ut-20261015-R657-62: R657-62. Drawing Application Procedures

1. Agency Information

Title catchline: Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Building: DNR Complex Street address: 1594 W North Temple City, state: Salt Lake City, UT 84416 Mailing address: PO Box 146301 City, state and zip: Salt Lake City, UT 84414-6301

2. Contact Persons

Name: Phone: Email: Staci Coons 801-450-3093 stacicoons@utah.gov Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.

B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted annually for taking public input and reviewing the Division of Wildlife Resources' (DWR) rules pursuant to wildlife draw application procedures in Utah.

C. Summary of the new rule or change:

The amendments to this rule: 1) allow for resident application fees for all nonresident active duty personnel, as well as resident rates for hunting or combination licenses; 2) clarify the requirements needed to qualify for the nonresident active duty exemptions; 3) align the landowner draw section with HB 202, passed in the 2025 General Session; 4) restructure the current buck and pronghorn section; 5) eliminate the mandates for age verification and hunting license possession; and 6) make corrections as needed. 4. Legislative Action Information

B. If yes, any bill number and HB 202 (2025 General Session)

session: 5. Fiscal Information Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:

A. State budget:

The amendments to Rule R657-62 are administrative in nature, the DWR has determined that these changes can be initiated within the current workload and resources of the DWR, therefore, the DWR does not believe that these amendments would create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or the DWR's budget since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget. 150 UTAH STATE BULLETIN, October 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 20 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES

B. Local governments:

Local governments are not directly or indirectly impacted by these proposed amendments because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact small businesses because a service is not required of them.

D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):

The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact non-small businesses because a service is not required of them. E. Persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities ("person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency): The proposed rule amendments do have the potential to impact other persons who are active military non-resident hunters who wish to apply for permits in the State of Utah. The Division does not currently track military service and are unable to estimate how many hunters it might impact.

F. Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR has determined that this amendment may create cost savings for those non-resident active military members eligible for resident pricing on all application fees and hunting or combination license purchases. The DWR estimates that it may save up to $200 per hunter, however are unable to estimate the number of hunters that may take advantage of this option. 6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable." Fiscal Cost FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 FY2031 State Budget $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Governments $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Non-Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Other Persons $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Total Fiscal Cost $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Fiscal Benefits FY2027 FY2028 FY2029 FY2030 FY2031 State Budget $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Local Governments $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Non-Small Businesses $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Other Persons $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Total Fiscal Benefits $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Net Fiscal Benefits $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that this proposed rule amendment will not result in a measurable fiscal impact to businesses. The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Jamie Barnes, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis. UTAH STATE BULLETIN, October 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 20 151 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES 8. Family Impact Information

A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and formation: ☒

9. Citation Information Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement: Section 23A-2-304 Section 23A-2-305 11. Public Notice Information The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.

