R657-62: Drawing application procedures
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Administrative rule R657-62

Drawing application procedures

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KEY: wildlife, permits

Date of Last Change: October 8, 2024

Notice of Continuation: April 9, 2019

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-2-304; 23A-2-305

R657-62-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23A-2-304 and 23A-2-305, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for drawing applications and procedures.

(2) Specific season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, number of permits and other administrative details that may change annually are published in the respective guidebooks of the Wildlife Board.

R657-62-2. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23A-1-101.

(2) In addition:

(a) "Application" means a form required by the Division which must be completed by a person and submitted to the Division to apply for a hunting permit.

(b) "Landowner" means any individual, family or corporation who owns property in Utah and whose name appears on the deed as the owner of eligible property or whose name appears as the purchaser on an executed contract for sale of eligible property.

(c) "Limited-entry hunt" means any hunt listed in the hunt tables published by the Wildlife Board and is identified as a premium limited-entry hunt or limited-entry hunt. "Limited-entry hunt" does not include bear pursuit.

(d) "Limited-entry permit" means any permit obtained for a limited-entry hunt, including conservation permits, expo permits and sportsman permits.

(e)(i) "Valid application" means an application:

(A) for a permit to take a species for which the applicant is eligible to possess;

(B) for a permit to take a species regardless of estimated permit numbers;

(C) for a certificate of registration; and

(D) containing sufficient information, as determined by the division, to process the application, including personal information, hunt information, and sufficient payment.

(ii) Applications missing any of the items in Subsection (i) may be considered valid if the application is timely corrected through the application correction process.

(f) "Waiting period" means a specified period that a person who has obtained a permit must wait before applying for the same permit type.

(g) "Once-in-a-lifetime hunt" means any hunt listed in the hunt tables published by the Wildlife Board and is identified as once-in-a-lifetime, and does not include general or limited-entry hunts.

(h) "Once-in-a-lifetime permit" means any permit obtained for a once-in-a-lifetime hunt by any means, including conservation permits, sportsman permits, cooperative wildlife management unit permits and limited-entry landowner permits.

(i) "Voucher" means an authorization issued by the division that entitles the designated holder to purchase the hunting permit specified in the authorization.

R657-62-3. Scope of Rule.

(1) This rule sets forth the procedures and requirements for completing and filing applications to receive the following hunting permits and certificates of registrations:

(a) Dedicated Hunter certificate of registrations;

(b) limited-entry deer;

(c) limited-entry elk;

(d) limited-entry pronghorn;

(e) once-in-a-lifetime;

(f) public cooperative wildlife management unit;

(g) general season deer and youth elk;

(h) limited-entry bear;

(i) bear pursuit;

(j) antlerless big game;

(k) sandhill crane;

(l) sharp-tail and greater sage-grouse;

(m) tundra swan;

(n) sportsman;

(o) turkey; and

(p) landowner buck deer.

R657-62-4. Residency Restrictions.

(1) Only a resident may apply for or obtain a resident permit or resident certificate of registration and only a nonresident may apply for or obtain a nonresident permit or nonresident certificate of registration.

(2)(a) To apply for a resident permit or certificate of registration, a person must be a resident at the time of purchase.

(b) The posting date of the drawing shall be considered the purchase date of a permit or certificate of registration issued through a drawing.

R657-62-5. Hunting on Private Lands.

(1) Any person who applies for a hunt that occurs on private land is responsible for obtaining written permission from the landowner to access the property. The division does not guarantee access and cannot restore lost opportunity, bonus points, or permit fees when access is denied. Hunters should contact private landowners for permission to access their land prior to applying for a permit. The Division does not have the names of landowners where hunts occur.

R657-62-6. Applications.

(1)(a) Applications are available at the division's internet address, and must be completed and submitted online by the date prescribed in the respective guidebook of the Wildlife Board.

(b) The permit fees and handling fees must be paid with a valid debit or credit card.

(c) Any license, permit or certificate of registration issued to a person is invalid where full payment is not remitted to and received by the division.

(d) A person who applies for or obtains a permit or certificate of registration must notify the division of any change in mailing address, residency, telephone number, email address, and physical description.

R657-62-7. Group Applications.

(1) When applying as a group all applicants in the group with valid applications and who are eligible to possess the permit or certificate of registration applied for shall receive a permit or certificate of registration if the group is successful in the drawing.

(2) Group members must apply for the same hunt choices.

(3) When applying as a group, if the available permit or certificate of registration quota is not large enough to accommodate the group size, the group application will not be considered.

R657-62-8. Bonus Points.

(1) Bonus points are used to improve odds for drawing permits.

