Opportunities for young hunters

How old do I need to be to hunt big game in Utah?

• To hunt big game in Utah, you must be 12 years old.
• If you are at least 11 years old, you can apply for or obtain a big game permit, including limited-entry and once-in-a-lifetime permits. Any 11-year-olds who apply must be 12 by Dec. 31 (but may not hunt until they are 12).
• To qualify for a youth permit, you must be no older than 17 years of age on July 31 of the current hunting season.
• In the field, hunters under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible person who is 21 years of age or older. See the Utah Big Game Regulations Guidebook for more information about these and other requirements.

Youth permits available through the big game application ("the draw")

Application dates vary by year (generally late March-April); see the Utah Big Game Application Guidebook for deadlines, fees and application requirements.

Permits set aside for youth:

• 20% of all general-season buck deer permits
  • This allows youth to hunt all weapon types if they draw an any-legal-weapon hunt
• 20% of all Dedicated Hunter Program buck deer permits
• 750 early season youth any-bull elk permits allocated each year

Group applications in the hunt drawing

Up to four youth can apply together in a youth-only group. Tip for parents: To give your child the best chance of drawing a permit, do not put them in an application group with adult hunters. (Any application that includes an adult in the group automatically excludes the entire group from any permits reserved for youth.) Applying solo or in a youth-only group will improve your child's drawing odds.

Visit the group applications page for details.

If you didn't obtain a permit in the big game drawing, there are additional opportunities to draw or purchase a deer or elk permit

• Additional 20% of all general-season archery buck deer permits
• Unlimited general-season elk permits
  • This permit allows youth to hunt all general-season dates (archery, muzzleloader, and early and late any-legal-weapon) on both any bull and spike bull units
• 20% of all antlerless permits are set aside for youth hunters in the antlerless permit drawing held in June
• Permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis — purchased online, at a DWR office or from any available license agent

What seasons can youth hunt deer and elk?

*See a full list of early-season hunts in the hunt tables included in the Utah Big Game Application guidebook.

How old do I need to be to hunt upland game and turkey in Utah?

• In Utah, there are no age restrictions for upland game and turkey hunters. If you have passed a division-approved hunter education course and have a valid hunting or combination license, then you can hunt upland game and turkey in Utah, regardless of your age.
• To qualify for Utah's youth upland game hunts, you are considered to be a youth hunter if you are 17 years old or younger on July 31.
• While hunting with any legal weapon, youth under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible person who is 21 years of age or older. See the Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook for more information about these and other requirements.
• Regardless of age, all migratory bird hunters must register for the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) — there is no charge to register.

Youth upland game and turkey hunting opportunities

• 15% of each year's greater sage-grouse, sandhill crane and sharp-tailed grouse permits are reserved for youth hunters
• Special youth hunt dates held statewide (see the Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook for details)
  • Youth turkey hunt — held statewide for three days, starting on the last Friday of April
  • Youth chukar and gray partridge hunt — held statewide for three days, starting on the third Saturday of September
  • Youth quail hunt — held statewide for three days, starting on the fourth Saturday of October
  • Youth pheasant hunt — held statewide for six days, starting on the fourth Saturday of October
• Several sponsored youth and beginner pheasant hunts are offered during the upland game season
• 15% of Utah's spring and fall season limited-entry turkey permits are set aside for youth hunters
  • If a youth doesn't harvest during the limited-entry season, they may continue to use their permit to hunt during the youth hunt and general season
• Youth have unlimited general-season spring turkey permits

Group applications in permit drawings

Tip for parents: To give your child the best chance of drawing a greater sage-grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, sandhill crane or turkey permit, do not put them in an application group with adult hunters. Applying solo or in a youth-only group will improve their drawing odds. See the Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook for details about applying for permits in the hunt drawing.

Visit the group applications page for additional information.

How old do I need to be to hunt waterfowl in Utah?

• In Utah, there are no age restrictions for waterfowl hunters. If you have passed a Division-approved hunter education course and have a valid hunting or combination license, then you can hunt waterfowl in Utah, regardless of your age.
• Hunters 16 years old or older must purchase a federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp ("duck stamp").
• To qualify for Utah's youth waterfowl hunts, you are considered to be a youth hunter if you are 17 years old or younger on July 31.
• While hunting with any legal weapon, youth under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible person who is 21 years of age or older. See the Utah Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds Guidebook for more information about this and other requirements.
• Regardless of age, all migratory bird hunters must register for the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) — there is no charge to register.

Youth waterfowl hunting opportunities

• 15% of each year's tundra swan permits are reserved for youth hunters.
• Special youth hunt dates for waterfowl held statewide; one in northern Utah and one in southern Utah. They are usually held on Saturdays, a week apart, in late September. (see the Utah Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds Guidebook for details).

Group applications for tundra swan permit drawings

Tip for parents: To give your child the best chance of drawing a tundra swan permit, do not put them in an application group with adult hunters. Applying solo or in a youth-only group will improve their drawing odds. See the Utah Waterfowl and Migratory Game Birds Guidebook for details about applying for permits in the tundra swan hunt drawing.

How old do I need to be to trap furbearers, or hunt/pursue cougars or bears?

• To hunt or pursue a black bear in Utah, you must be at least 12 years old by Dec. 31 of the hunt season listed on your permit.
  • To pursue or hunt bears with any legal weapon, you must complete an approved Hunter Education program and have a valid Utah hunting or combination (hunting and fishing) license.
  • Learn more about applying for and obtaining bear permits, season dates and more in the Black Bear, Cougar and Furbearer Guidebook.
• In Utah, there are no age restrictions for individuals who can hunt and trap furbearers and cougars.
  • In most cases, you must complete a Division-approved furharvester education course (either entirely instructor-led or an online class followed by a test and field day) to harvest furbearers in Utah, regardless of your age.
  • You must have a valid Utah furbearer license before you can hunt, trap or harvest most furbearers or check someone else's traps for them.
  • You do not need a furbearer license to hunt, harvest or trap cougars, coyotes, muskrats, raccoons, red foxes or striped skunks. You do, however, need a trap registration license to set a trapping device for any species. (See the trapping FAQ page for more information.)
  • To hunt cougars with any legal weapon, you must complete a Division-approved hunter education course and have a valid Utah hunting or combination (hunting and fishing) license.
• In the field, trappers and hunters under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other responsible person who is 21 years of age or older. See the Black Bear, Cougar and Furbearer Guidebook for more information about these and other requirements.