Box Elder, Puddle Valley, Utah

Puddle Valley proper is a flat to gently rolling desert basin averaging approximately 4,400 feet elevation, composed largely of clay-rich soils with poor drainage (hence the name — large puddles form after rain and persist until evaporation). The Lakeside Mountains on the eastern edge of the unit rise steeply to 6,625 feet at Craner Peak, with additional notable summits at Sally Mountain (5,855 ft) and Jedediah Mountain (5,837 ft). The Grassy Mountains immediately west of Puddle Valley reach approximately 6,596 feet. The Lakeside range is approximately 34 miles long and 4–6 miles wide and presents stepped ridgelines with limestone outcroppings. The valley floor is open and expansive; the mountain flanks transition abruptly from valley flat to moderate-to-steep rocky terrain.

Primary highway access is via Interstate 80, using the Delle exit (approximately exit 56) or the Lakeside/Military Area exit (approximately exit 62), both in Tooele County. From these exits, Puddle Valley Highway — an approximately 8.7-mile gravel and dirt road — runs north-south along the western flanks of the Lakeside Mountains through the heart of the unit. The road is generally passable year-round and wide enough for two vehicles in most sections, though high-clearance or 4WD vehicles are recommended due to clay soil that becomes impassable when wet. The northern end of Puddle Valley can be accessed from Box Elder County via roads connecting south from the SR-30 corridor. The entire valley and adjacent Lakeside Mountains are BLM land (Salt Lake Field Office jurisdiction). The western side of the unit borders the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR), an active Air Force restricted area that closes significant terrain to public access — hunters must verify current UTTR ground-closure boundaries before accessing western portions. There are no formal developed trailheads within the unit; access is informal from the valley road. Private land inholdings exist but the core pronghorn range is predominantly open BLM. No CWMU designations have been identified within this specific boundary.

Sagebrush shrub-steppe dominates the valley floor and lower bajada slopes, with Wyoming big sagebrush and black sagebrush the primary cover types. Grasses, forbs, and crested wheatgrass (a common seeded species in the region) occur in the open flats. Scrubby Utah juniper appears at lower mountain elevations transitioning to sparse grassland, mountain mahogany, and occasional aspen on upper ridgelines of the Lakeside Mountains. The Grassy Mountains support similar sagebrush-juniper transitions. The landscape is characteristic of Great Basin shrub-steppe pronghorn habitat, with large open vistas, sparse woody cover, and seasonal water availability dependent on guzzlers and intermittent sources.

Pronghorn are the primary big-game target species within this boundary, present as a small isolated herd estimated at approximately 100 animals in 2008 and approximately 150 in 2017 per UDWR management data. UDWR has conducted augmentation transplants into this unit, releasing animals in the Marblehead and North Grassy Mountain area. Pronghorn are typically found on the valley floor and lower bajada, where sagebrush and forb habitat is most productive. Mule deer occur in lower numbers, primarily on the Lakeside Mountain slopes and foothills. Mountain lions have been documented in the area, as have coyotes and bobcats. Golden eagles, red-tailed hawks, and ravens are regularly observed. The west desert open basin provides classic pronghorn habitat — long sight lines, open terrain, and sparse cover that pronghorn depend on for predator detection. Water availability is limited and artificial water developments (guzzlers) are important for sustaining populations.

1. This boundary is pronghorn-specific; the name Box Elder, Puddle Valley does not apply to deer, elk, or other species. 2. tag_quota of 22 reflects 2024 actuals (4 archery PB5004 + 18 any-weapon PB5029) confirmed from 2024 UDWR harvest report. 3. hunter_success_pct and reported_harvest reflect 2024 any-weapon hunt PB5029 (94.1%). 4. Season dates are 2026 confirmed from UDWR 2026 Big Game Application Guidebook. 5. No separate muzzleloader-only hunt code identified for this unit. 6. UTTR western boundary closure is a material access consideration. 7. public_land_pct omitted — no sourced percentage found for this specific pronghorn boundary, though BLM dominates. 8. Pronghorn population is a small isolated herd (~150 animals per UDWR estimates) with active augmentation history.