The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) is requesting public feedback on some recent proposed changes to big game hunting rules and permit numbers across the state. Specifically, wildlife officials would like to increase the number of deer and elk permits for the 2025 season.

“We have experienced favorable weather conditions and are seeing benefits from habitat improvement, predator management and other work done to directly benefit mule deer,” said Dax Mangus, UDWR’s big game coordinator. “We are excited to recommend an increase to deer permits for the 2025 season. Our deer populations have responded positively to conditions over the last year, and changes to our statewide deer management plan enable us to offer more hunting opportunities.”

UDWR is recommending a total of 80,600 general season deer permits, which is a 9,075-permit increase from the previous year, according to a news release.

“During our big game captures this last winter, we found that a majority of the deer throughout the state were healthy and in good condition, with high body fat,” said Mangus. “Biologists look closely at each hunting unit and individual situation when they make permit recommendations. We use the best available data and our management plans to make proactive recommendations for the herd health of our wildlife.”

Elk hunters could also see an increase in available limited entry bull elk permits and an increase in antlerless elk tags. Increasing both will help manage the overall population to meet current management objectives. 

With regard to proposed rule changes, UDWR would like to establish mandatory harvest reporting deadlines, increase youth opportunity and regulate importing antlered big game skulls from states with confirmed chronic wasting disease.

The DWR is also making some recommended updates to the expo permits rule to eliminate all nonresident-only expo permits and to make the current rule more consistent with the conservation permit rule. Expo permits are offered once each year through a drawing held at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City. Utahns and nonresidents who attend the expo can apply for these permits. There is currently a $5 application fee for expo permits. The DWR is proposing to allow the application fee to be between $5 and $10. Part of the fee goes to the conservation groups hosting the expo to help pay for costs associated with hosting and running the permit drawing. The remaining portion of the application fee is used for conservation efforts to benefit Utah wildlife.

UDWR will hold public meetings on the following dates and times or you can weigh in via the UDWR website. Please note the varied deadlines for submitted online comments below.