‘Hunt of a lifetime’: Utah’s sportsman permit applications open Oct. 28

Bull elk are among the big game species that have a sportsman permit available. Photo: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

UTAH — For Utah hunters hoping to experience a once-in-a-lifetime hunt, the coveted sportsman permits are opening for applications later this month. Utah residents can apply for the 2026 permits beginning Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 8 a.m., according to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

The sportsman permits come with unique benefits and the few available permits are reserved for Utah residents. “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.”

Hunters may apply for as many species as they’d like. Only one permit is issued per species each year, making these some of the hardest-to-draw and most exclusive hunting opportunities in Utah.

Permits are available for:

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

There’s a non-refundable $10 application fee to apply for each species. If you successfully draw a permit, the permit fees range from $40 to $564, depending on the species.

Permits for different species have specific age restrictions. To apply for a big game species, hunters must turn 12 years old by Dec. 31, 2026 and must be 12 years old before the season ends. To be eligible to apply for a Sportsman black bear permit, the hunter must be 12 years old by Dec. 31, 2026.

Key dates:

• Applications open: Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 8 a.m.
• Application deadline: Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 11 p.m. (5 p.m. if submitting by phone or in person)
• Withdraw deadline: Nov. 18 at 11 p.m.
• Results available: Wednesday, Nov. 26

This year’s application process will look a little different, as the DWR has launched a new online draw system with updated features and a new vendor. Hunters are encouraged to log in early to get familiar with the new platform before applying.

Visit wildlife.utah.gov for full details on species, fees, and the new application system.