Utah Elk Mule Deer

Unit South Slope, Diamond Mtn (South Slope, Diamond Mtn)

Utah Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

The South Slope Diamond Mtn subunit covers the high country on the south side of the Uinta Mountains in northeastern Utah and is managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR). Limited-entry elk permits are drawn through UDWR's weighted-random bonus-point system. The unit includes a mix of USFS, BLM, SITLA, and Ute Tribal boundary considerations.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit South Slope, Diamond Mtn

Where to Find Elk in Diamond Mtn

Elk on Diamond Mtn use classic Uinta mountain habitat.

Aspen-Conifer Mix (8,000-10,000 ft)

Core bedding and rut habitat — bulls use dark timber edges and feed in aspen pockets.

High Alpine Parks

Morning feeding in open parks above timberline; glass at first light.

Sagebrush-Oakbrush Benches

Lower-elevation wintering zones used late-season when snow pushes elk down.

How to Hunt Elk in Diamond Mtn

Diamond Mtn is a classic mountain elk hunt — timber, parks, and drainages.

Archery Rut Calling

Work park edges at dawn with cow calls and location bugles during the rut.

Glass Dark-Timber Edges

Rifle hunters should glass edges of timber openings at first and last light.

Track Storm Movement

Fall storms push elk down; pre-scout transition routes and set up there when weather changes.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle28%

Muzzleloader22%

Archery18%

Limited-entry elk hunts on Diamond Mtn typically produce solid success rates thanks to mature bull availability and low pressure relative to general units.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	13	111	11.7%	11
Muzzleloader— Limited Entry	12	119	10.1%	10
Archery— Limited Entry	4	0	0.0%	1

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Utah limited-entry elk permits are drawn through UDWR's weighted-random bonus-point system. Points help but do not guarantee a tag.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit South Slope, Diamond Mtn

Utah's South Slope, Diamond Mtn mule deer hunt is administered by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) as a limited-entry big-game tag. Applicants enter through Utah's weighted bonus-point random draw, where accumulated bonus points give you additional random entries in the drawing.

Where to Find Mule Deer in South Slope, Diamond Mtn

UDWR manages mule deer distribution and habitat for the South Slope, Diamond Mtn unit. Consult the UDWR hunt boundary map and unit management plan for the agency's most current distribution notes.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in South Slope, Diamond Mtn

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Archery16%

Rifle25%

Muzzleloader20%

UDWR publishes harvest and draw statistics by unit. The chart above reflects the data UDWR reports for the South Slope, Diamond Mtn mule deer tag.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Archery— Limited Entry	18	260	6.9%	11
Rifle— Limited Entry	3	88	3.4%	4
Muzzleloader— Limited Entry	18	216	8.3%	15

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Utah mule deer tags for this unit are drawn through UDWR's big-game draw using a weighted bonus-point random draw, where accumulated bonus points give you additional random entries.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

⛺

Camp Sites

USFS developed campgrounds plus dispersed camping.

💧

Water

Good — streams and springs throughout.

🛣️

Road Conditions

USFS gravel and improved dirt; 4WD useful on spurs, muddy when wet.

🥾

Terrain Difficulty

Moderate to strenuous mountain terrain at 8,000-11,000 ft.

👥

Hunting Pressure

Low to moderate — lower on limited-entry hunts.

🌦️

Weather

Early season mild; October hunts can see heavy snow.

📱

Cell Service

Spotty at elevation.

🏘️

Nearest Town

Vernal is the primary basecamp.

Note: Know the Ute Tribal land boundary — trespassing onto tribal ground without permission is a major issue.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hunt tribal ground on Diamond Mtn with a state tag?

No — Ute Tribal ground is separate. Stay on USFS, BLM, SITLA, and public accessible lands only with a Utah state permit.

How does Utah's limited-entry elk draw work?

UDWR uses a weighted-random bonus-point draw. Each bonus point adds one chance in the random drawing; no guaranteed threshold exists.

How are mule deer tags drawn for South Slope, Diamond Mtn?

UDWR issues these mule deer tags through Utah's big-game draw, which uses a weighted bonus-point random draw administered by the Division.

Where do I find the official UDWR hunt information for this unit?

UDWR posts the Big Game Application Guidebook, the Hunt Boundary interactive map, and harvest data on wildlife.utah.gov. Those pages carry the authoritative boundary, season dates, and quota.

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Sources & Verification

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: South Slope Diamond Mtn listed in UDWR Big Game Application Guidebook for elk · accessed 2026-04-17
UDWR Hunt Boundary Map — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Authoritative GIS boundary polygon for Diamond Mtn · accessed 2026-04-17
UDWR Big Game Harvest Data — Utah Division of Wildlife Resources · supports: Annual elk harvest and survey data for South Slope units · accessed 2026-04-17