Private-lands-only permits

Elk hunters have the option of obtaining a private-lands-only permit. This permit allows the harvest of an antlerless elk on private land within a specific hunting unit.

How do the permits work?

Private-lands-only permits are valid on private property in select units from Aug. 1, 2025 to Jan. 31, 2026. Before you use one of these permits to hunt on private property, please review Utah's trespassing laws and determine if you need to obtain documented permission from the landowner. The Division strongly encourages hunters to obtain documented permission before purchasing one of these permits.

A private-lands-only permit allows the hunter to use any legal weapon to harvest an antlerless elk.

The goal of these hunts is to harvest cow elk and to apply strategic pressure on private lands that pushes elk back on to public lands.

How can you obtain a permit?

Private-lands-only permits to hunt antlerless elk will be available beginning July 29, 2025. You can buy the permits online and at license agent locations and Division offices.

Reminder: If you purchase one of these permits, you will not lose any preference points you have previously accrued for antlerless elk.

Who should obtain the permits?

It's important to note that these hunts might not be for everyone.

Although private-lands-only permits will be available online and from license agents and Division offices, we strongly encourage you to obtain documented permission before purchasing or using one of these permits to hunt on private land. You do not want to purchase a permit you may not be able to use.

If you have friends or family who own private property on a participating unit, we suggest that you first obtain their permission and then purchase a permit. The Division does not have — and cannot provide — the names of landowners who will allow access to their properties.

This is a hunt that requires you to do some pre-hunt research and to make your own arrangements for access to private land. If those arrangements aren't feasible, we encourage you to apply for or purchase elk permits that you can use to hunt on public land.

It is also your responsibility to work with the landowner and know the boundaries of the property you are hunting.

Important: You will not be eligible for a refund if you purchase a private-lands-only permit and then cannot use it because you don't have access to private land.

If necessary, you may surrender a private-lands-only permit before the season begins and then purchase a new private-lands-only permit for a different unit. You will not be eligible for a refund if you choose to surrender a permit.

What lands are eligible for these hunts?

A limited number of private-lands-only permits are available, and as the name indicates, these permits are available only on private land. Before you hunt on any private property within a particular unit, we strongly encourage you to obtain documented permission from the landowner. You must also follow all laws, rules and ordinances that regulate when and where you may discharge a firearm.

See a list of private-lands-only hunting units, with links to unit maps and boundaries.

Why is documented permission important?

Utah's trespassing laws are very specific about what private lands you may and may not access. If you obtain documented permission from the landowner, you know you'll be able to access the land you want to hunt.

And by obeying Utah's trespassing laws, you will avoid citations, fines, the loss of your harvested animal and other legal penalties.

You can find Utah's trespassing laws online or on page 52 of the 2025 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook.

What lands are not eligible for these hunts?

Please keep in mind that private-lands-only permits may not be used in the following areas because they are not considered private lands:

• Federal, state, SITLA, county or municipality lands
• Tribal lands
• Lands enrolled in an elk CWMU
• Land where public access for big game hunting has been secured (e.g., Walk-in Access areas)

Why does Utah hold antlerless elk hunts?

Utah holds antlerless elk hunts for a variety of reasons. The hunts help keep elk populations in check and also provide a great opportunity for hunters who want to fill their freezers. Right now, Utah has an estimated population of 82,140 elk, with a statewide herd objective of 79,965.

The population objectives aren't just random numbers wildlife managers can ignore or disregard — they are set in the state's elk unit management plans and approved by the Utah Wildlife Board. These numbers also affect other stakeholders who use public lands or who have private lands where elk herds roam.

Utah uses cow elk harvest in order to meet its management obligations, particularly on hunting units that have more elk than their objectives allow. The state targets cow elk because they produce offspring, and curbing their numbers is the fastest way to bring population numbers in line with objectives.

Why were these hunts approved?

Recent elk-collaring studies have revealed that elk routinely move to private lands when public-land hunts are underway.

While this annual move to private lands helps cow elk survive, it can be frustrating for hunters who are trying to harvest animals and equally frustrating for landowners who do not want dozens (or hundreds) of elk on their properties.

