Tell us what you want to hunt and when. We talk through species, units, and what your tag situation looks like.
2
Apply for your tag
Utah DWR handles the draw. We walk you through the application, unit selection, and timing so you are not leaving points on the table.
3
Book your dates
Once your tag is confirmed, we lock in your trip. 4-7 days depending on species and your schedule.
4
We get you in
Camp, food, gear, all of it handled. Whether we ride in or drive in depends on your hunt. Either way, you show up ready.
5
Hunt the country
We put you in the right place at the right time. The shot is yours. The rest of it, the ride, the camp, the whole experience, that is ours to deliver.
Everything you need to know
Questions answered.
Everything you are wondering before you pick up the phone. Still not answered? Call us.
About the hunt
Your trip includes guided horseback access into the Uinta backcountry, full camp setup (tent, cot, bedding), all meals in the field, horses for game retrieval, and the guidance of Jeremie and Jayce who have ridden this country for years. You bring your tag, your weapon, and your gear list. We handle everything else from trailhead to the pack-out.
Trips run 4 to 7 days depending on the species, the unit, and your schedule. Some once-in-a-lifetime hunts like moose or mountain goat benefit from the longer end of that range. We build the trip around your specific hunt, not a one-size-fits-all package.
Our primary hunting country is the Uinta Mountains and the Northern Utah backcountry out of Kamas, Utah. We hold one of the very few licensed horseback outfitter permits in this region, which gives us legal access to terrain that most outfitters simply cannot take clients into. Specific units depend on the species and the season.
A CGO hunt is not just about the animal at the end of it. It is the ride into camp the first morning, the fire at night, the miles of country you cover that most hunters never see. Depending on the species and the terrain, we get in on horseback or by vehicle. Either way you are in the real Uinta backcountry with guides who know every drainage. The trophy is the punctuation. The trip is the story.
No. We have guided first-time big game hunters through successful hunts. What you do need is a valid Utah hunting tag for your species, basic physical fitness, and the ability to handle a firearm safely. We take care of the rest, including camp life, scouting, and reading the terrain. If you have questions about preparation, call us before you book and we will talk you through it honestly.
You do not need to be an experienced rider. Our horses are seasoned mountain horses that have been in this terrain for years. We will put you on a horse that fits your ability and walk you through the basics before you head in. Most of our clients are intermediate to beginner riders and they do just fine.
We send every booked client a full gear list specific to their species and time of year. At a minimum you will need layered weather-appropriate clothing, quality boots broken in for the terrain, your weapon and ammunition, a valid Utah hunting license, and your tag. Food and shelter are covered by us. Weight matters on horseback so we help you pack smart.
You should be in reasonable health and able to handle moderate physical activity at elevation. Most of your time in camp will be on horseback, but there will be glassing, still-hunting, and terrain that requires walking. High alpine hunts like mountain goat and bighorn sheep demand more physical readiness. We recommend being honest with yourself about fitness before booking a once-in-a-lifetime tag hunt.
Call us and we can talk through the specifics. Capacity in backcountry camp is limited by what the horses can pack in, but we are open to the conversation depending on the trip.
As early as possible. Limited entry and once-in-a-lifetime hunts require you to apply through the Utah DWR draw, which closes in the spring for most fall species. If you are thinking about hunting with us, the conversation should start at least a year out so we can help you plan your application correctly. Popular species and dates fill up fast once tags are confirmed.
Wall tents, cots, sleeping gear, a wood stove for cold nights, and a proper cook setup. You are sleeping warm and eating well. Waking up before light to coffee and cold air in the Uintas is one of those things that is hard to explain until you have done it. Camp is where the trip lives as much as the field is.
Real food. Hot breakfast before light, lunch in the field, hot dinner back at camp. We are not handing you freeze-dried packets. Specific menus vary by trip but you will not be hungry and you will not be eating granola bars for a week.
Some hunts we ride in on horseback and some we get in by ATV or truck. It comes down to the species, the specific unit, and the terrain. Either way you are hunting real Uinta backcountry with full camp support and guides who know the country. Call us and we will walk you through exactly what your hunt looks like on the ground.
