Time to Apply for a Utah Big Game Hunting Permit
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 01.28.13
Web page available to help you apply for a deer permit
Hunting big game animals is a cherished tradition in Utah.
Even though this fall’s hunts are still months away, the time to apply for a permit is almost here.
Applications to hunt big game animals in Utah will be accepted starting Feb. 1.
Get a free guidebook
Everything you need to know to apply for a permit is available in the 2013 Utah Big Game Application Guidebook.
You can get the free guidebook at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks, at Division of Wildlife Resources offices and from more than 300 hunting and fishing license agents across Utah.
Applications will be accepted starting Feb. 1 at www.wildlife.utah.gov.
Your application must be received through the website no later than 11 p.m. on March 4 to be entered in the draw for permits.
If you have questions or need help completing your application, call any DWR office before 5 p.m. on March 4.
Results of the 2013 Utah big game draw will be available by May 31.
Starting Feb. 1, applications will be accepted for every hunt except the general-season bull elk hunt. General-season elk permits will be available, on a first-come, first-served basis, starting June 27.
Hunt all three deer seasons
Would you like to hunt all three general deer hunting seasons (archery, muzzleloader and rifle) on the unit you draw a permit for?
You can if you join the Dedicated Hunter program.
To give yourself a chance to join the Dedicated Hunter program, you must do two things: Complete an online orientation course that will teach you more about the program, and apply for and draw a 2013 general deer hunting permit.
(The online Dedicated Hunter course takes about 30 minutes to complete.)
To learn more about the program and how to join it, visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/dh.
Applying for a point
If you’re not going to hunt in 2013, you can still apply for a bonus point or a preference point. These points increase the chance that you’ll draw a permit the next time you apply.
You can start applying for a point on Feb. 1. Your application for a point must be received through www.wildlife.utah.gov no later than 11 p.m. on March 18.
Please remember that you must have a hunting license or a combination license to apply for a point or a hunting permit.
General-season deer hunt Web page
A general-season deer hunting change that started in Utah in 2012 will continue in 2013—instead of hunting deer on five large regions, hunters in 2013 will hunt on 30 smaller units.
If you have questions about applying for a general-season deer permit, a DWR Web page has the answers. The page is available at http://go.usa.gov/ncx. The page includes the following:
- a map that shows where Utah’s 30 general-season deer hunting units are located
- a link that will take you to detailed maps and a boundary description for each unit
- drawing odds for each unit in 2012
- a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
Amy Canning, communications specialist for the DWR, hopes the information will help you make the best choice possible. “A wide variety of information is available on the page,” she says. “Hopefully, the information will help you apply for the unit that works best for you.”
Lifetime license holders
If you have a lifetime hunting license in Utah, you can select the general deer hunting unit you’d like to hunt by doing two things: Completing the online lifetime license questionnaire and selecting the unit you want to hunt.
Access to the questionnaire will be available in the 2013 big game application. Visit www.wildlife.utah.gov between Feb. 1 and March 4 to access the application, complete the questionnaire and select your unit.
If you don’t complete the application by March 4, you’ll receive a deer permit for the same unit you hunted last year.
More information
If you have questions about applying for a 2013 Utah big game hunting permit, call the Utah Hunt Application office at 1-800-221-0659 or the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office.
