Utah Unit North Slope, Summit Moose Hunting Guide

Utah Unit North Slope, Summit sits at the top of the state both literally and figuratively — this is high country, with elevations ranging from 7,491 to 13,402 feet across nearly 388,390 acres of the western Uinta Mountains. For hunters chasing a moose tag, this unit represents one of Utah's premier limited-entry opportunities, backed by a strong recent harvest record and public land access that few other units in the state can match. This article breaks down what the data shows for moose hunters considering this unit, using figures sourced through HuntPilot's unit tracking.

Moose hunting in Utah is a true once-in-a-lifetime pursuit for most residents and nonresidents alike, and North Slope, Summit has built a reputation as one of the units where that once-in-a-lifetime tag actually pays off. With 89% public land and 40% designated wilderness within its boundaries, this unit offers serious backcountry terrain for hunters willing to put in the physical effort required to hunt moose in steep, timbered high country.

HuntPilot Analysis: Is This Unit Worth Applying For?

For moose hunters, North Slope, Summit is worth serious consideration, and the harvest numbers back that up. Success rates here have been outstanding in recent years: 96% in 2025 (24 of 25 hunters), 100% in 2024 (27 of 27 hunters), 95% in 2023 (18 of 19 hunters), and 95% in 2022 (19 of 20 hunters). That's four consecutive years of success rates at or above 95%, which is about as consistent as moose hunting data gets anywhere in the West. Hunters who draw this tag are overwhelmingly filling it.

That said, moose hunting success rates tend to run high across most limited-entry units simply because so few tags are issued and hunters who draw typically invest heavily in scouting and are willing to hunt hard for the full season. The real value proposition here is the combination of that high success rate with the unit's trophy history and access profile. Counties overlapping this unit carry a strong history of producing trophy-class moose, giving hunters who draw a legitimate shot at a notable bull, not just a tag-filling exercise.

The tradeoff is effort. This is rugged, high-elevation wilderness country — some of the most rugged in Utah, with terrain topping out above 13,000 feet near Kings Peak. Hunters need to be physically prepared and should plan on serious backcountry logistics if they want to access the best pockets of habitat. For hunters who can handle that terrain, this unit is a strong pick. For those looking for an easy, road-accessible hunt, it may be more unit than they bargained for.

Harvest Success Rates

The four-year harvest trend for moose on North Slope, Summit is remarkably stable and strong:

• 2025: 25 hunters, 24 harvested — 96% success
• 2024: 27 hunters, 27 harvested — 100% success
• 2023: 19 hunters, 18 harvested — 95% success
• 2022: 20 hunters, 19 harvested — 95% success

Across these four years, hunter numbers have stayed relatively low (19 to 27 per season), which is typical for a limited-entry moose unit where tag numbers are deliberately capped to protect herd health. What stands out is that success has never dipped below 95% in any of the last four seasons. That level of consistency suggests a healthy, huntable moose population and hunters who are well-prepared going into the season — likely aided by the long point-building process that precedes most successful draws, giving hunters years to scout and plan before they ever set foot in the field with a tag in hand.

Trophy Quality

Trophy data for the counties overlapping North Slope, Summit points to exceptional trophy potential for moose hunters. This is one of the areas in Utah with a strong history of producing trophy-class bulls, and that reputation has held up over time. It's worth noting that record-book entries are attributed at the county level, not the specific hunt unit, so the trophy history associated with this area is shared with neighboring units that overlap the same counties. Still, for hunters evaluating where to spend a lifetime moose tag, the trophy pedigree here is a meaningful point in this unit's favor.

Given the remote, high-elevation habitat and the wilderness component of this unit, mature bulls have the security cover and elevation refuge to grow older and bigger before hunting pressure or access catches up to them. That combination of habitat quality and trophy history is exactly what hunters want to see when evaluating a unit for a once-in-a-lifetime species.

