Dedicated Hunter Program FAQ

Answer: Dedicated Hunters can find and register for available service project options on the DWR's volunteer webpage. Service projects are most abundant from April to July. Other months of the year may have some opportunities, but there won't be as many to choose from.

Answer: The DWR will provide enough service annually for Dedicated Hunters to do. However, for this to be successful, Dedicated Hunters must complete service projects as soon as they become available, and not wait until July to start their service. Dedicated Hunters may need to take a day off work for some projects, or be willing to drive 2–3 hours each way. Those who are too selective and wait for something convenient may run out of time and options as the hunting seasons approach.

Answer: In most situations, a Dedicated Hunter can withdraw from the program early. Withdrawal must happen prior to the last hunting day in the final year of the enrollment.

• If zero permits have been issued: Submit a completed surrender form to a DWR office.
• If one permit has been issued: Complete 6 service hours and submit a completed surrender form to a DWR office.
• If two permits* have been issued: Complete 22 service hours and submit a completed surrender form to a DWR office.

*Participants may not withdraw from the program if they have harvested twice.

Answer: Yes. You can choose to purchase service credit instead of working service hours. There are two payment options: You can either pay for service hours online, or contact your nearest DWR office to arrange payment. The current rate is $40 per service credit hour.

Answer: Not fulfilling the annual requirements means that you will not get a permit to hunt. Dedicated Hunters who have two harvests must fulfill all 32 service hours or they will be ineligible to apply for any future permit drawings until those hours are completed.

Answer: No. The unit you drew when you applied for the program will remain your unit throughout your enrollment period. However, wildlife populations are susceptible to a variety of impacts, such as severe winter snow, drought, disease, fire, etc., which can require managing hunting through changes to boundaries, season length or by implementing other restrictions and closures. Dedicated Hunters are subject to changes to their hunting units while in the program.

Answer: No. Friends and family cannot donate or transfer their service toward your requirements. Each person must do their own service.

Answer: Your COR number is an authorization number to be in the Dedicated Hunter Program. You can find your COR number by using the look-up feature on the Check your progress webpage.

Answer: Yes, but you may only have one buck deer permit each year. If you draw a limited-entry buck deer permit in the big game drawing, you can’t have your Dedicated Hunter permit that year. If you harvest during your limited-entry hunt, it will not count toward your harvest limit for the Dedicated Hunter program.

Answer: Yes, if the Dedicated Hunter is mobilized or deployed on military assignment; OR has drawn a limited-entry buck deer permit from the annual big game drawing. Extensions are not given for hunters obtaining permits directly from a CWMU, the annual convention/expo or another source. Starting in 2024, Dedicated Hunters who draw a limited-entry buck deer permit in the Utah big game drawing will automatically be given a one-year extension. Contact your nearest DWR office for more information.

Answer: Two deer harvests is the limit for program enrollment. If you harvest in both of the first two years, you won't get a permit for the third year and you will need to finish the total of 32 service hours. You cannot purchase any other Utah general-season buck deer permit while you are still enrolled in the program.

Answer: Yes. As long as you complete the online archery ethics course, your Dedicated Hunter permit allows you to hunt within the extended archery hunt areas during the extended season dates listed in the Big Game Field Regulations guidebook. Note: Most hunting units do not have extended archery areas. Be sure to review the guidebook to see which areas are allowed.

Answer: When the Dedicated Hunter permit is issued, a "harvest" is automatically assigned to your record. Starting in 2024, you must complete the mandatory harvest report after the hunting season in order to remove a "harvest" from your record. There will be a deadline established each year. A Dedicated Hunter who does not complete the harvest report will be assumed to have harvested and will be unable to apply in future drawings until that report has been completed. A late harvest report may be subject to a penalty fee.

Answer: Refunds are governed by Utah Admin. Rule R657-42. Most refund eligibility depends on whether the reason is for a military deployment, medical incident or death. The Division may also issue refunds if a hunt is canceled entirely. Modification of hunt boundaries, change of weapon restrictions, season length or other changes to a hunting unit do not qualify an individual for refund or reinstatement of points. (See Utah Admin. Rule R657-38 regarding Dedicated Hunter Program enrollment.)

Answer: Dedicated Hunters may earn service hours in anticipation of entering the program, but these hours will expire when the draw results are released if the hunter has not drawn for the program. See Administrative Rule R657-38-9(4)(a,b).

Answer: The following general-season units have restricted weapons hunts (seasons with technology restrictions are in parentheses):

• Cache (muzzleloader, rifle)
• Beaver, West (muzzleloader, rifle)
• Boulder/Kaiparowits (muzzleloader, rifle)

In addition to the standard equipment and weapons requirements for big game hunting in Utah that you are likely already familiar with, the specific restrictions that apply to restricted weapons units are:

See Utah Admin. Rule 657-5-48 for details.