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Important: This information is about the 2020 antlerless hunt and is provided for reference only. View the latest antlerless application guidebook.
Your guide to Utah's 2020 antlerless hunts
Information you'll need to apply for a 2020 permit.
Are you interested in hunting an antlerless big game animal during the 2020 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 2020 season.
- Review antlerless season dates, hunt tables and permit fees.
- Make sure you meet the basic requirements to obtain a permit.
- Learn how to obtain a permit.
Application dates
You can apply online for an antlerless permit from May 28–June 18, 2020. The pages linked above will provide all of the information and tools you need in order to apply.
| Apply online | May 28, 2020 |
| Application deadline | June 18, 2020 |
| Drawing results available | July 9, 2020 |
| Remaining permits available | July 22, 2020 |
You'll be emailed your drawing results on or before July 9, 2020. 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 2020 season, the Utah Wildlife Board has approved new hunts for antlerless deer, antlerless elk, doe pronghorn, antlerless moose and ewe bighorn sheep. See a list of new hunts for 2020.
COVID-19 and the 2020 antlerless hunts: Stay informed about any COVID-19 pandemic-related changes that might affect your hunt.
Change to permit surrender processes: Starting in 2020, if you want to surrender your big game 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 bonus or preference points. For details, see the Surrendered permits and refunds page.
Fee increases for nonresident hunters: Starting July 1, 2020, all license, permit and application fees for nonresident hunters will increase. For details, see the table below or visit the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page after July 1. (Important: This change will not affect people who obtain antlerless permits through the hunt drawing. However, it will be in effect if you purchase one of the remaining antlerless permits, starting July 22, 2020.)
Forfeit preference points for purchase of remaining antlerless permits: If you obtain a general-season antlerless permit over the counter (after the antlerless drawing) or a private-lands-only permit, you will lose any preference points you've previously accrued for that specific antlerless hunt. If you purchase an antlerless elk control permit, you will not lose your preference points.
Unit boundary and name changes: Many antlerless hunt unit boundaries and names have changed this year. See detailed hunt boundary information.
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.
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.
Antlerless elk-control permits: In 2020, the Division is offering antlerless elk-control permits on eight hunting units. Learn more about these permits and how they work.
Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook: All big game field regulations — for both antlered and antlerless animals — are in the 2020 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 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. The line is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days a week.
Hunting license required: Before you can apply for a 2020 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 18, 2020. 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 28, 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, 2020.
Season dates, hunt tables and boundary maps
Season dates vary, depending on the species and the area. For season date listings, see the 2020 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
Important: Starting July 1, 2020, all license, permit and application fees for nonresident hunters will increase. This change will not affect people who obtain antlerless permits through the hunt drawing. However, it will be in effect if you purchase one of the remaining antlerless permits, starting July 22, 2020.
If you're not a Utah resident and you obtain a CWMU voucher, you can redeem it for a permit online, but you may want to do so before the fee increase goes into effect on July 1.
All of the new nonresident fees will be listed on the License, permit and miscellaneous fees page starting July 1, 2020.
| Permit | Resident | Nonresident (through June 30, 2020) |
Nonresident (starting July 1, 2020) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antlerless deer | $30 | $93 | $107 |
| Two-doe deer | $45 | $171 | $197 |
| Antlerless elk control | $30 | $93 | $107 |
| Antlerless elk (general season) | $50 | $218 | $251 |
| Antlerless elk (private lands only) | $50 | $218 | $318 |
| Antlerless moose | $213 | $713 | $1,000 |
| Doe pronghorn | $30 | $93 | $107 |
| Two-doe pronghorn | $45 | $171 | $197 |
| Ewe bighorn sheep | $100 | $1,000 | $1,100 |
| CWMU antlerless deer | $30 | $93* | $107* |
| CWMU two-doe deer | $45 | $171* | $197* |
| CWMU antlerless elk | $50 | $218* | $318* |
| CWMU doe pronghorn | $30 | $93* | $107* |
| CWMU two-doe pronghorn | $45 | $171* | $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
- Byron Bateman, Chair
- Kevin Albrecht, Vice Chair
- Mike Fowlks, Division Director & Executive Secretary
- Randy Dearth
- Wade Heaton
- Karl Hirst
- Donnie Hunter
- Bret Selman