Access & Terrain

North Slope, Summit is defined by extreme terrain. Elevations range from 7,491 feet up to 13,402 feet, encompassing everything from lower timbered slopes to alpine basins near Kings Peak, Utah's highest point. The unit is described as mostly wooded and mountainous, dominated by lodgepole pine stands and classic still-hunting country — dense enough that spot-and-stalk tactics common in more open terrain give way to careful, quiet hunting through timber.

Public land access is a major strength here: 89% of the unit's 388,390 acres is public, giving hunters extensive room to roam without needing to negotiate private land access. Layered on top of that, 40% of the unit is designated wilderness. That wilderness percentage matters for logistics — wilderness areas prohibit motorized and mechanized access, meaning hunters heading into those zones should plan on foot or horseback travel only. Utah does not impose Wyoming-style guide requirements for wilderness hunting, so nonresident hunters are free to hunt these wilderness areas unguided, but they should be prepared for genuine backcountry conditions: no vehicle access, longer pack-outs, and more remote terrain once inside the wilderness boundary.

Because of its size, elevation range, and popularity with hikers and other recreational users, hunters should expect to share the country with a mix of user groups, particularly in the more accessible drainages. The higher and more remote basins tend to see less pressure and hold better potential for both a quality bull and a more solitary hunting experience.

How to Apply

Nonresidents should budget for both the license and application costs upfront, even before knowing whether they've drawn.

Utah's moose draw uses a point system, and because moose is a true once-in-a-lifetime species in Utah, a successful draw will consume the point balance for that species going forward. Hunters serious about this unit should check HuntPilot's Utah state page (/states/ut) for current draw odds by point level, since specific draw percentages and quotas shift year to year and are best verified against the most current published data rather than relying on historical assumptions.

Application dates and fees change every draw cycle. For the current deadlines, fees, and draw odds, see HuntPilot's Utah page at /states/ut.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the terrain like in Utah Unit North Slope, Summit?

The unit spans a dramatic elevation range from 7,491 to 13,402 feet, making it one of the more rugged moose units in Utah. Much of the lower-to-mid elevation country is heavily timbered with lodgepole pine, favoring still-hunting tactics over long-range glassing. Higher elevations climb into alpine terrain near Kings Peak, Utah's highest summit. With 89% public land and 40% wilderness, hunters have extensive access but should be prepared for genuinely remote, physically demanding backcountry conditions, especially once inside the wilderness boundary where motorized access is prohibited.

What is harvest success like for moose hunters in this unit?

Harvest success has been excellent and consistent in recent years: 96% in 2025, 100% in 2024, 95% in 2023, and 95% in 2022. Hunters who draw a moose tag on North Slope, Summit have filled that tag at a rate of 95% or better in each of the last four seasons, reflecting both a healthy moose population and well-prepared hunters going into the field.

How big are the moose in North Slope, Summit?

Trophy data for the counties overlapping this unit points to exceptional trophy potential, with a strong history of producing trophy-class bulls over time. Because trophy records are tracked at the county level rather than by specific unit, this reputation is shared with neighboring units that overlap the same counties. Still, the combination of remote wilderness habitat and consistent trophy production makes this a unit where a patient hunter has a real shot at a notable bull.

Is Utah Unit North Slope, Summit worth applying for as a moose hunter?

Based on the available data, yes — this unit stands out for its combination of consistently high harvest success (95%+ over the last four years), strong trophy history in the surrounding counties, and an outstanding public land base at 89%. The main consideration is terrain difficulty: this is steep, high-elevation, heavily timbered wilderness country, and hunters need to be physically prepared for demanding backcountry conditions. For hunters willing to put in that effort, the data supports this as one of Utah's stronger moose units.

Do nonresidents need a guide to hunt the wilderness portion of this unit?

No. Utah does not require nonresident hunters to hire a licensed guide or outfitter to hunt in wilderness areas, unlike some other western states. Nonresidents are free to hunt the 40% wilderness portion of North Slope, Summit unguided, though they should plan for foot or horseback access only, since motorized and mechanized travel is prohibited within wilderness boundaries.