Participating hunters can win great prizes
Congratulations! By drawing a permit to hunt big game in southern Utah's Zion unit in 2017, you will have the opportunity to participate in a cool prize drawing.
This opportunity is part of Utah's Hunters Helping Condors program. The program encourages hunters to make a few small, voluntary changes to help the endangered California condors that live in southern Utah.
Over the years, many of these enormous rare birds have been inadvertently sickened and killed by lead poisoning. One potential source of that lead is found in the remains of hunted animals, a common meal for condors. (See Rescued from the brink of extinction.) The Hunters Helping Condors program is reducing the condors' exposure to lead.
It's easy to participate in the condor prize drawing, and you could win an ATV or one of five high-quality hunting rifles! The Peregrine Fund has generously donated the prizes in an effort to help Utah's population of California condors.
To participate in the prize drawing, you must have an any legal weapon (rifle) permit to hunt big game on the Zion unit, and you must also meet the following requirements:
You should have received a letter that included detailed information about the prize drawing and check station locations.
When you visit a check station, you must have either a box of non-lead ammunition (that matches the cartridge of the firearm you’re hunting with) or the remains of the animal you harvested with lead ammunition.
A check-station staffer will verify that you meet the requirements and then request your DWR customer ID number. (This number is located on your hunting permit.) DWR personnel will receive lead-tainted animal remains from hunters and dispose of them. All animal remains must be bagged. (The DWR will provide bags.)
After the DWR verifies your eligibility, you will be entered into a prize drawing that will occur at the Ultimate Outdoor Recreation Expo in St. George on Dec. 30, 2017 at 3 p.m. You do not need to be present at the drawing to win.
The following check stations will be open from 11 a.m. until dusk at four locations around the Zion unit during October:
If your hunt occurs outside the October timeframe or during the middle of the week, you can enter the prize drawing by visiting the DWR's Cedar City office or Washington County Field Office (located at Quail Creek Reservoir) or any other DWR regional office. The offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Remember to register no later than Dec. 15, 2017.
A DWR conservation officer can also verify eligibility and enter you into the prize drawing while you are in the field, but only if you can demonstrate that you are hunting with non-lead ammunition. Officers cannot accept animal remains.
If you have additional questions about participating in the prize drawing, please contact the DWR office in Cedar City at 435-865-6100.
Terms and conditions. Applicants must possess one of the following any legal weapon permits—antlerless, big game, or any bull elk—that allows them to hunt the Zion Unit for the 2017 season. Applicants must also show a box of non-lead ammunition matching their firearm or verify that all harvested animal remains have been removed from the field. Applicants must be at least 18 years old on the date of entry or provide written consent from the applicant’s parent or legal guardian allowing their participation. The Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) reserves the sole right and discretion in verifying eligibility. No fee will be assessed to applicants. Limit one application per valid Zion Unit permit. The DWR is not responsible for lost, late, incomplete, ineligible, or unintelligible applications, or for problems of any kind resulting in applications not being considered during the prize drawing. The DWR reserves the right to suspend or terminate the prize drawing for any reason. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of the drawing. Unclaimed prizes will be forfeited. Prizes won by ineligible applicants will be forfeited. Prize winners agree to pay all licensing fees, taxes, and costs associated with the prize. If a prize winner is under the age of 18 when claiming a prize, the prize will be given to the prize winner’s parent or legal guardian. The DWR makes no representation or warranty as to the quality or condition of the prizes. Applicants release and waive all claims against the Division arising out of the prize drawing and agree to indemnify, save and hold harmless the DWR, its agents, employees, and volunteers from and against all claims, demands, damages, and causes of action in any way connected with the prize drawing or use of the prizes.
Have you ever wanted to bring your spouse, child or friend along on a hunt and give them a chance to try hunting? Starting this fall, it will be easy to have them join you on your next trip.
Utah’s Trial Hunting Program is open to both residents and nonresidents. This program allows anyone over the age of 12 to try hunting for a few years — while accompanied by a licensed hunter over the age of 21 — before taking a Hunter Education course.
To get started, the trial hunter must:
The authorization number is valid for three years, but the trial hunter can choose to take Hunter Education at any time during that three-year period.
