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- What hunters should know about the 2025 pheasant and quail hunts
- DWR wildlife license plates raise over $1.9M for conservation efforts during last 5 years
- Apply for Utah's most prized hunting permits, starting Oct. 28
- Hunting near Zion during the 2025 hunts? Here's how to help birds of prey
- Utah Cutthroat Slam reaches 2K completions; anglers now able to choose from 4 collectable medallions
- Want to see sandhill cranes in the wild? Attend 2 DWR events this fall
- Learn about Utah's nocturnal wildlife during 'spooky' season at upcoming Hardware Wildlife Education Center exhibit
- Hunting deer in Utah this year? Visit a DWR check station to get deer tested for chronic wasting disease
History of hunter education
Hunter safety courses have saved lives and prevented accidents.
Utah's program began in 1957. During that year the state experienced 126 hunting-related accidents. Of those accidents, 22 were fatal. This sort of accident rate was not tolerable.
The Utah Hunter Education program began as a voluntary program, and in 1960, the program became mandatory. Any resident under the age of 21 wanting to purchase a hunting license was required to complete this course. That law stayed in effect until 1987, when the law changed to require anyone, non-resident or resident, born after December 31, 1965 to complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.
This law is working; since 1996 Utah has averaged less than seven hunting accidents per year. During that time, Utah has had only seven hunting firearm-related fatalities. Hunting is safe and getting safer.
