Utah Guidebook Big Game • 2021 Application CONTACT US CONTENTS WHAT’S NEW KNOW THE LAWS This guidebook—along with the 2021 5 Keep your license on your Turn in a poacher Apply for hunts: You can apply for Utah’s Utah Big Game Field Regulations guidebook Phone: 1-800-662-3337 phone or tablet 2021 big game hunts from Jan. 28 to March 4, (available in June 2021)—summarizes the 2021. The results of the big game drawing will Email: [email protected] 6 Antlerless big game hunting rules and laws that regulate big game hunting be available on or before May 31, 2021. For Online: wildlife.utah.gov/utip 7 2021 season dates in Utah. Although these books are convenient additional details, see page 24. Division offices 7 Depredation hunts quick-reference documents for Utah big game 9 Permit sales dates Offices are open 8 a.m.–5 p.m., COVID-19 and the 2021 big game regulations, they are not all-encompassing Monday through Friday. 9 2022 sportsman permits hunts: Stay informed about COVID-19 resources. 10 How many permits will be pandemic-related changes that might affect For an in-depth look at the state’s Salt Lake City available in 2021? your hunt. See the box on page 4 and visit big game hunting laws and rules, visit 1594 W North Temple 11 Gathering shed antlers or horns wildlife.utah.gov/covid. wildlife.utah.gov/rules. Box 146301 12 License, permit and program fees You can use the references in this guide- Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6301 14 Basic requirements Fee increases for nonresident hunt- book—such as Utah Admin. Rule R657-5-24 ers: License, permit and application fees for 801-538-4700 14 Utah’s Trial Hunting Program and Utah Code § 23-20-25—to search the hunters who are not Utah residents increased Division’s website for the detailed statute or Central Region 15 Carry your permit on July 1, 2020. Some of those increased rule that underpins the guidebook summary. 1115 N Main Street 16 Prepare to apply fees are listed in the tables on page 12. To If you have questions about a particular Springville, UT 84663 17 Review the hunt tables see all of Utah’s license and permit fees, visit rule, call or visit the nearest Division office. 801-491-5678 17 See maps and boundaries online wildlife.utah.gov/licenses/fees.html. 17 Obtain permission to hunt Utah Guidebook Big Game • 2021 Application Who makes the rules? Northeastern Region private property New hunts: Starting in 2021, there will be 318 N Vernal Avenue The Utah Wildlife Board passes the rules 17 Understand the drawing order new hunts for bighorn sheep, bison, deer, elk Vernal, UT 84078 and pronghorn. To see which hunts have been and laws summarized in this guidebook. 18 Why bonus points matter 435-781-9453 added, look for “new hunt” next to a hunt in There are seven board members, and 19 Why preference points matter the tables that start on page 38. each serves a six-year term. Appointed by the Northern Region 20 Multi-season hunts for governor, board members are not Division 515 E 5300 S deer and elk Some hunts discontinued: All Henry Mtns employees. Ogden, UT 84405 21 Obtain up to three elk permits management buck deer hunts and Parker Mtn The Division’s director serves as the board’s 801-476-2740 21 Mandatory reporting pronghorn hunts have been discontinued for executive secretary but does not have a vote the 2021 season. To learn about the hunts that on wildlife policies. Southeastern Region 22 Hunts with special circumstances 24 Apply for big game permits are still available, see the tables that start on Before board members make changes to 319 N Carbonville Road, Ste A page 38. Price, UT 84501 26 After you apply wildlife rules, they listen to recommendations from Division biologists. They also receive 435-613-3700 29 Dedicated Hunter Program Changes to permit sales dates in July: input from the public and various interest 30 Opportunities for young hunters Any permits remaining after the big game groups via the regional advisory council (RAC) Southern Region 32 Hunt maps drawing—and all general-season elk per- 1470 N Airport Road process. 