Hi everyone. Signing in from Utah.

[BuzzH]

Another guy from UT here. If you have questions about hunting or fishing in UT let me know. I don't know it all but I've been around.

What does a person do with 26 NR deer points in UT?

 

[Fool-hearted Footslogger]

Do you ever hunt south of duchesne? I have some land down there. Not enough for land owners. Maybe I will draw before I’m too old.

I drive through Indian Canyon a few times a year, normally passing through on my way a little further South. What a beautiful area. What are you trying to draw for?

 

[Fool-hearted Footslogger]

What does a person do with 26 NR deer points in UT?

My friend, you have options galore. First I'd decide what really fancies you (Archery, ALW and so on) then honestly evaluate what your own capabilities are. DIY or guided? All these go into making a choice, but you are on the leading edge of some really good tags.

 

[Fool-hearted Footslogger]

Thank you so much offering some advice. I have one point in Utah and I'm eager to go ahead and hopefully use it to hunt this year. I don't care about a trophy, I just want a good chance of harvesting a meat buck, and preferably in a unit that has not had any CWD.

With a single point it's going to be a tough "row to hoe" These hunts below are your best odds. I have a full report I can send you but not sure how. You'd have to let me know how to send it to you. I'm good with data but not so good with online forums and such. These units have low NR competition and decent tag counts relative to applicants — so at 1 pt you're playing the random phase, but at least the odds aren't terrible. Nebo and Wasatch stand out with 3 tags and only 8 NR applicants each. Also, verify odds numbers but these are my best estimates. This is all public source info from Utah..... I just format it so it's easier to use. Based on last years odds, these are your best shots.

DB1081 — La Sal is the most only legitimate option gets you into the bonus phase. 1 tag, 10 applicants, 10% draw odds at 1 pt. That's your best shot if you want a bonus-phase draw with minimal points.

DB1107 — Restricted Muzzleloader shows 50% at 1 pt but with only 2 tags and 2 applicants that's essentially statistical noise — it's a tiny unit and I'm pretty sure there are access restrictions.

These units have low NR competition and decent tag counts relative to applicants — so at 1 pt you're playing the random phase, but at least the odds aren't terrible. Nebo and Wasatch stand out with 3 tags and only 8 NR applicants each.

Everything else is a random-phase lottery at 1 pt. But some units have favorable overall NR tag-to-applicant ratios worth noting for random-phase luck. Pick one and go for it. You might have to keep at it for a few years.

Unit	Tags	Apps	Overall NR Odds	Max Bonus
Nebo (DB1080)	3	8	37.5%	16 pts
Wasatch (DB1087)	3	8	37.5%	12 pts
Chalk Creek (DB1100)	1	3	33.3%	2 pts
Beaver (DB1111)	1	3	33.3%	6 pts
North Slope (DB1065)	2	7	28.6%	16 pts
Mt. Dutton (DB1053)	1	4	25.0%	9 pts
Vernal (DB1086)	1	4	25.0%	6 pts

 

[AntelopeEater]

With a single point it's going to be a tough "row to hoe" These hunts below are your best odds. I have a full report I can send you but not sure how. You'd have to let me know how to send it to you. I'm good with data but not so good with online forums and such. These units have low NR competition and decent tag counts relative to applicants — so at 1 pt you're playing the random phase, but at least the odds aren't terrible. Nebo and Wasatch stand out with 3 tags and only 8 NR applicants each. Also, verify odds numbers but these are my best estimates. This is all public source info from Utah..... I just format it so it's easier to use. Based on last years odds, these are your best shots.

DB1081 — La Sal is the most only legitimate option gets you into the bonus phase. 1 tag, 10 applicants, 10% draw odds at 1 pt. That's your best shot if you want a bonus-phase draw with minimal points.

DB1107 — Restricted Muzzleloader shows 50% at 1 pt but with only 2 tags and 2 applicants that's essentially statistical noise — it's a tiny unit and I'm pretty sure there are access restrictions.

