Utah Black Bear

Unit Panguitch Lake/zion (Panguitch Lake/Zion)

Utah Hunting Guide — Black Bear

The Panguitch Lake/Zion bear unit covers southern Utah's aspen-conifer high country from Panguitch Lake through the plateaus ringing Zion National Park — classic black bear habitat with abundant berry crops and aspen mast. UDWR tracks population and harvest in the statewide bear plan and publishes the boundary in the annual bear guidebook.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Black Bear Hunting in Unit Panguitch Lake/zion

Where to Find Bears on Panguitch Lake/Zion

Follow food — aspen meadows, berry patches, and oakbrush acorn crops drive bear movement.

Aspen-Meadow Edges

High-country aspen stands with adjacent meadows pull bears at dawn and dusk.

Serviceberry and Chokecherry Patches

Berry crops in mid-elevation draws concentrate bears during late summer.

Oakbrush Acorn Country

Lower-elevation oakbrush in good acorn years is a late-season magnet.

How to Hunt Panguitch Lake/Zion Bears

Spot-and-stalk, calling, or hound pursuit — Utah rules prohibit baiting.

Glass Berry Patches

Mid-day glassing on known berry draws produces bears in warm weather.

Predator Calling

Fawn distress calls pull bears out of cover — position on a vantage and call hard for 20-30 minute sets.

Hound Pursuit

Houndsmen work the plateaus at cool morning temperatures for tracking conditions.

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Black Bear Success Rates

Hound hunters on Panguitch Lake/Zion frequently run 50-70% success; archery and rifle spot-and-stalk without bait typically run 10-25%. Bear density on the plateau is solid thanks to abundant natural food.

Black Bear Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	4	50	8.0%	18

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

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Panguitch Lake/Zion bear permits draw through Utah's weighted bonus-point lottery — 50% of tags to max-point hunters and 50% random-weighted by points. With 214 applicants for 25 tags over three years, this is a relatively accessible limited-entry bear unit for point builders.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dixie and Fishlake National Forest campgrounds plus abundant dispersed camping.

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Water

Good — Panguitch Lake, Navajo Lake, and numerous streams.

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Road Conditions

Paved UT-143 and UT-14 access the plateau; interior USFS and BLM roads require high-clearance.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate — plateau country with steep canyon drops.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate — overlaps with deer, elk, and recreational traffic.

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Weather

High-elevation fall weather; snow possible by late season on the plateaus.

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Cell Service

Workable near highways; deteriorates in canyons.

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Nearest Town

Panguitch, Cedar City, and Kanab serve the unit.

Note: Baiting is prohibited in Utah. Hunt zone boundaries exclude Zion National Park — verify every stalk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt bears inside Zion National Park?

No. Hunting is prohibited in Zion National Park. The Panguitch Lake/Zion bear unit's boundary excludes park land — verify your location with OnX or the UDWR hunt planner before every stalk.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

Utah Black Bear Hunting — Seasons, Units, and Applications — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Panguitch Lake/Zion listed as limited-entry bear unit with defined boundary · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Statewide Black Bear Management Plan — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Statewide population estimates and per-unit harvest objectives · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — Hunt Planner · supports: Authoritative GIS polygon for Panguitch Lake/Zion bear unit · accessed 2026-04-17