Welcome to Utah, a state renowned for its breathtaking views and diverse wildlife. With a variety of diverse landscapes from snow-covered peaks reaching out to over 13,000 feet to arid deserts, conifer woods, salt lakes and plateaus, not to mention 23 million acres of public land, Utah offers some of the most remarkable hunting experiences in the United States.
What can you hunt in Utah?
Utah offers a wide range of game species, including mule deer, elk, moose, pronghorn antelope, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, and various upland game birds.
Mule deer
Utah’s varied terrain, from mountainous regions to desert landscapes, provides excellent habitats for mule deer. The state is known for large trophy mule bucks. Although the population is currently a bit below management objectives due to factors like habitat loss, harsh winters, and predation, with some 350,000 animals there’s no shortage of hunting opportunities. The best of those are found in limited entry hunt units, that are purposefully managed to provide a higher quality hunting experience, with lower hunter density, better buck-to-doe ratio, and larger deer.
While mule deer can be found throughout Utah, some areas are particularly renowned for their deer hunting opportunities. The Wasatch and Uinta Mountains offer rugged terrain and higher elevation hunting, these areas can provide opportunities for larger bucks, especially during the late-season migratory periods. Southern Utah, including the Paunsaugunt, Henry Mountains, and San Juan units, are known for producing trophy-quality bucks but often require limited entry permits due to high demand. The Book Cliffs and South Slope units offer vast, remote areas that can yield successful hunts for those willing to put in the effort.
The best time to hunt mule deer in Utah depends on the type of hunt and your personal preferences. Archery season typically starts in late August, muzzleloader season in late September, and rifle season in October. The rut usually occurs in November, offering exciting hunting opportunities but often in colder, more challenging conditions.
Elk
Utah has a healthy elk herd that is a bit above the management objectives. In Northern Utah, the Cache unit has been known for producing large bulls. The Book Cliffs area, accessible only by foot, horseback, or ATV, offers an unparalleled wilderness experience. In the northeast of the state, units like South Slope, Yellowstone, and North Slope, Summit offer both limited entry and OTC opportunities. In central Utah the Manti and Wasatch units in Central Utah (Manti-La Sal National Forest) are renowned for large elk herds and scenic landscapes. While Southern Utah (Paunsaugunt and Plateau Units) is better known for mule deer, these areas also host significant elk populations.
The specific dates for elk hunting seasons in Utah can vary each year and depend on the hunting method (archery, muzzleloader, or rifle) and whether the hunt is on a limited entry unit or part of the general season. The archery season usually starts in late August and runs through mid-September. The muzzleloader season often begins in late September or early October. This season can be advantageous as it may coincide with the tail end of the rut, and there are fewer hunters compared to rifle season.
The rifle season typically starts in October and can run into November. There are usually several rifle hunting periods, including early season hunts which might still catch the end of the rut, and late-season hunts which are better for finding elk in wintering areas after the first heavy snows.
Pronghorn antelope
Utah’s open plains and sagebrush landscapes are ideal habitats for pronghorn. Pronghorn hunting in Utah is primarily managed through a permit system to control the number of hunters and ensure a quality hunting experience. In areas with larger pronghorn populations, Utah may offer a limited number of over-the-counter tags or general season hunts, which are less common than limited entry permits.
Pronghorns inhabit various terrains in Utah, from the open, sagebrush-dominated valleys to the grasslands and desert plains. The West Desert Units, including the West Desert, Vernon, and West Desert, Rush Valley units, are known for their vast open landscapes and significant pronghorn populations. Areas such as the Uintah Basin and the Book Cliffs in the northeast provide excellent pronghorn hunting opportunities, with large, accessible public lands. In southern and central Utah, Fillmore and Plateau units also host healthy pronghorn populations.
The pronghorn hunting season in Utah typically occurs from late August to September, with exact dates varying by unit and permit type.
Moose
Utah’s Shiras moose draws hunters from across the country. The opportunity to hunt moose in Utah is highly coveted due to the size of the animals and the scenic hunting environments, but you must navigate a competitive draw process to secure a tag, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Bighorn sheep
Both Rocky Mountain and desert bighorn sheep are found in Utah, and the chance to hunt these rare and majestic animals attracts the hunters willing to participate in the highly competitive draw system, in spite of extremely low draw chances. Successful applicants have the chance to experience one of the most exclusive hunting opportunities in North America.
Mountain goat
Snow-capped mountains of Utah are home to the unique, snow-white American mountain goat. Only a few permits are available each year, fewer in fact than for bighorn sheep, making a mountain goat hunt in Utah one of the most exclusive adventures in North America. As for bison, bighorn sheep, and moose, permits are once-in-a-lifetime.
Mountain lion (cougar):
For those interested in predator hunting, Utah offers excellent opportunities to hunt mountain lions. The state’s vast wilderness areas provide ideal habitats for these elusive predators, and non-residents can participate in the hunt with the aid of experienced guides. Most cougar hunts take place with the help of packs of hounds.