Before hunting, the trial hunter must:
After you obtain a trial hunting authorization number, you may apply for and obtain the following licenses and permits:
Participants in the trial hunting program may not apply for or obtain the following types of big game permits: limited-entry, premium limited-entry, once-in-a-lifetime, CWMU, dedicated hunter, sportsman or convention.
The hunter who will supervise the trial hunter in the field must:
The Division has monitored the progress and success of trial/apprentice hunting programs in 35 other states, and these programs have exceptional participation and safety records. This program will simplify the process of allowing people to hunt for the first time with those they love and respect.
For up-to-date information on the Utah Hunter Mentoring Program, check back often. The page will be updated as information becomes available.
Young people may participate in the Utah Hunter Mentoring Program as long as they are under the age of 18 when they apply for the program. They must also meet any age requirements that apply to the species they hope to hunt. (Specifically, youth must be at least 12 years old before they can hunt big game. To hunt cougar or black bear, a youth must be at least 12 years old by the end of the calendar year in which they obtained the permit.) Finally, a youth must possess a Utah Hunter Education number or trial hunting authorization and must also be a Utah resident.
The participating minor does not have to be related to the mentor but must have the written permission of a parent or legal guardian.
An adult who has a qualifying permit may participate in the program as a mentor. Adults must be 21 years or older when applying for the program, and they do not have to be Utah residents to participate. An adult who has a trial hunting authorization may not serve as a mentor in this program.
Permits that are now eligible for sharing under the Hunter Mentoring program include all big game and antlerless permits as well as black bear, cougar, turkey, greater sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse permits. The only permits that are not eligible are swan and sandhill crane, which are subject to conflicting federal regulations.
Any qualifying adult (age 21 or older) can mentor up to four resident youth, as long as their parents or legal guardians provide written permission. Important: Only one of those minors may be mentored at a time, and only one animal may be harvested per permit.
While hunting, the mentor and minor must remain close enough to communicate in person, by voice or through hand signals.
Only the mentor and the youth being mentored may carry firearms in the field, and either the mentor or the minor may fill the permit.
For example, Madison draws a general-season deer permit and wants to mentor her two nephews during the hunt. She must first enroll in the program with both children (after obtaining written permission from their parents), and then she can take them hunting during the season listed on the permit. She is only allowed to mentor one of the boys at a time. As soon as someone — either Madison or one of the boys — harvests the species listed on the permit, the hunt must end.
Minors do not need to possess a hunting or combination license to participate in the program; however, they must have a valid Utah Hunter Education number or a trial hunting authorization.
Yes. Although youth are limited to one mentored hunt of the same species and sex per year, they may also hunt on any permits they draw or purchase.
Example 1: Paul draws a limited-entry buck deer permit and chooses to mentor his granddaughter, Eva, on the hunt. Eva has also drawn a general-season buck deer permit. She can legally go on both deer hunts because one of them is a mentored opportunity. She would not be allowed, however, to go on another mentored hunt for a buck deer during the same hunt year.
Example 2: Olivia draws a limited-entry turkey permit and then mentors her young neighbor, Alex, during the hunt. Alex harvests a turkey on Olivia's permit and has so much fun being mentored that he purchases a general-season turkey permit and hunts during the general season as well. Alex can legally go on both turkey hunts because only one of them is a mentored opportunity.
Yes, a mentor can share a once-in-a-lifetime permit with a minor.
To participate in the Utah Hunter Mentoring Program, the mentor must download and complete the program application and return it to any Division office before he or she may begin sharing a permit.
If the shared permit is filled — by either the mentor or minor — the animal must be tagged with the shared permit. Because the mentor is the individual who originally drew the permit, he or she will forfeit any applicable bonus points or preference points. Likewise, any waiting periods will also be applied to the mentor.
You can share your permit with up to four youth at a time, but you must all be officially enrolled in the Hunter Mentoring program. That requires you to download the application well in advance of your hunt. Then, you must return the completed application to a Division office.
You may mentor only one grandchild at a time, and only you and the grandchild being mentored may carry firearms in the field. Only one animal may be harvested per permit.
No. The minor and mentor must stay together throughout the hunt and remain close enough to communicate in person, by voice or through hand signals. The mentor is the permit holder and is legally required to be with the minor when an animal is harvested and tagged.
The minor and mentor who enrolled together must hunt together. You cannot trade mentors or minors with others in your hunting group. Minors are breaking the law if they harvest multiple animals of the same species with multiple mentors — and you could be held accountable.
