Before you apply for the 2024 antlerless hunt

Basic requirements

Are you planning to hunt antlerless big game in Utah this year? Before you apply for a permit, make sure you:

1. Meet Utah's age requirements
2. Determine if you are a resident or nonresident
3. Comply with Utah's hunter education requirements
4. Have a current hunting or combination license

Are you old enough?

— Utah Code § 23A-4-703

Before you can buy a hunting license and apply for an antlerless permit, you must meet the following requirements:

• Successfully comply with the state's Hunter Education requirements. (The only exception to this law is for individuals who are participating in the Division's Trial Hunting Program.)
• Be at least 12 years old by your hunt date.

If you're 11 years old — but you'll be 12 by Dec. 31, 2024 — you may apply for and obtain an antlerless deer, antlerless elk, antlerless moose, doe pronghorn or ewe bighorn sheep permit (if available). However, you cannot hunt until the day you turn 12. Be sure to check hunt dates before applying. All sales are final.

All hunters under the age of 16 must be accompanied in the field by a parent, legal guardian or responsible person 21 years of age or older.

Are you a resident?

— Utah Code § 23A-1-101

Before you apply for a big game hunt, it's important to know whether you are a legal resident of the state of Utah.

You are a resident if you have had a fixed permanent home and principal establishment in Utah for six consecutive months immediately preceding the purchase of a license or permit, and you do not claim residency for hunting, fishing or trapping in any other state or country.

If you purchase a resident license for hunting, fishing or trapping in any other state or country, then your Utah resident license or permit is invalid.

What if I leave Utah temporarily?

You retain your Utah residency if you leave Utah to serve in the armed forces of the United States — or for religious or educational purposes — and you do not claim residency for hunting, fishing or trapping in any other state or country.

What if I serve in the armed forces?

Members of the armed forces of the United States and their dependents are residents as of the date the member reports for duty under assigned orders in Utah, if:

• The member is not on temporary duty in Utah and does not claim residency for hunting, fishing or trapping in any other state or country.
• The member presents a copy of his or her assignment orders to a Division office to verify the member's qualification as a resident.

What if I'm a student?

A nonresident attending an institution of higher learning in Utah as a full-time student may qualify as a resident if the student has been present in Utah for 60 consecutive days immediately preceding the purchase of the license or permit and does not claim residency for hunting, fishing or trapping in any other state or country.

What if I own property in Utah?

You do not qualify as a resident if you are an absentee landowner paying property tax on land in Utah.

Is hunter education required?

— Utah Code § 23A-4-1001 & Utah Admin. Rule R657-23

If you were born after Dec. 31, 1965, you must provide proof that you've passed a hunter education course approved by the Division before you can apply for or obtain a hunting license or a big game permit.

The only exception to this law is for individuals who are participating in the Division's Trial Hunting Program. Trial hunters are eligible to apply for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn.

Proof of hunter education

You can prove that you've completed hunter education by obtaining a hunter education card (called a "blue card" in Utah), or if you have a verified hunter education number on file with the Division. The number is assigned when you complete hunter education and your blue card is issued.

How to take hunter education

To get started, visit our Hunter education page. You'll see links to various traditional and online hunter education courses. Follow the instructions on the website to obtain a hunter education registration certificate (required) and to register for a course online.

If you need assistance, please contact your local Division office or call 801-538-4727.

When you finish the course, your instructor will verify your course completion in the online hunter education system. At that point, you will be able to apply for or obtain permits in the Division's hunt drawing, and your hunter education registration certificate will become your hunting license.

Approximately four to six weeks after you complete the course, you will receive your blue card by mail.

You should also keep the following in mind:

• Hunters who are age 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult while hunting.
• All hunting regulations (such as season dates and bag limits) will apply.
• Hunters who are planning to hunt out of state should allow enough time for their hunter education card to arrive in the mail.

Are you new to Utah?

If you become a Utah resident, and you've completed a hunter education course in another state, province or country, you must obtain a blue card before you can apply for or buy a resident hunting license or a resident antlerless permit. You can obtain a Utah blue card by completing a transfer certification application online, or by going to any Division office and providing proof that you've completed a hunter education course approved by the Division.

Do you have a license?

— Utah Code §§§ 23A-4-201, 23A-4-703 and 23A-5-309

You must have a current Utah hunting or combination (hunting and fishing) license to apply for any antlerless permits, bonus points or preference points. You will have the opportunity to purchase a license while applying for permits or points. Licenses are also available online and from license agents and Division offices.

