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Important: This information is about the 2018 antlerless hunt and is provided for reference only. View the latest antlerless application guidebook.
How to obtain a 2018 antlerless permit
Your first, and possibly only, chance to obtain a Utah antlerless permit is through the state's antlerless drawing. To apply for the drawing, you'll need to:
- Know what types of antlerless permits are available
- Research your hunts using the online Utah Hunt Planner
- Know when, where and how to apply for a permit
- Know how bonus points and preference points work
- Understand the drawing process and refunds
Types of antlerless permits
— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-20
You can apply for all of the following antlerless permits in the 2018 drawing:
- One antlerless deer permit (except in areas where two-doe permits are available)
- One antlerless elk permit (only general season and CWMU permits are available through the drawing)
- One antlerless moose permit
- One doe pronghorn permit (except in areas where two-doe permits are available)
If you drew a bull moose permit in the 2018 big game drawing, you may not apply for an antlerless moose permit or bonus point. Likewise, if you drew a pronghorn permit in the 2018 big game drawing, you may not apply for a doe pronghorn permit or preference point.
If you don't draw an antlerless permit in 2018, you might still be able to participate in a depredation hunt or obtain a CWMU voucher, an elk-control permit or a private-lands-only permit.
When, where and how to apply
— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-6, R657-62-11, R657-62-12, R657-62-20 & R657-42
May 31: Apply online for permits, bonus points and preference points
Beginning May 31, residents and nonresidents can apply online for permits, bonus points and preference points. You can also apply by calling any DWR office.
To apply for a resident permit, you must be a resident on the date the permit is purchased. July 12, 2018 is considered the purchase date of the permit and the date by which you must establish residency in the state of Utah. (Please see the residency definition to learn whether you qualify as a resident.)
When you submit your application, you'll be charged a nonrefundable $10 application fee for each species, bonus point or preference point you apply for.
Application fees, license fees and any donations you've authorized will be charged to your credit or debit card when you apply. Permit fees will be charged after the drawing, if you are successful.
You can use American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA credit or debit cards as payment, and they must be valid through August 2018. You can also use a pre-paid credit card.
Please keep in mind that the DWR is not responsible for any bank charges incurred for the use of credit or debit cards. To change the credit or debit card associated with your application, call 1-800-221-0659.
You will not be charged a permit fee unless you draw a permit.
Applying as a group
— Utah Administrative Rule — Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-7
Instead of applying as an individual hunter, you and your friends and family can apply together as a group. Here's what you need to know:
1. Everyone in the group must apply during the same online session — you cannot add group members at a later date.
2. Both residents and nonresidents can apply together. (However, if you're a Utah resident and you decide to apply with a nonresident, make sure nonresident permits are available for each hunt your group is applying for.) If permits are not available for everyone in your group, the entire group will not be allowed to draw for that hunt unit.
3. Up to four hunters can apply together for antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permits.
4. Please remember that if you're a youth, and you want to be included among those who draw for the antlerless permits reserved for youth, you must apply as an individual hunter.
5. When you apply, all fees for all applicants in your group must be charged to one credit or debit card.
If your group is successful in the drawing, all of the applicants in your group who have valid applications will receive a permit.
Antlerless elk-control permits
— Utah Administrative Rule R657-5-33
If you obtained a permit (including general season) to harvest a buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime species on any of the units listed on the elk-control permit page (not including CWMUs), you have the option of purchasing an antlerless elk-control permit.
The elk-control permit allows you to harvest an antlerless elk in the same unit where you’ll already be hunting a buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime animal. You may hunt the antlerless elk only during the season dates—and with the same weapon — listed on your buck, bull or once-in-a-lifetime permit.
Note: During the 2018 season, antlerless elk-control hunts have been eliminated on all spike bull elk hunting units.
For more information about antlerless elk-control permits, visit the elk-control permit page.
June 21: Deadline for permit applications, bonus points and preference points
Applications for antlerless hunting permits, bonus points and preference points must be submitted online no later than 11 p.m. MDT on June 21, 2018.
Please remember that you must have a hunting license or a combination license to apply for permits and points. If you don't already have one of these licenses, you can buy one online when you apply.
