Sportsman permits

Apply for Utah's most prized hunting permits.

Important: The sportsman application is only open to Utah residents.

Only one sportsman permit per species is awarded each year, but success in the drawing means the hunt of a lifetime. Long season dates and the ability to hunt almost every Utah hunting unit¹ make these permits the most prized permits offered to Utah's public hunters.

You may apply for as many or as few species as you wish. Each species will incur a $10 application fee. Applicants cannot earn or use bonus points in the sportsman drawings. Only Utah residents may apply for sportsman permits.

Apply now!

One sportsman permit is offered each year for each of the following species:

Buck deer • Buck pronghorn • Bull elk • Bull moose • Desert bighorn ram • Rocky Mountain bighorn ram • Bison • Mountain goat • Black bear • Wild turkey

The details

Need a bit more information before you apply?

Utah Administrative Rules governing sportsman permits: R657-41, R657-42 and R657-62-24

Oct. 28, 2025: Online application period begins

The application period for 2026 sportsman permits opens on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025 at 8 a.m. MDT. Utah residents can apply for a permit online, by calling or visiting any Division office or by calling the new hunt drawing helpline at 855-UTDRAWS (855-883-7297).

Each species has different age restrictions. To be eligible to apply for any big game species, you must turn 12 years old by Dec. 31, 2026, and you must be 12 years old before the season ends. For black bear, you must be 12 years old by Dec. 31, 2026, There are no age restrictions when applying for turkey.

You must also be a Utah resident on the date you submit your application. Please see the resident definition in Utah code to learn whether you qualify as a resident.

When you apply, a $10 nonrefundable application fee (plus a 2.2% electronic transaction fee) will be charged for each hunt you apply for. You will not be charged for a permit unless you're successful in drawing one. A valid Utah hunting or combination license is required to apply. If you don't already have a current hunting or combination license, you can purchase one online or obtain one during the application process.

Nov. 18, 2025: Application deadline

You must apply online or by phone no later than Nov. 18, 2025. There is an 11 p.m. MST deadline for online applications or when calling the draw helpline, and a 5 p.m. MST deadline when calling into a DWR regional office. To apply, visit our application website visit or call any Division office or call 855-UTDRAWS.

Nov. 18, 2025: Deadline for withdrawing your application

If you decide not to hunt, you may withdraw (or edit) your online permit application at no cost until 11 p.m. MST on Nov. 18, 2025. Remember that any application fees, license fees, donations or transaction fees are not refundable.

Nov. 26, 2025: Drawing results available

You'll be notified of your drawing results by email on or before Nov. 26, 2025. You can also find the drawing results online or by calling 855-883-7297 (855-UTDRAWS).

Sportsman permit fees

The following fees apply only to those who successfully draw a permit. All applicants will be charged a $10 nonrefundable application fee for each species application. A 2.2% electronic transaction fee will also apply to each transaction, as well as to each permit fee (if successful).

Sportsman permits	Fees
Resident black bear	$93.00
Resident buck deer	$185.00
Resident buck pronghorn	$63.00
Resident bull elk	$564.00
Resident bull moose	$454.00
Resident desert bighorn sheep	$564.00
Resident hunter choice bison	$454.00
Resident mountain goat	$454.00
Resident Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep	$564.00
Resident wild turkey	$40.00

Waiting periods

You may apply for a sportsman deer, elk, pronghorn or bear permit, even if you are on a waiting period for that species. Likewise, you will not be given a waiting period if you draw a sportsman deer, elk, pronghorn or bear permit.

You may not apply for a sportsman bison, bull moose, desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep or mountain goat permit if you have already used your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for that species. If you draw a sportsman permit for one of these once-in-a-lifetime permit species, you will not be able to apply for that species again.

¹ All sportsman permits exclude Antelope Island and may exclude other units. Check the hunt planner for all exclusions.