(2)(a) A bonus point is awarded for:

(i) each valid unsuccessful application when applying for limited-entry permits; or

(ii) each valid application when applying for bonus points.

(b) Bonus points are awarded by species for:

(i) limited-entry deer including cooperative wildlife management unit buck deer and management buck deer;

(ii) limited-entry elk including cooperative wildlife management unit bull elk and management bull elk;

(iii) limited-entry pronghorn including cooperative wildlife management unit buck pronghorn;

(iv) once-in-a-lifetime species including cooperative wildlife management units;

(v) limited-entry bear;

(vi) restricted bear pursuit;

(vii) antlerless moose;

(viii) ewe Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep;

(ix) ewe desert bighorn sheep; and

(x) turkey.

(3)(a) A person may not apply in the drawing for both a permit and a bonus point for the same species.

(b) A person may not apply for a bonus point if that person is ineligible to apply for a permit for the respective species.

(c) Group applications may be accepted when applying for bonus points.

(d) A person may apply for bonus points only during the applicable drawing application for each species.

(4)(a) Fifty percent of the permits for each hunt unit will be reserved for applicants with the greatest number of bonus points.

(b) Based on the applicant's first choice, the reserved permits will be designated by a random drawing number to eligible applicants with the greatest number of bonus points for each species.

(c) If reserved permits remain, the reserved permits will be designated by a random number to eligible applicants with the next greatest number of bonus points for each species.

(d) The procedure in Subsection (c) will continue until reserved permits are issued or no applications for that species remain.

(e) Any reserved permits remaining and any applicants who are not selected for reserved permits will be returned to the applicable drawing.

(5)(a) Each applicant receives a random drawing number for:

(i) each species applied for; and

(ii) each bonus point for that species.

(6) Bonus points are forfeited if:

(a) a person obtains a permit through the drawing for that bonus point species including any permit obtained after the drawing; or

(b) a provision in a rule issued by the Wildlife Board specifically forfeits bonus points.

(7) Bonus points are not forfeited if:

(a) a person is successful in obtaining a conservation permit, expo permit, sportsman permit, or harvest objective bear permit;

(b) a person obtains a landowner or a cooperative wildlife management unit permit from a landowner; or

(c) a person obtains a poaching-reported reward permit.

(8) Bonus points are not transferable.

(9) Bonus points are averaged and rounded down when two or more applicants apply together on a group application.

(10)(a) Bonus points are tracked using social security numbers or division-issued customer identification numbers.

(b) The division shall retain electronic copies of applications from 1996 to the current drawings for researching bonus point records.

(c) Any requests for researching an applicant's bonus point records must be submitted within the time frames provided in Subsection (b).

(d) Any bonus points on the division's records shall not be researched beyond the time frames provided in Subsection (b).

(e) The division may void or otherwise eliminate any bonus point obtained by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or in violation of law.

R657-62-9. Preference Points.

(1) Preference points are used in the applicable drawings to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful in the drawing will have first preference in the next year's drawing.

(2)(a) A preference point is awarded for:

(i) each valid, unsuccessful application applying for a general buck deer, antlerless deer, antlerless elk, doe pronghorn, sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse or tundra swan permit; or

(ii) each valid application when applying only for a preference point in the applicable drawings.

(b) Preference points are awarded by species for:

(i) general buck deer;

(ii) antlerless deer;

(iii) antlerless elk;

(iv) doe pronghorn;

(v) sandhill crane;

(vi) sharp-tailed grouse;

(vii) greater sage-grouse; and

(viii) tundra swan.

(3)(a) A person may not apply in the drawing for both a preference point and a permit for the species listed in Subsection (2)(b).

(b) A person may not apply for a preference point if that person is ineligible to apply for a permit.

(4) Preference points for the applicable species are forfeited if a person obtains a general buck deer, antlerless deer, antlerless elk, doe pronghorn, sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse or tundra swan permit, whether obtained through a division drawing or over the counter, except points are not forfeited if a person obtains one or more of the following:

(a) youth archery buck deer permit;

(b) mitigation permits issued to a landowner Rule R657-44, including mitigation permit vouchers;

(c) antlerless elk control permits;

(d) a general landowner buck deer permit or landowner appreciation permit issued pursuant to Rule R657-43; and

(e) private land only antlerless elk permits.

(5) Preference points are not transferable.

(6) Preference points are averaged and rounded down when two or more applicants apply together on a group application.

(7)(a) Preference points are tracked using social security numbers or division-issued customer identification numbers.

(b) The division shall retain copies of electronic applications from 2000 to the current applicable drawings for researching preference point records.

(c) Any requests for researching an applicant's preference point records must be submitted within the time frames provided in Subsection (b).

