Utah 2026-27 Hunting Season Dates
Quick answer
Utah's listed 2026-27 firearm deer season runs Oct 17-25, 2026.
Extended Archery Buck Deer opens Sep 12, 2026 and closes Oct 15, 2026.
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon Bison opens Aug 1, 2026 and closes Jan 31, 2027.
The tables below keep the rest of the listed seasons together by species, with source links back to Utah DWR.
- firearm deer
- Oct 17-25, 2026
- archery deer
- Sep 12-Oct 15, 2026
- bison
- Aug 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
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Utah 2026-27
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Key seasons by species
We summarize official agency information and link to the source for verification. Regulations can change, and zone details matter. Always confirm final dates, bag limits, permits, and legal requirements with Utah DWR before hunting.
Deer
37 listed rowsBuck Deer
Archery
Aug 15-Sep 11, 2026
General-season archery buck deer hunt on all general-season units.
Zone: General-season units
Buck Deer
Sportsman Permit - Archery
Aug 15-31, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #DB0007. Antelope Island not open.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Buck Deer
Multiseason Limited-Entry
Aug 15-Nov 5, 2026
Multiseason permit covers all limited-entry seasons. Permit fee: Resident $170, Nonresident $2,130. Multiseason permit holders may not hunt HAMSS hunts.
Zone: Book Cliffs; Diamond Mtn; Fillmore, Oak Creek LE; San Juan, Elk Ridge; West Desert, Vernon
Buck Deer
Restricted Multiseason Limited-Entry
Aug 15-Nov 5, 2026
Restricted weapons multiseason hunt. See R657-5-48.
Zone: Thousand Lakes
Buck Deer
Premium Limited-Entry Archery
Aug 15-Sep 11, 2026
Premium limited-entry archery hunts. Permit fee: Resident $185, Nonresident $1,398.
Zone: Henry Mtns; Paunsaugunt
Buck Deer
Multiseason Premium Limited-Entry
Aug 15-Oct 31, 2026
Multiseason premium limited-entry. Permit fee: Resident $336, Nonresident $2,330.
Zone: Henry Mtns; Paunsaugunt
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Archery
Aug 15-Sep 11, 2026
Limited-entry archery buck deer hunts on limited-entry units.
Zone: Book Cliffs; Diamond Mtn; Fillmore, Oak Creek LE; San Juan, Elk Ridge; West Desert, Vernon
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Restricted Archery
Aug 15-Sep 11, 2026
Restricted archery limited-entry hunt. See R657-5-48 for weapon restrictions.
Zone: Thousand Lakes
Buck Deer
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #DB0007. Antelope Island not open.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Buck Deer
Extended Archery
Sep 12-Oct 15, 2026
Extended archery season. Requires completion of online archery ethics course annually.
Zone: Nine Mile, Green River Valley; Sanpete Valley; South Wasatch
Buck Deer
Extended Archery
Sep 12-Nov 30, 2026
Extended archery season. Requires completion of online archery ethics course annually.
Zone: Box Elder, West Bear River; Herriman South Valley; Ogden; Uinta Basin; Utah Lake; Wasatch Front; West Cache
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Muzzleloader
Sep 23-Oct 1, 2026
Limited-entry muzzleloader hunts on limited-entry units.
Zone: Book Cliffs; Diamond Mtn; Fillmore, Oak Creek LE; San Juan, Elk Ridge; West Desert, Vernon
Show 25 more deer rows
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Restricted Muzzleloader
Sep 23-Oct 1, 2026
Restricted muzzleloader limited-entry hunt. See R657-5-48.
Zone: Thousand Lakes
Buck Deer
Premium Limited-Entry Muzzleloader
Sep 23-Oct 1, 2026
Premium limited-entry muzzleloader hunts.
Zone: Henry Mtns; Paunsaugunt
Buck Deer
Muzzleloader
Sep 23-Oct 1, 2026
General-season muzzleloader buck deer hunt.
Zone: General-season units
Buck Deer
Restricted Muzzleloader
Sep 23-Oct 1, 2026
Restricted muzzleloader hunt. See R657-5-48 for weapon restrictions.
Zone: Beaver, West; Boulder/Kaiparowits; Cache
Buck Deer
Early Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Oct 7-11, 2026
Early any legal weapon (rifle) general-season buck deer hunt.
Zone: Box Elder; Chalk Creek; East Canyon; Fillmore; Fishlake; Kamas; Morgan-South Rich; Nine Mile; North Slope; Panguitch Lake; Pine Valley; Zion
Buck Deer
Restricted Rifle
Oct 17-25, 2026
Restricted rifle hunt. See R657-5-48 for weapon restrictions.