The Utah Wildlife Board approved private-lands-only hunts to apply strategic pressure on private lands that pushes elk back on to public lands.

Your guide to Utah's antlerless hunts

Information you'll need to apply for a 2025 permit

Are you interested in hunting an antlerless big game animal during the 2025 season? Here's the information you'll need in order to apply for a permit.

1. Learn when you can apply for a permit.
2. Find out what's new and other important information about the 2025 season.
3. Review antlerless season dates, hunt tables and permit fees.
4. Make sure you meet the basic requirements to obtain a permit.
5. See the details about how to obtain a permit.

Apply for a permit

Application dates

You can apply online for an antlerless permit from June 4-18, 2025. The pages linked above will provide all of the information and tools you need in order to apply.

You'll be emailed your drawing results on or before July 3, 2025. You can also learn your drawing results online, by calling 800-221-0659 or contacting a Division office during business hours. To protect your privacy and to comply with changes in governmental records access laws, you'll receive access to only your own drawing results.

What's new this year?

The board approved the following new antlerless hunts for 2025:

• 14 new antlerless elk hunts
• 7 new doe pronghorn hunts

Updates for 2025

Residency requirements: To apply for a resident permit, you must be a Utah resident on the date you submit your application. (Previously, the residency date was linked to the date of purchase.)

Late-season harvest reporting: Hunts ending Jan. 16 or later must have a harvest report submitted by Feb. 15, whether you harvested an animal or not. This change allows our biologists more time to consider harvest data before making recommendations for the following season. Note: All other antlerless permits have mandatory harvest reporting due within 30 days of the end of your hunt. See more about harvest reporting here.

Nonresident fee increase: In the 2025 session, the Utah Legislature authorized higher nonresident fees to help fund the purchase of large blocks of land for wildlife habitat and conservation. These nonresident fee increases will begin July 1 for hunting, fishing and combination licenses, and Sept. 1 for hunting application fees and hunting permits. Visit wildlife.utah.gov/licenses/fees for a full list of Utah's license and permit fees.

Mule deer management plan: The Utah Wildlife Board approved a new mule deer management plan that will be in effect through 2030. Part of this updated plan includes modifying some hunting units' buck-to-doe ratio objectives and implementing strategies to improve hunter opportunity and satisfaction. Learn more about the plan at wildlife.utah.gov/muledeer.

Find updated maps, boundaries and permit numbers: Use the Utah Hunt Planner (hunt.utah.gov) to find permit numbers, maps, boundaries and information for your hunts this year.

Private-lands-only antlerless elk permits: This year, the Division will again offer private-lands-only antlerless elk permits. These permits are only valid on private lands on select hunting units. Do not purchase one of these permits without knowing the laws that regulate hunting on private lands. Learn more.

Antlerless elk-control permits: During the 2025 season, the Division will again offer antlerless elk-control permits for eight hunting units. Learn more about these permits and how they work.

Unit boundary and name changes: Many antlerless hunt unit boundaries and names change every year. See detailed hunt boundary information.

Season date changes: Season dates change every year, so please check them carefully before applying for hunts. See all 2025 antlerless season dates.

And keep in mind

Find unit maps, boundaries and more: Use the Utah Hunt Planner to find unit maps, boundary descriptions, notes from our biologists and more information on the hunts you want to apply for.

Mandatory harvest reporting for antlerless hunts: You have 30 days after your hunting season ends to report your antlerless harvest online, whether you harvested an animal or not. (Hunts ending Jan. 16 or later must have a harvest report submitted by Feb. 15.) Failure to comply will result in a $50 fine (including a 2.2% transaction fee) or exclusion from next year's big game and antlerless hunt drawings.

Download the app: To store your licenses on a phone or tablet, download the free Utah Hunting and Fishing mobile app. You can also download Utah's hunting and fishing guidebooks using the mobile app. This makes it easy to read, search and bookmark the 2025 Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook and guidebooks for other species. You can keep your hunting or combo license and any valid course completion certificates on the app, too! Learn more about the app and download it at wildlife.utah.gov/mobileapp. Please remember that licenses are different from permits. All antlerless hunts require a printed permit, and you must carry it with you while hunting.

