North Slope, West Daggett, Utah

Elevation ranges from approximately 6,100 feet in the Flaming Gorge/Manila basin foothills to above 12,000 feet along the Uinta Mountain crest. Lower country consists of rolling sagebrush benches and canyon breaks; middle elevations feature timbered slopes and drainages; the southern portion of the unit climbs into high-elevation mountain terrain and wilderness. The Burnt Fork drainage defines the western boundary; Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River arm define the eastern edge. Much of the terrain is rugged and rocky, and the High Uintas Wilderness is roadless and accessible only by trail or horseback.

Primary paved access corridors are US-191 (running north-south along the eastern edge near Manila and Flaming Gorge), SR-44 (connecting Manila to Flaming Gorge), and SR-150 (Mirror Lake Highway) along the western boundary at Hayden Pass. Forest Service roads and two-track routes penetrate middle-elevation drainages on Ashley National Forest; most roads are open to standard vehicles but some are limited to narrower vehicles or ATVs. The High Uintas Wilderness in the southern portion is closed to motorized vehicles; access there requires hiking or horseback via established trail systems. Key access areas referenced in hunting sources include Hwy 44 corridor, Deep Creek drainage, the road to Spirit Lake, and areas around Manila. Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area borders the unit to the east and northeast. Private land blocks exist primarily on lower winter ranges and valley floors in the Manila area; elk and deer depredation on private agricultural land is documented and some private-lands-only antlerless elk hunts are conducted to manage conflicts.

Lower elevations and winter range are characterized by Wyoming big sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush, and sagebrush steppe with perennial grasses; some areas have experienced sagebrush die-off from drought and cheatgrass encroachment. Transitional slopes support pinyon-juniper woodland, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, curleaf mahogany, and serviceberry. Mid-elevation mountain slopes carry lodgepole pine, quaking aspen, Douglas fir, blue spruce, and Engelmann spruce. Higher subalpine zones support subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce before transitioning to alpine meadows, talus, and tundra above treeline. Riparian corridors occur along major drainages. The 2002 Mustang/Dutch John fire burned approximately 22,000 acres and its reseeded area now provides productive perennial forb and grass habitat for elk and deer.

Mule deer are the primary big game on the lower and transitional ranges; the unit is part of North Slope Deer Herd Unit #8 managed for a target of 10,000 wintering deer, though chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been documented on the unit and surveillance is ongoing. Rocky Mountain elk (approximately 1,200 wintering animals in the West Daggett subunit, against an objective of 1,300) use the timbered high country in summer and migrate to lower sagebrush winter ranges; depredation on private lands near Manila is a recurring management issue. Moose are resident throughout the drainages and riparian zones. Pronghorn occupy the lower sagebrush benches and open flats, particularly in the Three Corners/West Daggett area near the Wyoming line. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep inhabit rocky terrain within the Summit/West Daggett subunit. Mountain goat occupy the High Uintas alpine zone (managed under separate High Uintas units that overlap both slopes). Black bears are present in forested areas. Mountain lions are present. Non-game wildlife includes beaver, river otter, coyote, and various raptors; Flaming Gorge Reservoir and the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam support world-class fisheries for lake trout and trout.

1. Unit code 'north-slope-west-daggett' corresponds to UDWR Elk Herd Unit 8b (West Daggett subunit). For elk and deer the general-season boundary is named 'North Slope' in proclamation tables (covering all subunits). For pronghorn and moose, the boundary is 'North Slope, Three Corners/West Daggett' (combined with Three Corners subunit). For Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the boundary is 'North Slope, Summit/West Daggett' (combined with Summit subunit). 2. General-season elk (any bull) and deer are OTC for West Daggett – the adjacent Three Corners subunit uses limited-entry elk (EB3013/EB3053/EB3091/EB3115); West Daggett is general OTC. General elk OTC permits go on sale July 7 (archery) and July 9 (any bull rifle). 3. CWD documented on North Slope unit; hunters should check current UDWR guidance on sampling requirements. 4. Private land near Manila (winter range/valley floors) can create access complications during late season. 5. High Uintas Wilderness on the southern portion is closed to motorized vehicles; backcountry access is foot or horse only. 6. Harvest success for general-season OTC deer and elk not available in LE/OIAL harvest report. 7. The 91% public land figure is from the elk management plan summer range ownership data (USFS + BLM); winter range is approximately 67% public. 8. Mountain goat units (GO6805-GO6808 'High Uintas') overlap both North Slope and South Slope but are not West Daggett-specific; excluded from species list.