Your guide to antlerless hunts
Big game Big game
Antlerless hunt guidebook cover

Your guide to Utah's 2022 antlerless hunts

Information you'll need to apply for a 2022 permit.

Are you interested in hunting an antlerless big game animal during the 2022 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 2022 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 May 26–June 16, 2022. The pages linked above will provide all of the information and tools you need in order to apply.

Apply online May 26, 2022
Application deadline June 16, 2022
Drawing results available July 7, 2022
Remaining permits available July 21, 2022

You'll be emailed your drawing results on or before July 7, 2022. You can also learn your drawing results online, by calling 1-800-221-0659 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?

New hunts: For the 2022 season, the Utah Wildlife Board has approved new hunts for antlerless deer, antlerless elk, antlerless moose and doe pronghorn. See a list of new hunts for 2022.

Change to antlerless elk-control units: In 2022, the Division is offering antlerless elk-control permits on seven hunting units. New this year: There is a hunt opportunity on the Zion unit. Learn more about these permits and how they work.

Changes to trail camera regulations: The Utah Wildlife Board approved changes to the state's trail camera rules that will affect the 2022 big game hunting season. You may not use any trail camera (or non-handheld device) in the take of big game from July 31–Dec. 31. The rule also prohibits the sale or purchase of trail camera footage used to take — or aid in the take of — big game July 31–Dec. 31. The rule applies to public and private property.

Night-vision devices: The board also clarified rules that prohibit the use of night-vision devices to locate or attempt to locate a big game animal from 48 hours before any big game hunt in the area through 48 hours after any big game hunt ends in the area.

Same-species hunts in 2022: 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.

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 2022 antlerless season dates.

Moose hunts discontinued in two units: The East Canyon, Morgan-Summit and Ogden, West units are not participating antlerless moose units this year.

2023 big game application timeline: In response to public feedback, the DWR is changing the big game application timeline for 2023, which will allow hunters time to evaluate proposed big game permit numbers before the application period closes. More details will be available in January 2023.

Other things to keep in mind

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.

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.

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

Review harvest data from previous years: The antlerless harvest data from previous years may be useful as you decide where to apply for permits. See harvest data.

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.

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
  • Private-lands-only elk permits
  • CWMU permits for antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn
  • Antlerless elk conservation permits
  • Antlerless mitigation permits (not directly issued to a landowner)

If you purchase an antlerless elk control permit, you will not lose your preference points.

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.

Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook: All big game field regulations — for both antlered and antlerless animals — are in the 2022 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook. Printed copies will be available from license agents and Division offices in early June.

Antlerless harvest reporting

If you obtain an antlerless permit this year, don't forget to complete a harvest report after your hunt ends.

Visit the Report your game harvest page and click the appropriate button at the top of the page. Then, you can log in and complete your harvest report.

If you prefer to complete your harvest report over the phone, call 1-800-221-0659.

Hunting license required: Before you can apply for a 2022 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.

Download the app: To store your licenses on a phone or tablet, download the free Utah Hunting and Fishing app.

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 16, 2022. There's an 11 p.m. MDT deadline for online applications and a 5 p.m. MDT deadline for phone applications. Apply online, beginning May 26, or call any Division office.

Flexibility in using antlerless elk permits: If you obtain two antlerless elk permits for the same area — but the permits are for different seasons — you may harvest both elk during the same season. And don't forget that you can use your antlerless permit during your buck or bull season, as long as it's for the same area. See the information box for details.

Opportunity 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, 2022.

Season dates, hunt tables and boundary maps

Season dates vary, depending on the species and the area. For season date listings, see the 2022 antlerless hunt tables:

Permit fees

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

Permit Resident Nonresident
Antlerless deer $30 $107
Two-doe deer $45 $197
Antlerless elk control $30 $107
Antlerless elk (general season) $50 $251
Antlerless elk (private lands only) $50 $251
Antlerless moose $213 $1,000
Doe pronghorn $30 $107
Two-doe pronghorn $45 $197
Ewe bighorn sheep $100 $1,000
CWMU antlerless deer $30 $107*
CWMU two-doe deer $45 $197*
CWMU antlerless elk $50 $318*
CWMU doe pronghorn $30 $107*
CWMU two-doe pronghorn $45 $197*

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

Know the rules

These antlerless pages summarize some of Utah's big game hunting laws and rules.

Under many of the headings on these pages, you'll see code references — such as Utah Code § 23-20-25 and Utah Administrative Rule R657-5-24 — that are linked to the detailed statute or rule that underpins the summary. If you have questions about a particular subject, take a minute to click the links and read the rules.

You are also welcome to call or visit the nearest Division office if you have additional questions. For an in-depth look at all of Utah's big game hunting laws and rules, visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Administrative Rules web page.

Who makes the rules?

The Utah Wildlife Board passes the rules and laws summarized in this guidebook.

There are seven board members, and each serves a six-year term. Appointed by the governor, board members are not Division employees.

The Division's director serves as the board's executive secretary but does not have a vote on wildlife policies.

Before board members make changes to wildlife rules, they listen to recommendations from Division biologists. They also receive input from the public and various interest groups via the regional advisory council (RAC) process.

If you have feedback or suggestions for board members, you can find their contact information online.

Wildlife Board members
  • Kevin Albrecht, Chair
  • Randy Dearth, Vice Chair
  • J. Shirley, Division Director & Executive Secretary
  • Wade Heaton
  • Karl Hirst
  • Gary Nielson
  • Bret Selman
  • Bryce Thurgood
Quick links
Wildlife Blog: Views from DWR employees
» Wildlife Blog
Report poachers — 1-800-662-3337
» Report poachers
Wildlife dates
» Important dates
Hunter, angler mobile app
Hunter Education: Sign up for classes
» Hunter education