(d) Any preference points on the division's records shall not be researched beyond the time frames provided in Subsection (b).

(e) The division may eliminate any preference point obtained by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or in violation of law.

R657-62-10. Dedicated Hunter Preference Points.

(1) Preference points are used in the dedicated hunter certificate of registration drawing to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful in the drawing will have first preference in the next year's drawing.

(2) A preference point is awarded for:

(a) each valid unsuccessful application;

(b) each valid application when applying only for a preference point in the dedicated hunter drawing.

(3)(a) A person may not apply in the drawing for both a preference point and a certificate of registration.

(b) A person may not apply for a preference point if that person is ineligible to apply for a certificate of registration.

(4) Preference points are forfeited if a person obtains a certificate of registration through the drawing.

(5)(a) Preference points are not transferable.

(b) Preference points shall only be applied to the Dedicated Hunter drawing.

(6) Preference points are averaged and rounded down to the nearest whole point when two or more applicants apply together on a group application.

(7)(a) Preference points are tracked using social security numbers or division-issued customer identification numbers.

(b) The division shall retain copies of electronic applications from 2011 to the current applicable drawing for the purpose of researching preference point records.

(c) Any requests for researching an applicant's preference point records must be requested within the time frames provided in Subsection (b).

(d) Any preference points on the division's records shall not be researched beyond the time frames provided in Subsection (b).

(e) The division may eliminate any preference points earned that are obtained by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

R657-62-11. Corrections, Withdrawals and Resubmitting Applications.

(1)(a) If an error is found on the application, the applicant may be contacted for correction.

(b) The division reserves the right to correct or reject applications.

(2)(a) An applicant may withdraw their application from the permit or certificate of registration drawing by the date published in the respective guidebook of the Wildlife Board.

(b) The division may establish time periods when an applicant may withdraw, modify, or edit their application for a permit or certificate of registration drawing.

(c) Handling fees, hunting or combination license fees and donations will not be refunded.

(d) If an individual withdraws an application and then resubmits a new application, the resubmitted application may incur a handling fee.

(3) To withdraw, edit, or modify an entire group application, all applicants must withdraw, edit, or modify their individual applications.

R657-62-12. Drawing Results.

Drawing results will be made available by the date prescribed in the respective guidebook of the Wildlife Board.

R657-62-13. License, Permit, Certificate of Registration and Handling Fees.

(1) Unsuccessful applicants will not be charged for a permit or certificate of registration.

(2) The handling fees and hunting or combination license fees are nonrefundable.

(3) All license, permit, certificate of registration and handling fees must be paid with a valid debit or credit card.

R657-62-14. Permits Remaining After the Drawing.

(1) Any permits remaining after the drawing are available on the date published in the respective guidebook of the Wildlife Board on a first-come, first-served basis from division offices, participating license agents and through the division's internet site.

R657-62-15. Waiting Periods for Permits Obtained After the Drawing.

(1) Waiting periods do not apply to the purchase of remaining permits sold over the counter except as provided in Section 2.

(2) Waiting periods are incurred as a result of purchasing remaining permits after the drawing. If a remaining permit is purchased in the current year, waiting periods will be in effect when applying in the drawing in following years.

R657-62-16. Dedicated Hunter Certificates of Registration.

(1) Applicants for a dedicated hunter certificate of registration must meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Rule R657-38.

(2) Group applications are accepted. Up to four applicants may apply as a group.

R657-62-17. Lifetime License Permits.

(1) Lifetime License permits shall be issued pursuant to rule R657-17.

R657-62-18. Big Game.

(1) Permit Applications

(a) Limited-entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit, Once-in-a-Lifetime, Management Bull Elk, Management Buck Deer, General Buck Deer, and Youth General Any-Bull Elk permit applications.

(i) A person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain a big game permit.

(ii) Applicants must meet age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in rule R657-5.

(iii) A person may obtain only one permit per species of big game, including limited-entry, cooperative wildlife management unit, once-in-a-lifetime, conservation, landowner and general permits, except antlerless permits as provided in the Antlerless Addendum and permits as provided in Rule R657-42.

(b) A resident may apply in the big game drawing for the following permits:

(i) only one of the following:

(A) buck deer - limited-entry and cooperative wildlife management unit;

(B) bull elk - limited-entry and cooperative wildlife management unit; or

(C) buck pronghorn - limited-entry and cooperative wildlife management unit; and

(ii) only one once-in-a-lifetime permit, including once-in-a-lifetime cooperative wildlife management unit permits.

(c) A nonresident may apply in the big game drawing for the following permits:

(i) of the following:

(A) buck deer - limited-entry;

(B) bull elk - limited-entry;

(C) buck pronghorn - limited-entry; and

(D) once-in-a-lifetime species.

