Utah Elk Mule Deer

Unit Tunnel Hollow (Tunnel Hollow)

Utah Hunting Guide — Elk, Mule Deer

Tunnel Hollow is a Utah limited-entry bull elk unit in the central Wasatch, occupying steep canyon and aspen-bench terrain on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. The unit is named for its distinctive hollow topography that concentrates elk during the rut and provides consistent hunting opportunities for successful applicants.

View Draw Odds Utah Hunting Guide

Elk Hunting in Unit Tunnel Hollow

Where to Find Elk in Tunnel Hollow

Tunnel Hollow bulls use the canyon terrain as a natural refuge, concentrating in dark timber and aspen draws adjacent to open parks.

Aspen Parks and Timber Edges

Glass aspen parks at first light. Bulls feed at the timber edge before retreating to dense cover by mid-morning. Set up above the park with quality optics before shooting light.

The Hollow Canyon Bottom

The canyon bottom concentrates wallowing bulls during the September rut. Rubs on large aspen indicate active bull territory. Work the bottom with the wind in your face.

North-Facing Spruce-Fir

Mature bulls bed in north-facing spruce-fir during midday. Still-hunting along the timber edge between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. can produce encounters when weather cools the north slopes.

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How to Hunt Tunnel Hollow Elk

Tunnel Hollow rewards hunters who commit to covering terrain on foot and master close-range calling during the archery rut.

Archery Rut

Aggressive bugling and cow calling in the canyon bottom can draw bulls out of timber during the peak rut in mid-September. Set up with shooting lanes cleared and wind controlled. The hollow funnels sound, making vocal bulls easy to locate.

Rifle Season

Pre-dawn access to the aspen parks produces the most rifle opportunities. Cover multiple vantage points in the first two hours after sunrise. Once located, plan a methodical stalk using terrain to break your silhouette.

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Elk Success Rates

Rifle28%

Utah Wasatch limited-entry bull elk units post 60–80% rifle success and 25–40% archery success per UDWR harvest data. Tunnel Hollow's concentrated terrain and limited tags create a quality hunting experience with above-average mature bull encounters relative to effort invested.

Elk Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	23	4.3%	0

Data from 2024 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Tunnel Hollow operates under Utah's 50% max-points / 50% weighted-random draw. The unit draws a moderate applicant pool relative to available tags. Check ProHunt draw odds data for current applicant-to-tag ratios. Non-residents are capped at 10% of available tags.

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit Tunnel Hollow

Tunnel Hollow mule deer is a Utah limited-entry buck hunt sharing the same central Wasatch canyon unit as the elk designation. The hollow's concentrated terrain and limited-entry management allow mature bucks to develop in a rugged canyon setting that rewards hunters willing to navigate steep ground on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Where to Find Mule Deer in Tunnel Hollow

Mule deer in Tunnel Hollow use the canyon's vertical structure in predictable ways — high in early season, dropping to mid-elevation as temperatures cool.

Canyon Rim Aspen and Sage

Bucks summer at the canyon rim in aspen-sage transition and move to adjacent timber for bedding. Glass the rim edges from opposing vantage points before first light in September.

Mid-Canyon Oak-Brush

Oak-brush pockets on the canyon walls concentrate feeding bucks in October. These areas are best glassed from above — approach from the rim and look down into brush pockets.

Canyon Bottom Draws

The hollow's drainage bottom holds water and lush vegetation that attract bucks, especially mature animals seeking shelter from hunting pressure. The brush density here makes this challenging to hunt but rewarding for patient hunters.

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How to Hunt Tunnel Hollow Mule Deer

The same topography that concentrates elk calling in Tunnel Hollow also creates productive mule deer habitat. The canyon walls funnel deer movement and limit escape routes.

Rim Glass-and-Stalk

Systematically glass the canyon walls from the rim at first light. The elevated vantage allows assessment of multiple habitat layers simultaneously. Identify a mature buck, plan a descent route, and execute the stalk using ridge fingers as cover.

Rut Cruising Ambush

During late October, bucks cruise the canyon rims and saddle crossings. Set up on travel routes between doe groups. Mid-day movement increases significantly during the rut peak — maintain presence throughout the day rather than retreating to camp.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Rifle25%

Utah Wasatch canyon limited-entry buck deer units post 55–70% rifle success per UDWR harvest data. The contained canyon terrain in Tunnel Hollow creates a high encounter rate for hunters committed to covering the vertical structure of the unit.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Limited Entry	1	13	7.7%	0

Data from 2023 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Tunnel Hollow mule deer operates under Utah's 50%/50% weighted bonus-point draw as a named sub-unit. Check ProHunt draw odds for current applicant pool and point requirements. Non-residents compete for 10% of issued tags.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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Camp Sites

Dispersed USFS camping on national forest portions. Developed sites available 20–30 minutes away.

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Water

Reliable springs and creek drainages throughout. Treat all water.

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Road Conditions

Paved highway access to the unit boundary, then improved forest roads. 4WD recommended for inner roads after September storms.

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Terrain Difficulty

Strenuous. Canyon terrain with significant vertical and heavy vegetation.

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Hunting Pressure

Low — limited-entry system keeps pressure controlled.

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Weather

September archery season: warm days and cold nights. October rifle season: snow possible at elevation.

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Cell Service

Limited inside the canyon. Partial service on ridge tops. Satellite communicator recommended.

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Nearest Town

Heber City (20–30 min) and Salt Lake City suburbs (45–60 min) provide full services.

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Permit Notes

UDWR limited-entry bull elk tag. Confirm season dates and legal weapons in the current Application Guidebook.

Note: Elk bugling in Tunnel Hollow carries far in calm morning air — spend the first morning listening before moving to locate active bulls.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Tunnel Hollow?

The name refers to the distinctive hollow canyon topography that creates a tunnel-like drainage system. This natural funnel concentrates elk movement and makes the unit particularly productive for both calling and glassing approaches.

How many points does it take to draw Tunnel Hollow elk?

Point requirements for Tunnel Hollow elk vary by year. Check ProHunt's draw odds tool for the most current data. As a Wasatch front limited-entry bull unit, it typically draws moderate applicant pools. Max-point holders draw reliably in the max-points half; mid-point applicants have a reasonable chance in the random half.

Can I pack horses into Tunnel Hollow?

The canyon terrain can be challenging for stock animals. Check with the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest for current stock regulations and trail conditions. Many hunters access Tunnel Hollow on foot from the unit boundary, packing out elk quarters using backpack frames.

Can I hunt both elk and mule deer in Tunnel Hollow in the same year?

Yes, if you draw both tags. Utah requires separate tags for elk and mule deer. The archery elk season in September and the mule deer season in October-November allow back-to-back use of the same unit without season overlap for most weapon types.

What is the typical mule deer quality in Tunnel Hollow?

Limited-entry management in the central Wasatch allows bucks to reach 4.5–6.5 years of age. Tunnel Hollow hunters should target mature bucks in the 150–175 inch class. The canyon terrain makes age evaluation important — learn to estimate body size and antler mass rather than counting points.

Is archery or rifle better for Tunnel Hollow mule deer?

Rifle is more consistently productive due to the canyon's open vantage points allowing long-range shots. Archery hunters who commit to the canyon bottom during the early season and rut can achieve outstanding close-range opportunities, but it demands exceptional physical fitness and wind discipline.

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