Keep in mind: There are restrictions on fishing and hunting license purchasers for nonpayment of child support. For additional information — or to arrange a payment schedule — please contact the Office of Recovery Services at 801-536-8500.

All hunting and combination licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. You also have the option of purchasing a multi-year license that's valid for up to five years. For a list of permit fees, see the fees table or visit the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page.

Is your license still valid?

Be sure to take a look at the date on your license before you apply for any permits or points. As long as your license is valid on the date you submit your application, you don't have to purchase a new license for the actual hunt.

For example, assume that your license expires on June 13, 2024. If you apply before that date, you do not have to purchase a new license for your hunt in the fall.

Do you have a permit?

— Utah Admin. Rule R657-62-18

Many of Utah's antlerless permits will be issued through the antlerless drawing. You can apply for those permits from June 5–19, 2024. Learn more about application deadlines and how to apply for antlerless permits.

For a list of permit fees, see the fees table or visit the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page.

Carry your permit

If you are successful in obtaining an antlerless permit, you must have it on your person while hunting. You cannot alter your license or permit, nor can you sell, transfer or loan either of them to another person.

How to obtain a 2024 antlerless permit

Your first, and possibly only, chance to obtain a Utah antlerless permit is through the state's antlerless drawing. To apply for the drawing, you'll need to:

1. Know what types of antlerless permits are available
2. Research your hunts using the online Utah Hunt Planner
3. Know when, where and how to apply for a permit
4. Know how bonus points and preference points work
5. Understand the drawing process and refunds

Types of antlerless permits

— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-20

You can apply for all of the following antlerless permits in the 2024 drawing:

• One antlerless deer permit (except in areas where two-doe permits are available)
• One antlerless elk permit (only general-season and resident CWMU permits are available through the drawing)
• One doe pronghorn permit (except in areas where two-doe permits are available)
• Either one antlerless moose permit or one ewe bighorn sheep permit (but you cannot apply for both species in the same year)

Remember: You can apply for and hunt the following species in the same year: doe and buck pronghorn, cow and bull moose, and ewe and ram bighorn sheep.

If you don't draw an antlerless permit in 2024, you might still be able to obtain a CWMU voucher, an elk-control permit or a private-lands-only permit.

When, where and how to apply

— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-6, R657-62-11, R657-62-12, R657-62-20 & R657-42

There are a variety of dates and deadlines to keep in mind if you plan to apply for antlerless hunts this year:

June 5: Apply online for permits, bonus points and preference points

Beginning June 5, residents and nonresidents can apply online for permits, bonus points and preference points. You can also apply by calling any Division office.

Remember: You may edit your application free of charge at any time during the application period (before 11 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2024). You will not be charged any additional fees, unless you completely withdraw your application and resubmit.

Important: If your group members need to surrender their permits, all group members must surrender their permits no later than 30 days before the hunt opening date in order to have their previously acquired bonus/preference points reinstated. They will not accrue points for the current year.

If any member of the group surrenders their permit less than 30 days before the hunt date, then all group members will lose their bonus/preference points for that species/permit. See the Surrendered permits and refunds page for details.

To apply for a resident permit, you must be a resident on the date the permit is purchased. July 5, 2024 is considered the purchase date of the permit and the date by which you must establish residency in the state of Utah. (Please see the residency definition to learn whether you qualify as a resident.)

When you submit your application, you'll be charged a nonrefundable application fee ($10 for residents and $16 for nonresidents) for each species, bonus point or preference point you apply for.

For a complete list of Utah's license and permit fees, see the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page for details.

Application fees, license fees and any donations you've authorized will be charged to your credit or debit card when you apply. Permit fees will be charged after the drawing, if you are successful.

You can use American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA credit or debit cards as payment, and they must be valid through August 2024. You can also use a prepaid credit card.

Please keep in mind that the Division is not responsible for any bank charges incurred for the use of credit or debit cards. To change the credit or debit card associated with your application, call 800-221-0659.

You will not be charged a permit fee unless you draw a permit.

New credit card payment processing fee: In order to cover our increasing costs for systems and electronic payment processing, the Division will begin charging a 2.2% processing fee on all credit card transactions beginning July 1. The legislature authorized a fee up to 3% to cover these costs in the 2024 legislative session.

