Sportsman permits

Apply for Utah's most prized hunting permits.

Important: The sportsman hunts are only open to Utah residents.

Only one sportsman permit per species is awarded each year, but success in the drawing means the hunt of a lifetime. Long season dates and the ability to hunt almost every Utah hunting unit¹ make these permits the most prized permits offered to Utah's public hunters.

You may apply for as many or as few species as you wish. Each species will incur a $10 application fee. Applicants cannot earn or use bonus points in the sportsman drawings. Only Utah residents may apply for sportsman permits.

Apply now!

One sportsman permit is offered each year for each of the following species:

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

The details

Need a bit more information before you apply?

Utah Administrative Rules governing sportsman permits: R657-41, R657-42 and R657-62-24

Oct. 18, 2023: Online application period begins

The application period for sportsman permits opens on Oct. 18, 2023 at 8 a.m. Utah residents can apply for a permit online or by calling any Division office.

In order to apply for a sportsman permit, you must turn 12 by the end of the year in which the permit is issued. For example, if you turn 12 by Dec. 31, 2025, you may apply for a big game and/or black bear sportsman permit. (Note: You must turn 12 before you can hunt big game. There are no age restrictions for turkey.)

You must also be a Utah resident on Nov. 15, 2024. Please see the resident definition in Utah code (scroll down the page to item 41) to learn whether you qualify as a resident.

When you apply, a $10 nonrefundable application fee will be charged for each hunt you apply for. You will not be charged for a permit unless you're successful in drawing one. A valid Utah hunting or combination license is required to apply. If you don't already have a current hunting or combination license, you can purchase one online or obtain one during the application process.

Nov. 8, 2023: Application deadline

You must apply online or by phone no later than Nov. 8, 2023. There's an 11 p.m. deadline for online applications and a 5 p.m. deadline for phone applications. To apply, simply visit our application website or call any Division office.

Nov. 8, 2023: Deadline for editing or withdrawing your application

If you decide not to hunt, you may withdraw (or edit) your online permit application at no cost until 11 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2023. Remember that the $10 application fee is charged for each species you apply for and is not refundable.

Nov. 15, 2023: Drawing results available

You'll be notified of your drawing results by email on or before Nov. 15, 2023. You can also find the drawing results online or by calling 1-800-221-0659.

Sportsman permit fees

The following fees apply only to those who successfully draw a permit. All applicants will be charged a $10 non-refundable application fee for each species application.

Sportsman permits	Fees
Resident black bear	$93.00
Resident buck deer	$185.00
Resident buck pronghorn	$63.00
Resident bull elk	$564.00
Resident bull moose	$454.00
Resident desert bighorn sheep	$564.00
Resident hunter choice bison	$460.00
Resident mountain goat	$454.00
Resident Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep	$564.00
Resident wild turkey	$40.00

Waiting periods

You may apply for a sportsman deer, elk, pronghorn or bear permit, even if you are on a waiting period for that species. Likewise, you will not be given a waiting period if you draw a sportsman deer, elk, pronghorn or bear permit.

You may not apply for a sportsman bison, bull moose, desert bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep or mountain goat permit if you have already used your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for that species. If you draw a sportsman permit for one of these once-in-a-lifetime permit species, you will not be able to apply for that species again.

¹ All sportsman permits exclude Antelope Island and may exclude other units. Any exclusions will be listed on the permit.