Utah draw system & licensing
Yes. You are responsible for obtaining your own valid Utah hunting tag for your species. The tag comes from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources through their draw system. We help you understand which units to apply for, when to apply, and how to maximize your draw odds, but the application and the tag are yours. Do not book a trip assuming we can get you a tag. The draw is a separate process and some species are extremely difficult to draw without multiple years of bonus points.
Most big game tags in Utah are issued through a draw system managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources at wildlife.utah.gov. You submit an application during the application window (typically January through March for fall species), pay the application fee, and enter the draw. Tags are awarded by a combination of random draw and bonus points you have accumulated in previous years. Some species like general season elk and deer have over-the-counter options as well.
Utah uses a hybrid bonus point system. For most limited entry species, each year you apply without drawing a tag you earn a bonus point. Those points function like additional raffle tickets in future draws, so the more points you have, the better your odds. Some species including moose, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and bison use a preference point system, which in some cases guarantees a tag after enough points are accumulated. Results are typically announced in late spring. You can apply at utahdraws.com.
Yes. Non-residents can apply for and draw big game tags in Utah for all species. Non-resident tag fees are significantly higher than resident fees and draw odds on premium units can be tough. However, for non-residents who do not want to wait years in the draw, we offer over-the-counter elk hunts that are available every year. These are not the big trophy limited entry units, but you can hunt every year, see elk, and have a real shot at a bull without ever entering the draw. Call us to talk through which path makes the most sense for you.
A bonus point is earned each year you apply for a tag and do not draw it. In Utah's system, bonus points function as additional entries in the draw, so one hunter with five points has six entries (one base plus five bonus) compared to a first-year applicant with one. Over time, points significantly improve your odds on limited entry tags. For once-in-a-lifetime species, a preference point system can eventually guarantee a tag. Start accumulating points now, even if you are years away from booking a hunt.
The primary big game application window in Utah typically opens in late January and closes in early March. Exact dates change year to year so check wildlife.utah.gov for the current season. Missing the application window means missing a year of both draw opportunity and bonus points, so mark your calendar early.
Yes. Utah requires a valid hunting license plus a conservation permit before you can apply for or use a big game tag. These are purchased separately from the tag itself through the Utah DWR. We walk every booked client through what they need so nothing gets missed before the hunt.
Elk hunting in Utah
Utah elk season runs from archery in early September through general rifle hunts in October and November. Archery season opens September 1 and the elk rut typically peaks mid-September, making it one of the most exciting times to be in the field. General any-bull rifle tags and spike tags are sold over the counter for some hunts. Trophy bull limited entry tags require the draw. Exact dates vary by unit and hunt type.
We operate in the Kamas area any-bull and spike-only units as well as the South Slope of the Uintas non-wilderness any-bull unit. These are some of the most productive elk units in Northern Utah and they are the exact country our horseback outfitter license was built for. Call us to talk through which unit makes the most sense for your tag situation and timeline.
The Uinta Mountains offer high alpine habitat, strong forage, and most importantly, backcountry that receives very little hunting pressure because most hunters cannot legally or practically reach it. We can. Our horseback outfitter license gives us access to country where mature bull elk spend their lives largely unbothered. That is a significant advantage when you are hunting limited entry or you drew a once-in-a-lifetime tag.
Yes, and this is worth knowing. For non-residents, we can offer over-the-counter elk hunts every year without needing to draw a special unit. Our units are not the big trophy units you wait a decade for, but that also means you can come hunt every single year instead of sitting at home wishing you had drawn. You will see elk. You will have a real chance at a bull, including the occasional trophy. For a lot of hunters, hunting every year in good country beats waiting years for one shot at a premium unit. Call us and we can walk you through what that looks like.
Mule deer hunting in Utah
Utah's general archery deer season runs from late August into October. General rifle season is typically in October. Limited entry units run their own schedules that may include archery, muzzleloader, and rifle components. The Uinta region units are available for both general and limited entry applications.
