New for 2021

State Information

The Utah Draw System

Utah snowpack update as of February 9, 2021. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

---

Utah snowpack update as of February 20, 2020. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

---

Utah snowpack update as of February 23, 2019. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

---

Utah drought status as of February 9, 2021. Source: United States Drought Monitor

---

Mule Deer Breakdown

Managing Points and Expectations

Utah's 2021 mule Deer Application Overview

Note: The application deadline for all Utah species is March 4, 2021 at 11 p.m. MST. Applicants wishing to purchase preference and/or bonus points only have until March 18, 2021 at 11 p.m. MST. You may apply online here.

To view important information and an overview of Utah’s rules/regulations, the draw system and bonus points, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map, check out our State Profile. You can also view the Utah Mule Deer Profile to access historical and statistical data to help you find trophy areas.

Important Dates and Information

Applying for a state you've never hunted before can be daunting but we are here to make it easy. In the video above, Trail goes over some of the most commonly asked questions when applying in Utah.

Fees and Permit Costs

Note: Applicants only need to buy either a hunting license or combo hunting/fishing license to apply. Applicants will not be charged the cost of the permit unless they are successful in the draw.

Applicants must buy a hunting license in order to then apply for draw hunts. You do not have to front the cost of the permits you apply for. You will only be charged the permit fee if you are successful in the draw.

Utah issues 10% of their draw permits to nonresidents. Nonresidents can apply for general season deer, dedicated hunter deer, premium/limited entry deer, limited entry elk, limited entry antelope and the once-in-a-lifetime species: moose, bighorn sheep, bison and mountain goat. Essentially, nonresidents can apply for all species they are interested in.

Utah allocates 90% of its draw permits to residents. Residents can apply for general season deer, dedicated hunter deer and one limited entry species: either premium/limited entry deer, limited entry elk or limited entry antelope. Residents can also apply for one once-in-a-lifetime species: moose, bighorn sheep, bison or mountain goat.

General Season Hunts

General season deer hunts are allocated in the state draw. There are no over-the-counter (OTC) deer options for residents or nonresidents. General season deer permits are allocated through a true preference point system. This means that the applicants with the most preference points for any given hunt receive the permits. Applicants can gain one preference point per year by applying for it as a first choice or by applying for a hunt and being unsuccessful in the draw. Applicants can include up to five hunt choices; however, applicants will lose their points if they draw any choice. Utah considers every applicant's first choice before moving to any applicant’s second choice. To draw a permit as a second choice, there must be a surplus of permits after every applicant’s first choice is considered.

When considering general season deer hunts, the detailed draw odds pages are critical for the hunt(s) you are considering. Make sure you understand point creep and know how to read the draw trends.

Limited Entry Hunts

All limited entry hunts are allocated on a modified bonus point system through the state draw. Half of the permits for each hunt are allocated to the applicants who apply for any given hunt and the other half are randomly allocated with weight given to the number of bonus points an applicant has. For example, if I have five bonus points, then I would get one chance in the random draw for each one of my points.

Applicants who are unsuccessful in the draw will get a bonus point. You can also apply for a point only. Only apply for a point only if you cannot afford the permit or the time off to hunt should you draw. With a portion of the permits being randomly drawn, you always have some chance of drawing.

Premium Limited Entry and Limited Entry Deer Hunts

Premium Limited Entry

These are units/hunts that are managed for higher buck:doe ratios and a higher quality hunt. The Henry Mtns, Paunsaugunt and Antelope Island hunts fall under this category. There are archery, muzzleloader, rifle and multi-season hunts available for these units.

Limited Entry

Limited entry units are managed for a lower buck:doe ratio than the premium units. These units offer good hunts, but quality is not typically on par with the premium units. There are archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts for these units and the odds of drawing these hunts are better than the premium units.

Management and Cactus Limited Entry

The Paunsaugunt unit will have archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts for management (bucks with three points or less on at least one antler) and cactus (bucks with velvet covering at least 50% of its antlers during the season dates). The management and cactus buck hunts are limited entry hunts and successful applicants will lose any accumulated bonus points

Handguns, Archery, Muzzleloader and Shotgun (hams) Hunts

HAMS hunts will occur on the Book Cliffs, Floy Canyon, Kaiparowits and Morgan-South Rich and run from Nov. 13 to 28. The dates are ideal for a rutting mule deer hunt, but weapons are restricted to handguns, archery, muzzleloader (no scope) and shotgun.

Late Muzzleloader on General Season Units

These hunts occur on the general season units from Nov. 3 to 11 and permit holders must use a muzzleloader. These are limited entry hunts that occur on all general season units and, if you draw one, all of your bonus points will be utilized. It’s worth noting that these hunts will begin two days after the rifle general season hunts. The dates are also prior to the prime dates of the rut, but the dates are as good as they ever have been for this hunt.

Hunt Choices

Applicants can select two hunt choices when applying for limited entry hunts. Every applicant’s first choice is considered before moving to anyone's second choice. It is extremely rare for a limited entry permit to be drawn as a second choice.

General season deer applicants can select up to five hunt choices. Be aware that if you draw any of your five choices, you will lose any accumulated preference points.

Dedicated Hunter

The dedicated hunter program is a unique opportunity that allows a hunter to hunt all seasons (archery, muzzleloader, rifle) and harvest two bucks in a three-year period. If drawn, you will be enrolled in the program for three years. You may obtain a permit and hunt all three years, but you can only harvest two bucks in a three-year period. You can only hunt the unit you originally drew. In exchange for having a guaranteed permit and the opportunity to hunt all three seasons, a hunter must complete 32 service hours on Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) approved conservation projects or you can purchase all or a portion of your hours at a cost of $20/per hour.

If you can afford the cost and time to hunt multiple seasons, the dedicated hunter program is an excellent way to scout, hunt and harvest a big buck on a general season unit.

Group Applications

Up to four applicants can apply for limited entry and general season hunts on one application. Group applications are not accepted for management buck hunts. Nonresidents and residents can apply together. Bonus points and preference points are averaged for a group application and rounded down to the nearest whole number. There must be enough permits to cover the number of applicants on your group application; otherwise it will be rejected. That goes for residents and nonresidents who apply together as a group. Nonresident permits will come out of the nonresident pool for that hunt — make sure there are enough.

Draw Order

Utah’s Draw Goes in the following Order from First to Last:

Utah does not allow applicants to draw multiple limited entry tags in the same draw/year. You also cannot draw a limited entry and a once-in-a-lifetime (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or bison) permit in the same year.

Permit Return

Successful applicants who wish to return a permit that they have drawn can do so 30 days prior to the start of their hunt. In this case, they can have their bonus points reinstated; however, they will not earn one for that year's application. The cost of permit will be refunded as long as it is returned 30 days prior to the hunt. If applicants drew a permit as part of a group, all members of the group must surrender their permits in order to have each applicant’s bonus points reinstated. Hunting licenses and application fees are nonrefundable.

Snowpack & Drought in Utah

2021

Utah snowpack update as of February 9, 2021. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

In regards to snowpack, currently, the entire state is in really poor condition and many areas experienced record-setting drought conditions in the latter two-thirds of 2020. No area of the state is even at 80% of normal. Much of Utah’s best deer habitat is in 60% of normal, but it’s not uncommon for Utah to receive a good portion of its snowfall in February and early March. The spring and summer months are critical for antler growth and, although the outlook is currently not good, we still have some hope. Overall, the reality is it’s not likely to be a banner year for antler growth and, if it remains as dry as it has been over the previous six months, it could be one of the worst years in a decade.