If you need help with your online application, please call any DWR office before 5 p.m. MDT on June 21, 2018. A DWR employee will be available to help you.
June 21: Deadline to withdraw and resubmit your application
Did you make a mistake in your online permit application? Simply withdraw your original online application and submit a new, correct application before 11 p.m. MDT on June 21, 2018.
You must have your confirmation number, your customer ID and your date of birth in order to withdraw your application. For each new application you submit, you will be charged a $10 application fee.
If you need help with your online application, please call any DWR office before 5 p.m. MDT on June 21, 2018.
June 21: Deadline to withdraw your application
If you decide not to hunt, you can withdraw your online permit application until 11 p.m. MDT on June 21, 2018.
Please remember that the fees you submitted with your application are not refundable.
July 12: Antlerless drawing results available
You'll be emailed your drawing results on or before July 12. Starting July 12, you can also see your drawing results online or call 1-800-221-0659 to obtain them.
If you draw a permit, you'll receive your permit in the mail in August.
Please be aware that if you receive your permit, and then the credit card you used for payment is refused, your permit becomes invalid and you may not participate in the antlerless hunt. If this happens, please call 1-800-221-0659 to resolve the problem.
Multiple elk permits
— Utah Code § 23-19-22 and Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-20 & R657-5-33In 2018, a hunter can again obtain up to three elk permits in Utah, with the following limitations:
- A maximum of one permit can be for a bull elk.
- A maximum of one antlerless elk permit can be obtained through the antlerless drawing.
- A maximum of two antlerless elk permits can be obtained over the counter. These might include antlerless elk-control permits, private-lands-only permits, mitigation and CWMU vouchers or any permits that remain available after the antlerless drawing.
For the purposes of obtaining multiple elk permits, an archery elk permit (hunter's choice) is considered a bull elk permit. Likewise, a general-season archery elk permit is also considered a bull elk permit. Antlerless elk-control or private-lands-only permits are considered antlerless 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 as long as you use the appropriate weapon type.
And don’t forget: you may harvest an antlerless elk while hunting general-season buck deer or bull elk, as long as your permits are for the same area and you use the weapon type listed on your general-season permit.
General-season bull elk permits will be available starting July 17, 2018 at 8 a.m. MDT. This year—for the first time—eligible hunters may purchase a multi-season general bull elk permit (any bull or spike) and hunt all three of the general elk seasons. Note: Hunters are excited about this new opportunity, and general-season elk permits may sell out faster than they have in previous years. For additional details, see page 24–25 of the 2018 Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook.
Beginning July 26, 2018, eligible hunters may purchase additional antlerless elk permits that remain available after the drawing. See the list of remaining permits (the list will be available May 31). The permits will be available online on a first-come, first-served basis and from license agents and DWR offices.
July 26: Antlerless permits available
Antlerless elk-control permits and any antlerless permits remaining after the antlerless drawing may be obtained online beginning at 8 a.m. MDT on July 26, 2018. You may also visit license agents and DWR offices to purchase one of these permits.
Note: License agents' business hours will vary; you should contact the agent you plan to visit before July 26 to learn when they're open for business.
Remaining permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and you must have a valid hunting or combination license.
July 26: Private-lands-only permits available
Private-lands-only permits to hunt antlerless elk will be available beginning July 26 at 8 a.m. MDT. You can buy the permits online and at license agent locations and DWR offices. We strongly encourage you to obtain written permission to hunt on private land before purchasing or using one of these permits.
Other types of permits
- Poaching-reported reward permits
- Depredation permits
- CWMU program permits
- Antlerless elk-control permits
- Private-lands-only permits
Waiting periods
— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-20
Waiting periods keep successful applicants out of the drawing for a few years. This gives unsuccessful applicants a better chance at drawing a permit in the future. The antlerless moose hunt is the only antlerless hunt with a waiting period.
Antlerless moose
The waiting period for antlerless moose is five years.
Bonus points and preference points
Bonus points
— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-8
In the antlerless drawing, bonus points apply to antlerless moose only. A bonus point is awarded for each unsuccessful application to hunt antlerless moose.
If you decide not to apply for an antlerless moose permit, you may still apply for an antlerless moose bonus point.
