Once-in-a-lifetime ’24 sportsman permit application opens Oct. 18

Utahn residents can apply for big game sportsman permits, including bighorn sheep, for the 2024 season on October 18. Photo: Courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Services

The highest permit fees are reserved for desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and bull elk at $564

SALT LAKE CITY — Each year, Utahns have the opportunity to apply for a once-in-a-lifetime sportsman permit to hunt bison, bull moose, desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep or mountain goats. On Oct. 18 at 8 a.m., the sportsman permits online application opens to Utah residents for the 2024 season or over the phone by calling the nearest Utah Division of Wildlife Resources regional office.

“If you draw a sportsman permit, you can hunt on almost every unit in Utah that’s open to hunting the species you drew a permit for,” DWR Wildlife Licensing Coordinator Lindy Varney said. “Also, the season dates are much longer, so you’ll have more time to scout different places to harvest an animal.”

“It’s truly the hunt of a lifetime.”

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Utahns may apply for as many species as they’d like, but only one sportsman permit is offered for each of the following species:

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

There has been an uptick in permit fees for 2024 with costs ranging from $40 to $564, up from the previous year’s prices ranging $35 to $513. The highest permit fees are reserved for desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and bull elk at $564.

Sportsman permits are available to all Utahns ages 12 and up. Those applying must be 12 years old by the end of the year in which the permit is issued to hunt all big game species. Turkey is the only exception, which has no age restriction.

Those who apply will be notified about the results of the drawing via email on or before Nov. 15. Drawing results will also be available online or by calling 1-800-221-0659.

Costs include a non-refundable application fee of $10 per species. Permit fees will be charged to those who are drawn for the permit.

Utah residents must have a valid hunting or combination license to apply. For those who do not have one, licenses can be acquired online or during the application process. The application period closes Nove. 8 at 11 p.m.

Visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website for more information on the application process.