Antlerless hunting permit applications open May 26

​​Beginning on Thursday, May 26, individuals can apply for a permit to hunt Utah’s antlerless big game animals. Photo: DWR.

SALT LAKE CITY — For those interested in harvesting local elk or deer meat, the application period for Utah’s 2022 antlerless hunts opens next week.

Beginning on Thursday, May 26 at 8 a.m., individuals can apply for a permit to hunt Utah’s antlerless big game animals, including:

• Antlerless elk
• Antlerless moose
• Antlerless deer
• Doe pronghorn
• Ewe bighorn sheep (Although individuals cannot apply for both an antlerless moose permit and a ewe bighorn sheep permit in the same year — individuals must pick one or the other.)

Hunters must submit their application no later than 11 p.m. on June 16 to be included in the drawing for hunting permits. Before individuals can apply for a 2022 antlerless permit, bonus point or preference point, they must have a valid Utah hunting or combination license. Licenses can be purchased on the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website, by calling 1-800-221-0659 or by visiting a license agent.

Applications for antlerless hunts can be submitted through the DWR website. Details about the different units — including boundary descriptions, biologist notes, and population and harvest statistics — can be found on the Utah Hunt Planner.

The drawing results will be available on or before July 7. If any antlerless permits are available after the drawing, they can be purchased beginning at 8 a.m. on July 21. Individuals can check the online 2022 Utah Antlerless Application Guidebook for details. They can also find all of the regulations for hunting both antlered and antlerless big game in the 2022 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook.

“The antlerless big game hunts are a great opportunity to not only harvest meat and make some great memories outdoors, but also to help manage wildlife populations and maintain healthy herds and landscapes,” DWR Licensing Coordinator Lindy Varney said. “However, hunters should be aware that we’ve had a few drought years in Utah recently, which has a significant impact on the survival rates of deer and other big game animals. As a result, there are fewer antlerless deer, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep permits available this year than last year.”

At the end of April, the Utah Wildlife Board approved several changes, including adding new hunts for antlerless deer, elk and pronghorn. See details about those changes and others on the DWR website.

If individuals have questions about applying for an antlerless permit, they can call 1-800-221-0659 or contact their nearest DWR office.