Zone: Beaver, West; Boulder/Kaiparowits; Cache
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Restricted Rifle
Oct 17-25, 2026
Restricted rifle limited-entry hunt. See R657-5-48.
Zone: Thousand Lakes
Buck Deer
Premium Limited-Entry Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Oct 17-25, 2026
Premium limited-entry any legal weapon hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Buck Deer
Premium Limited-Entry Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Oct 17-31, 2026
Premium limited-entry any legal weapon hunt.
Zone: Paunsaugunt
Buck Deer
Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Oct 17-25, 2026
General-season any legal weapon (rifle) buck deer hunt. Ogden unit requires mandatory CWD submission.
Zone: General-season units
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Oct 17-25, 2026
Limited-entry any legal weapon rifle hunts.
Zone: Book Cliffs, North; Book Cliffs, South; Diamond Mtn; Fillmore, Oak Creek LE; San Juan, Elk Ridge; West Desert, Vernon
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Archery (Late)
Oct 31-Nov 13, 2026
Limited-entry late archery hunt.
Zone: Dolores Triangle
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Nov 7-22, 2026
Mandatory CWD submission required. Castle Valley (DB1120) and Moab Valley (DB1119).
Zone: Castle Valley; Moab Valley
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Nov 7-30, 2026
Limited-entry any legal weapon (rifle) hunt on Little Rockies.
Zone: Little Rockies
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Muzzleloader (Late)
Nov 7-22, 2026
Limited-entry late muzzleloader hunt.
Zone: Cache, Crawford Mtn
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry HAMSS
Nov 7-30, 2026
Handgun-archery-muzzleloader-shotgun-straight walled rifle-only hunts. No weapon-mounted optics allowed.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Floy Canyon; East Canyon; Kaiparowits HAMSS; San Juan, Mancos Mesa
Buck Deer
Premium Limited-Entry Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Nov 11-18, 2026
Premium limited-entry any legal weapon hunt. Resident permits only.
Zone: Antelope Island
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Nov 14-22, 2026
Limited-entry any legal weapon (rifle) hunt on Dolores Triangle.
Zone: Dolores Triangle
Buck Deer
Limited-Entry Muzzleloader (Late)
Nov 23-Dec 1, 2026
Limited-entry late muzzleloader hunt.
Zone: Dolores Triangle
Cactus Buck Deer
Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Nov 2-20, 2026
Cactus buck = velvet covering at least 50% of antlers. Incurs 5-year waiting period.
Zone: Paunsaugunt
Management Buck Deer
Archery
Aug 15-Sep 11, 2026
Management buck archery hunt. Incurs 5-year waiting period.
Zone: Paunsaugunt
Management Buck Deer
Muzzleloader
Sep 23-Oct 1, 2026
Management buck muzzleloader hunt. Incurs 5-year waiting period.
Zone: Paunsaugunt
Management Buck Deer
Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Oct 26-30, 2026
Management buck hunt. Incurs 5-year waiting period.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Management Buck Deer
Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Nov 2-20, 2026
Management buck any legal weapon hunt. Incurs 5-year waiting period.
Zone: Paunsaugunt
Management Buck Deer
Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Nov 16-20, 2026
New hunt in 2026. Management buck = 3 points or less on at least one antler. Incurs 5-year waiting period.
Zone: Antelope Island
Elk
26 listed rowsBull Elk
Youth General-Season Any Legal Weapon (Uinta Basin Private Lands)
Aug 1-Nov 14, 2026
General-season youth elk permit (OTC) for Uinta Basin private lands.
Zone: Uinta Basin private lands only
Bull Elk
Extended Archery
Aug 15-Dec 15, 2026
Extended archery elk (either sex). Requires annual online archery ethics course.
Zone: Uinta Basin; Wasatch Front
Bull Elk
Sportsman Permit - Archery
Aug 15-31, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #EB1000. Box Elder, Pilot Mtn unit excluded.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Bull Elk
Extended Archery
Aug 15, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Extended archery elk (either sex). Season extended to Jan. 31 per board approval. Requires annual online archery ethics course.
Zone: West Cache
Bull Elk
Limited-Entry Archery (Box Elder, Pilot Mtn)
Aug 15-Sep 6, 2026
Limited-entry archery. Shorter season than other archery units.
Zone: Box Elder, Pilot Mtn
Bull Elk
Archery (Any Bull)
Aug 15-Sep 16, 2026
No general-season archery elk hunt on the Paunsaugunt unit.
Zone: Any bull general-season units (except Paunsaugunt)
Bull Elk
Youth General-Season Archery (Any Bull)
Aug 15-Sep 16, 2026
General-season youth elk permit (OTC). Available July 7. Unlimited permits for youth 17 and under on July 31.
