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Your guide to Utah's 2021 antlerless hunts
Information you'll need to apply for a 2021 permit.
Are you interested in hunting an antlerless big game animal during the 2021 season? Here's the information you'll need in order to apply for a permit.
- Learn when you can apply for a permit.
- Find out what's new and other important information about the 2021 season.
- Review antlerless season dates, hunt tables and permit fees.
- Make sure you meet the basic requirements to obtain a permit.
- See the details about how to obtain a permit.
Application dates
You can apply online for an antlerless permit from May 27–June 17, 2021. The pages linked above will provide all of the information and tools you need in order to apply.
| Apply online | May 27, 2021 |
| Application deadline | June 17, 2021 |
| Drawing results available | July 8, 2021 |
| Remaining permits available | July 20, 2021 |
You'll be emailed your drawing results on or before July 8, 2021. You can also learn your drawing results online, by calling 1-800-221-0659 or contacting a Division office during business hours. To protect your privacy and to comply with changes in governmental records access laws, you'll receive access to only your own drawing results.
What's new this year?
New hunts: For the 2021 season, the Utah Wildlife Board has approved new hunts for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn. See a list of new hunts for 2021.
Change to antlerless elk-control units: In 2021, the Division is offering antlerless elk-control permits on seven hunting units. The South Slope, Yellowstone unit is not a participating unit this year. Learn more about these permits and how they work.
New child support law goes into effect: Starting July 1, 2021, there will be restrictions on fishing and hunting license purchasers for nonpayment of child support. (This new law passed during the 2020 Utah Legislative Session.) For additional information — or to arrange a payment schedule — please contact the Office of Recovery Services at 801-536-8500.
New ways to report poachers: Earlier this year, the Division launched its new UTDWR law enforcement app and a text option for reporting poachers (text 847411). Download the app and see details about these new options.
New options for military members: Active military personnel may be eligible to take advantage of some new opportunities if they are deployed during the 2021 antlerless application period. Learn more about these opportunities.
Unit boundary and name changes: Many antlerless hunt unit boundaries and names change every year. See detailed hunt boundary information.
Season date changes: Season dates change every year, so please check them carefully before applying for hunts. See all 2021 antlerless season dates.
Possible changes to trail camera regulations: At the direction of the Utah Legislature, the Utah Wildlife Board will be considering changes to the state's trail camera regulations this year. If those changes occur, they may go into effect before the hunts this fall. If that happens, the Division will notify the public through its various communication channels. Sign up for our emails and follow us on social media.
COVID-19 and the 2021 antlerless hunts: Stay informed about any COVID-19 pandemic-related changes that might affect your hunt.
Other things to keep in mind
Obtain up to three elk permits: You may obtain up to three elk permits per year — as long as at least two of the permits are for antlerless elk — but you can only apply for or obtain one antlerless elk permit in the drawing.
Check the Utah Hunt Planner: The Utah Hunt Planner is an online tool you can use to be better prepared for your next Utah hunt. It contains in-depth information on Utah's antlerless hunting units, including notes from the managing biologists and details about the units' antlerless big game populations, accessibility, habitat, safety and weather. Use the Hunt Planner.
Hunter Mentoring program: The Hunter Mentoring program allows a young person to share a mentor's permit. Learn more.
Review harvest data from previous years: The antlerless harvest data from previous years may be useful as you decide where to apply for permits. See harvest data.
Permit surrender processes: If you want to surrender your permit, you are strongly encouraged to do so at least 30 days before the season opens. The surrender process has changed and could result in the loss of previously accrued preference points. For details, see the Surrendered permits and refunds page.
Fee increases for nonresident hunters: All license, permit and application fees for nonresident hunters increased on July 1, 2020. See the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page for a full list of license and permit fees.
Forfeit preference points for purchase of over-the-counter antlerless permits: If you obtain a general-season antlerless permit over the counter — including any of the permits in the list below — you will lose any preference points you've previously accrued for that specific antlerless species. This rule applies to all of the following permit types:
- Any leftover permits from the antlerless hunt drawing
- Private-lands-only elk permits
- CWMU permits for antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn
- Antlerless elk conservation permits
- Antlerless mitigation permits (not directly issued to a landowner)
If you purchase an antlerless elk control permit, you will not lose your preference points.