Black Bear
Utah has a healthy black bear population, and non-resident hunters can apply for limited entry tags or purchase over-the-counter permits in some areas. Hunting methods include spot and stalk, and hunting with hounds.
Wild turkey
Merriam’s turkey is the primary subspecies found in Utah. Merriam’s turkeys are known for beautiful white-tipped tail feathers and rugged, mountainous habitat preferences. They thrive in the mixed conifer and aspen forests typically found at higher elevations in the state. Both a spring and a fall turkey hunting seasons are available in Utah, and provide a challenging hunt in scenic settings.
Other hunting opportunities in Utah
While these species are among the most popular for non-resident hunters, Utah also offers hunting opportunities for other game such as waterfowl, and upland game birds like pheasant and chukar.
Utah Limited Draw System
Most big-game permits in Utah are limited draw. Even mule deer buck permits come as limited-entry and general season, and even many of the general season permits are drawn. There’s only a limited number of OTC permits. All permits for bull elk and buck pronghorn are limited-entry, while a permit for moose, bison, desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, and mountain goat can be drawn only once in a lifetime.
The draw is carried out in tiers: first, limited-entry permits for mule deer bucks, second bull elk, third buck pronghorn antelope, fourth once-in-a-lifetime species. Only after those the general season permits are drawn. The caveat is, you can only draw one limited or once-in-a-lifetime permit per year in Utah. When you’ve drawn a permit, you’re excluded from all the following tiers. The exception is a general season deer permit – you can get that in addition to elk, pronghorn, moose, bison, sheep, or mountain goat, but not if you’ve drawn a limited entry deer permit.
Therefore, it may not be a good idea to apply for any species that are drawn before your target animal. If what you really want is desert bighorn, applying for deer, elk, or pronghorn limited-entry permits reduces your already meager chances by a factor of 3. This system also has consequences for potential combination hunts. While in most Western states you can usually simply pick up a deer or pronghorn tag to complement your elk permit, in Utah your only option for that is a general season deer permit.
Accumulating preference points really makes a lot of sense in Utah, as half of the permits in limited entry and once-in-a-lifetime hunts are distributed among hunters with the highest numbers of preference points, the other half is randomly drawn. Another interesting feature is that if you’ve drawn a limited-entry permit, you have from two (for pronghorn) to five (for elk and deer) years to apply for the hunt.
Don’t forget that before you can apply for a big-game permit in Utah, you must obtain a hunting license, or combination (hunting + fishing) license for the relevant year.
Over-the-counter big-game permits in Utah
The best big-game hunting opportunities in Utah are distributed through limited draw, however, some over-the-counter options are available. This includes general season archery elk, general season any bull elk, and general season spike bull elk permits.
Any leftover general season and limited entry permits not claimed in the draw are sold over the counter. Non-residents can also receive permit vouchers from landowners and operators who participate in the Cooperative Wildlife Management Units (CWMUs) program.
OTC elk hunting in Utah is generally conducted on public lands, but access can vary significantly between different areas. Some areas may require extensive hiking or backcountry skills to access prime elk habitats. These hunts have lower success rates than limited entry hunts. This is due to a variety of factors including higher hunter density, more difficult terrain, and the wariness of elk in these more heavily hunted areas.
Planning a hunt in Utah
Thoroughly research the areas, seasons, and species you’re interested in. More accessible areas may see higher hunting pressure, which can affect elk behavior and hunter success rates. Remote or harder-to-access areas may offer a more solitary experience but require more effort and preparation. Consider your physical ability and equipment when choosing a hunting area. Some of the best hunting in Utah is in rugged, remote areas requiring good physical condition and backcountry skills.
Apply for all necessary permits and tags well in advance, keeping in mind the draw odds and preference points systems. Familiarize yourself with all relevant regulations, including tagging procedures and harvest reporting requirements for each species.
Utah features diverse terrains, from the Rocky Mountains and high desert plateaus to forested valleys and alpine meadows, and you can experience any kind of weather from scorching heat to freezing cold. It’s impossible to give specific tips on what gear you need for hunting in Utah, but it’s safe to say it has to be good and matched to the conditions of your future hunt.
Ensure you have the appropriate clothing for the season, as temperatures can fluctuate dramatically. High-quality boots, layered clothing, a reliable GPS, and sufficient water are essential. Additionally, make sure your hunting equipment, such as rifles, bows, and optics, are suitable for the terrain and the game you’re pursuing. Discuss the question with your outfitter, as they will know best what exactly you’re going to face.
You may benefit from hiring a local guide or outfitter, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Utah’s terrain and hunting regulations. A guide can provide invaluable local knowledge, assist with navigating the landscape, and help increase your chances of a successful and ethical hunt. If you’ve been lucky to draw one of the permits for once-in-a-lifetime species such as bison, moose, bighorn sheep, or mountain goat, you should definitely consider hiring a reputable outfitter, to maximize your chances of a hunt for which there’s no “next year”.
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