UTAH BIG GAME HUNTING APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW OPEN
| Jan. 26, 2017 | Hunt Research

If you want to apply for big game hunting permits in Utah the application period runs from January 26th through March 2nd, 2017.

Utah requires that you have a valid 365-day hunting license to apply ($65). The best tactic is to buy your 365-day hunting license later in the application period, for example, February 14th. The following year you can apply again without buying another $65 license if you remember to do so before Valentine’s Day.

You must pay $10 for each application that you submit, but you do not have to pay the entire price of the permit when you apply like you do in many other western states. Also, you can buy a bonus point for limited entry and once-in-a-lifetime hunts or a preference point for general season permits for $10 each.

Nonresidents can apply for all the available species and build bonus points for each. Half of the permits for each unit go to the applicants with the most bonus points and the other half go into a random drawing where bonus point help your odds but don’t guarantee you a permit. If you are just getting into the point game don’t chase the Henry Mountains or Paunsaugunt deer tags, or the San Juan elk tag. Your best option is to apply for a unit with a good population of animals and plenty of public lands.

For limited entry deer, you may want to look at one of the late season muzzleloader hunts that occur on general seasons in early November (pre-rut), or an archery permit. If you don’t mind taking a buck with three points or less on one side, go for a management buck on the Henry Mountains or the Paunsaugunt. These permits are easier to draw and there are some unreal “management bucks” on both units.

Very few general season deer permits take more than 3 preference points to draw and offer a diligent hunter a good opportunity to harvest a good buck. Generally speaking, general season deer permits in the central and southern portions are more difficult to draw than those in northern Utah. Utah just made it so you lose all your preference points if you draw any of you five choices. Previously, you could be unsuccessful for you 1st choice and draw your 2nd through 5th choice and still accumulate a preference point. This change will alter draw odds in 2017.

For limited entry elk, it can be very difficult to draw an early season September rut hunt; however, archery, muzzleloader, mid-season, and late season limited entry elk tags are significantly easier to draw. The Wasatch and Manti units offer the most non-resident elk tags. However, there are several other units that can offer you a quality hunt for fewer bonus points. San Juan, Fillmore/Pahvant, Monroe, Beaver, Southwest Desert and Boulder are usually considered the best elk units, but it will take you a lifetime to draw a tag on those units if you have a few or no bonus points. Unless, you get lucky, which does happen on occasion.

General season elk tags are not as good in Utah as those offered by other states. Some general units are any bull units and others are spike only.

Utah also has antelope, moose, bighorn sheep, desert sheep, mountain goats, and bison permits. Since these permits are very limited they tend to be very difficult to draw.

You will know your Utah results before May 31st, but start checking your credit card charges around May 15th if you get inpatient.

Good luck in the draws and please send us photos of your successful hunts!

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