Hunter Mentoring Program FAQ

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 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, Utah Trial Hunting Program authorization or have successfully completed a hunter education program recognized by the Division (for nonresidents).

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 Utah Trial Hunting Program 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, 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 or nonresident 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, Utah Trial Hunting Program authorization or have successfully completed a hunter education program recognized by the Division (for nonresidents).

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.

Youth enrolled in the Hunting Mentor program are now able to use the permit as long as:

• The youth is an immediate family member of the deceased permit holder ("immediate family member" means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, parent-in-law, child-in-law, sibling-in-law or stepchild.)
• The youth hunter is accompanied by an adult (aged 21 or older) who is an immediate family member.
• Please contact a DWR office or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.