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Utah elk hunting season is unlike any other. Once you’ve spent time hunting elk in the Beehive State, you understand its appeal. Whether you’re participating in a guided elk hunt or a free-range elk hunt, every experience is memorable. From the open wilderness to the Wasatch Mountains, Utah is the perfect place for planning elk hunting trips, including high fence elk hunts. Ask any seasoned elk hunter and they’ll list Utah as one of their go-to spots.

A native for thousands of years, Utah’s state animal is a Rocky Mountain Elk. A variety of elk species roam northern Utah, including several trophy bulls. In fact, Utah has more record harvests than any other western state, making it a perfect location for high fence guaranteed hunts.

You don’t need to be a resident to appreciate elk hunting season in Utah. Permits for the General Elk Season are available for residents and non-residents on a first-come-first-serve basis. The Utah Division of Wildlife manages elk uses a sectioning system of 30-units. These units also include a few sub-divisions, equaling a total of 48 elk sub-units.

While it seems complicated, Utah Elk Hunting Permits are relatively simple. There are two types of permits that you can purchase online or over-the-counter. You will also need to buy elk hunting tags based on the type of elk hunting you are participating in, including during Archery, Rifle, or Muzzleloader seasons.

The two types of General Season Elk permits are:

  • Any Bull Permits

The state doesn’t manage bull units for trophy bull hunting, which means you will hunt all kinds of bulls. This can include mature bulls, but younger elk also roam the space.

  • Spike Bull Permits

The difference of Spike Bull permits is that you can only hunt where elk are managed for older aged bull hunting and Limited Entry Hunt locations.

Each General Elk Hunting Season opens and closes on specific dates with detailed harvests. In general, the seasons run between August and November. You can visit the Utah Division of Wildlife for elk hunting laws and guidelines in Utah, including information on high fence guaranteed elk hunts.

Now that you better understand the basics of Utah elk hunting, let’s discuss the different ways you can hunt elk, including general elk hunting and free-ranging elk-hunting.

Free-Range Elk Hunting Vs. General Elk Hunting

As mentioned earlier, Utah has a couple of elk hunting types. You can either hunt in a unit that manages the area, loading it with trophy bulls or a free-range unit. Many elk hunters prefer hunting in Any Bull units full of mature bulls rather than search for trophy bulls in a free-range unit.

No matter which unit you are hunting in, there are a few different ways you can hunt from doing it yourself to guided hunts. One of the best options for elk hunting is through a guided hunt.

Guided Elk Hunting

Guided hunts are just that—guided. During a guided elk hunting trip with West Canyon Ranch, you will have an experience worth remembering. Not only are you going to hunt world-class elk, but get everything you need along the way.

When you book a high fence guaranteed elk hunt through West Canyon Ranch, you gain access to a 4,000-acre ranch stocked with trophy bulls. These guided elk hunting trips last three days and three nights with a 100%-guaranteed shot opportunity. You will also get to choose whether you want to spot and stalk, hunt from a jeep or side by side, call, or use one of our many ground blinds.

Your guided trophy bull elk hunt is an all-inclusive experience as well. These high fence elk hunts include:

  • Licenses
  • Permits
  • Guide Services
  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • Beverages
  • Airport Transportation from the Salt Lake City Airport
  • Field Dress

If you are ready to experience a world-class elk hunting experience in Northern Utah, contact West Canyon Ranch today. You can also contact our team for detailed information regarding pricing, activities, and accommodations.