Bucks of the San Juan Mountains Emerge from the Woods

Out chasing trails near Monticello, Utah, we took the Polaris RZR deep into the San Juan Mountains—expecting a quick off-road ride and hoping to film a few good bucks. It didn’t take long before we spotted a pair of young bucks just off the trail, the evening sunlight glinting off their small velvet-covered antlers. We figured that might be the highlight of the ride… but the mountain had other plans.

Further down the trail, what looked like weeds swaying in the grass suddenly moved. Those weren’t plants—they were antlers. Massive (not horns, haha), velvet-tipped antlers belonging to a group of big-bodied bucks, perfectly hidden in plain sight.

As the sun dipped low and the light turned gold, we watched these mule deer graze and rub their antlers on quakies, shedding their velvet in the fading glow—completely unbothered by our presence. We kept our distance, cameras rolling, feeling more like guests than explorers.

This ride turned into one of those unforgettable moments that remind you why you venture off the beaten path: wild country, quiet beauty, and encounters you couldn’t plan if you tried.

Come along for the ride—breathtaking scenery, a few dusty trails, and a front-row seat to Utah’s untamed side.

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