Following a meeting on June 2, 2022, the Utah Wildlife Board (UWB) and the Utah Upland Game Plan Committee announced a new management plan for turkey and other upland game. This plan covers upland game management for the next ten years (2022-2032) and includes changes to the state’s hunting regulations regarding turkey, sage grouse, air rifles, and Landowner Association permits.
Changes to Turkey Hunting Regulations
As part of the new management and population maintenance plan, the UWB approved select changes to the rules regarding turkey hunting.
Previously, hunters could purchase up to three permits (one per bird) for the fall turkey hunt, a measure implemented in 2014 to combat turkey-related nuisances. Starting in fall 2022, the Board reduced the maximum number of permits per hunter to one, and fall turkey hunting will no longer be permitted on public lands, restricting it to private lands only.
Additionally, the UWB will cap the number of permits issued to hunters in Northern and Central Utah to 25% of the number sold in 2021, or respectively 2,305 and 750 permits.
Sage Grouse Hunting in Parker Mountain
The UWB has approved the reopening of the Parker Mountain hunting unit to sage grouse hunting, citing a sufficient increase in population. Sage grouse hunting permits for the 2022 seasons will be capped at 5% of the total population in the area.
Air Rifle Rabbit Hunting
During the 2022 legislative session, the UWB voted to allow hunting rabbits and hares with air rifles during the fall turkey hunt season, proposing an excise tax on airguns to fund conservation efforts, similar to the existing firearm tax in the Pittman-Robertson Act.
Landowner Association Permits
Following a feedback collection period regarding the Landowner Association (LOA) program, the UWB has approved multiple changes to the general-season landowner permit system.
Here are the most notable changes going into effect for the 2023 season:
- Permits will now be allocated through a separate drawing with a cap of up to five permits per landowner.
- The landowner drawing period now starts after the big game drawing to let landowners know in advance if they drew a permit.
- Landowners qualify if they possess at least 640 acres of deer habitat or 100 acres of cropland visited by deer.
Visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website for a complete list of changes.