A. Comments will be accepted until: 11/16/2026

12. Effective Date Information This rule change MAY become effective on: 11/23/2026 (NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date) 13. Agency Authorization Information Agency head or Riley Peck, Director Date: 09/22/2026 designee and title: R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources. R657-62. DrawingApplication Procedures. R657-62-1. Purpose andAuthority. (1) Under authority of Sections 23A-2-304 and 23A-2-305, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for drawing applications and procedures. (2) Specific season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, number of permits and other administrative details that may change annually are published in the respective guidebooks of the Wildlife Board. R657-62-2. Definitions. (1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23A-1-101. (2) In addition: (a) "Active duty" means full-time duty in the active military. (b) "Application" means a form required by the [D]division which must be completed by a person and submitted to the [D]division to apply for a hunting permit. [ (b] (c) "Deployed" means movement from a military personnel's permanent duty station to active duty outside Utah based on orders from military command. (d) "Landowner" means any individual, family or corporation who owns property in Utah and whose name appears on the deed as the owner of eligible property or whose name appears as the purchaser on an executed contract for sale of eligible property. ([c]e) "Limited entry hunt" means any hunt listed in the hunt tables published by the Wildlife Board and is identified as a premium limited entry hunt or limited entry hunt. "Limited entry hunt" does not include bear pursuit. ([d]f) "Limited entry permit" means any permit obtained for a limited entry hunt, including conservation permits, expo permits, and sportsman permits. [ (e] (g) "Military" means the United States Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force and National Guard Reserve Units. (h) "Resident" has the same meaning as defined in Section 23A-1-10. (i) "SCRADocument" means servicemembers civil relief act single record request report generated by the Department of Defense. (j)(i) "Valid application" means an application: (A) for a permit to take a species for which the applicant is eligible to possess; (B) for a permit to take a species regardless of estimated permit numbers; (C) for a certificate of registration; and (D) containing sufficient information, as determined by the division, to process the application, including personal information, hunt information, and sufficient payment. (ii) Applications missing any of the items in Subsection (i) may be considered valid if the application is timely corrected through the application correction process. ([f]k) "Waiting period" means a specified period that a person who has obtained a permit must wait before applying for the same permit type. ([g]l) "Once-in-a-lifetime hunt" means any hunt listed in the hunt tables published by the Wildlife Board and is identified as once- in-a-lifetime, and does not include general or limited entry hunts. 152 UTAH STATE BULLETIN, October 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 20 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES ([h]m) "Once-in-a-lifetime permit" means any permit obtained for a once-in-a-lifetime hunt by any means, including conservation permits, sportsman permits, cooperative wildlife management unit permits and limited entry landowner permits. (i) Voucher" means an authorization issued by the division that entitles the designated holder to purchase the hunting permit specified in the authorization. R657-62-26. Deployed Military. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, a resident serving in the United States Military and deployed in connection with their military service may apply for and receive a bonus point or preference point without acquiring or possessing a hunting or combination license. (2) To obtain a bonus point or preference point without a hunting or combination license, an eligible resident must: (a) be deployed 90 consecutive days or more during the calendar year of application; (b) not have previously received a bonus or preference point for the species and hunt type in the same year; (c) otherwise be eligible to receive a bonus or preference point; (d) pay a $10 application fee; and (e)(i) submit an application to the [D]division no later than December 31 of the calendar year of qualifying deployment; and (ii) include the following information in the application: (A) full name, date of birth, [D]division customer identification number, permanent and current physical address, email address, and any other information required by the [D]division; (B) proof of residency; and (C) copy of official military documentation ordering deployment and specifying its term and location. (3) All other regulations in rule and guidebook for receiving a bonus point or preference point are applicable to an applicant under this section, except for the application process and the requirement to possess a hunting or combination license. (4) Aperson qualifying for a bonus point or preference point under this section may not surrender and receive a refund on: (a) an unexpired hunting or combination license previously purchased; or (b) a previously awarded bonus point or preference point. [ (5) For purposes of this section: (a) "Active duty" means full-time duty in the active military. (b) "Deployed" means movement from a military personnel's permanent duty station to active duty outside the state of Utah based on orders from military command. (c) "Military" means the United StatesArmy, Navy,Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard Reserve Units. (d) "Resident" has the same meaning as defined in Section 23A-1-101.] R657-62-27. Unit Wide Landowner Buck Deer Permits. (1)(a) The division will evaluate draw applications and calculate the number of general season hunting opportunities the landowner qualifies for per Rule R657-43. (b) The applicant will be charged [a handling]an application