Zone: Any bull units
Bull Elk
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Sep 1, 2026-Jan 15, 2027
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #EB1000. Box Elder, Pilot Mtn unit excluded.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Bull Elk
Limited-Entry September Archery (HAMSS units)
Sep 1-30, 2026
September archery limited-entry bull elk hunts.
Zone: Barney Top/Kaiparowits; Cache, North; Southwest Desert, North; West Desert, Deep Creek
Bull Elk
Limited-Entry Early Any Legal Weapon (Rifle) - Box Elder Pilot Mtn
Sep 12-Oct 2, 2026
Limited-entry early any legal weapon hunt with different dates for this unit.
Zone: Box Elder, Pilot Mtn
Bull Elk
Draw-Only Youth Any Bull/Hunter's Choice
Sep 12-22, 2026
Youth only draw permit. Hunt #EB1007. Hunter's choice (either sex). Not valid on limited-entry or spike units.
Zone: General-season any bull units (excludes limited-entry and spike units)
Bull Elk
Youth General-Season Early Any Legal Weapon
Oct 3-9, 2026
General-season youth elk permit (OTC).
Zone: Any bull units
Show 14 more elk rows
Bull Elk
Early Any Legal Weapon (Rifle) - Any Bull
Oct 3-9, 2026
General-season early any legal weapon any bull elk hunt. 15,000 permit combined quota with muzzleloader.
Zone: Any bull general-season units
Bull Elk
Late Any Legal Weapon (Rifle) - Any Bull
Oct 10-16, 2026
General-season late any legal weapon any bull elk hunt. No cap on permit numbers.
Zone: Any bull general-season units
Bull Elk
Youth General-Season Late Any Legal Weapon
Oct 10-16, 2026
General-season youth elk permit (OTC).
Zone: Any bull units
Bull Elk
Youth General-Season Muzzleloader
Oct 28-Nov 5, 2026
General-season youth elk permit (OTC).
Zone: Any bull and spike only units
Bull Elk
Muzzleloader - Any Bull
Oct 28-Nov 5, 2026
General-season muzzleloader any bull elk hunt. 15,000 permit combined quota with early any legal weapon.
Zone: Any bull general-season units
Bull Elk
Limited-Entry HAMSS
Nov 7-30, 2026
HAMSS limited-entry bull elk hunts. No weapon-mounted optics allowed.
Zone: Barney Top/Kaiparowits; Cache, North; Southwest Desert, North; West Desert, Deep Creek
Bull Elk
Limited-Entry Late Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Dec 5, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Limited-entry late any legal weapon hunt on Dolores Triangle.
Zone: Dolores Triangle
Bull Elk
Limited-Entry Late Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Dec 19-27, 2026
Limited-entry late any legal weapon hunt on Morgan-South Rich.
Zone: Morgan-South Rich
Bull Elk
Limited-Entry HAMSS
Dec 19-27, 2026
HAMSS limited-entry bull elk hunt on East Canyon.
Zone: East Canyon
Spike Bull Elk
Archery
Aug 15-Sep 4, 2026
General-season archery spike bull elk hunt.
Zone: Spike-only general-season units
Spike Bull Elk
Youth General-Season Archery
Aug 15-Sep 4, 2026
General-season youth elk permit (OTC). Youth must follow spike-only regulations on spike units.
Zone: Spike only units
Spike Bull Elk
Any Legal Weapon (Rifle)
Oct 3-15, 2026
General-season any legal weapon spike bull elk hunt. 15,000 permits available.
Zone: Spike-only general-season units
Spike Bull Elk
Youth General-Season Any Legal Weapon
Oct 3-15, 2026
General-season youth elk permit (OTC).
Zone: Spike only units
Spike Bull Elk
Muzzleloader
Oct 28-Nov 5, 2026
General-season muzzleloader spike bull elk hunt.
Zone: Spike-only general-season units
Moose
Bull Moose
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Sep 1-Nov 15, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #MB1000.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Pronghorn
Buck Pronghorn
Sportsman Permit - Archery
Aug 15-31, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #PB1000.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Buck Pronghorn
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Sep 1-Nov 15, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #PB1000.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Bison
16 listed rowsBison
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Aug 1, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #BI1000. Antelope Island not open.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Bison
Archery - Hunter's Choice
Aug 15-Sep 11, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison archery hunts.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Bitter Creek; Book Cliffs, Little Creek/South
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Hunter's Choice
Sep 12-20, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt. Permit fee: Resident $460, Nonresident $4,840.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Bitter Creek
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Hunter's Choice
Sep 21-Oct 2, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Little Creek/South
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Hunter's Choice
Oct 3-15, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Bitter Creek
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Cow Only
Oct 17-27, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison cow hunt.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Little Creek/South
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Hunter's Choice
Oct 28-Nov 8, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Hunter's Choice
Nov 7, 2026-Jan 31, 2027
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt. Resident permits only.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Little Creek/South
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Hunter's Choice
Nov 11-22, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Cow Only
Nov 14-29, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison cow hunt.
