Utah is primarily an over-the-counter spring turkey state, but the limited-entry draw gives hunters a 19 day head start before the statewide general season. The draw is worthwhile for hunters who value lower pressure, earlier start date, and first crack at fired up birds. Utah issues fifty percent of limited-entry and once-in-a-lifetime permits to applicants with the most bonus points. The other fifty percent are awarded randomly to applicants who did not receive one of these “bonus” permits. Applicants in the random draw will have an extra chance in the draw for each bonus point they’ve accumulated over the years. If there is an odd number of permits available in the draw, the majority of permits will be awarded in the bonus draw to the maximum point holders. For example, if five permits are available, three of those permits will be issued in the bonus draw to the applicants with the most points, and the remaining two permits will be issued in the random draw. Utah issues ten percent of their draw permits to nonresidents. A nonresident who skips the draw can buy the statewide general-season permit beginning March 11, 2027 and hunt May 3-31.

Utah supports Rio Grande and Merriam's turkeys across river bottoms, pinyon-juniper and oak country, and higher ponderosa forests. The DWR estimated 33,000-38,000 wild turkeys in spring 2026. Two mild winters improved numbers in much of the state, while dry conditions continued to pressure southwestern populations.

Residents and nonresidents may apply for the spring limited-entry regional hunts, Pahvant Ensign CWMU, East Zion CWMU, or a turkey bonus point. Applicants may list up to five choices and may apply in groups of up to four. Group applicants will have their points totaled, averaged, and rounded down to the whole number. A group application will be evaluated as a single application in the drawing. It is imperative that you take notice of the number of tags available for a hunt and/or the bonus point minimums (the draw odds) before applying. If the draw has only one or two tags available, do not apply with three or four individuals, as you will have no chance of drawing. A valid Utah hunting or combination license is required at application and while hunting. The application fee is nonrefundable; the $175 permit fee is charged only if successful.

Utah uses bonus points, not a preference-point guarantee. Fifty percent of each hunt's permits go to applicants with the most points. The remainder are random, and every applicant receives one random number plus another for each point. There is no waiting period after drawing a limited-entry turkey permit. Drawing or buying a remaining limited-entry or CWMU permit resets turkey bonus points; buying a general-season permit does not.

Spring general-season permits are unlimited and valid statewide outside closed areas, Native American trust lands, and CWMUs. Youth age 17 or younger may hunt during the three day youth season and continue into the general season if unsuccessful. A hunter who draws a limited-entry permit cannot also buy a spring general-season permit, although an unsuccessful youth limited-entry hunter may continue into the youth and general seasons with the same permit.

Fall management permits are limited but sold first-come rather than drawn. Four region permits cover selected areas in the Northern, Central, Southeastern, and Southern regions. The mapped hunt areas are all or mostly private land, and the DWR strongly recommends documented permission before purchase. Fifteen percent are reserved for youth. Conservation permits and landowner sold CWMU permits may also be obtained in addition to ordinary draw pathways, subject to their specific rules.

Turkey shooting hours are 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset. Legal methods include broadhead archery equipment, crossbows with broadhead bolts, and shotguns firing BB or smaller shot. Rimfire firearms are legal only during the fall turkey season. Turkeys sitting or roosting in a tree or structure may not be taken, and baiting is prohibited.

Northern Utah: Cache, Morgan, Summit, Weber, and Box Elder hold a mix of public and private birds. Public starting points include the Uinta, Wasatch, Cache National Forest, Blacksmith Fork Canyon, the Wellsville Range, Richmond WMA, and Walk-in Access parcels around Clarkston. In 2025 the Northern region produced 550 general season birds and 55.6% limited-entry success, but private property concentrations can make scouting deceptive.

Central Utah: Utah, Sanpete, Tooele, Juab, and Wasatch counties produced the largest 2025 general-season regional harvest at 873. The Manti-La Sal, Fishlake, and Uinta,Wasatch,Cache national forests, DWR lands, and Walk-in Access parcels create public options, but many low elevation flocks transition through agricultural private land. Sanpete and Utah counties led the region's harvest.

Northeastern and Southeastern Utah: Duchesne and Uintah counties produced 389 general-season birds at 35.4% success, while the Southeastern region produced 293 at 36.4%. Ashley National Forest, Uinta Basin river corridors, Manti-La Sal National Forest, and San Juan/Emery canyon systems offer a useful mix of Rio type lowland and Merriam's type mountain habitat. Southeastern also posted the highest 2025 regional limited-entry success at 57.7%.

Southern Utah: Dixie and Fishlake national forests, ponderosa benches, pinyon-juniper, and canyon water sources provide broad public acreage. However, DWR reported lower southwestern populations after dry conditions. Focus on current green up, perennial water, and elevations turkeys can reach after winter. Southern remains popular because of geography and tag volume, not because it is easy to draw.

Use the Utah Hunt Planner to layer hunt boundaries, public ownership, WMAs, and Walk-in Access properties. A map layer is not legal access by itself: obtain documented permission on private land and verify restrictions on CWMUs, tribal trust lands, national parks, refuges, state parks, and municipalities. Adults 18 and older also need a hunting, fishing, or combination license to enter designated WMAs in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties.

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