SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has some important information and tips that will be helpful when planning and preparing for hunting this year.
A successful archery buck deer hunt.
The general-season archery buck deer hunt and the general-season archery spike and any-bull elk hunts are the first big game hunts of Utah’s fall season, and they all began on Saturday, Aug. 16.
- The early-season hunt for the general-season any legal weapon any-bull elk hunt will be held Oct. 4-10, and the late-season hunt will be held Oct. 11-17.
- The general-season any legal weapon spike-bull elk hunt will be held Oct. 4-16.
- The general-season any legal weapon buck deer hunt runs from Oct. 18-26.
- The general-season muzzleloader elk hunt will be held Oct. 29 to Nov. 6.
For all the general-season hunt dates, see page 7 of the 2025 Utah Big Game Field Regulations guidebook.
Depending on which areas of the state people are hunting this fall, deer populations in the northern counties of Cache, Weber, Summit and Morgan are still recovering from the severe winter conditions and lower survival rates from the record-breaking winter in 2022-23. Deer numbers are still below long-term averages. Hunters can expect to see slightly below-average numbers of primarily younger age class bucks this fall in northern Utah.
“During our big game captures this last winter, adult deer across the state were in average to above-average nutritional condition,” Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said. “6-month-old fawn weights were very good, with several fawns that were captured in December weighing over 100 pounds. While these numbers are encouraging, dry conditions this spring and summer have resulted in less forage available for deer to put on weight. We’re happy to see many deer using our habitat improvement project areas, and we’re hoping for some late-season monsoon rains to improve range conditions before winter sets in.”
The current Utah Statewide Elk Management Plan has an objective of 80,000 elk across Utah. DWR estimates there are 82,140 elk in the state. As a result of those numbers, anyone who wants to hunt elk in Utah this year should know there are still unlimited over-the-counter late-season bull permits available.
There are also opportunities for youth to hunt elk. Utah offers unlimited general-season youth bull elk permits, which allow youth to hunt all of the general-season archery, general-season any weapon and general-season muzzleloader dates on both general spike-only and any bull units. Youth hunters must follow spike-only antler regulations on spike units. People interested in buying these permits can find them online, at a DWR office or from any licensed agent.
“The ability for hunters to get in the field pursuing big game regularly is a high priority for hunters and the DWR,” Mangus said. “This is especially important for our younger hunters, and we are excited about the multiple season dates and extensive unit locations offered to youth hunters with the general-season youth elk permit. We hope parents and families take advantage of the long, flexible season dates to work around busy schedules and get out in the field with their youth hunters to make lasting memories.”
DWR suggests prospective hunters visit the Utah Hunt Planner before heading out into the field. This is a great online resource that includes notes from the biologists who manage the various hunting units across the state, as well as general information about the units and safety and weather items.
Hunters can see information about the number of bucks on the units, compared to the number of does. They can also find maps that show the units’ boundaries, which land is public and private, and the various types of deer habitat on the unit.
“Hunters who have scouted their hunting units and spent time locating animals before the hunt begins are typically more successful at finding and harvesting an animal during their hunt,” Mangus said. “Spend time scouting, and if you haven’t, consider planning multiple hunting trips during the hunting season. Treat your early hunting dates in the season as hunting and scouting, and try to cover lots of ground to locate animals.”
There are some of the new laws to be aware of:
- Updates to mandatory harvest reporting deadlines: Big game hunters are required to submit their harvest reports within 30 days of their hunting season ending or by Feb. 15 at the latest.
- Youth hunts: Youth hunts with a restricted rifle permit are now allowed to hunt all the applicable general season hunts on their unit. Youth who obtain any-legal-weapon permit on a general-season deer unit may hunt all the general seasons on that unit, so this update provides a similar opportunity for youth. Youth will still be required to follow any additional weapons restrictions on that unit. (For example, restricted muzzleloader regulations would apply during the muzzleloader season.)
For information about all the new changes and laws for hunting big game this fall, hunters should check the 2025 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook.