Time to Apply for a Big Game Hunting Permit
It might be the middle of winter, but it’s almost time to apply for a permit to hunt big game animals in Utah this fall.
Applications will be accepted starting Jan. 25. Your application must be received through www.wildlife.utah.gov, no later than 11 p.m. on March 1, to be included in the draw for permits.
Lindy Varney, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says the end of January is an exciting time for Utah’s big game hunters. “It’s hard to believe,” she says, “but it’s already time to start thinking about and planning for this fall. Thoughts about sitting on a ridge, enjoying the fall colors and breathing the mountain air, is a sure way to beat cabin fever. Good times are ahead.”
Starting Jan. 25, applications will be accepted for every big game hunt except the general-season bull elk hunt. General-season elk permits will be available, on a first-come, first-served basis, starting July 17.
Get a free guidebook
Everything you need to know to apply for a permit is available in the 2018 Utah Big Game Application Guidebook.
You can get the free guidebook at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks, at DWR offices and from more than 300 hunting and fishing license agents across Utah.
Big game web page
Another great resource is the DWR’s big game web page. The page is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/biggame. Once you arrive at the page, the following are among the items you’ll find:
- Drawing odds in 2017
- Maps for the various hunting units
- Information about the number of big game animals taken on the units since 2010
Hunt all three deer seasons
Would you like to hunt all three general deer hunting seasons (archery, muzzleloader and rifle) on the unit you draw a permit for?
You can if you join the Dedicated Hunter program.
To give yourself a chance to join the Dedicated Hunter program, you must do two things. First, you must complete an online orientation course that teaches you more about the program. After you complete the course, you must then apply for and draw a 2018 Dedicated Hunter permit.
To learn more about the program and how to join it, visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/dh.
Applying for a point
If you’re not going to hunt in 2018, you can still apply for a bonus point or a preference point. Earning a point increases the chance you’ll draw a permit the next time you apply.
Applications for a point will be accepted starting Jan. 25. Your application for a point must be received through www.wildlife.utah.gov no later than 11 p.m. on March 15.
Please remember that you must have a hunting license or a combination license to apply for a point or a hunting permit.
More information
If you have questions about applying for a 2018 Utah big game hunting permit, call the Utah Hunt Application office at 1-800-221-0659 or the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office.
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Learn How to Ice Fish in Southeastern Utah
DWR to host free ice fishing clinic on Feb. 3
Moab – Would you like to give ice fishing a try, but you’re not sure how to get started? You can learn the basics at a free ice fishing clinic in Moab. If weather and ice conditions permit, the clinic will include a fishing trip to Ken’s Lake where you can give your newly learned skills a try.
The Division of Wildlife Resources is sponsoring the free clinic. It will be held Feb. 3 at the Grand Center, 182 N. 500 W. The clinic runs from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
After the classroom instruction, if the ice at Ken’s Lake is safe, the DWR will host a fishing trip to the lake. (The ice needs to be at least four inches thick.) Fishing will start at 1 p.m.
Those who attend the event will learn about staying warm and comfortable on the ice, how to be safe on the ice, fishing gear and bait that work best for ice fishing, and how and where to drill a hole. After teaching the basics, clinic instructors will share advanced tips and tricks for some of the best ice fishing destinations in southeastern Utah.
The event is free, but if you want to fish at Ken’s Lake, you must have a current fishing license. You can buy one at a DWR regional office, online at wildlife.utah.gov, or at most sporting goods stores.
If you don’t have your own fishing equipment, no problem—the DWR will loan you the gear you need to fish at Ken’s Lake that day.
Walt Maldonado, regional wildlife recreation specialist for the DWR, says the clinic is for everyone, regardless of age or experience.
"If you’ve never been ice fishing,” Maldonado says, “this clinic will give you the confidence you need to get started with a hobby you’ll look forward to every winter."
If you have questions about the clinic and fishing trip, call the DWR’s Southeastern Region office at 435-613-3700 or Walt Maldonado at 435-820-8147.
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Fishing reports - available at http://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots .
Accompany officers on winter range patrols
When the snow flies, many big game animals — including deer and elk — move from higher elevations to lower ones, where it’s easier to find food. Unfortunately, the animals can be much more visible and susceptible to poachers when they’re on these lower-elevation winter ranges. To protect the animals, our conservation officers spend many hours conducting patrols on winter ranges that are vulnerable to poaching. The patrols often start in the early evening and run through the early morning hours. Officers sweep known areas of concern to apprehend and discourage poachers.
Contacts:
· Central Utah — Lt. Bruce Johnson, 385-228-3066
· Northeastern Utah — Lt. Torrey Christophersen, 435-790-2291
· Northern Utah — Lt. David Beveridge, 801-725-8993
· Southeastern Utah — Lt. Benjamin Wolford, 435-220-0526
· Southern Utah — Lt. Paul Washburn, 435-979-5920
Trapping and relocating nuisance turkeys
Over the past 20 years, Utah’s turkey populations have boomed. Unfortunately, some of the birds have settled on private property and are making a huge mess. DWR biologists are trapping nuisance birds across the state and moving them to more remote areas with good turkey habitat.
Various locations throughout Utah. The following list provides more information about which areas are trapping and receiving relocated turkeys:
· Central Utah — Trapping, relocating and releasing birds
· Northeastern Utah — Trapping, relocating and releasing birds
· Northern Utah — Trapping birds for relocation in other regions
· Southeastern Utah — Receiving relocated birds
· Southern Utah — Trapping, relocating and releasing birds
Contacts: The contacts vary, depending on where you want to go:
· Central Utah — Scoot Root, 801-376-7076 or Riley Peck, 435-979-0749
· Northeastern Utah — Tonya Kieffer, 801-995-2972 or 435-247-1559
· Northern Utah — Phil Douglass, 801-510-1406
· Southeastern Utah — Morgan Jacobson, 435-613-3707 or 435-609-9589
· Southern Utah — Teresa Griffin, 435-691-0638
Central Utah
If you’ve never been ice fishing before, Strawberry Reservoir is a great place to give it a try. Reporters and photographers are invited to spend a morning with Division personnel fishing through the ice at Strawberry. We’ll bring the gear, the bait, the tent and the heater. All you’ll need — if you want to fish — is a current fishing license. You’ll receive hands-on instruction in the most effective ice-fishing tips and techniques. You’ll learn what gear to bring and what bait to use, and then try to catch fish through the ice.
