March 2025

Author: Huntin' Fool

2025 Utah Hunting Regulation Changes

The state of Utah has introduced several significant updates to its hunting regulations for the 2025 season, affecting both resident and non-resident hunters. These changes span across application fees, clothing requirements, application rules, hunt boundaries, and species-specific guidelines. Below is a detailed breakdown of the most prominent updates.

Increased Fees and Processing Costs

Starting in 2024, all non-resident license and permit fees were increased, and beginning in 2025, a 2.2% processing fee applies to all applications and licenses. Hunters planning their trips to Utah should take these cost changes into account when budgeting for the season.

Updated Blaze Orange Requirements in Utah

The requirements for blaze orange clothing have been simplified. During any legal weapon (rifle) hunts, hunters are now required to wear only one blaze orange item. This item can be a hat, shirt, jacket, coat, vest, or sweater, providing more flexibility while maintaining safety standards.

Utah Application Restrictions

Hunters applying for permits must now choose between the Dedicated Hunter Program and the General Season deer draw. It is no longer permissible to apply for both programs or to build preference points in both categories during the same year, emphasizing the need for careful decision-making before submitting applications.

New Deer Hunting Regulations in Utah

• Restricted Weapon Hunts: New restricted weapon general deer hunts have been designated for the Beaver/West, Boulder/Kaiparowits, Cache, and Thousand Lake units, with specific weapon restriction definitions provided in the updated big game application guidebook.
• Thousand Lakes Unit: The Thousand Lakes deer unit has been shifted from general season to limited-entry, due to overall poor hunter satisfaction.
• Buck/Doe Ratios: Buck-to-doe ratios have been reduced to 15-17 bucks per 100 does in all but 11 general season units. Many of these exceptions are on private land with restricted access.
• Boundary Adjustments: Boundary changes have been implemented for the Beaver, Oquirrh/Stansbury, West Desert/West, and West Desert/Tintic general deer units.

New Limited-Entry Hunts in Utah

• Henry Mountains/Little Rockies
• La Sal Castle Valley
• La Sal/Moab Valley
• HAMSS Hunt Addition: The San Juan Mancos Mesa area has been added as a new HAMSS (Handgun, Archery, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Straight Walled Cartridge) deer hunt, taking place in November.

Elk Hunting Changes in Utah

• Early Rifle Tags: Panguitch Lake will offer an early rifle any weapon elk tag. However, Cache, South will no longer provide this tag for non-residents.

Mountain Goat Hunting Updates in Utah

Several non-resident mountain goat tags have been removed, including the Nebo Archery, Uintas East, and Uintas Central units. However, Wasatch, Timpanogos has been added as a unit offering a non-resident tag.

Moose and Bighorn Sheep Hunting Adjustments in Utah

• Non-Resident Moose Hunters: Morgan-South Rich will no longer offer a non-resident moose tag.
• Bighorn Sheep Units: The Escalante Desert bighorn sheep unit has been split into East and West units. The East unit will feature a non-resident tag, while the West will not. Similarly, the early Box Elder Newfoundland California bighorn sheep hunt will not have a non-resident tag. Meanwhile, the Nine Mile Gray Canyon Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep unit will offer a nonresident tag this year.

Bison Hunt Changes in Utah

Bison hunts have been significantly reduced for 2025. Only four draw hunts are available this year:

• One Book Cliffs/Little Creek any bison hunt
• Two Henry Mountains any bison hunts
• One Henry Mountains cow bison hunt

Hunters are encouraged to review these changes thoroughly at Utah Big Game Guidebook to ensure compliance and to plan accordingly for the upcoming season.