Hunting Seasons & Licensing · UT
Utah Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonUtah offers excellent big game hunting with species including mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bison, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and black bear. The state manages over 22 million acres of public land. Utah uses a preference point system for most limited-entry hunts and is known for producing trophy-class mule deer and elk. General-season deer and elk tags are available with less competitive draws, while premium limited-entry units can take 10 to 20+ years of points.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | General Archery | Aug 16 – Sep 12, 2025 | 1 deer per tag | Bow and arrow |
| Mule Deer | General Any Weapon | Oct 18 – Oct 26, 2025 | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Mule Deer | Limited Entry | Varies by unit | 1 deer per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Elk | General Archery | Aug 16 – Sep 12, 2025 | 1 elk per tag | Bow and arrow |
| Elk | General Any Weapon | Oct through Nov (varies by unit) | 1 elk per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Elk | Limited Entry | Varies by unit | 1 elk per tag | Rifle, muzzleloader, bow |
| Pronghorn | General | Sep through Oct | 1 pronghorn per tag | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Moose | General | Sep through Oct | 1 moose | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
| Black Bear | General | Spring and fall (varies by unit) | 1 bear per year | Rifle, bow, muzzleloader |
Mule Deer (General Archery): General-season archery tag — easier to draw than rifle
Mule Deer (General Any Weapon): General-season tag by draw. Most accessible rifle deer hunt.
Mule Deer (Limited Entry): Premium units by draw. 5 to 15+ preference points required.
Elk (General Archery): Spike-only in many general units
Elk (General Any Weapon): Spike-only in many units. Any-bull units require draw.
Elk (Limited Entry): Premium units. 10 to 20+ preference points for top units.
Pronghorn (General): Draw required
Moose (General): Very limited. Once in a lifetime. 15 to 20+ preference points.
Black Bear (General): Draw required in most units. Some OTC units.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 15 – May 31, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey per tag | Shotgun, bow |
Wild Turkey (Spring): Draw required
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chukar | General | Oct 4 – Feb 1, 2026 | 5 daily / 10 possession | Shotgun |
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Nov 1 – Dec 1, 2025 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 6 possession | Shotgun |
| Sage Grouse | General | Sep 20 – Sep 26, 2025 | 2 daily / 4 possession | Shotgun |
| Mourning Dove | General | Sep 1 – Oct 30, 2025 | 15 daily | Shotgun |
Sage Grouse (General): Short season. Limited areas.
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Oct through Jan | 7 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required. Pacific Flyway. Great Salt Lake marshes are productive.
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Sep 1 – Feb 28, 2026 | 10 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Snowshoe Hare | General | Sep 1 – Feb 28, 2026 | 10 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Hunting License | $34 | — |
| Non-Resident Hunting License | $102 | — |
| Resident General Deer Tag | $40 | — |
| Non-Resident General Deer Tag | $298 | — |
| Resident General Elk Tag | $50 (spike) / $280 (any bull) | — |
| Non-Resident General Elk Tag | $400 (spike) / $1,500 (any bull) | — |
| Draw Application Fee | $10 per species | — |
| Preference Point Fee | $10 (resident) / $50 (non-resident) per species | — |
| Youth (12–17) | Reduced fees | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Utah uses a preference point system for limited-entry and premium hunts. Applications are due in early February. General-season deer and elk tags use a separate draw with lower point requirements. Limited-entry and premium units can require 10 to 20+ years of points. Spike elk tags in general units are the most accessible for non-residents. The state also offers CWMU (Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit) tags on private ranches — separate draw. Moose, bison, mountain goat, and desert bighorn are once-in-a-lifetime draws.
Harvest Reporting
Utah requires mandatory harvest reporting for all big game species through the DWR online system or by phone. Deer and elk must be reported within the specified timeframe. CWD surveillance is active with mandatory testing in designated areas. All big game must be tagged immediately upon harvest.
Utah Wildlife Resources
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: UTiP: 1-800-662-3337
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.