Utah hunting & fishing guidebooks
Download guidebooks to your mobile device
The Utah Hunting and Fishing app (available for iOS and Android) makes it easy to download, read and search Utah's hunting and fishing guidebooks on your mobile device. Make sure to check the app regularly for the most up-to-date guidebook editions.
These guidebooks contain the information you must know to hunt or fish in Utah. We highly recommend that you either download electronic versions or pick up printed copies. We distribute free printed guidebooks at division offices and licensing agents.
- Hunt boundary maps: View interactive maps of most hunt unit boundaries.
- Wildlife statutes & administrative rules: The regulations written into the wildlife guides are largely taken from state statute and division administrative rules.
- Wildlife calendar: Take a quick look at application dates, deadlines and season dates.
Fishing Guidebook
This guidebook summarizes the laws and rules that govern fishing in Utah, including daily limits, fishing methods and regulations at specific waters.
- Published: Jan. 1, 2026
- Version: 2026.1
Download – PDF (3.6 MB)
- 2025 – PDF (3.6 MB)
- 2025 (guía en español) – PDF (4.7 MB)
- 2024 – PDF (3.4 MB)
- 2024 (guía en español) – PDF (2.7 MB)
- 2023 – PDF (2.9 MB)
- 2023 (guía en español) – PDF (2.3 MB)
- 2022 – PDF (3.7 MB)
- 2021 – PDF (2.5 MB)
- 2020 – PDF (4.3 MB)
- 2019 – PDF (3.7 MB)
- 2018 – PDF (4.1 MB)
- 2017 – PDF (2.9 MB)
Important changes and corrections made after the guidebook was printed.
Emergency changes
Crouse Reservoir (Uintah County): Because of low water levels and poor snowpack, we're increasing the daily limit at Crouse Reservoir to 8 trout, any species. This change went into effect on May 11, 2026 and will remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2026. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to provide anglers the opportunity to harvest more fish in hopes that reducing the population may:
- Improve survival of the remaining fish.
- Encourage fishing in this underutilized fishery.
All other rules established in the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook remain in effect. (May 11, 2026)
Nine Mile Reservoir (Sanpete County): Because of drought-related water losses, we're increasing the daily limit at Nine Mile Reservoir to 16 trout. This change went into effect on May 11, 2026 and will remain in effect until Oct. 1, 2026. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is concerned that fish will not survive the summer, so we are proactively increasing the limit to:
- Reduce trout densities and improve survival of any remaining fish.
- Encourage anglers to make use of fish that would otherwise perish.
All other rules established in the 2026 Utah Fishing Guidebook remain in effect. (May 11, 2026)
Big Game Application Guidebook
This guidebook provides information and instructions hunters need to know to apply for bucks, bulls and once-in-a-lifetime hunts.
- Published: Jan. 30, 2026
- Version: 2026.5
Download – PDF (3 MB)
Important updates and corrections made after the guidebook was published.
Corrections
- Page 72: In the CWMU buck deer hunt table, the Plymouth Peak hunt (DB1276) was deleted. Plymouth Peak is no longer a CWMU; it was combined with Washakie CWMU (DB1306). (April 6, 2026)
- Page 78: In the CWMU moose hunt table, the Sand Creek CWMU (hunt MB6264) was included in error. There is no public moose permit this year on that CWMU. (March 13, 2026)
- Page 51: In the limited-entry buck deer hunt table, the name of hunt DB1115 was shortened to Little Rockies. Formerly, it was called Henry Mtns, Little Rockies. (March 3, 2026)
- Page 71: In the CWMU buck deer hunt table, the Milburn hunt (DB1350) was deleted; this CWMU has withdrawn from the program. (Feb. 25, 2026)
Big Game Field Regulations
Here is a summary of the laws and rules that govern hunting big game in Utah. Includes hunt season dates, allowed hunting methods and information about hunt units.
- Published: May 29, 2025
- Version: 2025.5
Download – PDF (3.3 MB)
Important changes and corrections made after the guidebook was printed.
Corrections
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Page 29: In the list of Salt Lake County restrictions, the bullet point referring to hunting on the Red Butte Research Natural Area was deleted. That area remains closed to public access. (Dec. 1, 2025)
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Page 33: The sentence stating you may not donate big game in the field was struck from the guidebook to align with rule language regarding donations.
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Page 38: The dates for the restricted muzzleloader and restricted rifle deer hunts were interchanged in the printed edition of the guidebook. The correct dates are:
- Restricted muzzleloader deer hunts: Sept. 24-Oct. 2, 2025
- Restricted rifle deer hunts: Oct. 18-26, 2025
The online edition of this guidebook has been updated with this correction.
Updates
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The Utah Legislature recodified all Chapter 10 code citations as follows, effective May 7, 2025:
Previous New 76-10-502 76-11-102 76-10-503 76-11-302 76-10-504 53-5a-3 76-10-505 76-11-204 76-10-508 76-11-208 76-10-512 76-11-303 76-10-523 53-5a-108 76-10-528 76-11-217 The digital editions of all Utah hunting guidebooks have been updated with the new code citations throughout. (Nov. 13, 2025)
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Page 19: In the table listing youth-only elk permits, a row was added to note when youth can hunt with a Uinta Basin private-lands-only permit. To accommodate this addition, the table and footnotes were reorganized to fit in the guidebook layout.
