Number of big game hunting permits increases in 2018

By STAFF REPORTS

 
SALT LAKE CITY–Depending on which unit you applied for, you might have a better chance at drawing a permit to hunt big game in Utah this fall.
At their meeting on April 26, members of the Utah Wildlife Board—a panel of seven citizens appointed by the governor—approved permit numbers for this fall’s hunts.
Buck deer, buck pronghorn, bull moose and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are among the animals for which more permits will be available.
Covy Jones, big game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says most of the state’s big game species are doing well.
He credits much of the success to implementation of species management plans that are drafted by DWR biologists and members of the public and approved by the Utah Wildlife Board.
“If you enjoy hunting or viewing big game,” Jones says, “it’s a great time to live in Utah.”
Starting May 5, the permit numbers for each of the state’s hunting units should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.
Utah’s big game drawing will be held in May. If you applied for a permit earlier this year, you should know by May 30 if you drew one.
PERMIT NUMBERS
The following is the total number of big game permits offered in Utah in 2017 and the number the board approved for 2018:
Hunt                    2017           2018
General buck  89,050         90,650
Prem. ltd. entry   184              184    
Mgmt buck deer   61                71
(including “cactus” bucks)
Ltd. entry deer  1,191         1,133
Doe                      1,470         1,955  
Gen. bull elk    15,000        15,000
Youth bull elk       500             500
Gen. spike bull elk  15,000        15,000
Ltd. entry bull elk  2,833          2,876  
Cow elk, public draw  9,830         10,090
Cow elk, private lands only   8,790          9,105
Buck pronghorn  849             883    
Doe pronghorn    750             610
Bull mooose           68               84      
Cow moose             22               34
Bison                     148             152
Bison (archery only)   10               15
Desert bighorn sheep   53               56                                          
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep 32               39
Mountain goat     106              117
Mountain goat (archery only)   2                 4