2020

Utah snowpack update as of February 20, 2020. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

2019

Utah snowpack update as of February 23, 2019. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

Drought Update for 2021

Utah drought status as of February 9, 2021. Source: United States Drought Monitor

Over the past several years, Utah has continued to create new opportunities to work more hunters through the draw system and to give hunters additional opportunities. Within the limited entry section of deer hunts, Utah currently offers: premium limited entry, limited entry, management and cactus buck, HAMS and late muzzleloader limited entry on general season units. Applicants can apply for one of the previous limited entry hunts, but not all of those.

Hit List Units for Trophy Utah Mule Deer in 2021

Find your draw odds

Limited Entry Deer Bonus Points

2021 maximum bonus points for Limited Entry deer: 27

General Season Deer Preference Points

2021 maximum preference points for general season deer: 21

Dedicated Hunter Deer Preference Points

2021 maximum preference points for dedicated hunter general season deer: 9

I Have 0 Deer Points. What Can I Expect?

Limited Entry

Utah allocates half of their permits for each hunt through the random draw so, although the odds are low, as long as there is one permit available, you have a chance. Within that, applicants can adopt a couple of different strategies. One strategy would be to apply for the best hunts available and, should you draw, then have the opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime type of hunt. The other strategy would be to review the odds and find the best odds for hunts that still meet your trophy objectives.

There is one hunt for residents that had 100% odds with no points — the late limited-entry muzzleloader hunt on the Wasatch Mts/West unit. It’s worth noting that this hunt occurs on a general season unit and is just after the general rifle season.

It’s also worth noting that late muzzleloader hunts that occur on general season units have better odds than other limited entry options and the dates are later this year, running until Nov. 11. There are likely to be a handful of really good bucks killed on the late muzzleloader hunts this fall.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 0 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 0 points here

General Season

Residents

Residents have many options with no points; there were eight archery hunts with 90% or greater odds. There were eight other archery hunts that had odds of 70% to 90% and one that had 52% odds. Out of those available, applicants might explore the archery Southwest Desert, Plateau/Thousand Lakes, Pine Valley, Central Mtns/Nebo, Chalk Creek/East/Canyon/Morgan-South Rich or Zion. All of these are meeting buck:doe ratios and have great draw odds and good populations.

The muzzleloader hunts have slightly lower odds, but there are still 11 hunts that have better than 75% odds of drawing. Rifle hunts are much the same: if you simply want to go on a hunt there are nine units that have better than 50% odds with no points. The better units — most of them located in the central to southern portion of the state — will likely require two or three points. Use Filtering 2.0, draw odds and buck:ratio tools to find the hunt that suits you best.

Nonresidents

Nonresidents also have options if they just want to hunt. There were 15 archery general season units with odds 75% or better with no points. Besides the more well-known central and southern units, many of the archery hunts in the state are available. Plateau/Thousands Lakes, Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, Central Mtns/Nebo and the Wasatch front units are all interesting archery options.

There are 15 muzzleloader hunts that had 75% or better odds with no points. Once again, the Central Mtns units and the Wasatch front units are good options for muzzleloader hunters. The available rifle hunts with no points are similar to the muzzleloader hunts. There are many decent options, including the Cache, Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, and the Wasatch Mtns/East and Wasatch Mtns/West.

The better known units of central and southern Utah will require three to, perhaps, six points to draw.

Find your resident general deer draw odds with 0 points here

Find your nonresident general deer draw odds with 0 points here

What Can I Do with 3 or 4 Deer Points?

Limited Entry

Residents

At the three- to four-point level, all limited entry archery hunts had less than 6% odds. The Paunsaugunt, Henry Mtns and Fillmore, Oak Creek had random odds of .76%, .46% and 1.4%. The best early muzzleloader odds was the Book Cliffs at 5.4%. There were some late season muzzleloader hunts on the general season units that had 100% odds with four bonus points. Those were the Box Elder and Central Mtns/Nebo. There were others as well that had better than 30% random odds, including Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, Kamas and San Juan/Abajo Mtns. The rifle hunts all had low random odds, typically in the 1% range.

