What hunters should know for the 2025 Utah deer and elk hunts
SALT LAKE CITY — If you are going to hunt deer or elk in Utah this fall, here is some important information and tips that will be helpful when planning and preparing for your hunt.
Hunt dates
The general-season muzzleloader elk hunt will be held Oct. 29 to Nov. 6.
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 begin 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.
Four Corners SCI is not responsible for links that take you to away from our website.
Deer hunts
The deer hunting this fall will vary, depending on which areas of the state people are hunting. The deer populations in Cache, Weber, Summit and Morgan counties are still recovering from the severe winter conditions and lower survival rates from the record-breaking winter in 2022-23. The deer herds in these areas are showing signs of recovery, but 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.
Deer populations in southern Utah were not negatively impacted by the hard winter of 2022-23, and favorable conditions the past several winters have resulted in above-average deer survival rates. Hot and dry conditions this year will have deer staying close to water sources and moving less during the heat of the day. With some luck, hunters in those parts of the state have the potential of locating good numbers of younger bucks, as well as some older bucks in their hunting units.
“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.”
Elk hunts
The current Utah Statewide Elk Management Plan includes an objective to have almost 80,000 elk across Utah. There are currently an estimated 82,140 elk in the state, so elk populations are slightly above objective statewide. Anyone who wants to hunt elk in Utah this year should note that there are still unlimited over-the-counter late-season any legal weapon any-bull permits available.
In addition to those permits, there are many 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 purchase them online, at a DWR office or from any available license 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.”
FIND THIS NEWS AND ADDITIONAL HUNTING TIPS AT THE UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES HERE —
SCI Sables are committed to furthering the understanding of our outdoor heritage, including the positive role of hunting, through the creation and support of wildlife and conservation educational programs. CLICK TO LEARN MORE
