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APPLICATION STRATEGY 2021: Utah Mule Deer

UTAH'S 2021 MULE DEER APPLICATION OVERVIEW

Jump to: NEW FOR 2021 State Information MULE DEER BREAKDOWN Draw System Points Breakdown

Note: The application deadline for all Utah species is March 4, 2021 at 11 p.m. MST. Applicants wishing to purchase preference and/or bonus points only have until March 18, 2021 at 11 p.m. MST. You may apply online here.


New for 2021

  • Fee increases for nonresident hunters: License, permit and application fees for hunters who are not Utah residents increased on July 1, 2020 and continue into 2021. Read more here.
  • Deployed active duty military residents can purchase bonus and preference points even if they miss the application deadline and the hunting license fee will be waived.
  • New general season rifle mule deer hunt 
  • All general season units will also have late season limited entry muzzleloader hunts. 
  • The management buck deer hunt on the Henry Mountains has been discontinued for the 2021 season.

State information

To view important information and an overview of Utah’s rules/regulations, the draw system and bonus points, tag and license fees and an interactive boundary line map, check out our State Profile. You can also view the Utah Mule Deer Profile to access historical and statistical data to help you find trophy areas.

Utah State Profile Mule Deer Profile Draw Odds Filtering 2.0 GOHUNT MAPS

Important dates and information

  • The deadline to apply is March 4, 2021 at 11 p.m. MST. Apply online here.
  • The bonus point/preference point only purchase and application withdrawal deadline is March 18, 2021 at 11 p.m. MST.
  • Results will be emailed or available online on or shortly before May 31, 2021.
  • Hunters must have a valid hunting or combination hunting/fishing license to apply.
  • Hunting licenses are valid for 365 days from the date of purchase. If you time it correctly you can apply for two consecutive years on one license. You do not need an active hunting license to hunt, just to apply.
  • Applicants must be 12 years old by Dec. 31, 2021 to apply.
  • Hunters must be 12 years old to hunt.
  • Hunters born after Dec. 31, 1965, must have taken an approved hunter’s education course.
  • Withdrawing or correcting an application is allowed before the application deadline. Corrections are made by withdrawing an application and submitting a new one. Be aware: you will be charged the $10 application fee again to make adjustments and reapply.
  • Nonresidents may apply and build bonus points for all available species.
  • Residents may only apply for one limited entry species: elk, antelope or deer. They may also apply for one once-in-a-lifetime species: moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or bison. They can also apply for general season deer and the dedicated hunter program if they are not already enrolled.
  • If you draw a limited entry deer permit, you may not apply again for five years. There is no waiting period for general season deer.


Applying for a state you've never hunted before can be daunting but we are here to make it easy. In the video above, Trail goes over some of the most commonly asked questions when applying in Utah.

Fees and permit costs

Utah deer fees for 2021

ItemResident feesNonresident fees
365-day hunting license$11 youth (13 and under)
$16 youth (14 to 17)
$34 adult (18 to 64)
$25 adult (65 and older)
$29 youth (14 to 17)
$72 adult (18 and older)
365-day hunt/fish combo license$20 youth (14 to 17)
$38 adult (18 to 64)
$29 adult (65 and older)
$33 youth (17 and under)
$98 adult (18 and under)
Application fee per species$10$15
Premium limited entry deer permit$168$768
Multi-season premium limited entry deer permit$305$1,330
Limited entry deer permit$80$650
Multi-season limited entry deer permit$145$1,100
Management buck deer$80$650
General season deer permit$40$398
Dedicated hunter deer program$195$1,047
Dedicated hunter deer program (youth)$120$814

Note: Applicants only need to buy either a hunting license or combo hunting/fishing license to apply. Applicants will not be charged the cost of the permit unless they are successful in the draw.

The Utah draw system

Applicants must buy a hunting license in order to then apply for draw hunts. You do not have to front the cost of the permits you apply for. You will only be charged the permit fee if you are successful in the draw.

Utah issues 10% of their draw permits to nonresidents. Nonresidents can apply for general season deer, dedicated hunter deer, premium/limited entry deer, limited entry elk, limited entry antelope and the once-in-a-lifetime species: moose, bighorn sheep, bison and mountain goat. Essentially, nonresidents can apply for all species they are interested in.

