Mule Deer Fanatic

An excerpt from the Yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/muledeerfanatic/join/

“I understand that, not long ago in Idaho, there was a rancher that shot a lion because it was too close to his livestock. The Idaho Game and Fish then prosecuted him for a game violation. The rancher and his associates then called for a dismissal of the charges. The end result was that the Governor released the G and F Director. What a marvelous display of priorities. The Governor (i.e., the people of Idaho) have made a bold statement that people and even livestock are more important than lions. My hat is off to the people of Idaho. We need more of the same all acrossed the West.”

Buck Chaser

I’m going to start right off telling you that I am color blind. Years ago, I read an article that said deer are color blind. I think it would be hard to know. I’ve asked – but those darned deer just won’t tell me. I won’t go into detail, but after observing over many years, and after doing some experiments of my own, I believe mule deer are color blind.

What does this mean to the hunter? Well, it is very difficult, at best, for a color blind person to explain what he sees to a “normal” person. But, if I can get you to understand what I see, you may have a comparitive advantage over your fellow hunters when it comes to hunting (particularly bowhunting) mule deer.

It is rumored that color blind soldiers were used in world war II to spot ground camoflauge from airplanes. You see (maybe you don’t), to a color blind person, camoflauge is not camoflauge at all; it stands out somewhat like a neon light. Are you starting to see the picture? All you guys/gals that think you’re hiding from the mule deer are just making yourselves more obvious. If you are wearing camo, for heck sakes, don’t move.

The author of the aforementioned article said that deer see black, white, grey, and yellow. I’m not sure that is completely accurate. I find it reasonable to believe that they see like I do. Let me explain how I see, if I can. In the summer, when deer are reddish (so I’m told), I cannot see them unless they move. They blend in perfectly with their surroundings. I know this may be hard for you to understand. In the fall, when the deer are grey, then I can spot them like they were blinking. Go figure.

My hunting partner, of many years, has the quirky trait of having deer just stand around and gawk at him, while they run from me.

I tell him it is because he looks funny with those thick glasses he wears ( he is legally blind, I am legally color blind). This has always annoyed me, and many times I have sworn to remedy the situation. One year, I had my daughter build me a hat with big mule deer ears on it. I chose the color green, even though I couldn’t tell it was green, because I surmised that the hunters would know I wasn’t a deer, but the deer wouldn’t. It was a real neat trick – until the ears started drooping like dog ears. The deer didn’t like that. They didn’t stand around gawking for very long, once those ears got droopy. But, it did cause them to gawk when the ears were upright.

Here is some color-related advice from a color blind person. The main color to avoid is white. Yellow is not too far behind. Blue would be next on my list. Most camoflauge on the market, even though there have been improvements, is bad. If you want to be seen by hunters, but not by deer use bright red. I think you should know, there is no such thing as bright red for the color blind. Flourencent orange does nothing to impress a color blind person either. Get 100 yards away with your flourescent orange and it might as well be drab green. As far as a single, good color goes, drab green is a good one. But, if you really want to hide from deer, look like a coyote or a lion. Theirs is a terrific camoflauge against color blindness. Sagebrush green/grey is also very good. Now you know.

Happy Hunting and may the Force be with you.

There is nothing like on-the-job training. When you cannot hunt mule deer, by all means hunt rabbits, squirrels, gophers, coyotes, etc. Especially coyotes.

Mule deer stot, which is to say they bounce like they are on pogo sticks while they run.

When you can hit a running mule deer, you are doing good – even if it is luck. It is better to shoot at a mule deer that is standing still, but if that is the only shot you can/will take, you limit your potential. One hunter, I know, practices with his target inside a tire, and rolls the tire down a hill while trying to shoot the bullseye. This may be extreme, but it has paid off for him. Be creative, but not dangerous.

Your choice of weapon, caliber, or model is less important than your skill with it. I have my preferences, which I will share, but so does everyone else. My favorite for mule deer is a M-77 Ruger .25-06 handloaded with 120 gr. rapid-expansion boat-tail bullets. My binoculars are Swarovski 10×42’s. I use a Leopold 3-9 rifle scope. If you are a serious mule deer fanatic, your equipment may get some rough treatment. Yours should be able to handle whatever you will dish out, without you feeling guilty about some scars and scrapes.

