You can start applying on June 1, 2010

You can help Utah's big game animals and have a fun time in the outdoors this fall if you obtain a permit to hunt animals that don't have antlers.

You can apply for a doe deer hunting permit starting June 1, 2010.

Photo by Ron Stewart

Having hunters take female big game animals is an important management tool. It allows biologists to balance big game animals with the habitat that's available to the animals.

"Antlerless hunters usually have a higher success rate than those hunting for animals with antlers," says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

"Antlerless hunts are great," Aoude says. "They provide a chance to get out and enjoy nature, they're usually less crowded than other big game hunts and they provide a good chance to take an animal."

Apply for a permit

Most of Utah's antlerless big game hunting permits are taken in the state's antlerless draw. You can apply for a permit starting June 1, 2010 at wildlife.utah.gov or by calling the nearest DWR office.

To get your application in the draw for permits, you must submit it through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on June 17, 2010. Applications will be accepted over the phone until 6 p.m. on June 17, 2010.

The following are the number of permits available this year:

	Number of permits
Cow elk	9,838
Doe deer	1,975
Doe pronghorn	622
Cow moose	19

In addition to hunts on public land, many of Utah's private Cooperative Wildlife Management Units offer antlerless permits to Utah residents. Applications for CWMU permits will also be accepted from June 1 through June 17, 2010.

For more information, call Utah Wildlife Administrative Services at 1-800-221-0659, the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700.