Utah allocates 90% of its draw permits to residents. Residents can apply for general season deer, dedicated hunter deer and one limited entry species: either premium/limited entry deer, limited entry elk or limited entry antelope. Residents can also apply for one once-in-a-lifetime species: moose, bighorn sheep, bison or mountain goat.

General season hunts

General season deer hunts are allocated in the state draw. There are no over-the-counter (OTC) deer options for residents or nonresidents. General season deer permits are allocated through a true preference point system. This means that the applicants with the most preference points for any given hunt receive the permits. Applicants can gain one preference point per year by applying for it as a first choice or by applying for a hunt and being unsuccessful in the draw. Applicants can include up to five hunt choices; however, applicants will lose their points if they draw any choice. Utah considers every applicant's first choice before moving to any applicant’s second choice. To draw a permit as a second choice, there must be a surplus of permits after every applicant’s first choice is considered. 

When considering general season deer hunts, the detailed draw odds pages are critical for the hunt(s) you are considering. Make sure you understand point creep and know how to read the draw trends.

Limited entry hunts

All limited entry hunts are allocated on a modified bonus point system through the state draw. Half of the permits for each hunt are allocated to the applicants who apply for any given hunt and the other half are randomly allocated with weight given to the number of bonus points an applicant has. For example, if I have five bonus points, then I would get one chance in the random draw for each one of my points.

Applicants who are unsuccessful in the draw will get a bonus point. You can also apply for a point only. Only apply for a point only if you cannot afford the permit or the time off to hunt should you draw. With a portion of the permits being randomly drawn, you always have some chance of drawing. 

Premium limited entry and limited entry deer hunts

Premium limited entry 

These are units/hunts that are managed for higher buck:doe ratios and a higher quality hunt. The Henry Mtns, Paunsaugunt and Antelope Island hunts fall under this category. There are archery, muzzleloader, rifle and multi-season hunts available for these units. 

Limited entry

Limited entry units are managed for a lower buck:doe ratio than the premium units. These units offer good hunts, but quality is not typically on par with the premium units. There are archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts for these units and the odds of drawing these hunts are better than the premium units.

Management and cactus limited entry

The Paunsaugunt unit will have archery, muzzleloader and rifle hunts for management (bucks with three points or less on at least one antler) and cactus (bucks with velvet covering at least 50% of its antlers during the season dates). The management and cactus buck hunts are limited entry hunts and successful applicants will lose any accumulated bonus points

Handguns, archery, muzzleloader and shotgun (HAMS) hunts

HAMS hunts will occur on the Book Cliffs, Floy Canyon, Kaiparowits and Morgan-South Rich and run from Nov. 13 to 28. The dates are ideal for a rutting mule deer hunt, but weapons are restricted to handguns, archery, muzzleloader (no scope) and shotgun.

Late muzzleloader on general season units

These hunts occur on the general season units from Nov. 3 to 11 and permit holders must use a muzzleloader. These are limited entry hunts that occur on all general season units and, if you draw one, all of your bonus points will be utilized. It’s worth noting that these hunts will begin two days after the rifle general season hunts. The dates are also prior to the prime dates of the rut, but the dates are as good as they ever have been for this hunt.

Hunt choices

Applicants can select two hunt choices when applying for limited entry hunts. Every applicant’s first choice is considered before moving to anyone's second choice. It is extremely rare for a limited entry permit to be drawn as a second choice.

General season deer applicants can select up to five hunt choices. Be aware that if you draw any of your five choices, you will lose any accumulated preference points.

Dedicated hunter

The dedicated hunter program is a unique opportunity that allows a hunter to hunt all seasons (archery, muzzleloader, rifle) and harvest two bucks in a three-year period. If drawn, you will be enrolled in the program for three years. You may obtain a permit and hunt all three years, but you can only harvest two bucks in a three-year period. You can only hunt the unit you originally drew. In exchange for having a guaranteed permit and the opportunity to hunt all three seasons, a hunter must complete 32 service hours on Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) approved conservation projects or you can purchase all or a portion of your hours at a cost of $20/per hour.

If you can afford the cost and time to hunt multiple seasons, the dedicated hunter program is an excellent way to scout, hunt and harvest a big buck on a general season unit.