If you plan to do a lot of “noclarating”, get some “noclars” that don’t give you a headache after lengthy use. I find that the heavier binoculars are easier to hold steady when you are shaky. Both binoculars and rifle scopes have a tendency to fog up when you least desire it. Those that are resistive to fogging are valuable.

When buck fever sets in, strange things happen. You want the proper and correct use of your equipment to be able to go on autopilot when you get buck fever. This requires repetition. Practice, practice, practice.

If your first unaided view of a buck tells you he is a potential keeper, look at him with your rifle scope instead of your binoculars.

Finally, be able to make a quick shot, if necessary. Don’t, however let your quick shot rule over good judgement.

Happy hunting and may the Force be with you

I know persons who have shot mule deer from the seat of their atv or vehicle. No discussion of legalities here. If you really want to hunt mule deer, you can still find places and methods that do not require you to be in physically good condition. Improving your condition, in any instance, will only make your hunt more enjoyable and beneficial. I look forward to the hunt every year because it gives me an incentive (which I otherwise lack) to get in shape, and also gets me in even better shape by the doing.

There is a lot of mule deer country that is rugged, remote, hairy, wild, and wooley. If you want the real thrill of the hunt go to such areas. Some mule deer have mountian goat blood in their genetics. Your chances for a trophy mule deer are improved by getting off the beaten path. Any exercise will help, I suppose – but, in my opinion, the only activity that is really up to the task is the task itself. Go to the area you plan to hunt, if at all possible, and hike like a crazy man. Scout for deer while your at it, and kill two birds with one stone. If you cannot do this, mimic it as closely as you possibly can. Unless it kills you, it will help you.

Happy hunting and may the Force be with you

So, you want to hunt mule deer….

Well, if you’re like me, I’ve always wanted to hunt whitetail, but have never done anything about it. Maybe you fall in that category relative to mule deer hunting. Maybe you live in the east and don’t know where to go or what to expect. So, let’s get you on your way and answer some questions for you. If you have other questions, let me know.

First, see the topic: “All about Mule Deer“, if you believe it will help you.

Second, Be in shape for high altitudes and rugged terrain. The best practice is hard hiking up and down steep hills.

Third, Westerners count antler points differently than Easterners. The equivalent of a whitetail 10 point would normally be referred to as a 4 pt mule deer, or a 4×4. Set your goals realistically, but I recommend that you shoot for a 4 pt, or better, if you are going to spend the time and money to hunt mule deer.

Fourth, Mule deer are largely creatures of big, relatively wide-open expanses. Expect to take, and practice taking what, to you, may seem like long shots. 500 yards is not unreasonable.

Fifth, You may expect to haul a mule deer quite a long distance over some difficult terrain in order to get it to your vehicle. If you can’t do this immediately, beware of predators and endeavor to keep your animal away from them.

Sixth, Just before a spooked mule deer disappears from your view, it will often stop a moment to assess what your next move will be. This is often a golden opportunity. Once the mule deer disappears, however, they will typically do the unexpected until you learn to expect the unexpected.

Seventh, Most states have lotteries for mule deer hunts. Many have preference or bonus points for the undrawn hunter in order to improve his/her odds of drawing in subsequent years. Some states make you pay for these points, some do not. Start applying today in order to hunt tomorrow. You will nearly always need the license in order to apply for the tag. Some states won’t refund your license (fee), if you don’t draw. In that case, go kill some lions and coyotes to allow for more deer the next year – put your license to good use.

Eighth, There are golden opportunities for archery hunters, especially if you are a competent archer.

Ninth, Plan on covering a lot of ground to see mule deer. They move around over a much larger area than whitetails. Use your instinct, which is often correct, to tell you when you are very near deer. Then, become as stealthy as you can.

Tenth, Mule deer love transition zones. This is where there is a fundamental change in vegatation, usually due to elevation. In such areas, deer have a larger variety of feed and cover.

Eleventh, Mule deer will stay relatively close to water. One Mexican sheep herder put it this way: “Water – deer. Deer – water.”

Twelveth, Don’t be a noisy hunter unless your strategy is to spook the deer so you can see them.

Thirteenth, Even though mule deer have large, respectable ears; and eyes that are super-sensitive to movement – the nose is where it’s all at. The nose is never doubted, even though the eyes and ears sometimes are. Be Aware of the wind and your scent. A wise old buck will sneak away upon hearing or smelling you before you see him. Mule deer behave as if you can smell them – they don’t know you can’t. They also behave as if you can see in the dark.

