Hunting License Utah - Steps to Buy in UT August

In Utah, due to state regulations and hunting laws, anyone born after December 31, 1965, must complete hunter education before buying a hunting license.

Follow these straightforward steps to obtain a Utah hunting license:

Step 1: Complete a Hunter Education Certification course and obtain a state-issued Hunter Education Card
Step 2: Complete the application and select your license type
Step 3: Buy your Utah Division of Wildlife Resources license through an online purchase or in-person through a licensed agent.

UT Hunter Education Certification

How do I get my Hunter Education Certificate (Card)

You have 3 options to complete your hunter education requirements to hunt in Utah. The first two options are presented by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. The last option through HunterSafetyUSA, is the fastest & can be used to hunt across the US.

Complete an in-person course. Typically, these take 6-12 hours & classes usually meet 1-2 nights a week over 2-3 weeks.
An online course by the exclusive partner of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. This course will take approximately 4-6 hours and then be followed by a 5 hour field day.
Or complete our 3-hour online-only, all-video-based Hunter Education Course with HunterSafetyUSA (Adults 17 and older only). We are an International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) approved provider. The IHEA & TPWD Hunter Education Card you will receive after our course is valid for life and is accepted in all 50 US States and any additional territories or countries that share reciprocity with the IHEA. No in-person requirements are required for our course. Note that Utah residents with out-of-state hunter education certification must transfer it here. Nonresidents do not need to transfer; just make sure to carry your card with you in the field.

What makes our course the best?

First and foremost, we offer the best technology experience among all the courses on the market. We have students who opt to take our course even though they already hold their Hunter Education Card, as they simply love it that much.

Skip having to attend an in-person field-day course with our 3 hour interactive Hunter Safety course.

We provide all the resources to get you fully certified online with our IHEA approved course. Your TPWD issued permanent hunter education certificate (card) can be used to purchase your hunting license in all 50 US States, Mexico and Canada (including in Utah from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources).

After completing the HunterSafetyUSA course and passing the final exam, you’ll receive your temporary Hunter Education Certificate.

We submit your course results to TPWD. They will issue and email you your permanent Hunter Education Certificate (Card) in 24 hours (this can take 3-4 days when completed outside of hunting season, April-July); however, when taken during peak hunting season, August-March, it's processed in 24 hours. This is valid for use in all 50 USA States (including Utah), Mexico, Canada, and any other country or US Territory that has reciprocity with IHEA-USA & State Issued Hunter Education Certificates.

Select Your Utah Hunting License

Utah offers a variety of hunting licenses for different age groups, residency statuses, and hunting preferences, and each type requires a specific application process.

Utah residents and non-residents age 17 or under may purchase a reduced-fee Basic Hunting License or Combination License, with additional fees applied for certain game hunts. Additional permits are required to hunt other game species. All hunters under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent, a legal guardian, or a responsible person age 21 or older.

Below is an overview of the primary license types available:

Resident Licenses

A resident is a person who has lived in Utah for at least six months. All Utah residents must have the Basic Hunting License or the Combination License (Basic Hunting License and Basic Fishing License).

Basic Hunting License – Required for Utah residents aged 13 and older to hunt small game, including most waterfowl and upland game species.
Combination License – Includes both hunting and fishing privileges for residents aged 14 and older.
Dedicated Hunter Program – A three-year program for residents aged 12 and older that allows for extended deer hunting opportunities in exchange for conservation service hours.
Disabled Veteran License – Available to resident veterans with a service-connected disability; provides discounted hunting and combination licenses.
Senior License – Reduced-fee licenses available to residents aged 65 and older.

Non-Resident Licenses

All non-residents must comply with hunting laws by having the Basic Hunting License or the Combination License, which requires submission of an application.

Basic Hunting License – Required for non-residents aged 17 and older to hunt small game, including most waterfowl and upland game species.
Combination License – Includes both hunting and fishing privileges for non-residents aged 17 and older.
3-Day Small Game License – Allows non-residents to hunt small game for three consecutive days.
Dedicated Hunter Program – Available to non-residents aged 12 and older; includes a 365-day fishing license and requires participation in conservation projects.

Youth Licenses & Requirements

Youth Hunting License – Available for residents and non-residents under age 18; allows hunting of small game species.
Youth Combination License – Includes both hunting and fishing privileges for individuals under age 18.
Hunter Education Requirement – All hunters born after December 31, 1965, must complete a state-approved hunter education course and submit an application before obtaining a hunting license.
Trial Hunting Program – Allows individuals aged 12 and older to try hunting under the supervision of a licensed adult hunter before completing a hunter education course.

Senior Licenses & Discounts

Senior Basic Hunting License – Reduced-fee license available to residents aged 65 and older; allows hunting of small game species.
Senior Combination License – Includes both hunting and fishing privileges at a reduced fee for residents aged 65 and older.

Lifetime Licenses

Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License – No longer issued as of March 1, 1994; existing holders can hunt and fish in Utah without purchasing annual licenses and receive a general-season deer permit each year upon completing an annual questionnaire.

Disability & Military Licenses

Disabled Veteran License – Available to resident veterans with a service-connected disability; provides discounted hunting and combination licenses.
Military Exemption – Active-duty military members stationed in Utah may purchase resident hunting licenses regardless of residency status.

Required Endorsements & Tags

Big Game Permits – Required in addition to a hunting license to hunt big game species such as deer, elk, moose, and bison; available through a drawing system.
Antlerless Permits – Required to hunt antlerless big game animals; available through a drawing system.
Bear and Cougar Permits – Required to hunt black bears and cougars; available through a drawing system.
Furbearer License – Required to hunt or trap furbearer species such as bobcats, beavers, and muskrats.
Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) Registration – Required to hunt migratory game birds; hunters aged 16 and older must also possess a Federal Duck Stamp.
Turkey Permit Application – Required to hunt turkeys during the spring and fall seasons.

The application process for UT Hunting licenses ensures they are good for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Where to buy your Utah Hunting License

To hunt in Utah, you can purchase your license either online through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) licensing platform or in person through a licensed agent. A comprehensive list of authorized in-person license agents is available here.

Below are some suggested authorized in-person hunting license agents in the state of Utah:

Sportsman's Warehouse – Midvale, UT Address: 165 W 7200 S, Midvale, UT 84047
Phone: (801) 567-1000
Cabela's – Lehi, UT Address: 2502 Cabela's Blvd, Lehi, UT 84043 Phone: (801) 766-2500
Walmart Supercenter – Cedar City, UT Address: 1330 S Providence Center Dr, Cedar City, UT 84720 Phone: (435) 586-0172
Lee Kay Public Shooting Range – Salt Lake City, UT Address: 6000 W 2100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84128 Phone: (801) 972-1326
Cache Valley Public Shooting Range – Logan, UT Address: 2851 W 200 N, Logan, UT 84321 Phone: (435) 753-4600

FAQs

Can you take a hunter safety course online in Utah?

Yes, our online hunter's education course is fully online & only 3 hours long. It covers essential hunter safety education topics, making it one of the most efficient ways to fulfill your requirements.

How early should I sign up for the course before the hunting season?

Ideally, take your course by summer so you don’t miss out during the license purchase rush in late summer and fall.

Will the Texas Hunter Education Card (Certificate) be accepted in Utah?

Yes, the permanent Texas Parks & Wildlife Hunter Education Card (Certification) is recognized by all other states and provinces with mandatory hunter education requirements due to reciprocity agreements with the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA).

Does Utah require a hunter Safety course?