fee for every draw application, up to 5, that is entered into the drawing. (c) The division will issue vouchers to the landowner based on the drawing results. (d) The divisionisnot responsible foridentifyingrecipientsofthevouchersaftervouchersareawarded toalandownerbythedrawing process. (2) For an individual to redeem the drawn voucher, they must: (a)(i) be the landowner, an immediate family member, or lessee. If theApplicant is a business entity, the person eligible for the permit must be a shareholder, or immediate family member of a shareholder, as designated by the business entity; and (ii) non-shareholder employees of the business entity are not eligible to receive a general season landowner permit; (b) possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license; (c) meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Rule R657-5; and (d) not already obtained a buck deer permit per Section R657-62-18. (3) Any permits remaining after the drawing are available at division offices on a first come, first serve basis. R657-62-28. Limited Entry Buck Deer and Buck Pronghorn Landowner Program -- Lands not Participating in a Landowner Association. [(1) Permit applications. (a) Aperson must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain a limited entry landowner permit. (b) Applicants must meet all age requirements, proof of hunter education requirements and youth restrictions as provided in Rule R657-5. (c](1) Applicants must meet the requirements pursuant to Rule R657-43 to be able to submit a draw application. ([d]a) The applicant will be charged [a handling]an application fee to be entered into the drawing. ([e]b) Applicants will select the season and weapon type for their application. ([i]c) The division will calculate the number of limited entry hunting opportunities qualified for per Rule R657-43. ([ii]i) Voucher allocation will be broken up by season and weapon type within that unit. (2) Arandom drawing or selection process must be conducted for each limited entry permit. (3) Bonus points are neither awarded nor applied in this drawing. (4) Waiting periods do not apply. UTAH STATE BULLETIN, October 15, 2026, Vol. 2026, No. 20 153 NOTICES OF PROPOSED RULES (5) The division will issue a voucher to the landowner based on the drawing results. (a) The divisionisnot responsible for identifyingrecipientsof thevouchersafter vouchersareawarded to alandowner bythe drawing process. (b) A landowner or lessee transferring a permit voucher to another individual may not receive any form of compensation or remuneration for the transfer or for allowing access to the private land for hunting on a permit redeemed with that voucher on the landowner or lessee's eligible property. (c) A person may obtain only one permit per species of big game, including limited[ ]entry, cooperative wildlife management unit, once-in-a-lifetime, conservation, landowner and general permits, except antlerless permits as provided in theAntlerless [Addendum]guidebook and permits as provided in Rule R657-42. R657-62-29. Limited Entry Bull Elk Landowner Program -- Lands not Participating in a LandownerAssociation. (1) Applicants must meet the requirements pursuant to Rule R657-43 to be able to submit a draw application. (a) The applicant will be charged an application fee per entry to be entered into the drawing. (b) Applicants will select the hunt unit that their qualified land falls in for their application. (c) The division will calculate the number of limited entry hunting opportunities qualified for per Rule R657-43. (2) Arandom drawing or selection process must be conducted for each limited entry unit voucher. (3) Bonus points are neither awarded nor applied in this drawing. (4) Waiting periods do not apply. (5) The division will issue a vouchers to the landowner based on the drawing results. (i) Vouchers may be redeemed for any season/weapon type for the unit the landowner qualified for excluding multiseason. (a) The divisionisnot responsible for identifyingrecipientsof thevouchersafter vouchersareawarded to alandowner bythe drawing process. (b) A person may obtain only one permit per species of big game, including limited entry, cooperative wildlife management unit, once-in-a-lifetime, conservation, landowner and general permits, except antlerless permits as provided in theAntlerless guidebook and permits as provided in Rule R657-42. R657-62-30. Active Military Non-Resident Exemption. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this rule, a person who is a non-resident and active duty military may pay the same fees as a resident for applications and a hunting or combination license, provided they meet the qualifications in Section R657-62-30(2). (2) To obtain resident pricing for active duty military as a non-resident, an eligible non-resident must: (a) be active duty military at the time of the active military exemption application: (b) otherwise be eligible to apply for a license and permit; and (c)(i) submit an active military exemption application to the division; and (ii) include the following information in the application: (A) full name, date of birth, division customer identification number, permanent and current physical address, email address, and any other information required by the division: (B) a copy of official military documentation in the form of a SCRAdocument. (3) Upon approval, the individual may purchase a 365-day military hunting or combination license only and pay resident application fees in any division drawing. If successful in drawing, the applicant will pay non-resident permit fees. (4) Approvedeligiblenon-residentsareexemptedfor365 daysfromapprovaland requireanewactivemilitaryexemptionapplication to be submitted annually. (5) Applicants are subject to all other rules and regulations when applying for and receiving licenses and permits under this section. KEY: wildlife, permits Date of Last Change: 2026[October 22, 2025] Notice of Continuation: March 13, 2024 Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-2-304; 23A-2-305 NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE TYPE OF FILING: Amendment Filing ID: 58258