Fourteenth, When a group of does and/or small bucks breaks cover and runs, be extra keen on watching for a big buck doing something entirely different than the herd.

Fifteenth, If you jump a mule deer, and do not spook it too badly, you can wait patiently and it will quite often return. Watch the wind though.

Sixteenth, Big bucks will bed in such a way that other bedded deer protect them from intruders. If you come upon a bedded doe, don’t spook her just because she is not a buck. Look around for the buck first, and remember the first sentence while you’re looking.

Seventeenth, Mule deer are usually bedded by one hour after sun-up. They usually start moving around again when the evening shadows cool things down a bit.

Eighteenth, Mule deer can’t be rattled or called very effectively – like whitetails. If you use a fawn distress call – expect the does to charge you and the bucks to flee from you. Since there are now few, if any, rut hunts – calling and rattling are pretty useless.

Ninteenth, Mule deer hunters have a nasty habit of moving past you in the dark – quite often spooking deer for both you and them. Such hunters believe they should be in their favorite spot before sun-up.

Twentieth, Carry good binoculars. Hunting mule deer without them is tough at best. Keep them handy.

Lastly, dress in layers. Temperatures and weather can change rapidly in mule deer country. Be able to start a fire in extremely difficult circumstances, including you shaking so badly that you can scarcely strike a match.

Happy hunting and may the Force be with you

1) Get in shape. Go up and down steep hills – there’s nothing better.

2) Develop in-the-clutch skill with your weapon and equipment. Buck fever happens.

3) Pick a hunting area that has the kind of bucks you expect to harvest.

4) Obtain the necessary finances. Credit card expiration dates need to go beyond fee withdrawl dates.

5) Apply for and obtain a license and tag. Some states start this process as early as January. Most have online applications.

6) Preseason scouting. If possible, select the buck you will harvest.

7) Attitude is important : Apply faith, enthusiasm, effort, and skill to your hunt.

8 If one spot doesn’t produce, quickly switch to another. Be flexible.

9) Hunt dawn ’til dark.

10) Expect to succeed. Take a knife, rope, deer bag, salt, baking soda, camera, and anything else necessary for when your buck is on the ground.

Happy hunting and may the force be with you

Harsh winters and droughts have always impacted mule deer. As far as I’m concerned, they always will, especially if a harsh winter immediately follows a severe drought. We have always had weather and will continue to do so – with little or nothing we can do about it.

In the good old days, and I’m old enough to have seen them, mule deer rebounded very quickly after bad weather. Why? Well, they are nearly like rabbits, if they’re allowed to be. The old-timers, two generations before me, said mule deer used to be called “government mutton”, and were like herds of sheep. I was fortunate enough to see the tail-end of those days.

Nowadays, if game agencies see a 0.5/1.0 fawn to doe ratio – they brag about it. If you were a sheepman and had that kind of ratio – you’ld be outabusiness. Healthy herds of both deer and sheep should have 1.8/1.0 baby/mom ratios. Deer herds with those kind of ratios can, and do rebound quickly.

Why don’t we have those kind of ratios anymore? Primarily coyotes. Again, if sheepmen let the coyotes reduce their ratios to even 1.0/1.0 – they’re outabusiness.

Coyotes are getting most of our fawns before they can even be counted. And, coyotes aren’t the only problem. In my home area, birds of prey (and coyotes, as well) kill fawns while they are being born. (You may also observe, that in the mule deer heyday – birds of prey weren’t protected, and were often shot on sight). Even crows will peck the eyes out of a mule deer fawn during birth, and finish up later. Another, but lesser problem affecting fawn/doe ratios, is females not getting bred or getting bred late. In Arizona, we have to kill 30,000 coyotes per year just to break even. Other states are not much different.

Yes, there are getting to be more and more people. Yes, there are fewer resources (mule deer) and, WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. In the late sixties, when I first started hunting mule deer, there were 210,000 hunters in my home state of Utah ( 1/3 of all Utahns, 2/3 of the Utah males) and we harvested app. 80,000 bucks per year for quite a few years. Now there are no more than 97,000 deer hunters in Utah, and they harvest less than 25,000 mule deer (male and female) (And that’s being generous -I don’t believe the DWR numbers). It doesn’t matter how many people there are per se, only how many hunters.

