Utah expo permit and conservation funding
Information about the Wildlife Expo Permit Program, frequently asked questions and audit reports
The Wildlife Expo Permit Program is managed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. It operates under guidance outlined in Utah Admin. Rule R657-55, which was adopted in 2005. The first Utah expo was held in 2007.
As part of this program, the Utah Wildlife Board authorizes up to 200 hunting permits (expo permits) per year for a variety of species. Hunters who possess a valid hunting or combination license may apply for these permits at a wildlife expo held in Utah. The expo permits are then issued through a random public drawing.
The primary purposes of the Wildlife Expo Permit Program are to:
- Generate revenue to fund wildlife conservation activities in Utah.
- Attract and/or retain a regional or national wildlife exposition to Utah.
We receive a lot of questions about expo permits and how they are awarded and issued. Here are some of the most common questions and answers.
Frequently asked questions
A: The group(s) selected to distribute expo permits must be a wildlife conservation organization. The organization may then award the expo permits at its annual convention through a public drawing. The organization does not receive the rights to use any prior expo organizer's event name, venue dates, exhibitors or scheduled events and activities.
A: The largest wildlife expo currently held in Utah is the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, which has been an annual event in downtown Salt Lake City since 2007. This expo delivers a multimillion-dollar economic benefit to the state of Utah and its businesses.
A: Since the Wildlife Expo Permit Program began in 2007, expo permit contracts have been awarded to approved conservation groups:
- 2007-10 to the Foundation of North American Wild Sheep
- 2011-16 to the Mule Deer Foundation
- 2017-26 to Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
- 2027-31 to Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife
A: Utah Admin. Rule R657-55 outlines how much hunters may be charged per application fee and how the revenue is split. The Utah Wildlife Board approved some changes to the administrative rule effective Jan. 1, 2027:
- Hunters may be charged between $5 and $10 per permit application fee when they apply in the expo permit drawing.
- The approved conservation group is allowed 20% of the revenue generated to cover all costs associated with the administration of the expo permit application and drawing procedures.
- 10% of revenue must be remitted to the DWR to spend on wildlife habitat and/or wildlife management activities.
- 35% of funds will be spent on conservation efforts for which the DWR must approve in advance how funds will be spent.
- Expo organizers must spend the remaining 35% on policies, programs, projects and personnel that support conservation initiatives in Utah.
See how fee revenue benefits wildlife conservation in Utah.
A: When an applicant is selected to receive an expo permit, they must pay the regular permit fee that all other hunters in Utah must pay. Expo organizers do not receive any of the permit fees charged for the 200 expo permits. The DWR receives 100% of these funds, which stay in Utah and support conservation-related programs.
A: The DWR conducts an annual audit of the contract and permit allocation and presents these findings to the Utah Wildlife Board for approval. The audit must ensure that:
- Data is properly handled and secure.
- Programming was unbiased and random for the applications and the drawing of permits.
- Selected applicants were verified for their eligibility to possess a permit before being issued a permit.
- Retained revenue was accounted for appropriately.
- Project revenue was expended or transferred in the time allotted.