Utah Pronghorn

Unit Plateau, Parker Mtn (Plateau — Parker Mountain)

Utah Hunting Guide — Pronghorn

The Plateau, Parker Mtn pronghorn unit covers the high sagebrush tableland of Parker Mountain and adjacent plateaus in Wayne, Garfield, and Piute counties of south-central Utah. The unit sits primarily on BLM Richfield Field Office and Dixie National Forest ground with SITLA parcels and scattered private. Pronghorn here inhabit one of Utah's highest-elevation sage-steppe plateaus (7,500 to 9,000 ft) — classic cold-desert pronghorn habitat with long sight lines and strong buck production, especially in the open sage country east of Loa.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Pronghorn Hunting in Unit Plateau, Parker Mtn

Where to Find Parker Mountain Pronghorn

Parker Mountain pronghorn use the broad open sage tablelands that sit above the surrounding valleys — some of the highest and most open pronghorn habitat in the Intermountain West.

Parker Mountain Top

The open sage tableland of Parker Mountain proper holds the largest pronghorn herds in the unit. Morning glassing from high points along SR-72 and the plateau road network turns up groups feeding on the open flats.

Awapa Plateau

The Awapa Plateau sage country on the east side holds scattered buck groups. Water at BLM stock tanks and seasonal ponds concentrates pronghorn in September.

Forsyth Reservoir / East Ridge

The ridge country east of Forsyth Reservoir holds smaller pockets of pronghorn along the sage-aspen transition. Access via BLM and USFS roads off SR-72.

How to Hunt Parker Mountain Pronghorn

Big-country high-plateau glassing with careful wind-aware stalks. Elevation makes this hunt feel different from most Utah pronghorn units — thin air and cold nights, but the sight lines are unreal.

High-Point Glassing

Drive the plateau road network at first and last light, stopping at every rim and high point to glass the sage flats. We've glassed bucks at three miles on clear days — a spotting scope is essential.

Water-Source Ambush

Stock tanks and natural seeps concentrate pronghorn through the day. Sitting a blind over water is a productive archery setup, especially in dry years.

Stalk in the Sage Cuts

Subtle sage cuts and shallow washes are the only cover on the plateau. Use them carefully, never skyline, and plan stalks around wind and shadow.

Elevation Planning

Parker Mountain tops 8,500 ft. Arrive a day or two early to acclimate, especially for hunters from lower elevations. Nights get cold — bring layers for early September and winter gear for October.

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Pronghorn Success Rates

Plateau, Parker Mtn pronghorn is one of Utah's better pronghorn hunts for buck quality given the elevation-driven habitat and lightly pressured access. UDWR's Big Game Harvest Data page publishes weapon-specific success annually. Archery lags any-legal-weapon, but the country and the herd structure make for a memorable hunt regardless of weapon.

Pronghorn Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	27	440	6.1%	21
Archery— Limited Entry	9	23	39.1%	3
Muzzleloader— Limited Entry	9	30	30.0%	1

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Plateau, Parker Mtn pronghorn tags are drawn under UDWR's weighted bonus-point system (half random, half weighted bonus — each point adds one chance, not squared). With roughly 691 applicants over three years for 50 tags (raw odds near 7%), residents with a few bonus points draw regularly. Nonresident allocation is capped at 10%. The separate Parker Mtn pronghorn unit (non-Plateau) is drawn independently.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Small-town RV in Loa, Bicknell, and Torrey. Full-service RV in Richfield. Dispersed plateau sites accommodate smaller trailers.

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Camp Sites

Dispersed BLM and USFS camping throughout the plateau road network. Developed USFS sites near Forsyth Reservoir.

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Water

Stock tanks scattered across the plateau; reservoirs on the edges. Plan to haul drinking water.

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Road Conditions

SR-72 paved. BLM and USFS plateau roads mostly graded gravel; some two-tracks need high clearance. Muddy conditions possible after storms.

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Terrain Difficulty

Easy to moderate. Flat to rolling sage plateau with gentle ridges. Elevation (7,500–9,000 ft) is the real challenge.

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Hunting Pressure

Moderate. Parker Mountain is a known pronghorn destination and attracts consistent tag-holder presence, but the open country absorbs hunters well. Deer hunters work the same area in October.

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Weather

September 55–75°F days, 30–45°F nights at plateau elevation. Early-October snow and strong wind common. Prepare for winter conditions any time after late September.

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Cell Service

Very limited on the plateau. Spotty along SR-72; drops off in the interior.

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Nearest Town

Loa, Bicknell, and Torrey on the south and east sides (fuel, lodging, limited services). Richfield to the north for larger-town amenities.

Note: Parker Mountain weather can turn fast. Keep layers, shell clothing, and emergency gear in the truck. Cattle allotments active across the plateau — respect gates and water infrastructure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Plateau, Parker Mtn differ from the standalone Parker Mtn pronghorn unit?

They are separate UDWR pronghorn draws with distinct boundaries within the broader Parker Mountain region. The Plateau, Parker Mtn unit is the high sage tableland; the Parker Mtn unit covers adjacent country. Confirm the exact polygon on the UDWR Hunt Planner before scouting.

Why is elevation a bigger factor here than other Utah pronghorn units?

Most Utah pronghorn units sit between 4,500 and 6,500 ft; Parker Mountain sits at 7,500 to 9,000 ft. Thin air, cold nights, and early snow make this hunt feel more like an elk hunt than a typical pronghorn hunt. Plan gear and acclimation accordingly.

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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 Pronghorn Statewide Management Plan — Parker Mountain — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Parker Mountain managed as one of Utah's premier pronghorn plateaus, Primary habitat is high-elevation sage-steppe between 7,500 and 9,000 ft · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Big Game Application Guidebook — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Plateau, Parker Mtn pronghorn is a limited-entry buck hunt · accessed 2026-04-17
Richfield Field Office — Travel Management and Public Lands — Bureau of Land Management — Richfield Field Office · supports: BLM Richfield administers substantial public ground on Parker Mountain, Primary access via SR-72 from Loa and the Parker Mountain / Awapa Plateau road network · accessed 2026-04-17
Utah Hunt Boundary Interactive Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — Hunt Planner · supports: Authoritative GIS polygon for Plateau, Parker Mtn pronghorn · accessed 2026-04-17