Group applications

Up to four applicants can apply for limited entry and general season hunts on one application. Group applications are not accepted for management buck hunts. Nonresidents and residents can apply together. Bonus points and preference points are averaged for a group application and rounded down to the nearest whole number. There must be enough permits to cover the number of applicants on your group application; otherwise it will be rejected. That goes for residents and nonresidents who apply together as a group. Nonresident permits will come out of the nonresident pool for that hunt — make sure there are enough.

Draw order

Utah’s draw goes in the following order from first to last:

  1. Buck deer (multi-season premium limited entry, premium limited entry, multi-season limited entry, limited entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) and management buck deer)
  2. Bull elk (multi-season limited entry, limited entry and CWMU)
  3. Buck antelope (limited entry and CWMU)
  4. Once-in-a-lifetime species (bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat and bison)
  5. General buck deer (lifetime license holders)
  6. General buck deer (dedicated hunters)
  7. General buck deer (youth)
  8. General buck deer
  9. Youth any bull elk

Utah does not allow applicants to draw multiple limited entry tags in the same draw/year. You also cannot draw a limited entry and a once-in-a-lifetime (moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goat or bison) permit in the same year.

Permit return

Successful applicants who wish to return a permit that they have drawn can do so 30 days prior to the start of their hunt. In this case, they can have their bonus points reinstated; however, they will not earn one for that year's application. The cost of permit will be refunded as long as it is returned 30 days prior to the hunt. If applicants drew a permit as part of a group, all members of the group must surrender their permits in order to have each applicant’s bonus points reinstated. Hunting licenses and application fees are nonrefundable. 


SNOWPACK & DROUGHT IN UTAH

2021

Snowpack in Utah 2021

Utah snowpack update as of February 9, 2021. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

In regards to snowpack, currently, the entire state is in really poor condition and many areas experienced record-setting drought conditions in the latter two-thirds of 2020. No area of the state is even at 80% of normal. Much of Utah’s best deer habitat is in 60% of normal, but it’s not uncommon for Utah to receive a good portion of its snowfall in February and early March. The spring and summer months are critical for antler growth and, although the outlook is currently not good, we still have some hope. Overall, the reality is it’s not likely to be a banner year for antler growth and, if it remains as dry as it has been over the previous six months, it could be one of the worst years in a decade.

2020

Utah snowpack 2020

Utah snowpack update as of February 20, 2020. Source: National Resources Conservation Service

2019

Utah snow water equivalent as of February 2019

Utah snowpack update as of February 23, 2019. Source: National Resources Conservation Service
 

Drought update for 2021

Utah drought status as of February 2021

Utah drought status as of February 9, 2021. Source: United States Drought Monitor

Mule Deer Breakdown

Over the past several years, Utah has continued to create new opportunities to work more hunters through the draw system and to give hunters additional opportunities. Within the limited entry section of deer hunts, Utah currently offers: premium limited entry, limited entry, management and cactus buck, HAMS and late muzzleloader limited entry on general season units. Applicants can apply for one of the previous limited entry hunts, but not all of those.

Utah premium limited entry mule deer 2019

UnitHarvest successAverage age% 5+ years oldBuck:doe ratio objectiveBuck:doe ratio
PaunsauguntArchery - 82%
Muzzleloader - 80%
Rifle - 87%
Multi-season - 75%
5.273%40-5542:100
Henry MtnsArchery - 70%
Muzzleloader - 100%
Rifle - 96%
Multi-season - 0%
5.354%40-5537:100

 

Utah limited entry mule deer 2019

UnitHarvest successBuck:doe ratio objectiveBuck:doe ratio
Book Cliffs, NorthArchery - 74%
Muzzleloader - 81%
Rifle - 93%
Multi-season - 92%
25-3534:100
Book Cliffs, SouthMuzzleloader - 81%
Rifle - 89%
Multi-season - 92%
25-3527:100
Cache, Crawford MtnMuzzleloader - 87%25-3520:100
Fillmore, Oak CreekArchery - 71%
Muzzleloader - 100%
Rifle - 83%
Multi-season - 100%
25-3527:100
La Sal, Delores TriangleArchery - 100%
Muzzleloader - 100%
Rifle - 100%
25-3533:100
San Juan, Elk RidgeArchery - 82%
Muzzleloader - 100%
Rifle - 77%
Multi-season - 100%
25-3524:100
South Slope, Diamond MtnArchery - 87%
Muzzleloader - 100%
Rifle - 97%
Multi-season - 100%
25-3535:100
West Desert, VernonArchery - 60%
Muzzleloader - 86%
Rifle - 80%
Multi-season - 86%
25-3541:100

