By Teri Nehrenz
If the thrill of the hunt is your big game, then you might want to hit up the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources sometime between Thursday, Jan. 17 and Thursday, Mar. 3 to grab your application and get into the drawing.
You can either apply online: https://www.utah-hunt.com/(S(gkwf3vc1tww2xut0flrozel4))/default.aspx or by calling the nearest local office at 1470 N. Airport Rd. Cedar City, UT 435-865-6100.
Animals considered for the drawing are Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Elk, Moose, Mountain Goat, Mule Deer and Pronghorn.
According to a St. George News report, “There are a few exceptions. Permits for the state’s general-season bull elk hunts won’t be available until July. Permits for the general-season archery bull elk hunt go on sale July 12, the any-bull elk permits go on sale July 14, and the spike bull elk permits go on sale July 26.”
2022 big game hunting season date recommendations and new proposed hunts:
The DWR is recommending to leave the five-day extension on the archery any bull elk hunt until the 2022 season. This extension was a recommendation from the public that was approved last year for a two-year period until the statewide elk plan is revised in 2022. No major changes are being recommended for deer hunting season dates for the 2022 season.
Only minor changes are being recommended for the 2022 big game season:
A new late season, limited-entry muzzleloader deer hunt in the South Slope, Myton Unit from Nov. 12–27. This hunt would help control the prevalence of chronic wasting disease in this area by targeting mature bucks, which are twice as likely to contract and spread chronic wasting disease.
An extended archery deer hunt in the Box Elder, West Bear River Unit from Sept. 17 to Nov. 30.
A pronghorn muzzleloader hunt in the South Slope, Vernal Unit from Sept. 28 to Oct. 6. (DWR website)
If you are thinking of planning a hunt and don’t know where to begin, the Utah Hunt Planner is a great resource provided by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. https://dwrapps.utah.gov/huntboundary/hbstart