(ii) Nonresidents may not apply for cooperative management units through the big game drawing.

(d) A resident or nonresident may apply in the big game drawing by unit for:

(i) a general archery buck deer permit;

(ii) for general any weapon buck deer;

(iii) for general muzzleloader buck deer; and

(iv) a dedicated hunter certificate of registration.

(2) Youth

(a) For purposes of this section "youth" means any person 17 years of age or younger on July 31.

(b) Youth applicants who apply for a general buck deer permit.

(i) Youth will automatically be considered in the youth drawing based upon their birth date.

(ii) 20% of general buck deer permits in each unit are reserved for youth hunters.

(iii) Up to four youth may apply together for youth general deer permits.

(iv) Preference points shall be used when applying.

(v) Any reserved permits remaining and any youth applicants who were not selected for reserved permits shall be returned to the general buck deer drawing.

(3) Reserved

(4) Drawing Order.

(a) Permits for the big game drawing shall be drawn in the following order:

(i) limited-entry, cooperative wildlife management unit and management buck deer;

(ii) limited-entry, cooperative wildlife management unit and management bull elk;

(iii) limited-entry and cooperative wildlife management unit buck pronghorn;

(iv) once-in-a-lifetime;

(v) general buck deer - lifetime license;

(vi) general buck deer - dedicated hunter;

(vii) general buck deer - youth;

(viii) general buck deer; and

(ix) youth general any bull elk.

(b) Any person who draws one of the following permits is not eligible to draw a once-in-a-lifetime permit:

(i) limited-entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management unit or management buck deer;

(ii) limited-entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management unit or management bull elk; or

(iii) a limited-entry or Cooperative Wildlife Management unit buck pronghorn.

(c) If any permits listed in Subsection (a)(i) through (a)(iii) remain after the big game drawing after choices have been evaluated separately for residents and nonresidents, a second evaluation will be done allowing cross-over usage of remaining resident and nonresident permit quotas.

(5) Groups

(a) Limited Entry

(i) Up to four people may apply together for limited-entry deer, elk or pronghorn; or resident cooperative wildlife management unit permits.

(b) Group applications are not accepted for management buck deer or bull elk permits.

(c) Group applications are not accepted for Once-in-a-lifetime permits.

(d) General season

(i) Up to four people may apply together for general deer permits.

(ii) Up to four youth may apply together for youth general any bull elk permits.

(iii) Up to four youth may apply together for youth general deer permits.

(6) Waiting Periods

(a) Deer waiting period.

(i) Any person who draws or obtains a limited-entry, premium limited-entry, management, or cooperative wildlife management unit buck deer permit through the big game drawing process may not apply for or receive any of these permits again for a period of five seasons.

(ii) A waiting period does not apply to:

(A) general archery, general any weapon, general muzzleloader, conservation, sportsman, poaching-reported reward permits;

(B) cooperative wildlife management unit, limited-entry, premium limited-entry, or landowner buck deer permits obtained through the landowner; or

(C) buck deer wildlife expo permits, as provided in Section R657-55-6.

(b) Elk waiting period.

(i) Any person who draws or obtains a limited-entry, management or cooperative wildlife management unit bull elk permit through the big game drawing process may not apply for or receive any of these permits for a period of five seasons.

(ii) A waiting period does not apply to:

(A) general archery, general any weapon, general muzzleloader, conservation, sportsman, poaching-reported reward permits;

(B) cooperative wildlife management unit or limited-entry landowner bull elk permits obtained through the landowner; or

(C) bull elk wildlife expo permits, as provided in Section R657-55-6.

(c) Pronghorn waiting period.

(i) Any person who draws or obtains a buck pronghorn or cooperative wildlife management unit buck pronghorn permit through the big game drawing may not apply for or receive any of these permits thereafter for a period of two seasons.

(ii) A waiting period does not apply to:

(A) conservation, sportsman, poaching-reported reward permits;

(B) cooperative wildlife management unit or limited-entry landowner buck pronghorn permits obtained through the landowner; or

(C) buck pronghorn wildlife expo permits, as provided in Section R657-55-6.

(d) Once-in-a-lifetime species waiting period.

(i) Any person who draws or obtains a permit for any bull moose, bison, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, desert bighorn sheep or mountain goat through the big game drawing or sportsman permit drawing may not receive another once-in-a-lifetime permit in the big game drawing or sportsman permit drawing in the same year.

(ii) Except as provided in Subsection (iii), once-in-a-lifetime restrictions do not apply to obtaining:

(A) wildlife expo permits for once-in-a-lifetime species in the wildlife expo drawing, as provided in Rule R657-55; and

(B) Management bison permits, as provided in Subsection R657-5-38(7).

