The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is highlighting essential safety requirements and hunter education opportunities as residents prepare for upcoming hunting seasons. State officials confirmed that any individual born after Dec. 31, 1965, must complete a basic hunter education course to obtain a hunting license in Utah.
Hunter Education Options
Utah offers two primary paths for completing the required hunter education program. The first option involves an approved online course followed by a mandatory in-person field day. The self-paced online portion typically takes between four and six hours and is available in both English and Spanish, though interactive animations and narration are limited to English.
Course Requirements and Costs
For those selecting the online path, a required field day lasting approximately five hours over one to two days must be completed. During this in-person session, students are required to pass a final written test and a live-fire shooting exercise. The cost for this option includes a $24.95 online course fee and a $12 registration certificate for residents, or $17 for nonresidents.
Alternatively, hunters can choose an entirely in-person, instructor-led course. These sessions typically meet for one to two nights a week over a period of two to three weeks and last between six and 12 hours. This format includes all necessary instruction, the final written test, and the live-fire shooting exercise. The registration certificate for in-person courses costs $12 for residents and $17 for nonresidents.
Certification and Transfers
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources requires that all students present proof of online course completion to their instructor before attending a field day. Once a student has successfully met all requirements, including the field day for online students, they are issued a certificate of completion card, frequently referred to as a "blue card." This certificate allows the individual to apply for a Utah hunting or combination license through the DWR licensing portal, a local DWR office, or a licensed agent.
For those moving to Utah with existing certifications, the state requires a transfer process. Individuals who completed hunter education in another state or country must submit a Utah Hunter Education Program transfer affidavit to convert their out-of-state certification into a Utah certificate before they can apply for local hunting licenses and permits as a resident.
Specialized Training and Orientations
The division provides various specialized orientation courses for specific species and activities. While bowhunter education is not a requirement to obtain a bowhunting permit in Utah, the comprehensive course provides national certification recognized in states such as Idaho, Montana, and Alaska. Other specialized orientations available include sessions for black bear, bison, mountain goats, and management buck deer.
Additional specialized training is offered for specific pursuits, such as the Furharvester education course, which is mandatory for residents born after Dec. 31, 1984. This course covers safe and responsible trapping techniques and device usage. The division also provides resources for predator control program training and various seasonal orientations, including extended archery season and bison education.
Public Shooting Facilities
To support hunters in developing accuracy, the state operates two public shooting ranges. The Lee Kay Public Shooting Range, located in the Salt Lake Valley, features seven outdoor ranges and is open year-round. It offers facilities for archery, handgun, muzzleloader, rifle, and shotgun shooting, and includes training grounds for dog training and various shooting clinics.
The Cache Valley Public Shooting Range, located west of Logan, also provides outdoor and indoor ranges for shotgun, rifle, pistol, and archery. This facility features specialized areas including a 50-foot indoor .22 range and various outdoor distances ranging from 25 to 300 yards. Both facilities offer day passes for adults and youth, with different rates for residents and nonresidents.
Legal Compliance and Reporting
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources maintains strict regulations regarding the possession and control of firearms and dangerous weapons. The division notes that it is the responsibility of the hunter to ensure they are legally permitted to possess a firearm under state and federal law. Obtaining a hunting license from the DWR does not grant legal possession if an individual is restricted by a court order, a felony conviction, or a decision by the Board of Pardons and Parole.
In addition to safety and education, the division emphasizes the importance of harvest reporting. All big game species require mandatory reporting, even if an animal was not successfully harvested. This data is used by the state to gain insights into Utah's hunting trends and wildlife populations over time. Hunters can submit these reports online or via a DWR office.
Planning for the Season
As hunting seasons approach, the DWR encourages hunters to utilize tools like the Utah Hunt Planner to research hunt boundaries and specific season dates. Hunters are also advised to review the latest state hunting guidebooks, which are available online and at retail locations, to ensure they are following the most current rules and regulations for their chosen species.