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Page 70: The definition of "Restricted muzzleloader equipment" was updated to include a bullet point clarifying that equipment must meet the requirements for muzzleloaders detailed in Utah Admin Rule subsections R657-5-10(1) and (2).
The online edition of this guidebook has been updated with these clarifications and corrections.
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Pages 25-26: The italicized text below was removed from Utah Admin. Rule R657-5-11 in the past and was inadvertently included in the printed 2025-26 guidebook. The online edition of the guidebook has been updated to remove the following text:
You may not possess or be in control of a rifle, shotgun, airgun, muzzleloader, crossbow or draw-lock while in the field during an archery hunt. For the purposes of this section, "field" means a location where you are likely to find the species listed on your permit. (You are not considered to be in the field if you are in an established camping area or traveling in a fully enclosed automobile or truck.)
This restriction does not apply to the following people:
- Hunters who are lawfully hunting upland game or waterfowl
- Hunters who are licensed to hunt big game species, bear or cougar during rifle or muzzleloader hunts that coincide with the big game archery hunt
- Livestock owners who are protecting their livestock
- Individuals who are carrying a concealed weapon (You may not use your concealed firearm to hunt or take protected wildlife.)
Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook
Want to hunt wild turkey? What about grouse, pheasant, quail or rabbit? The Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook summarizes the laws and rules for these species and more.
- Published: June 23, 2025
- Version: 2025.1
Download – PDF (6.1 MB)
Important changes and corrections made after the guidebook was printed.
Updates
-
The Utah Legislature recodified all Chapter 10 code citations as follows, effective May 7, 2025:
Previous New 76-10-502 76-11-102 76-10-503 76-11-302 76-10-504 53-5a-3 76-10-505 76-11-204 76-10-508 76-11-208 76-10-512 76-11-303 76-10-523 53-5a-108 76-10-528 76-11-217 The digital editions of all Utah hunting guidebooks have been updated with the new code citations throughout. (Nov. 13, 2025)
Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds Guidebook
If you're ready to hunt waterfowl or migratory game birds in Utah, consult this guidebook for the laws and rules. Includes information about tundra swan, goose and duck.
- Published: June 23, 2025
- Version: 2025.5
Download – PDF (5.1 MB)
Important changes and corrections made after the guidebook was printed.
Corrections
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Page 18: There was an incorrect reference to swan harvest reporting procedures in the print edition of the guidebook. Hunters must check in their swan within 72 hours of harvest and complete a harvest survey within 30 days of the conclusion of the swan hunt (visit wildlife.utah.gov/harvest or call any division office for assistance). Having your swan checked in by DWR or Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge staff does not fulfill the harvest reporting requirement.
The online edition of this guidebook has been updated with this correction.
Updates
-
The Utah Legislature recodified all Chapter 10 code citations as follows, effective May 7, 2025:
Previous New 76-10-502 76-11-102 76-10-503 76-11-302 76-10-504 53-5a-3 76-10-505 76-11-204 76-10-508 76-11-208 76-10-512 76-11-303 76-10-523 53-5a-108 76-10-528 76-11-217 The digital editions of all Utah hunting guidebooks have been updated with the new code citations throughout. (Nov. 13, 2025)
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Pages 4–5: The paragraph outlining swan check-in and reporting requirements was moved from page 5 to page 4 (under "What's new") to highlight important information about new reporting procedures for swan checks. Hunters must complete their online harvest report (wildlife.utah.gov/harvest) prior to or at the time they check in their swan. The page cross-reference for more information was updated to pages 18–19 (instead of page 33).
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Pages 18–19: Swan check-in and harvest reporting requirements were updated to clarify new reporting procedures when checking in swans. Hunters must complete their online harvest report (wildlife.utah.gov/harvest) prior to or at the time they check in their swan in order to finish the check-in process.
The online edition of the guidebook has been updated with this new information.
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Page 12: A section of the text describing duck stamp requirements was updated to clarify that either a traditional (printed) duck stamp or electronic (digital) duck stamp must be purchased each year before a hunter goes into the field.
The online edition of this guidebook has been updated with this information.
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Page 12: The guidebook was updated to clarify that American crow, band-tailed pigeon, mourning dove, white-winged dove and sandhill crane hunters are not required to purchase a federal duck stamp.
The online edition of this guidebook has been updated with this information.
Black Bear, Cougar and Furbearer Guidebook
This guidebook summarizes the laws and rules that govern black bear and cougar hunting and pursuit in Utah, as well as trapping and hunting regulations for furbearers — including bobcats and martens — and trapping cougars.
- Published: Jan. 15, 2026
- Version: 2026.2
Download – PDF (3.1 MB)
Important updates and corrections made after the guidebook was published.
Corrections
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Page 73: In the fall limited-entry bear hunt table, the Monroe unit (BR7237) was included in error and has been removed from the guidebook. Due to the 2025 fire, last year's permit was extended to 2026 and it would be a biological impact to offer an additional permit this year.
The digital edition of this guidebook has been updated with this information. (Feb. 12, 2026)