Now, I’m going to try and jump one step ahead of you – in case you want to tell me about human encroachment. The undeveloped areas next to cities haven’t been much good for mule deer for a long time. The last time mule deer hunting was really good along the Utah Wasatch front was 1969. We haven’t lost much to encroachment in that area for 40 years. Interestingly, mule deer along the Wasatch front are more abundant now than they were 30 years ago… it’s all those nice neighborhoods with watered shrubs and such.

All over the rest of Utah, and in large areas of other western states – things haven’t changed a lot. Blanding, Utah; or Rockland, Idaho; or Jackpot, Nevada; or North Kaibab, Arizona – for example. I can remember when cedar trees, all over the West, were eaten up as high as the mule deer could reach, and still we sustained large deer herds, and had large harvests year after year. The number of people ISN’T the problem, as politically popular as that idea is.

What is the problem? (and fortunately, it is one that we can do something about): PREDATORS. Every western state has maxed out its lion population. Lions will eat 50 deer a year, avg., if the deer are available. There doesn’t need to be a lot of discussion about that. Just pause and do some math using however many lions you think there are. Good weather won’t help reduce the lion impact, either.

I have a good friend who has the solution: Everyone who turns in 3 coyote ears or one lion ear gets a free deer tag from their state agency. Everyone wins! And, think of all the deer we “conserve”.

My father, who taught me to hunt, would not let me shoot a doe. He said that in 5 years I would have killed the equivalent of 25 deer by killing one doe. That is another problem we can do something about. We don’t need to kill does until we exceed carrying capacity. And, if you start talking to me about how killing does (politically correct) improves deer herds, be prepared for a rebuttal.

If you wish to hunt mule deer in Utah, you must apply on or before February 16, 2007. Utah applications can be completed over the phone, online, by mail, or in person. For a non-resident, the easiest way to apply is online. You may obtain a copy of the 2007 proclamation here: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/proclamations/2007_biggame/. The list of deer units is found on pages 35-37 of the proclamation. The mule deer map is on page 46.

You may download a hardcopy application from the same page by clicking on “Nonresident Premium Limited Entry, Limited Entry, CWMU & Once-in-a-Lifetime”. If you wish to apply online – apply here: http://www.sci-nevada.com/webutapps/.

Applying as a group: Groups are encouraged to apply online. If applying as a
group through the mail be sure to send ALL applications in the SAME envelope.

Nonresident fishing bonus: Nonresident big game permits also serve as
fishing licenses. If a nonresident purchases a fishing license in addition to a
big game permit, however, the Division will NOT issue a refund for the fishing
license.

Big game draw application deadline:
The deadline to apply for the bucks, bulls and once-in-a-lifetime hunts in 2007
is February 16, 2007. Paper applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. and
online applications must be submitted by 11:00 p.m.

2007 Permit Non-Resident Fees:
Deer
General Archery $263
General Any Weapon $263
General Muzzleloader $263
Premium Limited Entry $563
Premium CWMU* $563
Limited Entry $463
CWMU $263
Buck/Bull Combo $651

Draw results:
Draw results will be available by April 27, 2007. For results, call Utah Administrative
Services toll-free at 1-800-221-0659 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or
visit wildlife.utah.gov. In the interests of protecting applicant privacy and to
comply with recent changes in governmental records access laws, applicants
may obtain access to their own draw results only.

2007 general season Dates:
General Archery Deer August 18–September 14
General Muzzleloader Deer September 26–October 4
General Any Weapon Deer October 20–28
Southeastern Region October 20–24
Southern Region October 20–24
General Buck/Bull Combination October 6–18

Mandatory reporting:
Premium limited entry, limited entry, management
bull elk, CWMU and Once-in-a-Lifetime hunters must report hunt information
within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season online at
wildlife.utah.gov OR by calling 1-800-221-0659. Hunters have to report even
if they did not harvest an animal.

Application Withdrawal:
R657-5-62
(1) A person may withdraw their application for the big game drawing
provided a written request of such is received by March 1, 2007.
(2) The applicant must send their notarized signature with a statement
requesting that their application be withdrawn to: Utah Wildlife Administrative
Services, P.O. Box 30389, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0389.
(3) Handling fees will not be refunded and preference points will not be
awarded.

