Box Elder, Utah

The unit encompasses multiple distinct mountain ranges rising out of the Great Basin. The Raft River Mountains run east-west along the Utah-Idaho border, with moderately steep south and east slopes and gentler north and west aspects; the high point is Dunn Benchmark at 9,925 feet at the head of the Clear Creek drainage. The Grouse Creek Mountains run north-south, are relatively narrow and steep, and peak at Red Butte at 9,000 feet. The Goose Creek Mountains reach 8,584 feet at Twin Peaks. The Dove Creek Mountains are rougher terrain that eases near the Three Corners area. Lower portions of the unit transition through rolling foothills into broad valley floors and basin flats. Valley elevations begin around 4,200–4,500 feet; the overall elevation range across big-game range runs approximately 4,500 to 9,925 feet.

Primary vehicle corridors are I-15 (north-south on the eastern boundary), I-80 (southern boundary), SR-30 (running east-west from Curlew Junction to the Nevada border through Kelton, Park Valley, and Snowville), and SR-42 (connecting Snowville area to the northern extent). The Locomotive Springs Road is a key internal road dividing deer management sub-areas (Sub-unit 1A west of it, Sub-unit 1B east on the Promontory Peninsula). BLM roads and two-tracks provide access throughout the basin ranges including to Grouse Creek, Pilot Mountain, and Goose Creek drainages. The Sawtooth National Forest encompasses the higher Raft River Mountain summer range and is accessible via forest roads. Highway mortality hot spots along I-15 and I-84 from Tremonton to the Idaho border and along SR-30 from Kelton to Rosette affect deer populations and should be noted for safe travel. The unit contains substantial private agricultural land — approximately 73% of yearlong deer range and 84% of deer summer range is private; most elk in the Hansel Mountain subunit reside on private land year-round. Six CWMUs operate in the Grouse Creek subunit and manage a portion of elk hunting on private and checkerboard lands. BLM land (48% of elk yearlong range) provides the primary huntable public ground in the basin areas, while the Sawtooth National Forest provides summer range access (54% of elk summer range).

Sagebrush dominates — making up approximately 55% of winter range and 58% of summer range (UDWR Deer Plan 2023). Black sagebrush occupies ridge tops in the upper summer range and the highest reaches of winter range; on summer range it supports the highest abundance of grasses and forbs. Sagebrush-juniper and juniper types together account for roughly 31% of winter range; juniper provides thermal cover and is encroaching aggressively, displacing browse species. The browse type on drier summer range sites is dominated by curl-leaf mountain mahogany, with bigleaf maple on more mesic sites. Aspen and conifer (including mixed conifers on the Sawtooth National Forest summer range in the Raft River Mountains) occur at the highest elevations. Riparian zones are found along Kimball Creek, Straight Fork Creek, Grouse Creek, and Goose Creek drainages. Invasive annual grasses — primarily cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass — are widespread and are contributing to sagebrush declines and increased wildfire risk. Crested wheatgrass (seeded perennial) is prevalent throughout western Box Elder County.

Mule deer are the primary big game species; the unit supports a target winter herd of 20,000 deer managed at a postseason buck:doe ratio of 15–17:100. The 2021 post-season population was estimated at 11,700 (59% of objective), suppressed by the 2018 Goose Creek Fire, drought, and habitat loss. A substantial number of deer summer in Idaho and migrate south onto unit winter ranges each fall. The 2021 post-season buck:doe ratio was 30:100. Elk occupy four subunits with a total unit objective of 1,075 animals: Grouse Creek 1a (limited entry bull, population objective 175, winter count ~150), Hansel Mountain 1b (general any bull, objective 400 — overwinter count was ~600 in 2022, being actively reduced), Pilot Mountain 1c (limited entry bull, co-managed with Nevada, at ~400-animal objective), and Sawtooth 1d (general any bull, transitory minimal herd, objective 100). Elk colonized Hansel Mountain from Idaho beginning in the late 1980s. Elk in the Grouse Creek area move regularly across the Utah-Nevada state line. Moose are present in the Grouse Creek and Raft River area — aerial surveys for elk and moose are conducted in winter on a rotating schedule. Pronghorn are present and managed under separate named hunt boundaries: Box Elder West and Box Elder Snowville (both limited entry draw). Mountain lion and black bear are present as predators. Coyotes are managed through a bounty program given their documented impact on fawn survival. The 2018 Goose Creek Fire burned 132,127 acres of critical elk and deer habitat in Utah and Nevada. Highway vehicle collisions are a documented mortality source for mule deer, particularly along I-15, I-84, and SR-30.

1. PUBLIC LAND PCT: The 57% figure is from GoHunt's unit profile. UDWR deer plan shows 22% BLM + SITLA + UDWR = ~27% public for yearlong deer range, and ~47% public for winter range. The 57% likely reflects a blended GIS-derived figure across the full unit boundary. 2. DEER HARVEST FIGURE: 1,028 is 2021 reported harvest (most recent in UDWR plan); 2018 high was 1,452, 2019 low was 978. 3. ELK GROUSE CREEK OBJECTIVE: Plan sets 1a objective at 175 animals; observed winter count has been ~150. 4. GOOSE CREEK FIRE: Confirmed 2018; burned 132,127 acres in Utah and Nevada. 5. SEASON DATES: 2025 confirmed dates from eRegulations; 2026 dates should be verified against current UDWR Field Regulations Guidebook (wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/field_regs.pdf). 6. SAWTOOTH NF RANGER DISTRICT: Primary docs confirm Sawtooth NF covers UT Box Elder summer range but do not name the specific ranger district — 'Minidoka Ranger District' claim from draft removed pending confirmation. 7. MOOSE HUNT: New bull moose hunt approved per Wildlife Board; quota/dates not confirmed from primary source.