Unit 85 Fillmore, Oak Creek LE
A small, rugged sky-island range that punches far above its size — one of Utah's top premium limited-entry trophy mule deer units
Central Utah — Canyon Mountains / Fillmore · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
349
sq mi
Public land
71%
approx.
Elevation
5,000–9,717
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
The Fillmore, Oak Creek limited-entry unit is essentially the Canyon Mountains, a compact but steep range rising abruptly east of Fillmore and the Pahvant Valley. Despite being one of the smallest management units in the state — roughly 180 square miles of it is Fishlake National Forest — it has long been an outlier among Utah's limited-entry deer units, producing exceptional mature bucks year after year off good browse tucked into ledges and cliff bands. The 2012 Clay Springs Fire burned over 100,000 acres, opening previously brushy country into glassable slopes and rejuvenating browse. This is a hard-earned, high-point trophy tag, not a general-season destination.
Terrain
A steep, rocky range topping out near Fool Creek Peak (~9,717 ft), climbing sharply from the sagebrush valley floor around 5,000 ft. Sheer cliffs, rock ledges, and roadless pockets make for a physical, glassing-intensive hunt.
Cover: Sagebrush and grass on the lower benches, giving way to pinyon-juniper, oakbrush, mahogany and aspen higher up, with scattered conifer on the peaks. Large tracts of the 2012 Clay Springs burn are now open, brushy regrowth that concentrates deer and opens long sightlines.
Landmarks: Canyon Mountains · Fool Creek Peak (~9,717 ft) · Oak Creek Canyon · Clay Springs Fire scar (2012) · Pahvant Valley · Fillmore
Access
About 71% public — a core of Fishlake National Forest ringed by BLM and SITLA state-trust sections (open to hunting), with private ranch and farmland skirting the base near Oak City, Holden and Fillmore. Two-wheel-drive vehicles reach some roads, but many spurs demand 4x4, and mud or snow can close them fast. Prime country requires strenuous hiking off the road ends; vehicle access into the steep interior is poor to moderate.
Managers: USFS Fishlake NF, BLM, SITLA, private
Access points: Oak Creek Canyon road (from Oak City) · Chalk Creek drainage · Forest roads off US-50 / I-15 near Holden and Fillmore · Scipio-side approaches on the north end
Species notes
Mule Deer
common trophyThe marquee draw and the reason this tiny unit is famous. Fillmore, Oak Creek has been a consistent producer of mature, heavy bucks — commonly yielding bucks in the 160s-180s with a handful of true giants — making it one of Utah's benchmark limited-entry trophy units. Quality has softened somewhat in recent years, but the ceiling remains high. Expect to invest many bonus points to draw.
- →Glass from first light across the burn slopes and cliff-broken drainages where mature bucks bed in security cover
- →Run high-quality optics on a tripod and pick apart ledges, mahogany pockets and oakbrush stringers at distance
- →Scout hard preseason — the unit is small enough to pattern individual bucks before the hunt
- →Hunt the transitions between the burn regrowth browse and the timbered/cliff bedding terrain
- →Be prepared for steep, physical stalks; access into the best bedding country is on foot
Rocky Mountain Elk
common qualityElk are a significant presence on the Canyon Mountains and the unit carries a limited-entry elk hunt as well. The dry, rugged range and post-fire browse hold good numbers, with quality bulls available to hunters who understand the country and watch the water.
- →Monitor and hunt near the limited water sources during dry early seasons
- →Work the aspen pockets and burn edges at the higher elevations
- →Glass timbered north slopes and shaded draws where elk hold through midday
- →Be ready to cover steep ground between feeding and bedding areas
Cougar
common opportunityThe steep, deer-rich Canyon Mountains support a healthy cougar population, hunted primarily with hounds in winter when tracking snow is present.
- →Cut for tracks on forest roads and ridgelines after fresh snow
- →Focus on the deer wintering benches on the lower slopes
Pro tips
- →Treat this as a point-heavy lottery tag — when you draw, plan the whole hunt around one mature buck
- →Scout the Clay Springs burn: the open regrowth both feeds deer and lets you glass country that used to be a brush wall
- →Invest in top-end glass and a tripod; distance glassing beats miles walked on a range this compact
- →Get fit — the best bedding cliffs and ledges are a physical climb from the nearest road
- →Watch water sources during dry stretches for both deer and elk
Watch out for
- !Extremely point-heavy draw — this is a bucket-list limited-entry tag, not an annual plan
- !Private ranch and farmland rings the base near Oak City, Holden and Fillmore — verify boundaries before crossing
- !Steep, cliff-broken terrain with roadless pockets; plan retrieval carefully
- !Dry country — scarce water early and lingering heat on the burn
- !Mud and snow can close 4x4 spurs late in the season
- !Fire risk and burn-scar hazards (deadfall, erosion) on the Clay Springs scar
Logistics
Base out of Fillmore or the Oak City / Holden area right at the foot of the range, roughly two hours south of Salt Lake City on I-15; Delta and Nephi add services. Fuel, groceries and lodging are easy in Fillmore, but the interior is roadless and steep, so plan for backcountry day hikes or spike camps off the road ends. Cell coverage is decent in the valley and spotty once you climb into the canyons.
Nearest towns: Fillmore, Oak City, Holden, Scipio, Delta, Nephi
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Utah sources:
Research sources: GOHUNT — Utah Fillmore, Oak Creek LE Deer Unit Profile · UDWR Utah Hunt Planner · Fishlake National Forest — USFS · Utah Wildlife Forum — Fillmore Oak Creek Deer
FAQ
- How big is Unit 85 in Utah?
- Unit 85 (Fillmore, Oak Creek LE) covers about 349 square miles, ranging from roughly 5,000 to 9,717 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in Unit 85?
- Approximately 71% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Fishlake NF, BLM, SITLA, private. Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for Unit 85?
- Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Cougar. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Utah agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
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