 

Utah mule deer populations

UnitPopulation 2019Buck:doe ratio objectiveBuck:doe ratio
Beaver12,00018-2015:100
Book Cliffs4,50025-3530:100
Box Elder10,20015-1714:100
Cache14,35015-1714:100
Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael24,40015-1716:100
Central Mtns, Nebo14,20015-1716:100
Chalk Creek10,00018-2025:100
East Canyon12,00018-2024:100
Fillmore6,70018-2014:100
Henry Mtns1,00040-5537:100
Kaiparowits40018-20N/A
Kamas7,80018-2020:100
La Sal7,00015-1717:100
Monroe5,40018-2017:100
Morgan-South Rich11,60018-2030:100
Mt. Dutton2,50018-2017:100
Nine Mile6,90018-2019:100
North Slope6,35015-1718:100
Ogden8,80018-2016:100
Oquirrh-Stansbury9,90015-1717:100
Panguitch Lake10,50018-2015:100
Paunsaugunt5,20040-5542:100
Pine Valley19,70018-2021:100
Plateau12,70018-2015:100
San Juan12,00015-1714:100
South Slope, Diamond Mtn8,85025-3535:100
South Slope, Yellowstone7,00018-2020:100
Southwest Desert3,00018-2020:100
Wasatch Mtns Avintaquin3,300**
Wasatch Mtns Current Creek11,800**
Wasatch Mtns West21,90015-1716:100
West Desert9,00015-1735:100
Zion19,20018-2019:100

Hit list units for trophy Utah mule deer in 2021

Top hit list hunt units to consider
(not in order of quality)

UnitTrophy
potential
Bonus points to draw residentsBonus points to draw nonresident
Antelope Island190”+No bonus point permitsNo tags
Paunsaugunt190”+Archery: 45% with 17
Muzzleloader: 100% with 20
Rifle: 100% with 19
Multi-season: 34% with 23
Archery: 100% with 25
Muzzleloader: 50% with 23
Rifle: 67% with 24
No bonus point permits
Henry Mtns190”+Archery: 58% with 20
Muzzleloader: 100% with 23
Rifle: 55% with 22
Multi-season: 100% with 24
No bonus point permits
No bonus point permits
Rifle: 50% with 25
No bonus point permits
Fillmore Oak Creek190”+Archery: 52% with 15
Muzzleloader: 100% with 20
Rifle: 24% with 19
No bonus point permits
No bonus point permits
Rifle: 34% with 21
San Juan, Elk Ridge180”+Archery: 52% with 17
Muzzleloader: 100% with 17
Rifle: 28% with 15
Multi-season: 100% w/ith 24
No bonus point permits
No bonus point permits
Rifle: 50% with 21
No bonus point permits
La Sal, Dolores Triangle180”+Archery: 100% with 10
Muzzleloader: 52% with 15
Rifle: 20% with 16
No bonus point permits
No bonus point permits
No bonus point permits
West Desert, Vernon170”+Archery: 49% with 10
Muzzleloader: 45% with 13
Rifle: 100% with 14
Multi-season: 22% with 17
Archery: 38% with 14
Muzzleloader: 54% with 16
Rifle: 15% with 17
No bonus point permits
Book Cliffs, North170”+Archery: 19% with 10
Muzzleloader: 92% with 11
Rifle: 82% with 12
Multi-season: 100% with 15
Archery: 26% with 15
Muzzleloader: 100% with 17
Rifle: 100% with 18
No bonus point permits
Book Cliffs, South170”+Archery: 19% with 10
Muzzleloader: 92% with 11
Rifle: 100% with 14
Multi-season: 100% with 15
Archery: 26% with 15
Muzzleloader: 100% with 17
Rifle: 34% with 19
No bonus point permits
South Slope, Diamond Mtn170”+Archery: 24% with 11
Muzzleloader: 53% with 13
Rifle: 29% with 13
Multi-season: 26% with 15
Archery: 100% with 15
Muzzleloader: 36% with 16
Rifle: 100% with 16
No bonus point permits

