DWR proposes increase in 2026 deer hunting permits, seeks public input

DWR biologists are recommending a slight increase in the number of general season buck deer permits available for hunts in Utah this fall. Photo: Jim Shuler // Utah DWR

UTAH — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has released its recommended big game hunting permit numbers for 2026, proposing increases for deer and antlerless elk while opening a public comment period on the changes.

Biologists are recommending 86,625 general-season buck deer permits, an increase of 6,425 from 2025. Officials say the bump reflects improving conditions for deer herds, driven by habitat work, recent weather patterns, and population trends.

“Harvesting buck deer does not drive deer populations,” DWR Big Game Coordinator Mike Wardle said, noting that herd size is primarily influenced by adult doe survival and fawn production.

Officials emphasized that antlerless hunts are designed to address specific local concerns, such as habitat health and conflicts on private land, rather than reduce overall populations.

Most hunting units fall within a 20% change threshold and will see automatic permit adjustments. Three units—Beaver West, Kamas, and Wasatch Mountains West—exceed that threshold and are proposed to receive a combined increase of about 1,300 permits to meet herd management goals.

For elk, biologists are recommending a slight decrease in limited-entry bull permits, alongside an increase in antlerless elk permits to help manage a population currently estimated above the statewide objective.

The recommendations are guided by Utah’s statewide management plans, which rely on data including herd population estimates, buck-to-doe ratios, habitat conditions, and hunter success rates.

The public can weigh in on the proposals throughout April during a series of Regional Advisory Council meetings and the Utah Wildlife Board meeting on April 30. Comments can be submitted online through the DWR website ahead of each meeting.

Final decisions on the 2026 hunting permits will be made by the Wildlife Board after the public input process concludes.