Nonresidents

The best options for nonresidents who are looking to draw a limited entry deer permit with three to four points are the late muzzleloader hunts on the general season units. There are several units that had 100% odds, including the Box Elder, Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, Central Mtns/Nebo and Chalk Creek/East Canyon/Morgan-South Rich. There were also several other units that had very good random odds, including the Kamas, Monroe, Mt Dutton, South Slope/Bonanza/Vernal, South Slope/Yellowstone and the West Desert/West.

All of the more traditional limited entry hunts have odds that are in the 1% to 2% range.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 4 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 4 points here

General Season

Residents

Every archery hunt could have been drawn with two preference points. Every muzzleloader hunt could have been drawn with three preference points and most could have been drawn with two. All rifle hunts except for the Plateau/Thousand Lakes could have been drawn with three preference points. Once again, some of the best options in terms of population, buck:doe ratios and public land/access are the Pine Valley, Southwest Desert, Zion, Mt Dutton and Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael and Central Mtns/Nebo.

Nonresidents

All archery hunts could have been drawn with three preference points except for the Panguitch Lake. Every muzzleloader hunt could have been drawn with four preference points. All but three muzzleloader hunts could have been drawn with three except for the Pine Valley, Plateau, Boulder/Kaiparowits and the Plateau/Thousand Lakes. There are many rifle hunt options available with three points, including the Plateau/Fishlake, Beaver, Fillmore, Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, and Central Mtns/Nebo units. Moving into four points the rifle, Monroe, Panguitch Lake and Southwest Desert units were all available.

Find your resident general deer draw odds with 4 points here

Find your nonresident general deer draw odds with 4 points here

What Can I Expect with 10 or 11 Deer Points?

Limited Entry

Residents

With this range of points, there are three archery hunts worth considering: Book Cliffs, La Sal/Dolores Triangle and the West Desert, Vernon. The Book Cliffs muzzleloader hunt also had 92% odds with 11 points. Residents who want to draw a limited entry permit should consider the late season muzzleloader hunt on the general season units. The trophy potential can be hit or miss, but you might consider the Fillmore, Monroe, Mt Dutton, Oquirrh-Stansbury or Plateau/Fishlake. A few other hunts worth considering are the Paunsaugunt Nov. management buck hunt and the Morgan-South Rich HAMS hunt.

Nonresidents

The best options at the 10 to 11 point range for nonresidents who want to draw a limited entry permit are the late muzzleloader hunts on the general season units. Many of the best areas do not have enough permits to guarantee one to the high bonus point applicant, but the random odds are very good for most.

The Paunsaugunt November management buck hunt had 100% odds with 11 points. Almost all other limited entry hunts have odds that are 1% to 3%

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 11 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 11 points here

General Season

Residents

All general season deer hunts could have been drawn with 10 preference points. If you have 10+ preference points, you may consider applying as a party and spitting points with a new hunter so that you can both go hunting.

Nonresidents

All general season deer hunts could have been drawn with 10 preference points, including the Plateau/Thousand Lakes, which required nine points in 2020. Once again, if you have 10+ preference points, consider applying as a party with a new hunter so that you can both go hunting.

FIND YOUR RESIDENT DEER GENERAL ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 11 POINTS HERE

FIND YOUR NONRESIDENT DEER GENERAL ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 11 POINTS HERE

What Can I Expect with 13 to 16 Deer Points?

Limited Entry

Residents

At 16 bonus points, the best option was the Fillmore/Oak Creek archery hunt. Every late season muzzleloader hunt on the general season unit was also available except for the Pine Valley; that required 17. The late muzzleloader hunt on the La Sal/Dolores Triangle is a good hunt at 16 points. A good rifle hunt is the San Juan/Elk Ridge. Moving into the multi-season and HAMS hunts, the Book Cliffs, South Slope/Diamond Mtn and the HAMS hunt on the Book Cliffs/Floy Canyon are all good hunts for applicants with 16 points.

