Details: Last Updated: Wednesday, October 11, 2023, 2:19 pm

Upland game youth and beginner hunts

Each fall, the DWR organizes upland game hunts for youth and beginning hunters who either graduate from Hunter Education or participate in Utah's Trial Hunting Program. Upcoming hunt details and registration links are given below.

Only youth 17 years old or younger may register for youth hunts (see page 14 of the Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook for more information). Youth and beginning hunters of all ages may register for beginner hunts.

Besides those listed in the guidebook, there may be additional youth and beginner hunts offered in areas across the state. Once they are scheduled, those opportunities will be listed below.

Youth hunters are also permitted to hunt all regular seasons open to adults.

January

Steinaker Youth Ice Fishing Derby

Vernal, UT — Steinaker State Park	Jan. 18
Join us for our second annual Steinaker Youth Ice Fishing Derby at Steinaker State Park! More... Steinaker State Park, Disabled Outdoorsmen Utah and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources have partnered to host the 2025 Steinaker Youth Ice Fishing Derby! We aim to provide an avenue for youth of all skill levels to showcase their abilities. Even if your kids have never ice fished before, everyone is welcome to participate and have fun! Staff will be available to drill ice fishing holes for those who need assistance. This event may be moved to Matt Warner Reservoir if ice conditions at Steinaker are not safe to hold the event. A decision will be made the week prior to the event and an email will be sent to all registered participants. Prize categories include: Heaviest fish overall. Heaviest fish for each age bracket. Smallest fish in each age bracket. First fish turned in. Registration: Registration will close on Wednesday, January 15 at 11:59 p.m. All participants (including supervising adults) MUST be registered before competing in the tournament. Tournament registration is FREE. The entrance fee to Steinaker State Park for this derby will be paid for by Uintah County Tourism. There will be a limit of 1 vehicle per participant. Rules: Participants must check in at the Steinaker State Park ranger station area prior to the event. Check in will start at 7:30 a.m. A map of the lake with tournament boundaries will be provided during check in. Fishing will start at 9 a.m. and end at noon. Fish must be turned in no later than 12:00 p.m. in order to be processed for the tournament results. All fish will be weighed when turned in. If there is a tie in weight, the fish turned in first will be higher in rankings. Fish turned in to be weighed and measured will count toward a participant’s daily bag limit. Participants can not turn in more than the individual daily bag limit. The tournament will be organized into three age brackets: 8 and under, 9-13 years old and 14-17 years old. All participants must possess a valid fishing license except youth under the age of 12. All rules of the 2025 Utah Fishing Guidebook must be followed: https://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2025_fishing_guidebook.pdf Participants must provide their own personal equipment. Poor sportsmanship, cheating, any type of foul play or failure to comply with the rules will result in an immediate disqualification from the event. Join us on the ice near the boat launch shortly after noon for the announcement of the results and prizes. Event Contact: Anthony Christianson at 435-828-0008 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Date & time Saturday, Jan. 18 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Address Steinaker State Park 4335 N Hwy 191 Vernal, UT 84078 Register

Vernal, UT — Steinaker State Park

Jan. 18

Join us for our second annual Steinaker Youth Ice Fishing Derby at Steinaker State Park!

More...

Steinaker State Park, Disabled Outdoorsmen Utah and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources have partnered to host the 2025 Steinaker Youth Ice Fishing Derby! We aim to provide an avenue for youth of all skill levels to showcase their abilities. Even if your kids have never ice fished before, everyone is welcome to participate and have fun! Staff will be available to drill ice fishing holes for those who need assistance.

This event may be moved to Matt Warner Reservoir if ice conditions at Steinaker are not safe to hold the event. A decision will be made the week prior to the event and an email will be sent to all registered participants.

Prize categories include:

Heaviest fish overall.
Heaviest fish for each age bracket.
Smallest fish in each age bracket.
First fish turned in.

Registration:

Registration will close on Wednesday, January 15 at 11:59 p.m. All participants (including supervising adults) MUST be registered before competing in the tournament.
Tournament registration is FREE. The entrance fee to Steinaker State Park for this derby will be paid for by Uintah County Tourism. There will be a limit of 1 vehicle per participant.

Rules:

Participants must check in at the Steinaker State Park ranger station area prior to the event. Check in will start at 7:30 a.m. A map of the lake with tournament boundaries will be provided during check in.
Fishing will start at 9 a.m. and end at noon. Fish must be turned in no later than 12:00 p.m. in order to be processed for the tournament results.
All fish will be weighed when turned in. If there is a tie in weight, the fish turned in first will be higher in rankings.
Fish turned in to be weighed and measured will count toward a participant’s daily bag limit. Participants can not turn in more than the individual daily bag limit.
The tournament will be organized into three age brackets: 8 and under, 9-13 years old and 14-17 years old.
All participants must possess a valid fishing license except youth under the age of 12.
All rules of the 2025 Utah Fishing Guidebook must be followed: https://wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks/2025_fishing_guidebook.pdf
Participants must provide their own personal equipment.
Poor sportsmanship, cheating, any type of foul play or failure to comply with the rules will result in an immediate disqualification from the event.

Join us on the ice near the boat launch shortly after noon for the announcement of the results and prizes.

Event Contact:

Anthony Christianson at 435-828-0008 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..