Our magazine, which is available in print and online, has everything in one location - application info, draw details and odds, fees, hunter requirements, point structure, age restrictions, youth information, weapon restrictions,  other tag opportunites, hunt planning, and much more. If you would like access to all of our research, join today!

For most general season units in Utah, permit distribution is divided into 20% archery, 20% muzzleloader, and 60% rifle. Of the 12 units with two rifle seasons, 20% of the rifle permits are allocated to the early October season, with the remaining going to the late season hunts.

For 2025, there have been some changes to general deer hunt units both in legal hunt methods as well as boundary changes. Utah instituted new restricted muzzleloader and rifle hunt units as a legal method of take. The Beaver, West; Boulder/Kaiparowits; and Cache units are all part of this new hunt method of take. Archery on these units will remain the same as the state guidelines for legal archery use. You can refer to the first section of the state section under “Weapon Restrictions” to see the legal definitions of muzzleloader and rifle restrictions. Ultimately, the creation of these restricted-weapon areas was intended to allow for more opportunity with limiting harvest through limiting technology.

If you’ve accumulated more points than needed to draw a hunt, consider teaming up with a friend for a group application. You’ll enter the draw using the average points of everyone in the group. Remember, you can apply for both a limited-entry and a general season deer hunt each year. Think of them as separate draws for different species. If you draw a limited-entry deer permit, your general deer application will be voided, but you’ll still receive a preference point.

We’ve compiled a table with our top picks for general season deer units, including draw odds and harvest statistics for each unit and season. These top picks are based on factors like buck-to-doe ratios, harvest success, public land access, and our on-the-ground knowledge. We believe these units offer the best chance for a successful hunt, especially for mature bucks.

If you drew an archery deer or elk permit in any unit or are enrolled in the Dedicated Hunter program, you may also hunt the extended archery season in the extended archery areas. There will be a total of 10 deer areas and 3 elk areas. Most of these extended areas have private land issues, with some being entirely private land. Some elk areas are all located along the Wasatch Front and North and Northeast Utah and run August 16-December 15. The deer areas are starting to be scattered all throughout the state, with the bulk of them located in North and Northeast Utah and run September 13-October 15 or November 30th. The extended season is better later when bucks are rutting and migrate into middle and lower elevations. There can be high hunting pressure and success rates are low, but it can extend your season if you were previously unsuccessful in filling your permit. For a full list of units, boundary descriptions, and season dates, go to www.wildlife.utah.gov/extendedarchery or view units on the UDNR Hunt Planner at https://dwrapps.utah.gov/huntboundary/hbstart.

Utah also offers a Dedicated Hunter program for general season deer units. To participate, you must apply and be selected for the program. If drawn, you can hunt all seasons (archery, muzzleloader, and any available rifle) and can harvest up to two bucks over a three-year period. The permit is guaranteed for all three years, but you’re limited to harvesting two bucks during that time.

New for 2025, you may not apply for or build points for both the Dedicated Hunter draw and the general season deer draw. You must now only participate in one draw at the time of application. If selected, you’ll be enrolled in the program for three years in the unit you were drawn for. As a Dedicated Hunter, you’ll need to complete an online conservation and ethics course, contribute 32 service hours on Division-approved conservation projects, and pay a permit fee of $1,067. Alternatively, you can buy out your service hours at $40 per hour.

If you have the time and commitment to hunt, this is a fantastic opportunity to harvest a quality buck as it allows you to hunt all seasons and the same unit for multiple years.