Utah fees increase: keep applying?

[44hunter45]

The only good thing to come out of Utah.

 

[Kiwi]

The typical crying by the typical people.

Its always funny too, because those crying the most, have applied the least.

I'm on year 27 in Utah, drawn nothing yet.

Utah was always on my long term plan, like @brymoore has done with Utah, so that's largely on me.

A lot of people don't even realize that in many states 15-20 years ago you needed to front the tag fees in almost every State. You needed to apply by paper application. Between my wife and I we would have 15-20k splashing around in the various states draws every year.

What has driven this apply everywhere mentality is how easy it is, and largely how cheap it is. A credit card a few hours of time you can apply in every western state.

I have no sympathy for the crying, apply or dont, it's a privilege and a luxury to hunt out of state.

Lots of affordable hunts still to be had even for NR hunters.

There is no way to make it affordable to everyone and IMO, if a person waits until they retire then they really didn't want to do it that bad from the get-go.

I've been a bit "lucky" drawing tags and have done hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of quality hunts very affordably, pennies on the dollar.

I'll keep applying and of all the money I spend in a given year on everything else, my licenses and applications do the most benefit to wildlife, habitat, hunting, and fishing. I don't need a tag to feel good about supporting same. Obviously others expect a bigger ROI, I don't.

That's the push I needed. Application underway.

 

[Buffs35]

The days of applying to a dozen states are slowly coming to a halt for a lot of us. Quickly.

I’m down to 3. Used to be 7.

 

[Joe Hulburt]

I’m in, 15 points most species and never hunted a day in Utah.

 

[mtmiller]

25 for deer, 24 for goat, 17 for elk and pronghorn. I am officially in for 2026.

 

[Zim]

8 states applied for as a nr for me with around 120 dollar average per state for just licensing fees. Start adding in cost of points you can call all the bullshit you want that adds up quickly. I look at the fees as a investment into the wildlife agencies so it doesn’t give me as much heart burn

I'm also down to 8 states, only 6 of which are out West. My Utah pts are 14, 17,17 & 21 and if it weren't for the 17 elk I'd be walkin. I should be able to get an opportunity hunt for those eventually. OP, I'd walk at 14 due to the 17 bubble.

 

[ashersdad]

I'm kind of in no man's land in Utah with 17 for most species and 18 for mountain goat. I did draw moose and elk over 15 years ago, so Utah has been good to me in the past. My boys and I are still in for 2026.

 

[Oak]

Honestly, I'm not sure the OIL are worth $4000-$5000 to me any more. Ten years ago I would have said absolutely yes, but priorities change. I mean, I've shot several desert rams in just the last couple of months, and could go out this afternoon and do it again. I'm beginning to think that's good enough for me.

 

[BuzzH]

I just applied this morning for about everything. I have 26 desert sheep, 14 for rockies, 26 deer, 17 elk, 17 for bison, and 14 general deer points, handful of pronghorn. My wife has the same except she has 26 moose points and also 14 pronghorn points.

 

[Matthew57]

Honestly, I'm not sure the OIL are worth $4000-$5000 to me any more. Ten years ago I would have said absolutely yes, but priorities change. I mean, I've shot several desert rams in just the last couple of months, and could go out this afternoon and do it again. I'm beginning to think that's good enough for me.

View attachment 406201

I feel the same way actually. Think I’m going to halt the OILs this year.

 

[TheDudeAbides]

Utah was fun.

Used to draw swan, general deer, and cow elk every couple of years and hunt there.

I did draw LE Bull Elk in 2016, Sage Grouse in 2019, and Doe Pronghorn in 2022 as well.

But I got out a last year.

Tons of points that I wish I could transfer to others, but they will just die in the system.

There is no reason to hunt outside of Wyoming.

More than enough opportunity.

If I want to do a hog hunt in Texas, Multi day Tuna fishing in California, or Offshore fishing in Florida, I don't have to budget out of state hunt application processes anymore.

I just get my Wyoming tax refund (Moose, Sheep, Goat, Bison) in may every year and then plan out my fall accordingly.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

I'm in for desert, rockies, goat, bison, pronghorn, moose and deer. Odds are not so good to draw and thankfully I will still be plenty busy hunting elsewhere.

 

[Matthew57]

I'm in for desert, rockies, goat, bison, pronghorn, moose and deer. Odds are not so good to draw and thankfully I will still be plenty busy hunting elsewhere.
View attachment 406322

Should be in line for some pronghorn hunts huh?

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

ive been lucky enough to hunt utah several times for gen muzzy deer,,once for antelope muzz,once for book cliffs l e muzz deer,,have never pulled a elk tag yet,i think 2026 is my last try with 15 elk points.got my personally nicest mule deer on a utah gen muzz hunt years ago,but now the gen deer price is marginal if its worth it now as a non -res