Hunting in Box Elder

Waterfowl Marshes, Upland Fields and Open Country

Box Elder County is one of Utah's great hunting destinations. The wetlands where the Bear River meets the Great Salt Lake draw huge numbers of ducks, geese and tundra swans each fall, while farm fields, rocky canyons and open desert hold pheasant, chukar and big game. Brigham City makes an easy home base for early mornings in the marsh.

Quick Facts

Best Known For

Waterfowl

Peak Season

Fall & early winter

Home Base

Brigham City

Upland Game

Pheasant & chukar

Where to hunt in Box Elder County

Most hunters come for waterfowl. West of Brigham City, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and the state's Public Shooting Grounds and Salt Creek Wildlife Management Areas protect thousands of acres of marsh, open water and uplands, all within a short drive of town. Farther west, Locomotive Springs Wildlife Management Area offers remote marsh hunting near the north end of the Great Salt Lake.

Beyond the marshes, farm fields hold pheasant, rocky slopes hold chukar, and the county's mountains and West Desert offer big game hunting by permit. Each area has its own rules and access points, so check the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for current regulations before heading out.

Utah Hunting Guidebooks

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Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Fall–winter · Waterfowl & tundra swans · Federal refuge

Designated areas of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge are open to hunting during Utah's waterfowl seasons. The refuge is a major stopover for ducks, geese and tens of thousands of migrating tundra swans each fall. Check the refuge's own hunting rules before you go.

Public Shooting Grounds

Fall–winter · Waterfowl · State wildlife area

Established in 1928, the Public Shooting Grounds Wildlife Management Area is reported to be the first area in the nation set aside for public waterfowl hunting. Its marshes, mudflats and open water sit along Highway 83, west of Corinne.

Salt Creek

Fall–winter · Waterfowl & upland game · State wildlife area

Just past Corinne, the Salt Creek Wildlife Management Area mixes marsh, ponds and uplands, with access for both walk-in hunters and boats. It's a favorite for ducks, and upland game hunting is also allowed in season.

Upland & Big Game

Fall · Pheasant, chukar & big game · Permits vary

Look for pheasant along agricultural edges and chukar on rocky, open slopes. Big game hunts in the county's mountains and West Desert are available by permit through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Hunting by Season

Spring

(March–May)

Apply for big game permits and scout new areas. A good time to finish hunter education.

Summer

(June–August)

Draw results arrive and archery hunts approach. Scout early mornings while it's still cool.

Fall

(September–November)

Big game, upland and waterfowl seasons open. The marshes fill with migrating ducks and swans.

Winter

(December–January)

Late waterfowl seasons bring geese and hardy ducks. Dress warm for cold, icy marsh mornings.

Before You Go

GET LICENSED

Licenses, permits and hunter education requirements vary by species. Find what you need from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

CHECK CURRENT RULES

Seasons, limits and requirements change every year. Review the current Utah hunting guidebooks before you go.

KNOW YOUR AREA

Each wildlife management area and the refuge has its own access points and rules. Check them before your hunt.

RESPECT PRIVATE LAND

Much of the county's farmland is private. Always get permission before hunting private property.