Apply online for hunt permits

Those hunters wishing to apply for antlerless deer, elk, pronghorn or moose permits for hunts in Utah this fall must do so by computer.

The Division of Wildlife Resources will not accept paper applications for antlerless permits.

Hunters will have more permits available this year. At its last meeting, the Utah Wildlife Board raised the number of doe deer, cow elk and cow moose permits available for fall hunts.

This year, 12- and 13-year-olds will be able to apply for an antlerless deer, elk or pronghorn permit. They cannot apply for cow moose permits.

Hunters who are 11 years old, but who will turn 12 by Dec. 31 can also apply for an antlerless permit. They may not hunt until the day they turn 12, however.

Hunters can start applying for antlerless permits at 8 a.m. on May 23.

Applications must be received through the DWR's Web site — www.wildlife.utah.gov — no later than 11 p.m. on June 19.

Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR, said applying online provides hunters with several benefits.

"Receiving applications only through the Internet will allow us to process the applications faster,' she said. "And that means we can let hunters know sooner if they drew a permit." Hunters will know by June 29 whether they drew a permit, which is about a month sooner that in past years.

Receiving applications online will also allow the DWR to get permits into the hands of hunters before the hunts start.

Some of the antlerless hunts begin on Aug. 1. In the past, the time it took to process paper applications meant the DWR couldn't post the results until the end of July. Because of the late posting date, the agency couldn't offer permits that weren't taken in the draw until the first week in August. By then, some of the hunts had already started.

"This change will allow us to start selling permits on July 26, before any of the hunts begin," Tutorow said.

Applying online also helps in other ways:

• It's almost impossible to make a mistake on the online application.

• And, hunters won't have to wait for a refund because a $5 nonrefundable handling fee is the only fee they'll have to pay when they apply.