What it is
The Dedicated Hunter Program lets you hunt the same general-season deer unit for up to three consecutive years. Your permit is good for all of the general deer seasons: archery, muzzleloader and any legal weapon (rifle).
Requirements
- Complete a wildlife conservation ethics course.
- Complete at least 32 volunteer hours on DWR-approved service projects during the three years, with minimum yearly service requirements.
- You may harvest a deer in two of the three years.
- If accepted, complete the online orientation course. The 2026 guidebook says applicants no longer take it before applying.
Joining and fees
You join by applying in the big game drawing. In 2026 the window was March 19 (8 a.m. MDT) to April 23 (11 p.m. MDT), with results on or by May 31. The application fee is $10 for residents and $21 for nonresidents; if you are drawn you pay the program fee. You can apply alone or in a group of up to four.
| Participant | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| (adult 18 and older) | $215 | $1,248 |
| (youth 12 to 17) | $120 | $915 |
Dedicated Hunter points
If you apply and are not selected, you get a Dedicated Hunter preference point. You can also apply for a point only with code DHL. You may apply for a general-season buck permit or point, or a Dedicated Hunter permit or point, but not both in the same year. In 2026, 1,398 residents and 362 nonresidents bought a Dedicated Hunter point only.
2026 odds by unit
| Unit | Code | Res. applicants | Res. permits | Res. odds | Nonres. applicants | Nonres. permits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manti/San Rafael | DB1772 | 837 | 513 | 1 in 1.6 | 8 | 1 |
| Pine Valley | DB1786 | 513 | 138 | 1 in 3.7 | 63 | 19 |
| Wasatch Mountains, East | DB1794 | 376 | 230 | 1 in 1.6 | 6 | 3 |
| Fillmore | DB1775 | 287 | 26 | 1 in 11.0 | 3 | 0 |
| Zion | DB1798 | 274 | 189 | 1 in 1.4 | 26 | 13 |
| Panguitch Lake | DB1785 | 273 | 73 | 1 in 3.7 | 27 | 4 |
| Nebo | DB1773 | 205 | 201 | 1 in 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Monroe | DB1779 | 182 | 32 | 1 in 5.7 | 5 | 0 |
| Beaver, East | DB1802 | 171 | 49 | 1 in 3.5 | 8 | 0 |
| Vernal/Bonanza | DB1791 | 152 | 33 | 1 in 4.6 | 4 | 0 |
| Wasatch Mountains, West | DB1795 | 144 | 137 | 1 in 1.1 | 2 | 2 |
| Oquirrh/Tintic | DB1805 | 133 | 56 | 1 in 2.4 | 1 | 1 |
| Yellowstone | DB1792 | 132 | 43 | 1 in 3.1 | 3 | 3 |
| Cedar/Stansbury | DB1804 | 130 | 41 | 1 in 3.2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fishlake | DB1788 | 126 | 28 | 1 in 4.5 | 3 | 0 |
| Cache | DB1771 | 117 | 115 | 1 in 1.0 | 5 | 5 |
| Boulder/Kaiparowits | DB1787 | 115 | 56 | 1 in 2.1 | 3 | 2 |
| Southwest Desert | DB1793 | 102 | 37 | 1 in 2.8 | 5 | 1 |
| Mt. Dutton | DB1780 | 84 | 15 | 1 in 5.6 | 6 | 1 |
| Ogden | DB1783 | 77 | 77 | 1 in 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| La Sal, La Sal Mountains | DB1778 | 76 | 54 | 1 in 1.4 | 12 | 10 |
| North Slope | DB1782 | 68 | 68 | 1 in 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Nine Mile | DB1781 | 49 | 48 | 1 in 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| San Juan, Abajo Mountains | DB1790 | 47 | 44 | 1 in 1.1 | 11 | 11 |
| East Canyon | DB1800 | 46 | 46 | 1 in 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Box Elder | DB1770 | 38 | 37 | 1 in 1.0 | 1 | 1 |
| Beaver, West | DB1803 | 38 | 36 | 1 in 1.1 | 0 | 0 |
| Chalk Creek | DB1799 | 27 | 27 | 1 in 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| West Desert, Swasey | DB1806 | 25 | 23 | 1 in 1.1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kamas | DB1777 | 24 | 24 | 1 in 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Morgan-South Rich | DB1801 | 11 | 11 | 1 in 1.0 | 0 | 0 |
Questions
How long is the Dedicated Hunter Program?
Up to three consecutive years hunting the same general-season deer unit, per the 2026 DWR guidebook.
How many service hours are required?
At least 32 volunteer hours on DWR-approved projects over the three years, plus a wildlife conservation ethics course. Participants may harvest a deer in two of the three years.
How many people applied in 2026?
Summed across the 31 Dedicated Hunter unit codes in DWR's 2026 report, 4,879 resident applications drew 2,507 spots.
Is this the official site?
No. Utah Draw Guide is independent and not affiliated with Utah DWR. Apply only at utahdraws.com.
Utah DWR, 2026 Big Game Application Guidebook, pages 16 and 37 (program rules and fees).
Utah DWR Dedicated Hunter drawing odds report, 2026: PDF.
Updated Sept. 24, 2026. Verify all dates and rules with DWR before applying. Found an error? [email protected].