(iii) Any person who obtains a wildlife expo permit for a once-in-a-lifetime species is subject to the once-in-a-lifetime restrictions applicable to obtaining a subsequent permit for the same species through a division application and drawing process, as provided in Rule R657-62 and the guidebooks of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(iv) A person who has been convicted of unlawfully taking a once-in-a-lifetime species may not apply for or obtain a permit for that species.

(e) Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit and landowner permits.

(i) Waiting periods and once-in-a-lifetime restrictions do not apply to purchasing limited-entry landowner or cooperative wildlife management unit permits obtained through a landowner, except as provided in Subsection (ii).

(ii) Waiting periods are incurred and applied for the purpose of applying in the big game drawing as a result of obtaining a cooperative wildlife management unit bull moose permit through a landowner.

R657-62-19. Black Bear.

(1) Permit and Pursuit Applications.

(a) For the purposes of this section, "restricted bear pursuit permit" means a limited-entry permit issued in a division drawing that authorizes an individual to pursue bear using trained dogs, consistent with the restrictions found in Rule R657-33.

(b) A person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain a limited-entry bear permit or restricted bear pursuit permit.

(c) A person may not apply for or obtain more than one bear permit and restricted bear pursuit permit distributed pursuant to this rule within the same calendar year.

(d) A person may simultaneously possess both a limited-entry bear permit and a restricted pursuit permit.

(e) Limited-entry bear permits and restricted pursuit permits are valid only for the hunt unit and for the specified season designated on the permit.

(f)(i) Applicants may select up to three hunt unit choices when applying for limited-entry bear or restricted bear pursuit permits. Hunt unit choices must be listed in order of preference.

(ii) Applicants must specify in the application a specific season for their limited-entry or restricted bear pursuit permit.

(g) Any person intending to use bait during their bear hunt must obtain a certificate of registration as provided in Sections R657-33-13 and R657-33-14.

(h) Applicants must meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Sections 23A-4-704, 23A-4-708 and 23A-4-1001.

(2) Group applications are not accepted.

(3) Waiting periods.

(a) Any person who obtains a limited-entry bear permit through the division drawing, may not apply for a permit thereafter for a period of two years.

(b) Any person who obtains a limited-entry restricted bear pursuit permit through the division drawing, may not apply for a permit thereafter for a period of two years.

(c) Waiting periods do not apply to bear wildlife expo permits, as provided in Section R657-55-6.

R657-62-20. Antlerless Species.

(1) Permit Applications.

(a) A person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain an antlerless permit.

(b) Applicants must meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Rule R657-5.

(c) A person may apply in the drawing for and draw the following permits, except as provided in Subsection (d):

(i) antlerless deer;

(ii) antlerless elk;

(iii) doe pronghorn;

(iv) antlerless moose, if available;

(v) ewe Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, if available; and

(vi) ewe desert bighorn sheep, if available.

(d)(i) A resident may apply for an antlerless moose, ewe Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, or ewe desert bighorn sheep in the antlerless drawing, but may not apply for more than one of those permits in a given year.

(iii) A nonresident may apply for all antlerless species in a given year.

(e) Applicants may select up to five hunt choices when applying for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and antlerless pronghorn.

(f) Applicants may select up to two hunt choices when applying for antlerless moose.

(g) Applicants may select up to two hunt choices when applying for ewe bighorn sheep permits.

(h) Hunt unit choices must be listed in order of preference.

(i) A person may not submit more than one application in the antlerless drawing per species.

(2) Youth applications.

(a) For purposes of this section, "youth" means any person 17 years of age or younger on July 31.

(b) 20% of the antlerless deer, elk and doe pronghorn permits are reserved for youth hunters.

(c) Youth applicants who apply for an antlerless deer, elk or doe pronghorn permit as provided in this subsection, will automatically be considered in the youth drawing based upon their birth date.

(3) Drawing Order

(a) Permits are drawn in the order listed in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(b) Any reserved permits remaining and any youth applicants who were not selected for reserved permits shall be returned to the antlerless drawing.

(c) If permits remain after all choices have been evaluated separately for residents and nonresidents, a second evaluation will be done allowing cross-over usage of remaining resident and nonresident permit quotas.

(4) Group Applications

(a) Up to four hunters can apply together for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn.

(b) Group applications are not accepted for antlerless moose or ewe bighorn sheep permits.

(c) Youth hunters who wish to participate in the youth drawing may apply as a group, consistent with the following:

(i) all applicants must qualify as a youth;

(ii) a minimum of two youth must apply to be considered as a group application; and

(iii) no more than four youth may apply in a single group application;

(5) Waiting Periods

(a) Antlerless moose waiting period.