June 19: Deadline for permit applications, bonus points and preference points

Applications for antlerless hunting permits, bonus points and preference points must be submitted online no later than 11 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2024.

Please remember that you must have a hunting license or a combination license to apply for permits and points. If you don't already have one of these licenses, you can buy one online when you apply.

Keep in mind: There are restrictions on fishing and hunting license purchasers for nonpayment of child support. For additional information — or to arrange a payment schedule — please contact the Office of Recovery Services at 801-536-8500.

If you need help with your online application, please call any Division office before 5 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2024. A Division employee will be available to help you.

June 19: Deadline to edit your application

Did you make a mistake in your online permit application? You may edit your application free of charge at any time during the application period (before 11 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2024). You will not be charged any additional fees, unless you completely withdraw your application and resubmit.

If you need help with your online application, please call any Division office before 5 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2024.

June 19: Deadline to withdraw your application

If you decide not to hunt, you can withdraw your online permit application until 11 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2024.

Please remember that the fees you submitted with your application are not refundable.

July 5: Antlerless drawing results available

You'll be emailed your drawing results on or before July 5. Starting July 5, you can also see your drawing results online or call 800-221-0659 to obtain them.

If you draw a permit, you'll receive your permit in the mail near the end of July.

Please be aware that if you receive your permit, and then the credit card you used for payment is refused, your permit becomes invalid and you may not participate in the antlerless hunt. If this happens, please call 800-221-0659 to resolve the problem.

July 27: Remaining antlerless elk and private-lands-only permits available

Any antlerless permits remaining after the drawing — as well as private-lands-only antlerless elk permits — will be available beginning July 27.

Reminder: If you obtain a general-season antlerless permit over the counter (after the antlerless drawing) or a private-lands-only permit, you will lose any preference points you've previously accrued for that specific antlerless hunt.

Remaining permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. You must have a valid hunting license or a combination license to buy one of these permits. You can buy the permits online and at license agent locations and Division offices.

Under certain circumstances, you must obtain documented permission before you can use a private-lands-only permit. We strongly encourage you to obtain documented permission to hunt on private land before purchasing or using one of these permits. See details on the Division's website.

July 27: Antlerless elk-control permits available

Antlerless elk-control permits will be available beginning July 27.

Important: If you purchase an antlerless elk-control permit, you will not lose any preference points you've accrued for antlerless elk.

For detailed information about how elk-control permits work and when you may use one, please visit the Antlerless elk-control permits webpage. To learn more about Utah's antlerless elk-control units, visit the Utah Hunt Planner.

Other types of permits

• Poaching-reported reward permits
• CWMU program permits

Waiting periods

— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-20

Waiting periods keep successful applicants out of the drawing for a few years. This gives unsuccessful applicants a better chance at drawing a permit in the future. The antlerless moose and ewe bighorn sheep hunts are the only antlerless hunts with a waiting period.

Antlerless moose

The waiting period for antlerless moose is five years.

Ewe bighorn sheep

The waiting period for ewe bighorn sheep is five years.

Bonus points and preference points

Bonus points

— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-8

In the antlerless drawing, bonus points apply to antlerless moose and ewe bighorn sheep. A bonus point is awarded for each unsuccessful application to hunt antlerless moose or ewe bighorn sheep.

If you decide not to apply for an antlerless moose permit, you may still apply for an antlerless moose bonus point. Likewise, if you decide not to apply for a ewe bighorn sheep permit, you may still apply for a ewe bighorn sheep bonus point.

You may apply for an antlerless moose bonus point by selecting the appropriate hunt choice code (ANM) on the application and paying the application fee of $10 for residents and $16 for nonresidents.

You may apply for a ewe bighorn sheep bonus point by selecting the appropriate hunt choice code (ANR) on the application and paying the application fee of $10 for residents and $16 for nonresidents.

You must have a current Utah hunting or combination license in order to apply for an antlerless moose bonus point or a ewe bighorn sheep bonus point.

You cannot apply for a hunt or receive a bonus point if either of the following conditions apply:

• You are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game hunting.
• You are currently under a waiting period for the species you want to hunt.

The Division began issuing bonus points for antlerless moose in 2006. The 2020 season was the first time the Division issued bonus points for ewe bighorn sheep.

