Panguitch Lake/Zion, Utah

Unit 28 (Panguitch Lake) is centered on the Markagunt Plateau, a high volcanic tableland with Brian Head at 11,312 ft as the highest point; elevation ranges from roughly 7,000 ft in the eastern portions to over 11,000 ft on the western plateau. The western terrain is characterized by steep, timbered canyons, lava flows, cinder cones (over 25 mapped), and glacial deposits; the eastern half transitions to high-desert basins with moderately steep drainages. Unit 29 (Zion) extends south and southwest, dropping to approximately 4,800 ft near the Virgin River corridor, with Zion National Park occupying the unit's core; the north end retains high-elevation ridges and forest while the south is dominated by slickrock canyon topography. The combined bear/cougar unit covers approximately 2,602 square miles.

Unit 28 (Panguitch Lake): Utah SR-143 (Brian Head–Panguitch Lake Scenic Byway) is the primary corridor, running southwest from Panguitch approximately 14 miles to Panguitch Lake (8,200 ft) within Dixie National Forest, then continuing west to Brian Head. SR-14 defines the southern boundary of the unit from Cedar City east to US-89. US-89 forms the eastern boundary north to SR-20, and I-15 the western boundary. Numerous USFS two-track and ATV roads access the high-elevation timber; ATVs and side-by-sides are routinely used. Cedar Breaks National Monument on the western plateau is closed to hunting. Private land is approximately 21% and concentrated in the eastern lowlands near I-15 and Cedar City. Unit 29 (Zion): US-89 forms the eastern boundary; I-15 the western; SR-14 the northern. Zion National Park (closed to hunting) occupies the unit's core. Private land is substantial, particularly on the west and east flanks of the unit; trophy-class deer are often harvested on private ground. Public access roads exist throughout the northern section. Land ownership for unit 28: 52% USFS, 22% BLM, 4% State, 1% Wilderness, 1% NPS, 21% private (HuntScore). The combined bear/cougar unit (2,602 sq mi) is approximately 70.5% public per GoHunt.

Panguitch Lake unit: western highlands support dense spruce-fir and mixed-conifer forest with significant aspen stands; mid-elevations transition to ponderosa pine, Gambel oak, and mountain mahogany; the eastern slopes and basins carry Wyoming big sagebrush, pinyon-juniper, and native grasses. Significant acreage has been treated through the Watershed Restoration Initiative (77,476 acres treated since 2018 on unit 28 alone). The 2017 Brian Head Fire converted portions of the western unit to early-successional shrub and forb habitat now heavily used by elk. Zion unit: upper north end mirrors the Panguitch Lake conifer/aspen complex; lower elevations are desert shrub (blackbrush, desert scrub), with riparian cottonwood-willow corridors along the Virgin River and its tributaries.

Mule deer are the primary big game species on both units; Unit 28 supports robust populations across all elevations with resident herds in the eastern high desert and strong numbers in the western timber; Unit 29 populations concentrate on the high north end and move to lower winter range in the south. Elk populations on Unit 28 are estimated at 1,000–1,500 animals (2022 survey); bulls in the 310–340 class are harvested annually, with occasional 380+ class bulls; the Brian Head Fire has significantly improved forage and elk numbers are trending upward. Pronghorn occupy the northern sagebrush flats of the combined Panguitch Lake/Zion, North boundary. Black bear numbers are slowly increasing across the combined Panguitch Lake/Zion unit, with bears observed in the timbered drainages; bear activity is concentrated in riparian and post-fire areas. Mountain lion are present and managed by quota across both units. The unit also supports populations of wild turkey in the ponderosa and mixed-conifer zones.

1. BOUNDARY SCOPE: 'Panguitch Lake/Zion' is an explicit combined management boundary for black bear and cougar only. For deer and elk, UDWR manages separate boundaries: Unit 28 (Panguitch Lake) and Unit 29 (Zion); 'Panguitch Lake/Zion, North' for pronghorn. This profile covers the geographic area encompassing both. 2. PUBLIC LAND PCT: The 79% figure (52% USFS, 22% BLM, 4% State, 1% Wilderness, 1% NPS, 21% private) is from HuntScore for unit 28 (Panguitch Lake) only, 882 sq mi. The combined bear/cougar unit (2,602 sq mi) is ~70.5% public per GoHunt. 3. ELK QUOTA: 72 is an approximate 2025 total from summing all LE bull elk permits across all seasons. 4. ELK SUCCESS: 66.7% is for early rifle (EB3056, 2024). 5. DEER SUCCESS: 56.6% is for general-season any legal weapon (DB1546, 2024). Total 2024 Panguitch Lake buck harvest was 946. 6. TERRAIN CORRECTION: Eastern elevation floor adjusted to ~7,000 ft for Unit 28 per HuntScore (low elevation 8,100 ft for western plateau core); Unit 29 (Zion) drops to ~4,800 ft near Virgin River. 7. CEDAR BREAKS NM: Closed to hunting; located ~3 miles north of Brian Head town on western Markagunt Plateau. 8. ZION NP: Closed to hunting; occupies core of Unit 29. 9. YOUTH OTC DEER: DB1516 (unit 28, 100 permits) and DB1529 (unit 29, 135 permits) are youth archery OTC permits on sale July 7, 2026 — these forfeit general-season preference points. 10. MOUNTAIN LION: Restricted pursuit (no dogs), 3 permits, per 2025 guidebook. 11. TURKEY: Presence in ponderosa/mixed-conifer zone confirmed; unit-specific draw data not available from sources fetched.