting. The combination of limited tag numbers, high-elevation terrain, and modest hunting pressure creates exceptional buck age structure. Hunters holding out for 170-185 inch 4x4 and 5x5 bucks have realistic expectations; occasional 190+ inch bucks are reported. Season length and good physical access via Griffin Top Road give tag holders multiple opportunities to connect.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Muzzleloader— Limited Entry	4	28	14.3%	1

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Mt Dutton mule deer operates under Utah's 50% max-points / 50% weighted-random draw. With roughly 280 applicants against 35 tags, odds are better than most trophy southern Utah deer units. Mid-point applicants (7-11 bonus points) draw in the random half with regularity, and max-point holders draw reliably. Non-resident allocation is capped at 10% of tags. Compared to premium units like Paunsaugunt or Book Cliffs, Mt Dutton is significantly more attainable — a realistic 5-8 year point-building target for most hunters. The unit's relative obscurity compared to adjacent Bryce-area units also keeps applicant pressure lower.

Black Bear Hunting in Unit Mt Dutton

Mt Dutton is a productive black bear unit on the southern Paunsaugunt Plateau and Dutton Ridge complex in Garfield County where dense stands of Gambel oak, mixed conifer, and aspen provide excellent food resources and cover for a healthy bear population. The unit's isolation and elevation create ideal habitat with predictable bear movements tied to seasonal food availability.

Where to Find Black Bear on Mt Dutton

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How to Hunt Mt Dutton Black Bear

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Black Bear Success Rates

Mt Dutton black bear hunters report success rates of 30-50% depending on season type and food conditions. Fall success correlates strongly with acorn production - high mast years concentrate bears in predictable zones.

Black Bear Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	10	10.0%	11

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Mt Dutton bear tags are limited-entry with moderate demand. Most residents draw with 1-3 bonus points and some seasons see first-draw success. Non-residents typically draw within 3-5 years. Bear tags in Utah are more accessible than big-game deer and elk tags.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Water

Adequate in higher country.

🛣️

Road Conditions

Paved highway with forest roads; some high-clearance routes.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate mountain terrain.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Low due to limited-entry caps.

🌦️

Weather

Snow possible at elevation in later seasons.

📱

Cell Service

Spotty off main corridors.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Panguitch and surrounding southern Utah towns provide services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Utah's elk draw work?

UDWR uses a weighted-random bonus-point draw.

Where are the official unit boundaries?

The UDWR Hunt Boundary Map is the authoritative polygon source.

How many points to draw Mt Dutton mountain goat?

No fixed cutoff. With 6 permits over three years and Utah's weighted bonus-point lottery, max-point applicants may wait many years. The random-weighted half of the draw is the realistic path for most applicants.

Is Mt Dutton a good trophy unit?

Yes. Mature billies here carry dense coats and solid horns. Small permit numbers and limited access protect age structure.

When is Griffin Top road open?

Griffin Top typically opens in late June after snowmelt and closes with the first significant snowstorm — often early to mid-October. Confirm USFS status before traveling.

How does Mt Dutton mule deer compare to nearby Paunsaugunt for trophy quality?

Paunsaugunt is Utah's highest-profile deer unit and requires significantly more points and time. Mt Dutton produces comparable mature bucks in the 170-190 inch class but with far better draw odds. If you want to hunt southern Utah's quality plateau country without waiting 15-20 years, Mt Dutton is the more realistic option.

What is the best access point for hunting the high plateau on Mt Dutton?

Griffin Top Road (FR 140) is the primary access route to the upper plateau at 9,500-10,500 feet. The road branches off Highway 22 west of Antimony. High-clearance 4WD is strongly recommended. Confirm road conditions with the Powell Ranger District before entering, especially after mid-October when snow can close it quickly.

Is Mt Dutton worth applying for as a non-resident?

Yes, for hunters seeking a quality southern Utah plateau deer experience with realistic draw odds. Non-residents are capped at 10% of tags but can accumulate Utah bonus points each year they are unsuccessful. With roughly 3-4 non-resident tags available annually and meaningful point preference, dedicated applicants should draw within 5-8 years. Trophy quality and remoteness make it worth the wait.

When does archery season open on Mt Dutton deer?

Utah archery deer season typically opens in late August. Confirm exact dates in the current UDWR Big Game Application Guidebook. Early archery on the high plateau gives access to velvet and early hard-antler bucks before they become pressured, with cooler temperatures and predictable water-source patterns making the early window especially productive.

When is the best season for black bear hunting on Mt Dutton?

Fall is generally considered the prime season when Gambel oak acorn production concentrates bears. A high mast year transforms the unit. Spring offers more active bear movement but is less predictable.

Are hounds allowed for bear hunting on Mt Dutton?

Hound hunting for bears is legal in Utah subject to current regulations. The dense Gambel oak and timber on Mt Dutton is well-suited to hound hunting. Check the current UDWR bear regulations for any unit-specific restrictions.

What bear sizes can I expect on Mt Dutton?

Mt Dutton produces bears ranging from 150 to 350 pounds with occasional larger boars in years of good food production. Measuring skull size relative to ear spacing while glassing is the standard field technique for judging maturity.

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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 Big Game Application Guidebook — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Utah big game permits are issued through UDWR's weighted-random bonus-point draw, Guidebook documents season structure, unit boundaries, and permit types · accessed 2026-04-17
UDWR Hunt Boundary Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Authoritative GIS polygon viewer for Utah hunt unit boundaries · accessed 2026-04-17
UDWR Big Game Harvest Data — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Annual harvest statistics and post-season classification data for Utah big game units · accessed 2026-04-17
Dixie National Forest — Powell Ranger District (Mt Dutton Wilderness Study Area) — USDA Forest Service · supports: Mt Dutton sits on Dixie National Forest under the Powell Ranger District · accessed 2026-04-17