Private-lands-only antlerless elk permits: This year, the Division will again offer private-lands-only antlerless elk permits. These permits are only valid on private lands on select hunting units. Do not purchase one of these permits without knowing the laws that regulate hunting on private lands. Learn more.
Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook: All big game field regulations — for both antlered and antlerless animals — are in the 2021 Utah Big Game Field Regulations guidebook. Printed copies will be available from license agents and Division offices in early June.
Antlerless harvest reporting
If you obtain an antlerless permit this year, don't forget to complete a harvest report after your hunt ends.
Visit the Report your game harvest page and click the appropriate button at the top of the page. Then, you can log in and complete your harvest report.
If you prefer to complete your harvest report over the phone, call 1-800-221-0659.
Hunting license required: Before you can apply for a 2021 antlerless permit, bonus point or preference point, you must have a valid Utah hunting or combination license. You can purchase a license today or when you apply for an antlerless permit.
Download the app: To store your licenses on a phone or tablet, download the free Utah Hunting and Fishing app.
Apply for permits online or by phone: If you plan to hunt antlerless big game in Utah this year, you must apply for a permit online or by phone no later than June 17, 2021. There's an 11 p.m. MDT deadline for online applications and a 5 p.m. MDT deadline for phone applications. Apply online, beginning May 27, or call any Division office.
Flexibility in using antlerless elk permits: If you obtain two antlerless elk permits for the same area — but the permits are for different seasons — you may harvest both elk during the same season. And don't forget that you can use your antlerless permit during your buck or bull season, as long as it's for the same area. See the information box for details.
Opportunity for youth: A full 20% of the permits for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn have been reserved for hunters who will be 17 or under by July 31, 2021.
Season dates, hunt tables and boundary maps
Season dates vary, depending on the species and the area. For season date listings, see the 2021 antlerless hunt tables:
- Antlerless deer and CWMU antlerless deer hunts
- Antlerless elk and CWMU antlerless elk hunts
- Antlerless moose hunts
- Doe pronghorn and CWMU doe pronghorn hunts
- Ewe bighorn sheep hunts
- Maps and boundaries for hunting areas
Permit fees
Reminder: All license, permit and application fees for nonresident hunters increased on July 1, 2020. See the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page for a full list of license and permit fees.
| Permit | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Antlerless deer | $30 | $107 |
| Two-doe deer | $45 | $197 |
| Antlerless elk control | $30 | $107 |
| Antlerless elk (general season) | $50 | $251 |
| Antlerless elk (private lands only) | $50 | $251 |
| Antlerless moose | $213 | $1,000 |
| Doe pronghorn | $30 | $107 |
| Two-doe pronghorn | $45 | $197 |
| Ewe bighorn sheep | $100 | $1,000 |
| CWMU antlerless deer | $30 | $107* |
| CWMU two-doe deer | $45 | $197* |
| CWMU antlerless elk | $50 | $318* |
| CWMU doe pronghorn | $30 | $107* |
| CWMU two-doe pronghorn | $45 | $197* |
* Nonresidents may only obtain CWMU permits through the CWMU operator. See a list of hunts on CWMU properties.
Know the rules
These antlerless pages summarize some of Utah's big game hunting laws and rules.
Under many of the headings on these pages, you'll see code references — such as Utah Code § 23-20-25 and Utah Administrative Rule R657-5-24 — that are linked to the detailed statute or rule that underpins the summary. If you have questions about a particular subject, take a minute to click the links and read the rules.
You are also welcome to call or visit the nearest Division office if you have additional questions. For an in-depth look at all of Utah's big game hunting laws and rules, visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Administrative Rules web page.
Who makes the rules?
The Utah Wildlife Board passes the rules and laws summarized in this guidebook.
There are seven board members, and each serves a six-year term. Appointed by the governor, board members are not Division employees.
The Division's director serves as the board's executive secretary but does not have a vote on wildlife policies.
Before board members make changes to wildlife rules, they listen to recommendations from Division biologists. They also receive input from the public and various interest groups via the regional advisory council (RAC) process.
If you have feedback or suggestions for board members, you can find their contact information online.
Wildlife Board members
- Kevin Albrecht, Chair
- Randy Dearth, Vice Chair
- Justin "J" Shirley, Division Director & Executive Secretary
- Wade Heaton
- Karl Hirst
- Gary Nielson
- Bret Selman
- Bryce Thurgood