Application Amendments:
R657-5-62
(1)(a) An applicant may amend their application for the big game drawing
provided a written request of such is received by March 1, 2007.
(b) An amendment form, which requests all of the necessary information
to amend an application, is available at Division offices and at wildlife.
utah.gov.
(2) The applicant must send their notarized signature with a statement
requesting that their application be amended to: Utah Administrative Services,
P.O. Box 30389, Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0389.
(3) The applicant must identify in their statement the requested amendment
to their application.
(4) Handling fees will not be refunded.
(5) An amendment may cause rejection if the amendment causes an error
on the application.

Drawing Process and Results for General Buck Deer, Buck/Bull Combination
and Youth General Any Bull Elk :R657-5-27
(1) Permits are drawn in the following order:
(a) premium limited entry, limited entry and CWMU buck deer;
(b) premium limited entry, limited entry, management bull elk and
CWMU elk;
(c) limited entry and CWMU buck pronghorn;
(d) once-in-a-lifetime;
(e) youth general buck deer;
(f) general buck deer, general buck/bull combination; and
(g) youth general any bull elk

New this year: 2,000 hunters in the Northern Region will have the
opportunity to hunt buck deer and bull elk at the same time. Hunters who
draw a buck/bull combination permit will receive a buck deer permit that’s
valid ONLY on any bull elk units in the Northern Region from October 6–18,
2007. Hunters will also receive an any bull elk permit that’s valid on all
general season any bull elk units across the state.
Lifetime License holders may apply for the buck/bull combination hunt
if they waive their choice of general deer permits and pay the additional
cost of the elk permit. Members of the Dedicated Hunter Program may
apply if they surrender their Dedicated Hunter Certificate of Registration in
accordance with R657-38-4.

General Buck Deer Permit Numbers:
Total permits in 2006 Number of applications in 2006
RegionResident Nonresidents Residents Nonresidents
Archery
Statewide* 14,400 1,600 5,164 669
Any weapon
Northern 20,700 2,300 4,539 222
Northeastern 11,700 1,300 9,845 331
Central 10,800 1,200 15,650 380
Southeastern 11,700 1,300 11,682 1,359
Southern 16,200 1,800 22,561 4,924
Totals 85,500 9,500
*The statewide archery permit does not include limited entry units.

General Buck Deer Hunt Numbers:
(PERMIT FEE: RESIDENT $40, NONRESIDENT $263—BUCK/BULL COMBO PERMIT FEE: RESIDENT $105, NONRESIDENT $651).
Use ORANGE 3-digit hunt number to apply. Deer preference point code: GDR
Hunt # Archery Hunt # Any Weapon Hunt # Muzzleloader Hunt # Buck/Bull Combination
984 Statewide 985 Northern 995 Northern 200 Northern
986 Northeastern 996 Northeastern
987 Central 997 Central
988 Southeastern 998 Southeastern
989 Southern 999 Southern

Preference Points:
R657-5-37(B)
Preference points are used to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful,
or who apply for a preference point in the drawing for general buck
deer or the general buck/bull combination, will have first preference in the
next year’s drawing for the respective permits.
Preference points only apply to general buck deer and general buck/
bull combination hunts and are awarded for each unsuccessful application.
An individual, who does not want to hunt in the current year, may
apply for a preference point only, for general buck deer by selecting the
appropriate preference point code (GDR) on the application and paying the
$5 handling fee. The application period is January 17–February 16, 2007.
A preference point will not be issued if an applicant is successful in
drawing any general buck deer or general buck/bull combination permit,
regardless of the region or choice number. For example, if an applicant
chooses the Southeastern Region as a first choice and the Northern Region
as a second choice, and draws the Northern Region permit (the second
choice), a preference point will not be awarded.
Preference points are not forfeited if an individual obtains a remaining
permit.
The Division has retained electronic records of all general buck deer
application information from the year 2000 to present.

How your Preference Points work in the draw:
Preference points are averaged and rounded down when two or more
applicants apply as a group. For example, if hunter A with three preference
points and hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference
points are averaged (1.5) and rounded down to one. This process
will determine in which group of preference points your application will be
considered. This group with one preference point will be considered after
all groups or individuals with two or more preference points and before all
groups or individuals with zero preference points.
In a second example, if hunter A with one preference point and
hunter B with zero preference points apply as a group, the preference
points are averaged (0.5) and rounded down to zero. This process will
determine in which group of preference points your application will be
considered. This group with zero preference points will be considered
after all groups or individuals with one or more preference points have
been considered.
In the drawing, the general buck deer applications are sorted into
groups by the number of preference points, from highest to lowest—a
4 Preference Point Group, a 3 Preference Point Group, etc. Within each
group of preference points, the applications are then sorted from lowest
to highest draw numbers. (You receive only one random draw number for
the general deer hunt.) Permits are awarded in order, based on the hunt
choice selected.
Applicants who apply for a general buck deer permit will receive
a preference point, even if they are successful in obtaining a premium
limited entry, limited entry, or CWMU deer or elk permit in the drawing.
An individual may surrender their general buck deer permit prior to
the season opening date for the purpose of reinstating the number of
preference points, including a preference point for the current year (just
as if a permit had not been drawn).

