Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Press Release
Time is running out to submit applications to hunt big game animals in Utah this fall.
Big game hunting applications, including deer, are due no later than 11 p.m. on March 6 and can be submitted through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website at www.wildlife.utah.gov.
Before applying for a general deer hunting permit, make sure to visit https://go.usa.gov/ZMCm. This website has information that will help hunters decide which of Utah’s 30 deer units to apply for.
DWR wildlife licensing coordinator Judi Tutorow suggests not waiting until the last day of the application period to submit information for a permit. She says patience is the critical factor in deciding when to apply. “If you apply before March 6, you should be able to get your application in fast,” she advised. “If you wait until March 6, however, you could face some challenges.”
“Thousands of hunters wait until the last day to apply,” Tutorow continued. “Receiving that much traffic, in such a short period of time, slows our website and the entire application process down.”
Those who decide to wait until March 6 to apply, should make sure to start applying before 11 p.m. If the process begins before this time, and the system is not logged off prior to completion, the system will allow hunters to finish their application.
“If you log off before 11 p.m., and then try to get back into the system, you’ll be out of luck,” she explained. “After 11 p.m., a bonus point and a preference point are the only things you can apply for.”
Everything hunters need to know to apply for a permit is available in the 2014 Utah Big Game Application Guidebook. These books are available at at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks, DWR offices and from more than 300 hunting and fishing license agents across Utah.
Tutorow suggests that those who would like a chance to hunt all three general deer seasons, consider joining Utah’s Dedicated Hunter program. She also reminds lifetime license holders to make sure that by March 6, the online lifetime license questionnaire is completed and a preferred hunting unit selected.
For those who do not plan on hunting in 2014, bonus and preference points are available. Earning a point increases the chance of drawing a permit the next time an application is submitted.
Applications for a point must be received through www.wildlife.utah.gov no later than 11 p.m. on March 20.
Please remember that a hunting license or a combination license is required to apply for a point or a hunting permit.
A general-season deer hunting change that started in Utah in 2012 will continue in 2014. Instead of hunting deer in five large regions, hunters will now hunt on 30 smaller units.
Questions about applying for a general-season deer permit, are answered on the DWR webpage and include the following:
- A map that shows where Utah’s 30 general-season deer hunting units are located.
- A link to a detailed maps and a boundary description for each unit.
- Drawing odds for each unit in 2013.
- List of frequently asked questions and answers.
Utah lifetime hunting license holders may select their preferred general deer hunting unit by completing the online lifetime license questionnaire and selecting the desired hunting unit.
Access to the questionnaire is available on the 2014 big game application online.
If the questionnaire is not completed or the unit selected by March 6, and the DWR does not have a hunt choice on file, trying to obtain a general deer hunting permit that was not taken in the draw will be the only option available.
All of the general season deer permits might be taken in the draw, however, so there might not be any permits available.
Any questions about applying for a 2014 Utah big game hunting permit, can be answered by the Utah Hunt Application office at (800) 221-0659 or at the nearest DWR office.