How to Get Your Utah Hunting License
Utah requires hunter education for anyone born after December 31, 1965, before that person can hunt in the state, with no exception for age once that birth-year threshold applies. Hunter-Ed is a delegated provider for Utah's hunter safety course, and the certificate itself never expires once you've earned it.
Once you're certified, if required, you'll need a hunting license, which costs $40 for residents and $144 for non-residents, plus any species-specific permits for the game you're after. You can purchase a license through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) website or an approved vendor, and licenses run for 365 days from the date of purchase.
Let's walk through how to get your Utah hunting license and hunter education certificate, step by step.
What Is a Hunting License in Utah?
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. It's separate from the permits you'll need for deer, elk, turkey, or other big game, which are purchased or drawn individually once you hold a valid license.
Your hunter education certificate works differently. It's a one-time credential proving you completed a DWR-approved safety course, and it lasts for life, while your hunting license has to be renewed every 365 days.
Who Needs a Hunting License in Utah?
Utah requires a hunting license for anyone who hunts game animals in the state, and hunter education adds an extra requirement tied to your birth date rather than your current age. Whether you were born after December 31, 1965, determines which path applies to you.
Hunter education runs on a separate track from the license itself. Anyone born after December 31, 1965, must complete an approved hunter education course before hunting, unless they qualify for one of Utah's exceptions instead:
- Born on or before December 31, 1965: Exempt from the hunter education requirement, regardless of current age.
- Born after December 31, 1965, any current age: Must complete an approved hunter education course, including the required Field Day.
- Applying for certain big game or tundra swan hunts: Must also complete a separate hunt-specific orientation course before that hunt, on top of standard hunter education.
- All license holders, any age: Must carry a valid Basic Hunting License or Combination License before applying for or purchasing any species-specific permit.
How to Get Your Utah Hunting License (Step-by-Step)
Getting licensed in Utah comes down to a few main steps, though the order shifts slightly depending on your birth date. Here's the full process from start to finish.
- Complete an approved hunter education course if you were born after December 31, 1965, then attend the required in-person Field Day.
- Choose your license type: Basic Hunting License or Combination License, at resident or non-resident rates.
- Purchase your license through the DWR website, by phone, or at an approved vendor.
- Apply for any species-specific permits you need, such as deer, elk, or turkey, most through Utah's annual draw.
- Carry your license, permits, and certificate any time you hunt.
Utah's big game application period typically opens in March and closes in April, so plan ahead if deer, elk, or pronghorn are on your list. Once your license and any needed permits are in hand, you're ready for the field.
The sections below cover the hunter education course and license purchase in more detail.
Step 1: Complete an Approved Hunter Education Course
Utah's certification path requires an in-person component no matter which format you choose, unlike states that let older applicants skip it.
- Online course plus Field Day: Complete the Hunter-Ed Utah course ($24.95) online at your own pace, then attend the required in-person Field Day to finish your certification.
- In-person training course: Attend a full hunter education training course taught by DWR-certified instructors, which also includes a season hunting license for $12.
- Home study plus range day: Work through the printed home study materials, then complete the same $12 fee and required range day to finish certification.
Passing the online course doesn't guarantee a Field Day seat, so register for both well ahead of the season you're planning to hunt.
Step 2: Buy Your Hunting License
Once you have your hunter education certificate, if it applies to you, you can buy your license through the DWR website, by phone, or at an approved vendor.
You'll need a valid photo ID, proof of hunter education if required, and payment.
Step 3: Add Species Permits and Go Hunting
A standard Utah hunting license doesn't cover deer, elk, pronghorn, or other big game. Those species each require their own permit, most allocated through DWR's annual draw, with some general-season and over-the-counter options available depending on the species.
Once your license and any needed permits are in hand, you're ready to hunt.
Utah Hunting License Requirements by Age
Here's a high-level overview of the requirements for hunting licenses in Utah by age.
Utah Hunting License Requirements (by Age) | ||
| Age | Requirement | Supervision/Hunter Education |
| 13 and younger, resident | Basic Hunting License ($11) | Certification required if born after December 31, 1965 |
| 14 through 17, resident | Basic Hunting License ($16) or Combination License ($20) | Certification required if born after December 31, 1965 |
| 18 through 64, resident | Basic Hunting License ($40) or Combination License ($44) | Certification required if born after December 31, 1965 |
| 65 and older, resident | Basic Hunting License ($31) or Combination License ($35) | Certification not required, since anyone this age was born before the 1965 cutoff |
| 17 and younger, non-resident | Basic Hunting License ($44) or Combination License ($58) | Certification required if born after December 31, 1965 |
| 18 and older, non-resident | Basic Hunting License ($144) or Combination License ($190) | Certification required if born after December 31, 1965 |
| Resident disabled veteran, any age | Basic Hunting License ($25.50) or Combination License ($28.50) | Certification required if born after December 31, 1965 |
Privileges and stamps:
- Deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bison, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, bear, turkey, swan, and sandhill crane each require their own species-specific permit beyond the base license, most allocated through Utah's draw system.
