How Much Does a Utah Hunting License Cost?

A Utah hunting license costs $40 for residents and $144 for non-residents, per the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Both figures reflect a 2025 fee increase authorized by the Utah Legislature specifically to fund large land purchases that protect wintering wildlife, and resident fees held steady while non-resident fees climbed. The base license alone doesn't cover deer, elk, or most other big game, all of which require a separate species permit on top.

Utah runs its license year on a rolling 365-day cycle from the date of purchase rather than a fixed calendar date, so your renewal deadline depends entirely on when you buy. Big game permits vary wildly by species and draw type, from a $46 resident general-season buck deer permit to a $599 non-resident equivalent that now includes a bundled 365-day fishing license.

Between a fee structure that recently doubled for some non-resident permits, a hunter education mandate tied to a specific birth date, and species permits that range from modest to four figures, Utah's total cost depends heavily on what you're after. Here's what to know before you buy.

How Much Does a Utah Hunting License Cost?

Utah's base licenses scale by age, with a combination option available for anyone who also wants to fish.

Big game permits run on a completely different scale than the base license. A resident general-season buck deer permit costs $46, while the non-resident version now runs $599 and bundles in a 365-day fishing license at that price.

Required Stamps and Permits

A base license alone doesn't get you into the field for most species. Utah layers a hunter education fee and species-specific permits on top.

Nonresident permits for species like elk, moose, and bighorn sheep bundle in a 365-day fishing license at no extra charge, so the sticker price covers more than the tag alone.

Youth and Discounted Licenses

Utah offers several fee breaks in its licensing structure based on age and service history.

• Resident youth age 13 and younger: Pay just $11 for a Basic Hunting License, the lowest tier in the state's fee schedule.
• Resident youth ages 14 through 17: Pay $16 for hunting or $20 for the combination license, well below the adult rate.
• Residents 65 and older: Qualify for a $31 Basic Hunting License or a $35 combination license.
• Resident disabled veterans: Can purchase a $25.50 hunting license or a $28.50 combination license.
• Residents committing to the Dedicated Hunter program: Pay $215 for a 3-year package covering multiple seasons, with a $86 lifetime add-on available.

What Is a Utah Hunting License?

A Utah hunting license, called a Basic Hunting License, is the base document DWR requires before you can legally pursue game animals in the state, though most big game species still need a separate permit layered on top.

Your hunter education card sits on an entirely separate clock from your license. DWR issues it once and it's good for life, while your Basic Hunting License has to be renewed every 365 days from your original purchase date, not on a fixed calendar schedule.

Who Needs a Utah Hunting License?

Utah requires a hunting license for anyone who hunts game animals in the state, with hunter education layered on top as a separate requirement based on birth date rather than current age.

DWR's licenses and permits information page breaks down every license type, exception, and fee category in more detail if you want to confirm your specific situation.

What Are the Requirements to Get a Hunting License?

Utah ties its hunter education mandate to a specific birth date rather than your current age, so it's worth checking where you fall before assuming a requirement applies.

Anyone born after December 31, 1965, must complete an approved Hunter Education course before hunting in Utah, regardless of current age.

Hunters born on or before that date are exempt entirely, no matter how old they are today.

The course covers:

• Firearm and archery safety fundamentals
• Utah game laws and wildlife identification
• Ethical hunting practices and hands-on skill application

Utah's Field Day requirement applies to every hunter completing the online course, not just younger ones. After finishing the coursework, you'll need to purchase a Hunter Education Registration Certificate and attend an in-person Field Day, including a live-fire shooting exercise, before DWR issues your certificate.

How to Get a Utah Hunting License

Utah's process has a couple of extra steps once you move past the base license.

1. Complete an approved Hunter Education course if you were born after December 31, 1965, including the required Field Day, unless an exception applies to you.
2. Choose your license: resident or non-resident Basic Hunting License, or the Combination License if you also plan to fish.
3. Apply through Utah's draw system if you're after deer, elk, pronghorn, or another limited-entry species.
4. Add a Wild Turkey Permit or other species-specific tag for game not covered by the general draw.
5. Register for HIP if you plan to hunt migratory game birds like ducks, geese, or doves.
6. Carry your license, permits, and Hunter Education card any time you're in the field.

You can purchase your hunting license directly through DWR's online system, by phone, at a DWR office, or at an approved license agent statewide.

Why It's Important to Have a License to Hunt

A Utah hunting license supports far more than legal access to the field. Your license purchase also supports:

• Legal Compliance: Hunting without a valid license in Utah can result in fines, confiscated equipment, and suspended hunting privileges.
• Wildlife Conservation Funding: License and permit revenue funds DWR's ongoing management of deer, elk, and upland game populations statewide.
• Population Management: Utah's draw system for limited-entry permits lets DWR control harvest precisely by unit and species where herds need it most.
• Ethical Hunting: Tying every hunt to a license and the right permit keeps take within legal seasons and protects long-term wildlife health.
• Public Land Access: New nonresident fee revenue is specifically earmarked to purchase large land parcels that protect wintering wildlife habitat.

Season dates and application deadlines vary by species and unit, so check Utah's hunting and fishing guidebooks before finalizing your plans.

Note: Hunting license requirements and costs vary by state, and Utah's rolling 365-day license year works differently than the fixed calendar cycles you'll find elsewhere.

Ready to Hunt in Utah? Get Your Hunter Safety Certification and Hunting License

A Utah hunting license starts at $40 for residents, but the state's recent fee increases mean non-residents now pay significantly more for both the base license and species permits than they did just a year ago. Knowing the full fee picture upfront, plus the birth-date cutoff for hunter education, keeps first-time hunters from getting caught off guard.

Start your Hunter Education path through Hunter-Ed's Utah course if you were born after 1965, then head to DWR's online system or an approved agent to complete your purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is the Utah hunting license fee a one-time payment?

A: No. A Utah hunting license must be renewed every 365 days from your original purchase date, unless you buy a multiyear option. Hunter education, by contrast, is a one-time certification that never needs repeating once you're certified.

Q: Are there discounts for Utah hunting licenses?

A: Yes, Utah offers reduced fees for youth under 18, residents 65 and older, and resident disabled veterans. Resident youth 13 and younger pay just $11 for a Basic Hunting License, the lowest rate in the state's fee schedule.

Q: Who needs to complete hunter education in Utah?

A: Anyone born after December 31, 1965, must complete an approved Hunter Education course before hunting in Utah, regardless of how old they are today. Hunters born on or before that date are exempt from the requirement entirely.

Q: Does Utah's hunter education course require a field day for everyone?

A: Yes. Unlike some states that exempt older teens, Utah requires every hunter completing the online course to also attend an in-person Field Day, including a live-fire shooting exercise. The only way to skip the Field Day is to take a fully in-person, instructor-led course instead.

Q: Why did Utah's non-resident hunting fees increase recently?

A: The Utah Legislature passed a law in 2025 authorizing higher non-resident fees specifically to fund the purchase of large land parcels that protect wintering wildlife populations. Resident fees stayed the same, but non-resident hunting, fishing, and permit costs rose starting in mid-2025.

Q: Do I need a separate permit for elk or deer in Utah?

A: Yes, both deer and elk require their own species-specific permit beyond the base hunting license, and most are allocated through Utah's annual draw system. Non-resident permits for these species now bundle in a 365-day fishing license at no extra charge.