(i) Any person who draws or obtains an antlerless moose permit or a cooperative wildlife management unit antlerless moose permit through the antlerless drawing process, may not apply for or receive an antlerless moose permit thereafter for a period of five seasons.

(ii) A waiting period does not apply to:

(A) cooperative wildlife management unit antlerless moose permits obtained through the landowner; or

(B) antlerless moose wildlife expo permits, as provided in Section R657-55-6.

(b) Ewe bighorn sheep waiting period.

(i) Any person who draws or obtains a ewe bighorn sheep permit through the antlerless drawing process may not apply for or receive a permit for the same species of ewe bighorn sheep for a period of five seasons.

(ii) A waiting period does not apply to ewe bighorn sheep wildlife expo permits, as provided in Section R657-55-6.

R657-62-21. Sandhill Crane, Sharp-tailed and Greater Sage-grouse.

(1) Permit applications.

(a) A person may obtain only one sandhill crane permit each year.

(b) A person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain sandhill crane, sharp-tailed and greater sage-grouse permit.

(c) Applicants must meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Sections 23A-4-706, 23A-4-1001 and 23A-4-708.

(d) Applicants may select up to four hunt choices. Hunt unit choices must be listed in order of preference.

(2) Youth applications.

(a) For purposes of this section, "youth" means any person 17 years of age or younger on July 31 for obtaining sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse permits.

(b) Fifteen percent of the sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse and greater sage-grouse permits are reserved for youth hunters.

(c) Youth applicants who apply for a sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse or greater sage-grouse permit as provided in this subsection, will automatically be considered in the youth drawing based upon their birth date.

(3) Group Applications

(a) Up to four people may apply together.

(b) Up to four youth may apply together in a Group Application.

(4) Waiting Periods do not apply.

R657-62-22. Tundra Swan.

(1) Permit applications.

(a)(i) A person may obtain only one tundra swan permit each year.

(ii) A person may not apply more than once annually.

(b) A person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain a tundra swan permit.

(c) The division shall issue no more than the number of tundra swan permits authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service each year.

(d)(i) A person must complete a swan orientation course annually before applying for a tundra swan permit, except as provided under Subsection R657-9-6(3)(b).

(ii) Remaining tundra swan permits available for sale shall be issued only to persons having previously completed the orientation course.

(e) Applicants must meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Sections 23A-4-706, 23A-4-1001 and 23A-4-708.

(2) Youth applications.

(a) For purposes of this section, "youth" means any person 17 years of age or younger on July 31st of the year in which the youth hunting day is held, as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Wilson's snipe and coot.

(b) 15% of the tundra swan permits are reserved for youth hunters.

(c) Youth who apply for a tundra swan permit will automatically be considered in the youth permit drawing based on their birth date.

(3) Group applications.

(a) Up to four people may apply together in a Group Application.

(b) Up to four youth may apply together in a Group Application.

(4) Any person who harvests a trumpeter swan may not apply for or receive a tundra swan permit for a period of:

(a) five seasons for adults; or

(b) three seasons for youth.

R657-62-23. Reserved.
R657-62-24. Sportsman.

(1) Permit applications.

(a) One sportsman permit is offered to residents for each of the following species:

(i) desert bighorn (ram);

(ii) bison (hunter's choice);

(iii) buck deer;

(iv) bull elk;

(v) Rocky Mountain bighorn (ram);

(vi) mountain goat (hunter's choice);

(vii) bull moose;

(viii) buck pronghorn;

(ix) black bear; and

(x) wild turkey.

(b) Bonus points shall not be awarded or utilized when applying for or obtaining sportsman permits.

(2) Group applications are not accepted.

(3) Waiting Periods

(a) Any person who applies for or obtains a Sportsman Permit is subject to all waiting periods and exceptions as applicable to the species pursuant to Rule R657-41.

(b) Once-in-lifetime waiting periods

(i) If a person has obtained a once-in-a-lifetime permit through the sportsman drawing, they are ineligible to apply for that once-in-a-lifetime species through the big game drawing.

(ii) If a person has obtained a once-in-a-lifetime permit through the big game drawing, they are ineligible to apply for that once-in-a-lifetime species through the sportsman drawing.

(c) Limited Entry waiting periods

(i) Waiting periods do not apply to Sportsman deer, elk, pronghorn or bear.

(ii) Waiting period will not be incurred for receipt of a Sportsman deer, elk, pronghorn or bear.

R657-62-25. Turkey.

(1) Permit applications.

(a) A person must possess a valid hunting or combination license in order to apply for or obtain a wild turkey permit.

