Below will give the reader an overview of Utah cougar hunting information.
Many hunters have cougar hunting on their bucket list. Unforntaley, in several states, getting a cougar permit is difficult. However, because of recent changes to Utah’s predator management plans, it has become easier than ever to get a Utah cougar permit.
Utah Predator Management Plans & Cougar Hunting
The new changes to the predator management plan make it so a large portion of cougar units are now considered harvest objective units with an unlimited quota. This means that in 33 Utah cougar units hunters can purchase a permit OTC and go hunting. Likewise, these cougar permits have no quota associated with them so the seasons won’t be closed early.
You can also now get Utah cougar permits that are harvest objective units with a quota attached. These 10 units are similar to the above-mentioned units. However, these units have a harvest quota attached to them and the season in those units could be closed if the quota is reached. Both types of harvest objective hunts have a season that is open from Nov. 3rd – June 30th
The state also still has a few limited entry cougar permits. Much like the big game draws you must apply for these permits during the application period. If you are successful in drawing a permit you will typically have fewer hunters to compete with. The limited entry units have a season that runs from Nov. 3rd – Feb. 20th.
Lastly, the state offers a spot & stalk cougar permit. This permit has dates that run from Aug. 1st – Dec. 31st each year. This is a very difficult hunt with very low success rates.
Hunters that decide to hunt with a harvest objective unit permit can now have two cougar permits at the same time. However, a single hunter can not take more than two cougars within the same season.
Utah Cougar Hunting Permit Costs
Below we will leave the cost for each type of permit. Starting with the resident costs first.
- Resident Limited Entry Permit: $58
- Harvest Objective Resident Permit: $58
- Resident Spot & Stalk Permit: $30
Now on to the nonresident costs.
- Nonresident Limited Entry Permit: $297
- Harvest Objective Nonresident Permit: $297
- Nonresident Spot & Stalk Permit: $30
Now the major difference between the first two permits and the spot & stalk permit is that hunters that purchase a spot & stalk permit must take their cougar by spot & stalk means only. In comparison hunters with the other two types of permits may take their cougar with the aid of dogs and a houndsman or by spot & stalk means.
Likewise, Utah updates its Utah Cougar Guidebook every year and we strongly recommend you take a look at that to get more information. If you click here you will be transferred to their guidebook page now. The guidebook is a great source of information and a must-read if you plan on hunting cougars in Utah. You can also get more information about the harvest objective units by clicking here.
The Obstacles of Cougar Hunting
Cougars are very elusive and several can live in an area and never show themselves to a hunter. As a result, many cougars are taken with the use of dogs. These dogs can follow the cougar’s trail across tough country for miles before finally making the cougar go up a tree. Unless you have your own dogs, you should look to hire the help of a houndsman. This tactic allows hunters to be the most successful. However, it is also the most expensive of the ways to hunt.
If you are not looking to hire out the help of a houndman you can still hunt cougars in a spot & stalk style. This type of hunt has much lower success rates but can be done at a much cheaper cost. It is not uncommon to go the whole hunt without ever seeing your quarry.
If you’d like to read more about predator hunting I suggest you check out our predator page. You can be transferred to that page by clicking here.
So, what are your thoughts on this Utah cougar information? Do you have any other tips that would help hunters? Let us know in the comments.
