Last modified: Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Two changes await big game hunters

Applications accepted starting Jan. 2

Based on past years, as many as 230,000 people will consider applying for a permit to hunt big game in Utah next fall.

If you're one of them, please be aware of two changes:

• You must have a hunting or combination license before you can apply for a permit.
• Applications will be accepted only through the Division of Wildlife Resources' Web site.

Start applying on Jan. 2

You can apply for a 2008 permit at wildlife.utah.gov starting Jan. 2. Your application must be received through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on Jan. 31 to be entered in the draw for permits.

If you're not comfortable applying on the Internet, you can also apply over-the-phone. To apply over-the-phone, you must call (801) 538-4700 no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 31.

Results of the 2008 Big Game Draw will be available by April 30.

Applying for a point

If you don't plan on hunting in 2008, you can still apply for a bonus point or a preference point.

You can start applying for these points at wildlife.utah.gov on Jan. 2. Your application must be received through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on Feb. 29.

You can also apply for a point over-the-phone starting Jan. 2. The Division of Wildlife Resources will accept phone-in applications at (801) 538-4700 until 5 p.m. on Feb. 29.

Changes

License required

Starting with the 2008 hunts, you must have a current Utah hunting or combination license before you can apply for a big game hunting permit.

"This change is important to the future of the state's wildlife," says Jim Karpowitz, director of the DWR. "As costs continue to rise, the requirement that hunters buy a license will provide us the revenue we need to continue managing big game and other wildlife into the future."

Karpowitz has some advice for you as you decide which license to buy: the hunting license, which costs $26 for residents, or the combination license, which costs $30. "I'd encourage you to buy the combination license," he says. "It costs $4 more than a hunting license, but it also allows you to fish."

Hunting and combination licenses are available at wildlife.utah.gov. You can also obtain one from DWR offices and more than 350 hunting license agents across Utah.

Paying less for a permit

Another change involves the cost for big game permits—some of them will cost less in 2008 than they did this year. For example, Utah residents will pay $20 less for a general elk permit. And general deer permits cost $5 less.

You can buy a resident general elk permit for $45. Resident general deer permits cost $35.

Apply on the Web

In addition to the new license requirement, you'll also have to apply for a permit on the Internet this year.

"If you've never applied for a permit online before, and you have questions about how to do it, please drop by a DWR office," says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR. "We have computers you can use and staff members who can help you through the process."

You can also apply for a permit over-the-phone by calling the DWR at (801) 538-4700.

"If you decide to apply over the phone, you must call us no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 31," Tutorow says.

If you want to apply for a bonus point or a preference point over-the-phone, you need to call no later than 5 p.m. on Feb. 29.

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.