(b) Permit possession limitations are identified in R657-54a. A person may obtain only one spring season and up to three fall season wild turkey permits, subject to the exceptions identified in R657-54a.

(c) Applicants may select up to five hunt choices when applying for limited-entry turkey permits. Hunt unit choices must be listed in order of preference.

(d) A turkey permit allows a person, using any legal weapon as provided in Section R657-54a-7, to take one wild turkey within the area, sex and season specified on the permit.

(2) Group applications.

(a) Up to four people may apply together in a Group Application.

(b) Up to four youth may apply together in a Group Application.

(3) Waiting period does not apply.

(4) Youth permits

(a) Up to 15 percent of the limited-entry permits and fall general season permits are available to youth hunters.

(b) For purposes of this section "youth" means any person who is 17 years of age or younger on July 31.

(c) Youth who apply for a turkey permit will automatically be considered in the youth permit drawing based on their birth date.

(d) Bonus points shall be used when applying for youth turkey permits.

(e) Youth who are successful in obtaining a limited-entry turkey permit but unsuccessful in harvesting a bird during the limited-entry hunt season, may use the limited-entry turkey permit to participate in the youth 3-day turkey hunt and the spring general season turkey hunt provided no more than one bird is harvested.

R657-62-26. Deployed Military.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, a resident serving in the United States Military and deployed in connection with their military service may apply for and receive a bonus point or preference point without acquiring or possessing a hunting or combination license.

(2) To obtain a bonus point or preference point without a hunting or combination license, an eligible resident must:

(a) be deployed 90 consecutive days or more during the calendar year of application;

(b) not have previously received a bonus or preference point for the species and hunt type in the same year;

(c) otherwise be eligible to receive a bonus or preference point;

(d) pay a $10 application fee; and

(e)(i) submit an application to the Division no later than December 31st of the calendar year of qualifying deployment; and

(ii) include the following information in the application:

(A) full name, date of birth, Division customer identification number, permanent and current physical address, email address, and any other information required by the Division;

(B) proof of residency; and

(C) copy of official military documentation ordering deployment and specifying its term and location.

(3) All other regulations in rule and guidebook for receiving a bonus point or preference point are applicable to an applicant under this section, except for the application process and the requirement to possess a hunting or combination license.

(4) A person qualifying for a bonus point or preference point under this section may not surrender and receive a refund on:

(a) an unexpired hunting or combination license previously purchased; or

(b) a previously awarded bonus point or preference point.

(5) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Active duty" means full-time duty in the active military.

(b) "Deployed" means movement from a military personnel's permanent duty station to active duty outside the state of Utah based on orders from military command.

(c) "Military" means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard Reserve Units.

(d) "Resident" has the same meaning as defined in Section 23A-1-101.

R657-62-27. Unit Wide Landowner Buck Deer Permits.

(1)(a) The division will evaluate draw applications and calculate the number of general season hunting opportunities the landowner qualifies for per Rule R657-43.

(b) The applicant will be charged a handling fee for every draw application, up to 5, that is entered into the drawing.

(c) The division will issue vouchers to the landowner based on the drawing results.

(d) The division is not responsible for identifying recipients of the vouchers after vouchers are awarded to a landowner by the drawing process.

(2) For an individual to redeem the drawn voucher, they must:

(a)(i) be the landowner, an immediate family member, or lessee. If the Applicant is a business entity, the person eligible for the permit must be a shareholder, or immediate family member of a shareholder, as designated by the business entity; and

(ii) non-shareholder employees of the business entity are not eligible to receive a general season landowner permit;

(b) possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license;

(c) meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Rule R657-5; and

(d) not already obtained a buck deer permit per Section R657-62-18.

(3) Any permits remaining after the drawing are available at division offices on a first-come, first-served basis.

R657-62-28. Limited-Entry Landowner Program – Lands not Participating in a Landowner Association.

(1) Permit applications.

(a) A person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain a limited-entry landowner permit.

(b) Applicants must meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Rule R657-5.

(c) Applicants must meet the requirements pursuant to Rule R657-43 to be able to submit a draw application.

(d) The applicant will be charged a handling fee to be entered into the drawing.

(e) Applicants will select the season and weapon type for their application.

(i) The division will calculate the number of limited-entry hunting opportunities qualified for per Rule R657-43.

(ii) Voucher allocation will be broken up by season and weapon type within that unit.

(2) A random drawing or selection process must be conducted for each limited-entry permit.

(3) Bonus points are neither awarded nor applied in this drawing.

(4) Waiting periods do not apply.

(5) The division will issue voucher to the landowner based on the drawing results.

(a) The division is not responsible for identifying recipients of the vouchers after vouchers are awarded to a landowner by the drawing process.

