HIP program information

In the fall of 1998, Utah implemented a new, federally mandated program to improve knowledge about the harvest of migratory game birds, including mourning doves, band-tailed pigeons, swans, sandhill cranes, geese, ducks, coots and snipe.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources cooperates with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in implementing the Migratory Game Bird Harvest Program (HIP).

The purpose of this program is to improve management of the nation's migratory game bird populations by collecting better information on hunter participation an harvest.

Anyone hunting mourning doves, band-tailed pigeons, sandhill cranes, geese, ducks, coots or snipe is required to register in the HIP program. There is no charge to register. To do so, all migratory game bird hunters must call 1 (877) 882-4744 or visit Utah HIP online at www.uthip.com and provide their hunting license number and license code key, name, address, date of birth and the approximate number of doves, ducks and geese they harvested the previous year. A hunter will receive a HIP registration number; he/she must write this number, in the space provided, on his/her license. Lifetime license holders will receive a sticker to attach to the back of their license cards for entry of the current season's HIP number. While afield, migratory game bird hunters must prove that they have registered in the HIP program by presenting their license with their HIP number written on it.

Some hunters will receive a follow-up diary in the mail to keep track of their effort and harvest during the year, and be asked to return it after the season to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This information will be used to estimate hunter activity and success. Improved harvest information will allow Utah and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to make better management decisions.

The HIP registration number is much like a duck stamp in that it is valid for the entire 2002-03 waterfowl hunting season — even though you need a new hunting license each January.

For example, if you are hunting ducks in January 2003, you will need a new 2003 hunting license, but your HIP number from the fall of 2002 is still valid. The Division advises hunters to carry both their new 2003 hunting license and their 2002 hunting license with the HIP number written on it during the January portion of the season. Hunters must register again in the fall of 2003 for the 2003–2004 season and write their new HIP registration number on their 2003 license.