You cannot apply for a General Buck Deer or General Buck/Bull Combination
Permit or a Preference Point if:
You are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game
hunting.
A complete copy of these regulations (R657-5-37) can be found at
wildlife.utah.gov.

Bonus Points:
R657-5-37(A)
Bonus points apply to each species in the Bucks, Bulls and Oncein-
a-Lifetime Drawing. A bonus point is awarded for each unsuccessful
application to hunt premium limited entry, limited entry, management
bull elk and CWMU buck deer, bull elk and pronghorn, and for unsuccessful
applications for the state’s once-in-a-lifetime species—bison, bighorn
sheep, moose and mountain goat.
An individual, who does not want to hunt in the current year, may
still apply for a bonus point only, for one or more species, by selecting the
appropriate hunt choice or choices on the application and paying the $5
handling fee. The application period is January 17–February 16, 2007.
Because bonus points are applied for by species, any person who is eligible
to hunt the species may apply for a bonus point for premium limited
entry, limited entry, management bull elk or once-in-a-lifetime, even if
that particular hunt is not being offered that year.
To apply for a bonus point, you must be eligible for the hunt for which
you are applying. For example, if you are eligible for a limited entry buck
deer permit, you are eligible to apply for a limited entry buck deer bonus
point.
You can apply for:
one limited entry permit and one once-in-a lifetime permit; or
one limited entry bonus point and one once-in-a-lifetime bonus
point; or
one limited entry permit and one once-in-a-lifetime bonus point; or
one limited entry bonus point and one once-in-a-lifetime permit.
If you apply for a permit, and a bonus point for the same species, your
application will be rejected.
If you apply for more than one premium limited entry or limited entry
bonus point, your application will be rejected.
If you apply for more than one once-in-a-lifetime bonus point, your
application will be rejected.
Your general buck deer permit application does not affect bonus points
for limited entry deer. If you draw a general buck deer permit, you will still
receive a bonus point for your unsuccessful premium limited entry, limited
entry or CWMU application.
The Division has retained electronic copies of application information
from 1996 to present.

How your Bonus Points work in the draw:
Fifty percent (odd numbers are rounded down) of the permits for each
hunt unit number are reserved for applicants with the most bonus points.
You receive one random drawing number for each species you apply
for and one for every bonus point you have for that species. Your lowest
random number is used in the drawing.
Bonus points are averaged and rounded down when two or more
applicants apply as a group. For example, if hunter A with seven bonus
points and hunter B with zero bonus points apply as a group, the bonus
points are averaged (3.5) and rounded down to three. The group receives
three random draw numbers for the bonus points, plus one random draw
number for the group application, for a total of four draw numbers. The
lowest random number is used in the drawing.
In the draw for limited entry buck deer, the applications are sorted
into groups by the number of bonus points, from highest to lowest—a 10
Bonus Point Group, a 9 Bonus Point Group, etc. Hunters applying alone will
be treated as a group of one. Within each group of bonus points for limited
entry buck deer, the applications are sorted from lowest to highest draw
number. Permits are awarded in order, based on the hunt choice selected.
Any person may surrender their premium limited entry, limited entry
or once-in-a-lifetime permit prior to the season opening date, for the
purpose of waiving the waiting period normally assessed and reinstating
the number of bonus points, including a bonus point for the current year
(just as if a permit had not been drawn).

You cannot apply for a hunt or receive a Bonus Point if:
you are currently under wildlife license suspension for big game
hunting; or
you are currently under a waiting period for that species; or
you have already obtained a permit for that once-in-a-lifetime
species; or
you have not met the required harvest reporting requirement for
premium limited entry, limited entry or once-in-a-lifetime species.
A complete copy of these regulations (R657-5-37) can be found at
wildlife.utah.gov/rules.