Fillmore B, Utah

The Pahvant Range runs roughly 50 miles north–south (SSW–NNE) with a width of about 15 miles; elevation ranges from approximately 4,740 feet at the lowest points in the Canyon Range foothills to 10,466 feet at Pioneer Peak, with other prominent summits including Mine Camp Peak (10,222 ft), Sunset Peak (10,088 ft), and Coffee Peak (10,002 ft). Deer winter range occupies elevations roughly 5,100–7,500 feet at the base of the range, while summer range extends into the high-elevation aspen and subalpine zones above 7,500 feet. The terrain is steep and partly roadless in the higher zones, with deep canyon drainages including Chalk, Corn, Meadow, Pioneer, Ivy, and Sam Stowe creeks.

Primary highway corridor is Interstate 15, which forms the western boundary of the unit. US-50 (running between Scipio and Salina) defines much of the northern boundary, and Interstate 70 forms the southern boundary. The Paiute ATV Trail System, a network of more than 900 miles of ATV trails, runs through the spine of the unit and provides motorized access to virtually any point of interest; some trails are restricted to vehicles no wider than 50 inches while many roads can accommodate a full-size pickup. Key campgrounds providing access include Maple Grove Campground (Fishlake NF, along Ivie Creek near the Rock Canyon Trail) and Adelaide Campground (Fishlake NF, Corn Creek Canyon south of Kanosh at approximately 5,500 ft). Drainages accessible by road include Chalk Creek, Corn Creek, and Meadow Creek corridors. Approximately 30% of winter range is privately owned with some areas well-posted, requiring permission or exclusion. All CWMUs and Native American trust lands within the boundary are excluded from general hunting access. The Fillmore Ranger District coordinates vehicle access management to provide refuge areas for wildlife.

Winter range at mid-elevations is dominated by shrub communities composed of Stansbury cliffrose, mountain big sagebrush, and associated browse species, though many sites have depleted understories with cheatgrass and bulbous bluegrass prevalent. Mid-elevation hillsides support pinyon pine and juniper woodlands, with ongoing encroachment of pinyon-juniper into former sagebrush-steppe habitat being a documented management concern. Higher elevations on the summer range feature majestic aspen stands surrounding open mountain meadows and subalpine plant communities. Riparian corridors along creek drainages provide additional cover. Precipitation ranges from about 8 inches annually near the valley floors to 35 inches on the high peaks.

Mule deer are the primary big-game species; the herd unit 21B target population is 7,600 wintering deer (modeled), with a 2019 estimate of approximately 6,700. The unit is managed as general season with a postseason buck-to-doe ratio objective of 18–20. Rocky Mountain elk inhabit the unit with the Fillmore, Pahvant limited-entry bull elk population totaling approximately 1,500 animals throughout the unit, concentrated in deep canyons away from roads; an aerial survey in February 2022 counted 1,012 elk, yielding an estimated 1,350 total. Elk concentrate in remote canyon areas of the Fishlake NF and have largely retreated from areas near the Paiute ATV trail due to human pressure, making roadless zones and the eastern side of the unit above Joseph and Richfield important refuges. Black bear are documented on the Fishlake National Forest within this unit. Mountain lion are present throughout the range as part of the Central Utah ecosystem. Crop depredation by elk near Fillmore, Holden, Scipio, and Kanosh has been a recurring management concern. Highway mortality (I-15 and I-70) has historically affected ungulate populations; fencing of both interstates has reduced mortality.