- Migratory bird hunters need a HIP number, and hunters chasing certain extended-archery hunts or tundra swan must also complete a separate online orientation course.
- Utah's Dedicated Hunter program offers a 3-year permit ($215 resident adult, $120 resident youth) with expanded season opportunities in exchange for volunteer service hours.
Season dates and application deadlines vary by species and unit, so check before you plan a hunt.
Hunter Safety Course: Format and Cost
Utah stands out for requiring an in-person Field Day for every hunter education path, with no age-based shortcut to a fully online certificate. The chart below offers a quick overview of those formats.
Utah Hunter Safety Course Formats Comparison | ||||
| Format | Provider | Cost | Time | Exam |
| Online course plus Field Day | Hunter-Ed | $24.95 | Self-paced online, plus a required in-person Field Day | Unit quizzes and final exam online, plus a hands-on evaluation at the Field Day |
In-person training course or home study | DWR-certified instructors | $12, includes a season hunting license | Multiple in-person sessions or home study, plus a range day | Written test and skills evaluation included in course |
Whichever format you choose, your hunter education certificate never expires once DWR issues it. Only your hunting license needs renewing, and that happens every 365 days from your purchase date.
Required Documents To Buy Your License
Make sure you have the right documentation handy to purchase your Utah hunting license. You'll need:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Proof of hunter education certification, if you were born after December 31, 1965
- Payment for your license and any species-specific permits
- Proof of Utah residency, if applying for resident rates
Utah Hunting Laws and Penalties
Obtaining a hunting license, tag, or permit by misrepresentation in Utah is a Class B misdemeanor carrying a recommended $290 fine. Hunting on private land without written permission is also a Class B misdemeanor with a recommended $250 fine and up to six months in jail.
More serious violations, like illegally taking protected wildlife, can bring a recommended $680 fine, and poaching penalties can range up to $45,000 depending on the species, along with felony charges, equipment forfeiture, and jail sentences of up to 15 years.
Utah participates in the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, so a suspension here can follow you into other member states. You can read more on Utah's hunting laws and regulations before you head out.
What About Reciprocity with Other States?
Utah accepts hunter education certificates from any U.S. state, Canadian province, or country that meets International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA) standards. Reciprocity also works both ways, so your card travels with you if you hunt elsewhere.
What Out-of-State Visitors Should Know
Non-resident hunters pay $144 for an annual Basic Hunting License, well above the $40 resident rate. Non-resident species permits run dramatically higher too, such as $599 for a general-season buck deer permit compared to the resident rate.
Hunters born after December 31, 1965, must still meet Utah's hunter education requirement regardless of home state, and Utah's recent fee increases apply specifically to non-residents, following a 2025 law aimed at funding wildlife habitat purchases.
Start Your Utah Hunter Safety Course Today, Then Get Your Hunting License
Ready to get certified? The Hunter-Ed Utah course is approved by DWR, self-paced, and available on any device, with a required in-person Field Day to complete your certification. Complete the course and get your lifetime Utah hunter education certificate.
Approved by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) | Last verified August 13, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need a hunting license to hunt in Utah?
A: Yes, anyone who hunts game animals in Utah needs a Basic Hunting License or Combination License, regardless of age. Species-specific permits for deer, elk, and other big game are required on top of that base license.
Q: How much does a Utah hunting license cost?
A: A Utah resident Basic Hunting License costs $40 for adults, while a non-resident license costs $144. Youth, senior, and disabled veteran rates are lower, and species-specific permits are priced separately.
Q: Who needs hunter education certification in Utah?
A: Utah requires hunter education certification for anyone born after December 31, 1965. Hunters born on or before that date are exempt from the requirement, regardless of their current age.
Q: Can I take Utah's hunter education course entirely online?
A: No, Utah's online hunter education course still requires an in-person Field Day for every hunter, regardless of age. After finishing the online portion, you must attend and pass the Field Day before you're fully certified.
Q: Is there an extra course required for certain Utah hunts?
A: Yes, Utah requires a separate online orientation course for hunters applying for certain extended-archery areas and tundra swan hunts. This is in addition to, not a substitute for, the standard hunter education requirement.
Q: Why did Utah's non-resident hunting fees increase?
A: Utah raised non-resident hunting license and permit fees starting in 2025 under a state law intended to fund the purchase of large land parcels that protect wintering wildlife. Resident fees were not affected by this increase.
