Utah’s most sought after hunting tags application period will begin October 21st. Utah’s Sportsmans tag allows hunters to hunt almost any unit in the state as well as extended season dates. The application process will open on October 21st and runs through November 10th.
Hunters can apply for permits on the Division of Wildlife’s website or by calling a regional DWR office. However, only Utah residents can apply for a Sportsmans tag. Applicants must be at least 11 years old to apply for most of the permits. However, hunters must be 12 years old to legally hunt big game in Utah. As long as the hunter turns 12 before the season starts they are legal to apply and hunt the Sportsman tags. There is a $10 application fee for each species that a hunt applies for. Likewise, if a hunter is successful, the permit fees range from $35 to $513.
“If you draw a Sportmans permit, you can hunt on almost every unit in Utah that’s open to hunting the species you drew a permit for. Also, the season dates are much longer, so you’ll have more time to scout different places to harvest an animal. It’s the hunt of a lifetime.” – DWR Wildlife Licensing Coordinator Lindy Varney
Hunters can apply for as many species as they like. However, only one Sportsmans tag is offered for each species. The following species will have a Sportsmans tag available this year. special
- Bull moose
- Bull elk
- Desert bighorn sheep
- Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
- Mountain goat
- Black bear
- Bison
- Cougar
- Wild turkey
- Buck deer
- Buck pronghorn
Hunters cannot use or earn bonus points in the Sportsman tag drawings. A valid Utah hunting or combination license is required to apply for the tags. The Utah Division of Wildlife website does a good job of letting hunters know they need a hunting or combination license. Hunters can buy a hunting license at the same time they apply for the Sportsman tags. Applicants will be notified about the drawing results on or before November 18th, 2020. Hunters will be notified by email, but hunters can also check their results online or by calling 1-800-221-0659.