General season tags are available for a wider number of units and are easier to draw, but are managed for a lower buck-to-doe ratio. Limited entry units are managed for more mature bucks with higher post-season buck ratios, meaning better quality animals and more selective hunting. If you are after a wall-worthy mule deer, limited entry is the path. Those tags take points, but the hunting is dramatically different.
We primarily operate in the Kamas unit and the Wasatch Mountains East unit, with additional units we can discuss depending on your tag. These units cover some excellent Uinta mule deer country that most hunters on foot never reach. Call us to talk through which unit fits your application and what the draw odds look like for your situation.
Yes. The high country of the Uintas holds mule deer in terrain that the average hunter never accesses. Whether you are running a general tag or a hard-earned limited entry tag, getting back into unpressured country makes a real difference in what you see and what you have a shot at. That is exactly what horseback access gives you.
Black bear hunting in Utah
Utah has both spring and fall bear seasons. Spring season typically runs from April through late May. Fall season runs from August through November depending on the unit. Spring hunting coincides with bears coming out of denning and actively feeding, which makes for effective spot and stalk hunting. Most Northern Utah units require a limited entry draw tag.
Most Utah black bear tags are issued through the limited entry draw. You apply through the Utah DWR during the annual application window and bonus points improve your odds each year you do not draw. We operate in the Kamas unit, the Wasatch Mountains East unit, and several additional units. Call us to talk through which unit to apply for based on your points and timeline.
Horses give you the ability to cover country quickly and quietly, and to glass from elevated positions that put you above where most hunters are looking. Bears in the Northern Utah backcountry do not see much pressure because most hunters cannot get back there. That changes the behavior and the availability of animals significantly.
Mountain lion hunting in Utah
Mountain lion season dates vary by unit and run through much of the fall and winter in Utah. Some units have year-round seasons. Check the current Utah DWR guidebook for unit-specific dates as regulations are updated annually.
Utah manages mountain lion through a limited entry draw on most units. Tags are unit-specific and have a quota system. Bonus points apply. Call us to discuss current tag availability and what units we typically operate in.
Mountain lions in Utah's backcountry live in steep, rugged terrain with limited road access. Getting into the country where lions are actively using their home range requires either a lot of hiking or horses. We know the drainages and the terrain. Horseback access means we can cover more country more effectively, especially when tracking and hunting canyon country in the Uintas.
Moose hunting in Utah
Utah moose season typically runs from September 1 through November 15. Peak rut activity for Shiras moose is mid-September through October, which is prime time to be calling bulls in. Tags are issued for bull moose only and the timing of your specific tag will depend on the unit and hunt type you draw.
Utah moose is a once-in-a-lifetime tag, meaning you can only draw it once in your lifetime under the standard draw. Tags are extremely limited. The Uinta Basin and surrounding units hold huntable Shiras moose populations but the number of tags issued annually is very small. If you have accumulated moose points over the years, call us now. When you finally draw this tag, you want a horseback guide who knows the country.
The Uinta Basin and high Uinta country provide classic Shiras moose habitat: willows, boggy meadows, high alpine wetlands, and dense timber. It is the kind of terrain horses navigate far better than hunters on foot. When you only get one shot at this tag in your lifetime, you want every possible advantage, and horseback access in the right country is a significant one.
Mountain goat hunting in Utah
Utah mountain goat season runs from September 1 through December 31. This is a once-in-a-lifetime tag. Early season hunting finds goats at high elevation in summer range. Later in the fall they move to lower, more accessible cliffs as weather pushes down. Call us to discuss timing strategy for your specific unit.
Mountain goat is a once-in-a-lifetime draw in Utah managed with a preference point system. Tags are extremely limited, typically just a handful per unit statewide. Hunters often accumulate points for many years before drawing. If you have Utah mountain goat points, start planning now. When this tag comes in, everything about the hunt matters.
Horses can reach the high alpine terrain where goats live in a way that takes the logistical weight off a hunter entirely. Rather than packing 60 pounds into steep country and camping in survival mode, we move camp on horseback to position you within striking distance of good goat country. The physical demands of mountain goat hunting are still significant, but horses change the equation considerably.