How your bonus points work in the drawing

Fifty percent (rounded down) of the permits for each hunt unit number are reserved for applicants with the most bonus points. The following antlerless moose example explains how the process works:

1. You receive one random drawing number for your antlerless moose application and one for every bonus point you have for antlerless moose. (Your lowest random number is used in the drawing.)
2. In the drawing for antlerless moose, applications are sorted into groups by the number of bonus points, from highest to lowest. (There's a group for hunters with three bonus points, one for hunters with two bonus points and so forth.)
3. Applications are sorted from lowest to highest draw number, and permits are awarded in order.

Bonus points and surrendering permits

If you draw an antlerless moose or ewe bighorn sheep permit this year — and then learn that you won't be able to hunt — it's in your best interest to surrender the permit as soon as possible.

Reminder: If you need to surrender an antlerless moose or ewe bighorn sheep permit, be sure to do so at least 30 days before your hunt begins in order to keep the bonus points that helped you draw the original permit. You will not earn a point for the current year.

If you surrender an antlerless moose or ewe bighorn sheep permit less than 30 days before the season opens, you will lose all of your previously accrued bonus points for that species, and you will not earn a point for the current year. See the Surrendered permits and refunds page for details.

Preference points

— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-9

Preference points are used to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful — or who apply for a preference point in the drawing for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn — will have first preference in the next year's drawing for the respective permits.

If you do not want to hunt antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn in the current year, you may apply for a preference point by inserting the appropriate hunt choice code on the application. You will be charged an application fee of $10 for residents and $16 for nonresidents for every preference point you apply for (limit one per species).

The application period is June 5–22, 2024. You must have a current Utah hunting or combination license in order to apply for preference points.

If you are eligible for an antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit, you are eligible to apply for a preference point for that hunt.

You cannot apply for both a permit and a preference point for the same species. A preference point will not be issued if you are successful in drawing for the respective permit.

Reminder: If you obtain a general-season antlerless permit over the counter (after the antlerless drawing) or a private-lands-only permit, you will lose any preference points you've previously accrued for that hunt type. The Division began issuing preference points for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn in 2006.

How your preference points work in the drawing

Here's how preference points work in the drawing:

• Starting with the highest point level, the drawing looks at the hunter's first choice.
• If a permit is available for the hunt, the permit is awarded. (In the case of a group application, permits are awarded if there are enough permits for the people in the group.)
• If permits are not available, the application is skipped, and the first choice of the next person is considered.
• After all first choices have been considered at that preference point level, the drawing will look at the first choices of hunters at the next-highest preference point level.
• After all the applicants' first choices have been considered, the drawing will look at everyone's second choices.
• This process continues in the same way for third, fourth and fifth choices. If you draw an antlerless permit — regardless of whether it was your first, second, third, fourth or fifth choice — you will lose all of your preference points.

Preference points are averaged and rounded down when two or more applicants apply as a group. For example, if hunter A with three preference points and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference points are averaged (1.5) and rounded down to one. Hunters with one preference point will be considered only after all groups or individuals with two or more preference points and before all groups or individuals with zero preference points.

In a second example, if hunter A with one preference point and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference points are averaged (0.5) and rounded down to zero. This group with zero preference points will be considered after all groups or individuals with one or more preference points have been considered.

Preference points and surrendering permits

If you draw an antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit this year — and then learn that you won't be able to hunt — it's in your best interest to surrender the permit as soon as possible.

Reminder: If you need to surrender an antlerless hunting permit, be sure to do so at least 30 days before your hunt begins in order to keep the preference points that helped you draw the original permit. You will not earn a point for the current year.

If you surrender an antlerless permit less than 30 days before the season opens, you will lose all of your previously accrued preference points for that species, and you will not earn a point for the current year. See the Surrendered permits and refunds page for details.

You cannot apply for an antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit or a preference point if you are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game hunting.

Drawing process and refund requests

Antlerless drawing process

— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-20

Antlerless permits are drawn in the following order:

1. Antlerless moose
2. Ewe bighorn sheep
3. Youth elk
4. Antlerless elk
5. Youth deer
6. Antlerless deer
7. Youth pronghorn
8. Doe pronghorn

Beginning July 27, 2024, any remaining antlerless permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. For a detailed list of permit fees, see the fee table or visit the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page.

Permit refunds

— Utah Code § 23A-4-207 and Utah Administrative Rule R657-42

The Division rarely issues refunds for licenses or permits, but there are some exceptions. See if you're eligible for a refund.

Important: Any original license, permit, tag or certificate of registration becomes invalid when surrendered or forfeited, or when a duplicate or exchanged one is issued.