Managing points and expectations

Find your draw odds

LIMITED ENTRY DEER BONUS POINTS

2021 maximum bonus points for Limited Entry deer: 27

UTAH LIMITED ENTRY DEER POINTS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

Bonus pointsResidentNonresident
14,6723,937
23,9683,408
33,9832,810
43,8612,562
53,1661,869
62,8161,700
72,4971,554
82,4271,338
92,3451,378
102,1361,421
111,9261,646
121,6872,993
131,286601
141,170479
15860467
16771391
17672336
18506309
19426260
20288210
21179128
22118107
236564
242253
251019
2606
2714

UTAH RESIDENT LIMITED ENTRY DEER POINT TOTALS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

UTAH NONRESIDENT LIMITED ENTRY DEER POINT TOTALS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

GENERAL SEASON DEER PREFERENCE POINTS

2021 maximum preference points for general season deer: 21

UTAH GENERAL SEASON DEER POINTS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

Preference pointsResidentNonresident
144,1066,467
214,6294,233
34,0643,063
49711,797
55071,074
6243629
7176485
8125486
9120534
1071597
1135231
1235134
13957
14860
15438
16366
17238
18324
19217
20021
2102

UTAH RESIDENT GENERAL DEER POINT TOTALS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

UTAH NONRESIDENT GENERAL DEER POINT TOTALS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

DEDICATED HUNTER DEER PREFERENCE POINTS

2021 maximum preference points for dedicated hunter general season deer: 9

UTAH DEDICATED HUNTER DEER POINTS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

Preference pointsResidentNonresident
12,217157
21,44273
337549
49210
5133
6115
773
825
911

UTAH RESIDENT DEDICATED HUNTER POINT TOTALS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

UTAH NONRESIDENT DEDICATED HUNTER POINT TOTALS GOING INTO THE 2021 DRAW

I have 0 deer points. What can I expect?

LIMITED ENTRY

Utah allocates half of their permits for each hunt through the random draw so, although the odds are low, as long as there is one permit available, you have a chance. Within that, applicants can adopt a couple of different strategies. One strategy would be to apply for the best hunts available and, should you draw, then have the opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime type of hunt. The other strategy would be to review the odds and find the best odds for hunts that still meet your trophy objectives.

There is one hunt for residents that had 100% odds with no points — the late limited-entry muzzleloader hunt on the Wasatch Mts/West unit. It’s worth noting that this hunt occurs on a general season unit and is just after the general rifle season.

It’s also worth noting that late muzzleloader hunts that occur on general season units have better odds than other limited entry options and the dates are later this year, running until Nov. 11. There are likely to be a handful of really good bucks killed on the late muzzleloader hunts this fall.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 0 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 0 points here

GENERAL SEASON

Residents

Residents have many options with no points; there were eight archery hunts with 90% or greater odds. There were eight other archery hunts that had odds of 70% to 90% and one that had 52% odds. Out of those available, applicants might explore the archery Southwest Desert, Plateau/Thousand Lakes, Pine Valley, Central Mtns/Nebo, Chalk Creek/East/Canyon/Morgan-South Rich or Zion. All of these are meeting buck:doe ratios and have great draw odds and good populations. 

The muzzleloader hunts have slightly lower odds, but there are still 11 hunts that have better than 75% odds of drawing. Rifle hunts are much the same: if you simply want to go on a hunt there are nine units that have better than 50% odds with no points. The better units — most of them located in the central to southern portion of the state — will likely require two or three points. Use Filtering 2.0, draw odds and buck:ratio tools to find the hunt that suits you best. 

Nonresidents

Nonresidents also have options if they just want to hunt. There were 15 archery general season units with odds 75% or better with no points. Besides the more well-known central and southern units, many of the archery hunts in the state are available. Plateau/Thousands LakesCentral Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, Central Mtns/Nebo and the Wasatch front units are all interesting archery options. 

There are 15 muzzleloader hunts that had 75% or better odds with no points. Once again, the Central Mtns units and the Wasatch front units are good options for muzzleloader hunters. The available rifle hunts with no points are similar to the muzzleloader hunts. There are many decent options, including the Cache, Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, and the Wasatch Mtns/East and Wasatch Mtns/West

The better known units of central and southern Utah will require three to, perhaps, six points to draw.

Find your resident general deer draw odds with 0 points here

Find your nonresident general deer draw odds with 0 points here

What can I do with 3 or 4 deer points?