38 Hunt tables mits—will go on sale during different days in Cedar City, UT 84721 If you have feedback or suggestions for wildlife.utah.gov 435-865-6100 60 CWMU hunts July. For all of the permit sales dates, see the table on page 9. board members, you can find their contact 70 Definitions information online at wildlife.utah.gov. Washington County Field Office New limited-entry elk hunts: Starting 451 N SR-318 in 2021, there will be new handgun-archery- Wildlife Board members Hurricane, UT 84737 On the cover: Bison photograph taken by Randy Dearth Byron Bateman, Chair 435-879-8694 muzzleloader-shotgun-only (HAMS) hunts Lauren Cannon in August 2019 on Antelope (Oct. 1–Nov. 15, 2021) on multiple limited- Wade Heaton Kevin Albrecht, Vice Chair Island. entry elk units. For details, see page 23 or the Karl Hirst Mike Fowlks, wildlife.utah.gov hunt table on page 52. Donnie Hunter Division Director & 2 Bret Selman Executive Secretary3 Longer hunt for general-season archery Unlimited youth any-bull elk permits: Utah Guidebook Big Game • 2021 Application bull elk: The Utah Wildlife Board extended In 2021, there will be an unlimited number of Keep your license on which is just as valid as a paper license. the general-season archery any bull elk hunt general-season any-bull elk permits (any legal your phone or tablet If you use the app, you will be able to by five days. That hunt will run from Aug. weapon, rifle and multi-season) available to We’ve made it easier for you to keep easily see when your license expires. 21–Sept. 22, 2021. For all season dates, see youth hunters. Those permits will be available track of your hunting or combination license The app is available for both Apple and page 7. for purchase starting July 13, 2021. For more and know when it’s about to expire. With Android devices. You can download it at information, see the article on page 30. our convenient mobile app, you can now wildlife.utah.gov/mobileapp. Changes to statewide elk plan: The Utah download your license to a smartphone or Please remember that licenses are Wildlife Board approved changes to the state- New options for military members: Ac- tablet. different from permits. If your hunt requires wide elk-management plan. These changes tive military personnel may be eligible to take If a conservation officer asks to see your a permit, you must carry it with you while increase the number of general-season any advantage of some new opportunities if they hunting. bull elk permits from 15,000 to 17,500 and are deployed during the big game application license, you can produce the digital copy, also allow an unlimited number of general- period. For details, see the information box on season any bull elk permits for youth. page 6 or visit wildlife.utah.gov/military. Permits for lifetime license holders: If Hunting license required: Before you you’re a lifetime license holder, see the box on can apply for a 2021 big game permit, bonus Find updated maps and boundaries: page 28 for more information about obtain- point or preference point, you must have a How will COVID-19 Use the Utah Hunt Planner to find unit maps, ing your general-season deer permit. valid Utah hunting or combination license. affect the big game boundaries and information on the hunts you Please see page 15 for more information. hunts? want to apply for. The information in the Hunt Important reminders For the exceptions available to active, deployed Although the COVID-19 pandemic Planner will be updated in June for the 2021 military members, please see the information has drastically affected all of our lives, big game season, but you can use its historical Field regulations available in June: The box on page 6. there are currently no plans to close any data to research hunting units before you 2021 Utah Big Game Field Regulations guide- Utah Guidebook Big Game • 2021 Application of Utah’s 2021 big game hunts because apply. To learn more, see page 17. book will be available from license agents and Mandatory reporting: Many big game of the virus. Division offices in June 2021. It will include the hunters must report hunt information within Unit boundary and name changes: With that said, there are federal, rules for both big game and antlerless hunting. 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting Some hunt unit boundaries and names have season (even if they did not harvest an ani- state and local regulations beyond our changed this year, including boundaries for Multi-season deer hunting for youth: In control, and we have no way to know mal). To see if you are required to report—and bighorn sheep, bison and elk units. To see order to hunt all general deer seasons (archery, to learn how to report—see page 21 or visit exactly which regulations will be in place which units have changed, look for “boundary muzzleloader and any legal weapon), a youth wildlife.utah.gov/harvestreporting. this fall. change” next to a hunt in the tables that start must obtain a general-season any legal You can learn about those regula- on page 38. To find maps and descrip- weapon permit. For details, see the article on Collecting shed antlers: If you want to tions—and stay informed about any tions of the areas you want to hunt, visit page 30.