Deer and elk permit fees will change July 1

Should I buy one today or wait?

Starting July 1, you may have to pay more—or less—to hunt deer and elk in Utah.

Utah general season elk hunting permits for this fall's hunts, and buck deer permits not taken in this year's big game draw, go on sale at 8 a.m. on June 14. We have a list of these remaining permits online.

Advice

• If you have a 365-day small game or combination license that's valid after July 1, you'll save money by waiting until after July 1 to buy your deer or elk permit.
• If you don't have a small game or combination license that's valid after July 1, you'll save money by buying your deer or elk permit before July 1.
• If you decide to wait until July 1, you run the risk that permits might be sold out by then. However, based on the number of permits that are still available, Division of Wildlife Resources officials do not believe that will happen. (About 23,000 general bull elk, 12,000 Northern Region general buck deer and 8,300 statewide general archery buck deer will go on sale June 14.)

Why?

Starting July 1, hunters who don't have a valid 365-day small game or combination license must buy a hunting (small game) license or a combination license before they can apply for or buy a hunting permit.

If you buy your deer or elk permit before July 1, this requirement won't pertain to you.

On the other hand, if you have a small game or combination license that's valid after July 1, you should consider waiting to buy your permit. The cost for a general deer and elk permit will be reduced on July 1, and you'll save money by waiting.

Note: Lifetime license holders are exempt from having to buy a hunting or combination license because their license is valid through their lifetime.

Starting July 1, the following Utah hunting fees will be reduced

	Before July 1	After July 1
Resident deer permit	$40	$35
Resident elk permit (anterless/any bull/spike)	$65	$45
Resident combination license (allows the holder to hunt and fish)	$34	$30
Nonresident combination (allows the holder to hunt and fish)	Not available	$80

Starting July 1, the following fees will increase

	Before July 1	After July 1
Resident small game (hunting license)	$17	$26
Nonresident small game (hunting license)	$45	$65

Refunds

Please remember that all sales are final. For example, if you buy a permit before July 1, you can't visit a Division office after July 1 and ask that you receive a refund for the difference in the price.

For more information, contact the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.