(b) A landowner or lessee transferring a permit voucher to another individual may not receive any form of compensation or remuneration for the transfer or for allowing access to the private land for hunting on a permit redeemed with that voucher on the landowner or lessee's eligible property.

(c) A person may obtain only one permit per species of big game, including limited-entry, cooperative wildlife management unit, once-in-a-lifetime, conservation, landowner and general permits, except antlerless permits as provided in the Antlerless Addendum and permits as provided in Rule R657-42.

Administrative rules menu

Admin. rules menu

  • R657-1 — Repealed
  • R657-2
    — Adjudicative proceedings
  • R657-3 — Repealed
  • R657-3a
    — Collection, importation, transportation and possession of animals
  • R657-3b
    — Certification of registration — birds and mammals
  • R657-3c
    — Certification of registration — fish, mollusks and crustaceans
  • R657-4
    — Possession and release of pen-reared gamebirds
  • R657-5
    — Taking big game
  • R657-6
    — Taking upland game
  • R657-7
    — Repealed
  • R657-8
    — Repealed
  • R657-9
    — Taking waterfowl, snipe and coot
  • R657-10
    — Taking cougar
  • R657-11
    — Taking furbearers
  • R657-12
    — Hunting and fishing accommodations for people with disabilities
  • R657-13
    — Taking fish and crayfish
  • R657-14
    — Commercial harvesting of protected aquatic wildlife
  • R657-15
    — Closure of Gunnison, Cub and Hat Islands
  • R657-16
    — Repealed
  • R657-17
    — Lifetime hunting and fishing license
  • R657-18
    — Repealed
  • R657-19
    — Taking nongame mammals
  • R657-20
    — Falconry
  • R657-21
    — Cooperative Wildlife Management Units for small game and waterfowl
  • R657-22
    — Repealed
  • R657-23
    — Utah Hunter Education Program
  • R657-24
    — Compensation for mountain lion, bear, wolf or eagle damage
  • R657-25
    — Repealed
  • R657-26
    — Adjudicative proceedings for a license, permit, tag or certificate of registration
  • R657-27
    — License agent procedures
  • R657-28
    — Use of Division lands — rights of way, leases and special-use permits
  • R657-29
    — GRAMA
  • R657-30
    — Fishing license for the terminally ill
  • R657-31
    — Repealed
  • R657-32
    — Repealed
  • R657-33
    — Taking bear
  • R657-34
    — Procedures for confirmation of ordinances on hunting closures
  • R657-35
    — Repealed
  • R657-36
    — Repealed
  • R657-37
    — Cooperative Wildlife Management Units for big game or turkey
  • R657-38
    — Dedicated Hunter Program
  • R657-39
    — Wildlife Board and Regional Advisory Councils
  • R657-40
    — Wildlife rehabilitation
  • R657-41
    — Conservation and sportsman permits
  • R657-42
    — Fees, exchanges, surrenders, refunds and reallocation of wildlife documents
  • R657-43
    — Landowner permits
  • R657-44
    — Big game depredation
  • R657-45
    — Wildlife license, permit, and certificate of registration forms and terms
  • R657-46
    — Repealed
  • R657-47
    — Repealed
  • R657-48
    — Repealed
  • R657-49
    — Repealed
  • R657-50
    — Error remedy
  • R657-51
    — Poaching-reported reward permits
  • R657-52
    — Commercial harvesting of brine shrimp and brine shrimp eggs
  • R657-53
    — Amphibian and reptile collection, importation, transportation and possession
  • R657-54a
    — Taking wild turkey
  • R657-55
    — Wildlife Expo Permits
  • R657-56
    — Lease of private lands for free public walk-in access
  • R657-57
    — Division variance rule
  • R657-58
    — Fishing contests and clinics
  • R657-59
    Repealed
  • R657-59a
    — Private fish ponds
  • R657-59b
    — Short-term fishing events
  • R657-59c
    — Aquaponics
  • R657-59d
    — Institutional aquaculture
  • R657-59e
    — Stocking into natural lakes, natural flowing streams or reservoirs on natural stream channels
  • R657-60
    — Aquatic invasive species interdiction
  • R657-61
    — Acquisition, disposal and exchange of real property
  • R657-62
    — Drawing application procedures
  • R657-63
    — Self defense against wild animals
  • R657-64
    — Predator control incentives
  • R657-65
    — Urban deer control
  • R657-66
    — Military Installation Permit Program
  • R657-67
    — Utah Hunter Mentoring Program
  • R657-68a
    — Trial Hunting Authorization
  • R657-69
    — Turkey depredation
  • R657-70
    — Repealed
  • R657-71
    — Removal of wild deer from domesticated elk facilities