Zone: Book Cliffs, Bitter Creek
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Hunter's Choice
Nov 25-Dec 6, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Bison
Any Legal Weapon
Dec 7-9, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison hunt. Resident only. Permit fee: $1,221.
Zone: Antelope Island
Show 4 more bison rows
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Cow Only
Dec 9-20, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime bison cow hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Cow Only
Dec 23, 2026-Jan 3, 2027
Once-in-a-lifetime bison cow hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Bison
Any Legal Weapon - Cow Only (New)
Jan 6-17, 2027
New hunt in 2026 (BI6539). Once-in-a-lifetime bison cow hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Bison
Archery - Hunter's Choice
Jan 18-31, 2027
Once-in-a-lifetime bison archery hunt.
Zone: Henry Mtns
Bighorn Sheep
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #DS1000.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Any Legal Weapon
Oct 24-Dec 25, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn sheep hunts.
Zone: Pine Valley, Beaver Dam; Pine Valley, Virgin River
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Archery
Nov 11-Dec 17, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime desert bighorn sheep archery hunt.
Zone: San Rafael, Dirty Devil
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #RS0001. Box Elder, Pilot Mtn unit excluded.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Any Legal Weapon
Sep 14-Nov 30, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts.
Zone: North Slope, Summit/West Daggett; North Slope, Three Corners
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Any Legal Weapon
Oct 3-23, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts. Permit fee: Resident $564, Nonresident $3,988.
Zone: Box Elder, Newfoundland Mtn; Fillmore, Oak Creek
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Any Legal Weapon
Oct 24-Nov 13, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts.
Zone: Box Elder, Newfoundland Mtn; Fillmore, Oak Creek
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Any Legal Weapon
Oct 31-Nov 30, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunts.
Zone: Book Cliffs South; Nebo; Nine Mile Gray Canyon; Nine Mile Jack Creek; Oquirrh-Stansbury West; Wasatch Mtns West
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Any Legal Weapon
Nov 9-16, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunt.
Zone: Antelope Island
Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Archery
Nov 14-Dec 6, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep archery hunts.
Zone: Box Elder, Newfoundland Mtn; Fillmore, Oak Creek
Other
Mountain Goat
Sportsman Permit - Any Legal Weapon
Sep 1-Dec 31, 2026
Resident only sportsman permit. Hunt #GO1000.
Zone: Statewide (open units)
Mountain Goat
Any Legal Weapon
Sep 5-Oct 31, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat hunts.
Zone: High Uintas Central; High Uintas East; High Uintas Kamas; High Uintas Leidy Peak; High Uintas West
Mountain Goat
Any Legal Weapon
Sep 5-27, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat hunt. Permit fee: Resident $454, Nonresident $3,488.
Zone: Beaver
Mountain Goat
Any Legal Weapon
Sep 5-Nov 25, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat hunts.
Zone: La Sal Mtns; Mt Dutton; Ogden Willard Peak; Wasatch Mtns Box Elder Peak; Wasatch Mtns Lone Peak; Wasatch Mtns Provo Peak; Wasatch Mtns Timpanogos
Mountain Goat
Archery
Sep 16-25, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat archery hunt.
Zone: Nebo
Mountain Goat
Any Legal Weapon
Sep 26-Nov 25, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat hunt.
Zone: Nebo
Mountain Goat
Any Legal Weapon
Sep 28-Oct 26, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat hunt.
Zone: Beaver
Mountain Goat
Archery
Nov 14-23, 2026
Once-in-a-lifetime mountain goat archery hunt.
Zone: Beaver
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Utah Hunting Season FAQ
When does deer season start in Utah?
August 15, 2026 is the first listed deer opener for Utah; it is multiseason limited-entry buck deer Aug 15-Nov 5, 2026.
When is Utah's firearm deer season?
Oct 17-25, 2026 is the listed firearm deer window for Utah. Check zone and permit details with Utah DWR before hunting.
When does spring turkey open in Utah?
A current spring turkey opener is not listed for Utah yet. Check Utah DWR for the latest turkey dates.
Do I need a license to hunt in Utah?
Yes. Hunters generally need the appropriate Utah hunting license, and some seasons may require tags, permits, stamps, or zone-specific authorizations. Confirm final requirements with Utah DWR.
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