These units have low NR competition and decent tag counts relative to applicants — so at 1 pt you're playing the random phase, but at least the odds aren't terrible. Nebo and Wasatch stand out with 3 tags and only 8 NR applicants each.

Everything else is a random-phase lottery at 1 pt. But some units have favorable overall NR tag-to-applicant ratios worth noting for random-phase luck. Pick one and go for it. You might have to keep at it for a few years.

Unit	Tags	Apps	Overall NR Odds	Max Bonus
Nebo (DB1080)	3	8	37.5%	16 pts
Wasatch (DB1087)	3	8	37.5%	12 pts
Chalk Creek (DB1100)	1	3	33.3%	2 pts
Beaver (DB1111)	1	3	33.3%	6 pts
North Slope (DB1065)	2	7	28.6%	16 pts
Mt. Dutton (DB1053)	1	4	25.0%	9 pts
Vernal (DB1086)	1	4	25.0%	6 pts

Thank you.

It looks like the Muzzy Boulder/Kaporowitz is a good bet, they had 74 leftover tags there in 2025 (probably just resident tags though), though maybe that unit isn't good?

https://wildlife.utah.gov/remaining-permits-2025.pdf

I know the Zion unit is full of deer.

 

[Fool-hearted Footslogger]

Thank you.

It looks like the Muzzy Boulder/Kaporowitz is a good bet, they had 74 leftover tags there in 2025 (probably just resident tags though), though maybe that unit isn't good?

https://wildlife.utah.gov/remaining-permits-2025.pdf

I know the Zion unit is full of deer.

Yea, Zion is full of deer early in the season. Don't know that it changes too much by the time late September rolls around. Those Boulder/Kaporowitz leftovers are for preference points hunts in the general season, not the bonus points for Limited Entry hunts. Which point do you have? That actually makes all the difference in the world. On those low quota hunts you're leveraging that point into the back half of the 50/50 draw split. The preference points are a "highest point holders draw first" deal and those cover the general season hunts.

 

[AntelopeEater]

Yea, Zion is full of deer early in the season. Don't know that it changes too much by the time late September rolls around. Those Boulder/Kaporowitz leftovers are for preference points hunts in the general season, not the bonus points for Limited Entry hunts. Which point do you have? That actually makes all the difference in the world. On those low quota hunts you're leveraging that point into the back half of the 50/50 draw split. The preference points are a "highest point holders draw first" deal and those cover the general season hunts.

I didn't even realize until now there were different types of points in Utah unlike NV, so complicated!

I just logged into my Utah account and even the Utah government website does not specify whether it is a "bonus point" or a "preference point"; however, the deer point is definitely for GENERAL SEASON.

I really hope this means GoHunt's draw odds are correct and I have a 100% chance of drawing the Zion Deer Unit General restricted muzzleloader with my one point if I put it as my first choice this year.

Although I think the Scenic Hwy 12 that goes from Bryce to Grand Staircase-Escalante area is one of the most gorgeous drives I've ever done, and if I can be confident I can get that Boulder-Kaporowitz muzzy tag this year that would still be really cool.

But Zion would be my number one choice if it's realistic!

Also, I recently found out that Utah jacked up the non-resident tag costs big time starting this year.

On one hand that is kind of a bummer that it will cost me more if I draw, especially since gas prices are seemingly going to be going up; however, at least the price increase for this year might discourage enough non-residents from applying so as to allow better draw odds for those who are willing to shell out the extra $

 

[Fool-hearted Footslogger]

Yep, cutting it close but you should have it. Here's the breakdown for the Zion unit 01 preference point Non-Res. Based on last years odds. Go get'em.

Breakdown for hunt code DB1589 — Zion Muzzleloader, General Season Deer (2025).

---

NR Draw Odds at 1 Preference Point​

Field	Value
Hunt Code	DB1589
Hunt	Zion – Muzzleloader
Draw Type	General Season (pure preference)
NR Total Permits	41
NR Total Applicants	61
NR Overall Odds	1 in 1.5

At exactly 1 point:

• Eligible applicants: 29
• Permits issued: 29
• Success ratio: 1 in 1.0 (100%)