With 13 to 15 points, applicants should consider the South Slope/Diamond Mtn archery hunt, West Desert/Vernon muzzleloader hunt and, perhaps, the Cache/Crawford Mtn and Southwest Desert late muzzleloader hunts. A few rifle hunts also worth some research are the South Slope/Diamond Mtn and the West Desert/Vernon. The Morgan-South Rich HAMS hunt is also an intriguing option with 12+ points.

The Paunsaugunt management buck hunts are also available within this range of bonus points. If this hunt meets your expectations for a hunt, it’s worth considering. Hunters will have the opportunity to see some great bucks and take one that is a 3 point on at least one side. Most hunters are not killing trophy caliber 3 point bucks, but there are a few available and it is a fun hunt.

Nonresidents

At 13 to 14 bonus points, the hunts available are very much the same as 11 to 12 point applicants. With 15 to 16 bonus points, the best archery hunts are the Book Cliffs, the South Slope/Diamond Mtn and West Desert/Vernon. The muzzleloader hunts for those two units are both likely to require 17 going into this 2021 draw. The South Slope/Diamond Mtn rifle hunt was available at 16 points in 2020.

The Paunsaugunt management buck rifle hunts are also available within this range of bonus points. If this hunt meets your expectations for a hunt, it’s worth considering. Hunters will have the opportunity to see some great bucks and take one that is a 3 point on at least one side. Most hunters are not killing trophy caliber 3 point bucks, but there are a few available and it is a fun hunt.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 16 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 16 points here

What Can I Expect with 17 to 20 Deer Points?

Limited Entry

Residents

The best options within this point range are likely the Fillmore/Oak Creek, San Juan/Elk Ridge and the Paunsaugunt archery, which was drawn at 18 bonus points. The San Juan/Elk Ridge muzzleloader is another good option. The Pine Valley late muzzleloader hunt is also a tempting hunt with the 2021 hunt dates. Rifle hunters should consider the La Sal/Dolores Triangle and the multi-season West Desert/Vernon. The Kaiparowits HAMS hunt is a very interesting option with the Nov. 13 to 28 hunt dates.

With 20 points, the Fillmore/Oak Creek and Paunsaugunt muzzleloader hunt are great options. The rifle hunts on the Fillmore/Oak Creek and Paunsaugunt are also good hunts.

Nonresidents

With 17 points, the best options are the muzzleloader Book Cliffs, South Slope/Diamond Mtn and the West Desert/Vernon. The rifle South Slope/Diamond Mtn is another good hunt at the 17-point level. At 18 bonus points, the Book Cliff/North and the West Desert/Vernon rifle hunts are worth consideration. The Cache/Crawford Mtn late muzzleloader hunter is a good hunt at 19 points. Moving into 20 points, the Book Cliffs/South rifle hunt was an option.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 20 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 20 points here

What Can i Expect with 21+ deer Points?

Residents

Every archery hunt was available with 21 points, including the Henry Mtns. The Henry Mtns muzzleloader and rifle hunts required 23 points. The multi-season hunts on the Henry Mtns and Paunsaugunt and San Juan/Elk Ridge required 24. There is only one Antelope Island permit and, as such, it will be randomly allocated.

Nonresidents

The Pine Valley late muzzleloader hunt was drawn at 21 points. The Paunsaugunt archery and muzzleloader hunt required 25 and 24 points. A few rifle hunts within this range are the Fillmore/Oak Creek at 22 points, Henry Mtns (50% with 25 points) and Paunsaugunt at 25 points. The Paunsaugunt Nov. 1 to 5 management buck hunt was also drawn at 21 points.

FIND YOUR RESIDENT DEER LIMITED ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 22 POINTS HERE

FIND YOUR NONRESIDENT DEER LIMITED ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 22 POINTS HERE

North Slope (Oct. 13 to 17, 2021)