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Hunting and pursuing cougars in Utah
Cougar Guidebook
The Utah Cougar Guidebook summarizes the laws and rules that govern hunting and pursuing cougars in Utah.
Note: Hunters may refer to the Cougar Guidebook or the 2025 edition of the Utah Bear and Cougar Guidebook for information about hunting and pursuing cougars through Dec. 31, 2025.
Previous editions
View guidebook updates
— Important changes and corrections made after the guidebook was printed.
Updates
Page 15: The Utah Wildlife Board approved allowing the use of rimfire cartridges and ammunition to harvest cougars caught in traps. This change does not allow these types of cartridges and ammunition to harvest cougars not confined in traps.
Pages 15 and 18: In order to accommodate edits to the digital edition of this guidebook following the Jan. 9, 2025 Utah Wildlife Board meeting, the No drones allowed information box was moved from page 15 to page 18 of this guidebook.
Page 21: Cougar pelts and claws: The Utah Wildlife Board approved allowing the sale of green cougar pelts, and the sale of claws if they are attached to the hide. Any pelt still must have a permanent tag issued by the DWR within 48 hours of harvest.
The online edition of this guidebook has been updated with these changes.
Trapping cougars
- See the current Utah Furbearer Guidebook for cougar trapping requirements and regulations
Cougar hunting FAQ
Hunting maps
Cougar harvest information
Reporting requirements for cougar
- Any cougar must be checked in by DWR personnel within 48 hours of harvest. Please make an appointment at any DWR office so someone will be available to assist you.
- You will need to provide the following information: the exact location of harvest (GPS coordinates), the cougar management unit, and the date and time of harvest.
- During the check-in, DWR personnel will collect some biological data, and the pelt or carcass will be issued a permanent possession tag (required).
- View cougar annual reports