You may apply for an antlerless moose bonus point by selecting the appropriate hunt choice code (ANM) on the application and paying the $10 application fee.
You must have a current Utah hunting or combination license in order to apply for an antlerless moose bonus point.
You cannot apply for a hunt or receive a bonus point if either of the following conditions apply:
- You are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game hunting.
- You are currently under a waiting period for the species you want to hunt.
The DWR began issuing bonus points for antlerless moose in 2006.
How your bonus points work in the drawing
Fifty percent (rounded down) of the permits for each hunt unit number are reserved for applicants with the most bonus points.
You receive one random drawing number for your antlerless moose application and one for every bonus point you have for antlerless moose. Your lowest random number is used in the drawing.
In the drawing for antlerless moose, applications are sorted into groups by the number of bonus points, from highest to lowest. There's a group for hunters with three bonus points, one for hunters with two bonus points and so forth. Applications are sorted from lowest to highest draw number, and permits are awarded in order.
You may surrender an antlerless moose permit before the season opening date to waive the waiting period and reinstate your bonus points, including a bonus point for the current year (just as if a permit had not been drawn).
Preference points
— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-9
Preference points are used to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful, or who apply for a preference point in the drawing for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn, will have first preference in the next year's drawing for the respective permits.
If you do not want to hunt antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn in the current year, you may apply for a preference point by inserting the appropriate hunt choice code on the application. You will be charged a $10 application fee for every preference point you apply for (limit one per species).
The application period is May 31–June 21, 2018. You must have a current Utah hunting or combination license in order to apply for preference points.
If you are eligible for an antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit, you are eligible to apply for a preference point for that hunt.
You cannot apply for both a permit and a preference point for the same species. A preference point will not be issued if you are successful in drawing for the respective permit.
You will not forfeit your preference points if you obtain a permit that remains available after the drawing.
The DWR began issuing preference points for antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn in 2006.
How your preference points work in the drawing
Starting with the highest point level, the drawing looks at the hunter's first choice. If a permit is available for the hunt, the permit is awarded. (In the case of a group application, permits are awarded if there are enough permits for the people in the group.) If permits are not available, the application is skipped, and the first choice of the next person is considered. After all first choices have been considered at that preference point level, the drawing will look at the first choices of hunters at the next-highest preference point level. After all the applicants’ first choices have been considered, the drawing will look at everyone’s second choices. This process continues in the same way for third, fourth and fifth choices. If you draw a antlerless permit — regardless of whether it was your first, second, third, fourth or fifth choice — you will lose all of your preference points.
Preference points are averaged and rounded down when two or more applicants apply as a group. For example, if hunter A with three preference points and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference points are averaged (1.5) and rounded down to one. Hunters with one preference point will be considered only after all groups or individuals with two or more preference points and before all groups or individuals with zero preference points.
In a second example, if hunter A with one preference point and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference points are averaged (0.5) and rounded down to zero. This group with zero preference points will be considered after all groups or individuals with one or more preference points have been considered.
You may surrender your antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit before the season opening date to reinstate your preference points, including a preference point for the current year (just as if a permit had not been drawn).
You cannot apply for an antlerless deer, antlerless elk or doe pronghorn permit or a preference point if you are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game hunting.
Drawing process and refund requests
Antlerless drawing process
— Utah Administrative Rule R657-62-20
Antlerless permits are drawn in the following order:
- Antlerless moose
- Youth elk
- Antlerless elk
- Youth deer
- Antlerless deer
- Youth pronghorn
- Doe pronghorn
Beginning July 26, 2018, any remaining antlerless permits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Youth antlerless drawing process
— Utah Code § 23-19-22 and Utah Admin. Rules R657-62-20 & R657-5-4
Twenty percent of the antlerless deer, antlerless elk and doe pronghorn permits are reserved for hunters who will be 17 years of age or younger on July 31, 2018.
If you'll be 17 years of age or younger on July 31 and you apply as an individual hunter, you can participate in the youth drawing.
You will not be included in the youth drawing if you apply in a group with hunters who are not youth.
Permit refunds
— Utah Code § 23-19-38 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-42
The DWR rarely issues refunds for licenses or permits, but there are some exceptions. See if you're eligible for a refund.