LIMITED ENTRY

Residents

At the three- to four-point level, all limited entry archery hunts had less than 6% odds. The Paunsaugunt, Henry Mtns and Fillmore, Oak Creek had random odds of .76%, .46% and 1.4%. The best early muzzleloader odds was the Book Cliffs at 5.4%. There were some late season muzzleloader hunts on the general season units that had 100% odds with four bonus points. Those were the Box Elder and Central Mtns/Nebo. There were others as well that had better than 30% random odds, including Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, Kamas and San Juan/Abajo Mtns. The rifle hunts all had low random odds, typically in the 1% range. 

Nonresidents 

The best options for nonresidents who are looking to draw a limited entry deer permit with three to four points are the late muzzleloader hunts on the general season units. There are several units that had 100% odds, including the Box Elder, Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, Central Mtns/Nebo and Chalk Creek/East Canyon/Morgan-South Rich. There were also several other units that had very good random odds, including the Kamas, Monroe, Mt Dutton, South Slope/Bonanza/Vernal, South Slope/Yellowstone and the West Desert/West

All of the more traditional limited entry hunts have odds that are in the 1% to 2% range.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 4 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 4 points here

GENERAL SEASON

Residents

Every archery hunt could have been drawn with two preference points. Every muzzleloader hunt could have been drawn with three preference points and most could have been drawn with two. All rifle hunts except for the Plateau/Thousand Lakes could have been drawn with three preference points. Once again, some of the best options in terms of population, buck:doe ratios and public land/access are the Pine Valley, Southwest Desert, Zion, Mt Dutton and Central Mtns, Manti/San Rafael and Central Mtns/Nebo

Nonresidents 

All archery hunts could have been drawn with three preference points except for the Panguitch Lake. Every muzzleloader hunt could have been drawn with four preference points. All but three muzzleloader hunts could have been drawn with three except for the Pine Valley, Plateau, Boulder/Kaiparowits and the Plateau/Thousand Lakes. There are many rifle hunt options available with three points, including the Plateau/Fishlake, Beaver, FillmoreCentral Mtns, Manti/San Rafael, and Central Mtns/Nebo units. Moving into four points the rifle, Monroe, Panguitch Lake and Southwest Desert units were all available.

Find your resident general deer draw odds with 4 points here

Find your nonresident general deer draw odds with 4 points here

What can I expect with 10 or 11 deer points?

LIMITED ENTRY

Residents

With this range of points, there are three archery hunts worth considering: Book Cliffs, La Sal/Dolores Triangle and the West Desert, Vernon. The Book Cliffs muzzleloader hunt also had 92% odds with 11 points. Residents who want to draw a limited entry permit should consider the late season muzzleloader hunt on the general season units. The trophy potential can be hit or miss, but you might consider the Fillmore, Monroe, Mt Dutton, Oquirrh-Stansbury or Plateau/Fishlake. A few other hunts worth considering are the Paunsaugunt Nov. management buck hunt and the Morgan-South Rich HAMS hunt. 

Nonresidents 

The best options at the 10 to 11 point range for nonresidents who want to draw a limited entry permit are the late muzzleloader hunts on the general season units. Many of the best areas do not have enough permits to guarantee one to the high bonus point applicant, but the random odds are very good for most. 

The Paunsaugunt November management buck hunt had 100% odds with 11 points. Almost all other limited entry hunts have odds that are 1% to 3%

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 11 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 11 points here

GENERAL SEASON

Residents

All general season deer hunts could have been drawn with 10 preference points. If you have 10+ preference points, you may consider applying as a party and spitting points with a new hunter so that you can both go hunting. 

Nonresidents 

All general season deer hunts could have been drawn with 10 preference points, including the Plateau/Thousand Lakes, which required nine points in 2020. Once again, if you have 10+ preference points, consider applying as a party with a new hunter so that you can both go hunting. 

FIND YOUR RESIDENT DEER GENERAL ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 11 POINTS HERE

FIND YOUR NONRESIDENT DEER GENERAL ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 11 POINTS HERE

What can I expect with 13 to 16 deer points?