Updated: February 7, 2018, 12:16 pm
Launched in 2014, the Utah Hunter Mentoring Program allows a young person to share a mentor's hunting permit. The program has been extremely popular and, as a result, the Utah Legislature and Utah Wildlife Board approved the following changes to the program in 2017:
These changes will expand the program and provide additional high-quality mentored hunting opportunities to Utah’s youth. By participating in the program, you can help build the next generation of Utah hunters and teach them to be safe and ethical in the field.
Any qualifying adult (age 21 or older) can mentor up to four resident youth, as long as their parents or legal guardians provide written permission.
To participate, the adult mentor must apply (in person or by mail) for both himself or herself and up to four qualifying minors. The mentor must also meet all program requirements.
Qualifying mentors can be residents or nonresidents, but they must also:
Note: If you have a trial hunting authorization, you may not serve as a mentor in this program.
Qualifying minors must:
Although youth are limited to one mentored hunt of the same species and sex per year, they may also hunt on any permits they personally draw.
For example, Paul draws a limited-entry buck deer permit and chooses to mentor his granddaughter, Eva, on the hunt. Eva has also drawn a general-season buck deer permit. She can legally go on both deer hunts because one of them is a mentored opportunity. She would not be allowed, however, to go on another mentored hunt for a buck deer during the same hunt year.
Once a mentor and up to four minors have been approved for the program, the mentor will be issued a hunting authorization that allows them to share their permit with the qualifying minors.
Because the mentor is the individual who originally drew the permit, he or she will forfeit any applicable bonus points or preference points. Likewise, any waiting periods will also be applied to the mentor.
To participate, download and complete the program application and return it to any Division office.
The Utah Hunter Mentoring program holds the potential for many positive memories. Don’t ruin your hunt by receiving a citation for not following the law.
Some of the most common violations seen in the program are as follows:
If you have questions about how the Hunter Mentoring program works, don’t just take your best guess. See the answers to common questions about the Utah Hunter Mentoring Program or call a Division office.
Utah conducts a hunt drawing when the number of likely hunters is much larger than the number of available permits for a species. This gives hunters a fair chance at obtaining a permit. Hunters must apply online for hunt drawings, which occur at different times of the year for different species. To find out when you can apply, see the wildlife calendar or look in the hunting guidebook for the species you want to hunt.
First, check the appropriate hunting guidebook to see if there will be a hunt drawing. Then, you simply apply for the drawing during the specified timeframe.
Sometimes, permits remain available after a drawing, or they are only offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In those instances, you can choose to buy a permit online, at your local DWR office or at a retail sales outlet.
Hunting seasons vary by species, weapon and type of hunt. Check the Utah Hunt Planner or the appropriate hunting guidebook for more information.
Check the wildlife calendar or download a specific hunting guidebook for application deadlines.
You only need a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number if you'll be hunting migratory birds. In addition to your license (and your duck stamp, if required) you must obtain a Migratory Game Bird HIP registration number every season. You can obtain your HIP number by registering online at www.uthip.com
Thank you for your interest. For the 2015–16 season, the Division will not award any targeted predator control contracts. Our efforts will be focused on our cooperative agreements with Wildlife Services and Utah's Predator Control Program.
Hunting guidebooks
Our hunting guidebooks summarize the official rules and regulations, and include season dates and other information about hunting in Utah. If you're planning to hunt in Utah, you should start by reading our guidebooks.
Hunt drawing applications
The number of people who want to hunt is often more than the number of permits available for some hunts. For these hunts, we conduct permit drawings. Apply online for upcoming hunt drawings or check your drawing results.
Buy available hunting permit
After each hunt drawing, any permits that were not purchased are sold online, at retail outlets and at DWR offices. Most permits are available only at certain times during the year.
Maps
View our interactive map database for information on hunting units, CWMUs, Walk-in Access properties and more.
Hunter education
If you were born after 1965, you are required to complete an online or in-person hunter education safety course before obtaining a hunting permit in Utah.
Harvest reporting
Reporting your hunt information is important. Harvest reporting may be mandatory—depending on the species that you hunt—even if you didn't harvest an animal.
Frequently asked questions
See answers to the most commonly asked questions about hunting in Utah.
Wildlife crossing structures on Utah highways
Mule Deer: Saving the Icon of the West
Links to more Utah hunting-related information
