In 2020, Utah introduced an over-the-counter bison hunt along the Green River in Desolation Canyon. While the inaugural season was successful, harvest rates have dropped sharply over the past three years, making this hunt largely unproductive. It was designed to limit bison movement from reservation onto public lands, and that objective appears to have been met. This hunt should only be considered by hunters with very few bison points, as purchasing the permit forfeits all accrued points and prevents future bison applications.

Utah’s bison population remains relatively lean compared to the early 2000s, but there are still enough animals on the landscape to offer quality hunts. That said, bison hunts are consistently challenging, and success often depends on time, effort, and professional support. For non-residents already applying for other species, adding a bison application is certainly worth considering.