LIMITED ENTRY

Residents

At 16 bonus points, the best option was the Fillmore/Oak Creek archery hunt. Every late season muzzleloader hunt on the general season unit was also available except for the Pine Valley; that required 17. The late muzzleloader hunt on the La Sal/Dolores Triangle is a good hunt at 16 points. A good rifle hunt is the San Juan/Elk Ridge. Moving into the multi-season and HAMS hunts, the Book Cliffs, South Slope/Diamond Mtn and the HAMS hunt on the Book Cliffs/Floy Canyon are all good hunts for applicants with 16 points. 

With 13 to 15 points, applicants should consider the South Slope/Diamond Mtn archery hunt, West Desert/Vernon muzzleloader hunt and, perhaps, the Cache/Crawford Mtn and Southwest Desert late muzzleloader hunts. A few rifle hunts also worth some research are the South Slope/Diamond Mtn and the West Desert/Vernon. The Morgan-South Rich HAMS hunt is also an intriguing option with 12+ points. 

The Paunsaugunt management buck hunts are also available within this range of bonus points. If this hunt meets your expectations for a hunt, it’s worth considering. Hunters will have the opportunity to see some great bucks and take one that is a 3 point on at least one side. Most hunters are not killing trophy caliber 3 point bucks, but there are a few available and it is a fun hunt. 

Nonresidents

At 13 to 14 bonus points, the hunts available are very much the same as 11 to 12 point applicants. With 15 to 16 bonus points, the best archery hunts are the Book Cliffs, the South Slope/Diamond Mtn and West Desert/Vernon. The muzzleloader hunts for those two units are both likely to require 17 going into this 2021 draw. The South Slope/Diamond Mtn rifle hunt was available at 16 points in 2020. 

The Paunsaugunt management buck rifle hunts are also available within this range of bonus points. If this hunt meets your expectations for a hunt, it’s worth considering. Hunters will have the opportunity to see some great bucks and take one that is a 3 point on at least one side. Most hunters are not killing trophy caliber 3 point bucks, but there are a few available and it is a fun hunt.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 16 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 16 points here

What can I expect with 17 to 20 deer points?

LIMITED ENTRY

Residents

The best options within this point range are likely the Fillmore/Oak Creek, San Juan/Elk Ridge and the Paunsaugunt archery, which was drawn at 18 bonus points. The San Juan/Elk Ridge muzzleloader is another good option. The Pine Valley late muzzleloader hunt is also a tempting hunt with the 2021 hunt dates. Rifle hunters should consider the La Sal/Dolores Triangle and the multi-season West Desert/Vernon. The Kaiparowits HAMS hunt is a very interesting option with the Nov. 13 to 28 hunt dates. 

With 20 points, the Fillmore/Oak Creek and Paunsaugunt muzzleloader hunt are great options. The rifle hunts on the Fillmore/Oak Creek and Paunsaugunt are also good hunts. 

Nonresidents

With 17 points, the best options are the muzzleloader Book Cliffs, South Slope/Diamond Mtn and the West Desert/Vernon. The rifle South Slope/Diamond Mtn is another good hunt at the 17-point level. At 18 bonus points, the Book Cliff/North and the West Desert/Vernon rifle hunts are worth consideration. The Cache/Crawford Mtn late muzzleloader hunter is a good hunt at 19 points. Moving into 20 points, the Book Cliffs/South rifle hunt was an option.

Find your resident deer limited entry draw odds with 20 points here

Find your nonresident deer limited entry draw odds with 20 points here

What can I expect with 21+ deer points?

Residents

Every archery hunt was available with 21 points, including the Henry Mtns. The Henry Mtns muzzleloader and rifle hunts required 23 points. The multi-season hunts on the Henry Mtns and Paunsaugunt and San Juan/Elk Ridge required 24. There is only one Antelope Island permit and, as such, it will be randomly allocated. 

Nonresidents 

The Pine Valley late muzzleloader hunt was drawn at 21 points. The Paunsaugunt archery and muzzleloader hunt required 25 and 24 points. A few rifle hunts within this range are the Fillmore/Oak Creek at 22 points, Henry Mtns (50% with 25 points) and Paunsaugunt at 25 points. The Paunsaugunt Nov. 1 to 5 management buck hunt was also drawn at 21 points.

FIND YOUR RESIDENT DEER LIMITED ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 22 POINTS HERE

FIND YOUR NONRESIDENT DEER LIMITED ENTRY DRAW ODDS WITH 22 POINTS HERE

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