| In 2008, elk hunting in Utah produced the new | | | | - limited entry. |
| Boone and Crockett Club world record non-typical | | | | The Future of Elk Hunting In Utah |
| elk. Yes, the largest antler rack ever recorded. If | | | | The future of elk hunting in Utah is dependent on |
| you like to hunt elk, photograph elk, or even just | | | | healthy and growing elk herds. A healthy growing |
| watch them, Utah is the place for the biggest elk | | | | elk population needs the habitat necessary to |
| on the planet. | | | | sustain growth. If habitat is reduced or degraded, |
| The elk population and elk hunting in Utah has | | | | there will be fewer elk. Simple as that. |
| exploded. From 2000 to 2006, no other state | | | | Despite the loss of prime elk habitat in many |
| produced more record-book bulls than Utah! And | | | | parts of the state, it is a testament to Utah's |
| this doesn't mean it's only a haven for elk hunters. | | | | game managers that herds have continued to |
| The growing numbers of wildlife watchers and | | | | grow and elk hunting in Utah is the best it's ever |
| photographers in the state can enjoy the same | | | | been. Private agencies, especially the Rocky |
| fantastic opportunity as hunters. But this is a page | | | | Mountain Elk Foundation have worked to improve |
| for people interested in elk hunting in Utah. | | | | the health of elk herds and explode the level of |
| A big hand has to go to Utah big game managers. | | | | interest in elk throughout the west. |
| Some pretty awesome game management | | | | The main predators for elk are mountain lions, |
| decisions have been made by the Utah Division of | | | | black bears and coyotes. But their effect is |
| Wildlife Resources (DWR). If you want to hunt, | | | | minimal. Without grizzly bears and wolves living in |
| photograph or just see elk, Utah is the place. | | | | Utah, predators just don't cause large reductions |
| Over the last 30 years, elk numbers in Utah have | | | | in the elk population of Utah. |
| exploded. Elk are the second most abundant big | | | | OHV (off highway vehicles) use in Utah, as |
| game species in Utah. Second only to mule deer. | | | | elsewhere, has increased 100-fold in the last 30 |
| The 2003 post-hunt estimate for elk in Utah was | | | | years! By the end of 2004, more than 160,000 |
| just over 58,000. This is below the management | | | | OHV's were registered in Utah! While driving OHV's |
| objective of 68,400. | | | | is a passion for many people and a legitimate use |
| History Of Elk In Utah | | | | of public land, uncontrolled use will continue to |
| Prior to settlement by the Mormons, elk and | | | | negatively impact many of Utah's best places. |
| bighorn sheep were the most numerous big game | | | | OHV use on public land needs to be well planned |
| animals in Utah. Elk hunting in Utah was a | | | | and managed to prevent the destruction of critical |
| significant source of food and clothing for Indians, | | | | elk habitat. |
| trappers and settlers. Like so many other species | | | | While the use of OHVs on public land is a |
| - bison and mule deer for example - elk were the | | | | legitimate right, their uncontrolled and improper |
| victims of unlimited hunting in Utah. By the close | | | | use not only damages elk habitat, it can kill elk. |
| of the 19th century, they had almost | | | | For this reason, there has been an increased |
| disappeared.With no restrictions, hunted to | | | | demand for more areas to be designated as |
| near-extinction. What a sad time that must have | | | | walk-in and horseback only areas. Remote areas |
| been. No deer. No elk. No bison. | | | | with fewer hunters and no OHV traffic. |
| Elk hunting in Utah was shut down in 1898. From | | | | How To Plan A Utah Elk Hunt |
| 1912 through 1925, elk were transplanted from | | | | Demand for the limited entry hunts in Utah are |
| Yellowstone National Park to try to give the | | | | very high and this demand is growing every year. |
| species a chance at comeback. Where were they | | | | In 2004, 46,319 hunters applied for 1378 limited |
| released? Well, pretty much where you would | | | | entry permits. An increase of 5,342 over the |
| expect to find elk today in Utah: | | | | year before! There were a total of 34,193 general |
| - Manti. | | | | season permits sold. |
| - Logan Canyon. | | | | If you're looking to get a chance at a trophy Utah |
| - the Fish Lake area. | | | | bull elk or just simply want a great hunting |
| - the Oquirrh Mountains. | | | | experience, there are a couple ways to go. Utah |
| - Mount Nebo. | | | | has a wide assortment of professional outfitters |
| - Mount Timpanogos. | | | | ready and willing to help you go on the hunt of a |
| Through the years, many elk have also been | | | | lifetime. |
| transplanted from one area of the state to | | | | If you have the resources, hiring one of these |
| another. Both southern and eastern Utah have | | | | outfitters is absolutely the best way to go. They |
| gained elk from some of the intra-state | | | | have access to land no one else has. They know |
| relocations. | | | | where the elk are and you don't have to worry |
| Types of Hunts | | | | about having thousands of other people invading |
| A Wildlife Board and five Regional Advisory | | | | your space. And, once again, they have access to |
| Councils today manage all wildlife management in | | | | land throughout the state. Utah has some of the |
| Utah. Until 1967, elk hunting in Utah was restricted | | | | most amazing trophy elk on the planet and these |
| under a limited entry system. As the numbers | | | | people will get you to where they live. |
| grew, most of the units were switched to an | | | | If you don't have the resources or the desire to |
| open bull season. | | | | hire an outfitter, take a look at the big game |
| In 1989, the two largest units, Manti and Fish | | | | proclamation on the Utah Division of Wildlife |
| Lake, were switched to a yearling only hunt. | | | | Resources website or contact them directly. It'll |
| Yearling only was later replaced with a "spike only" | | | | give you the best overview there is about elk |
| regulation. At the same time, it was expanded to | | | | hunting in Utah. You can apply for one of the |
| three other units. Today, you'll find elk hunting in | | | | general permits or one of the lottery-type limited |
| Utah managed under the following regulations: | | | | entry hunts. If you're applying for one of these, |
| - spike only. | | | | plan a year ahead. |
| - any bull. | | | | |