Forfeit preference points for purchase of over-the-counter antlerless permits: If you obtain a general-season antlerless permit over the counter — including any of the permits in the list below — you will lose any preference points you've previously accrued for that specific antlerless species. This rule applies to all of the following permit types:

• Any leftover permits from the antlerless hunt drawing
• CWMU permits for antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn
• Antlerless elk conservation permits

If you purchase an antlerless elk control permit or private-lands-only antlerless elk permit, you will not lose your preference points.

Antlerless elk permit rules: Antlerless elk permits — and any other type of antlerless permit — may be used only during the season dates printed on your permit.

Trail camera regulations: Trail cameras are prohibited on public land from July 31 to Dec. 31, with some exceptions for research and monitoring by land management agencies. The sale or purchase of trail camera footage in the take — or attempted take — of big game, bears or cougars is prohibited. Trail cameras that utilize internal data storage may be used on private property. Visit wildlife.utah.gov/trailcams for details.

Night-vision devices: It is unlawful to possess any type of night-vision device while locating, taking or attempting to locate big game from July 31 to Dec. 31. For more information, visit wildlife.utah.gov/trailcams.

Edit your application: You may edit your hunt choices for each species you applied for free of charge at any time during the application period (before 11 p.m. MDT on June 18, 2025). You will not be charged any additional fees, unless you completely withdraw your application and resubmit.

Obtain up to three elk permits: You may obtain up to three elk permits per year — as long as at least two of the permits are for antlerless elk — but you can only apply for or obtain one antlerless elk permit in the drawing.

CWD regulations and surveillance: The Division will continue surveillance for chronic wasting disease in the state. To learn more, visit wildlife.utah.gov/cwd.

Check the Utah Hunt Planner: The Utah Hunt Planner is an online tool you can use to be better prepared for your next Utah hunt. It contains in-depth information on Utah's antlerless hunting units, including notes from the managing biologists and details about the units' antlerless big game populations, accessibility, habitat, safety and weather. Use the Hunt Planner.

Weapons technology rules: Utah's allowable weapons technologies rules have changed in recent years, including prohibiting attached electronics (except for illuminated reticles) on most weapons. See page 45 of the 2025 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook for details.

Hunter Mentoring program: The Hunter Mentoring program allows a young person to share a mentor's permit. Learn more.

Permit surrender processes: If you want to surrender your permit, you are strongly encouraged to do so at least 30 days before the season opens. The surrender process has changed and could result in the loss of previously accrued preference points. For details, see the Surrendered permits and refunds page.

Child support law: 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.

Ways to report poachers: Use the UTDWR law enforcement app and a text option to report poachers (text 847411). Download the app and see details about reporting options.

Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook: All big game field regulations — for both antlered and antlerless animals — are in the 2025 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook, available now on the DWR website or by downloading to your DWR mobile app. Printed copies will be available from license agents and Division offices in early June.

Hunting license required: Before you can apply for a 2025 antlerless permit, bonus point or preference point, you must have a valid Utah hunting or combination license. You can purchase a license today or when you apply for an antlerless permit.

Apply for permits online or by phone: If you plan to hunt antlerless big game in Utah this year, you must apply for a permit online or by phone no later than June 18, 2025. There's an 11 p.m. MDT deadline for online applications and a 5 p.m. MDT deadline for phone applications. Apply online, beginning June 4, or call any Division office.

Opportunities for youth: A full 20% of the permits for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn have been reserved for hunters who will be 17 or under by July 31, 2025.

Season dates, hunt tables and boundary maps

Season dates vary, depending on the species and the area. For season date listings, see the 2025 antlerless hunt tables:

• Antlerless deer and CWMU antlerless deer hunts
• Antlerless elk and CWMU antlerless elk hunts
• Antlerless moose hunts
• Doe pronghorn and CWMU doe pronghorn hunts
• Ewe bighorn sheep hunts
• Maps and boundaries for hunting areas

Permit fees

See the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page for a full list of license and permit fees.

* Nonresidents may only obtain CWMU permits through the CWMU operator. See a list of hunts on CWMU properties.

Electronic payment processing fees: In 2024, the Division began charging a 2.2% processing fee on all credit/debit card transactions.