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Hunt Elk, Moose, and Bighorn Sheep in this Fine Western State

Erik Schell
|  
  • Erik Schell
Species: Mountain Goat, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk, Antelope, Shiras Moose, Bison, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Location: Utah

Big-game hunting opportunities in Utah garner a lot of attention, for good reason. With 8 big-game species to apply for and two separate mule deer tags, the state offers a variety of tags likely to align with every hunter’s wishlist.

But the time to act is now. The 2022 draw deadline is March 3.

How the Draw Works

Utah is a first-choice state, meaning they examine every applicant’s first choice before looking at the second choice. So your first choice is the only one that counts on each application. Tags are split evenly with half of the tags awarded to those with the most points and the remaining 50% awarded to all other applicants on what can be termed the “random” element of the draw. If you apply for a hunt with five points and you are not awarded a tag, your name will be entered into the random draw five times. Obviously, these extra names in the hat offer immensely improved draw odds.

The Big 5:

Rocky Mountain Bighorn, Desert Bighorn, Shiras Moose, Rocky Mountain Goat, Bison

Utah’s topography, elevations, and climates are so vast and varied it allows Rocky Mountain bighorn, desert bighorn, Shiras moose, Rocky Mountain goat, and bison to thrive in different portions of the state. Hunters can apply for all five species. These hunts are managed for 100% success on mature animals. Utah is one of only five states that offers true free-range Boone & Crockett-eligible bison tags. If drawn for any of these five species, you can expect a memorable experience. 

Mule Deer

Over the last decade Utah has experienced a regression in average trophy size coming off the premier hunting units and a decline in terms of total herd numbers. In response, Utah has formulated a plan to revitalize the herd in conjunction with an aggressive predator management program. These programs, coupled with the current moisture outlook, should encourage mule deer enthusiasts for the near future in Utah.

Limited Entry versus General Season

Utah offers two deer applications: limited entry and general season. Both allow applicants to select from archery, muzzleloader, and rifle hunt options. Utah’s top limited-entry units rival the finest units across the West in terms of trophy production and historically high hunter-satisfaction ratings. Tag numbers are extremely limited in these areas, so we highly suggest applying with the most primitive weapon you feel comfortable hunting with to increase your draw odds.

But the general deer hunting opportunities should not be overlooked. These tags are ideal for enjoying time in Utah’s grand outdoors and can provide a great opportunity at representative bucks, specifically when hunting with an outfitter very familiar with the area. True trophy-minded hunts do exist within the general season offerings but are few and far between.

Rocky Mountain Elk

The quality of elk hunting in Utah rivals any state in the West. Just take a look at a B&C record book and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Although certain units offer higher odds of taking a 380+ bull, nearly every limited-entry unit produces 360+ bulls each year. If you are set on drawing one of the premier units, strap in, you will typically be in for a long wait. I encourage you to look at applying for the muzzleloader, archery, and late rifle hunts instead of the September rifle hunt during the heart of the bugle (which everyone else wants ) to improve overall odds. These hunts are still phenomenal opportunities, and your draw odds will monumentally increase.

Antelope

Antelope thrive across the state, but tags are extremely limited. If you are currently applying, and have points, stay the course and continue to apply yearly. If you have not started, I would encourage you to speak with one of the WTA TAGS consultants regarding opportunities outside of Utah that may offer better hunting quality without the wait that has become the norm for an antelope tag in Utah.

If you are currently applying in Utah and question your current application strategy or are simply considering applying for your first tag in the West, do not hesitate to contact WTA TAGS. The expert consulting team will give you sound advice gathered through first-hand experiences and relationships built over the last 20 years with the finest outfitters in the state.

Dial 1-800-755-8247 to speak with a consultant or click here to email.

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Against the Odds: Drawing Back-to-Back Sheep and Goat Tags 

Against the Odds: Drawing Back-to-Back Sheep and Goat Tags 

Drawing a sheep tag with 1-in-5,300 odds is amazing. Drawing a mountain goat tag the next year? That’s lottery luck. That’s why it didn’t seem real when my WTA consultant, Jordan Roche, called me two years in a row with that news!

I’d been working with Jordan at WTA TAGS for about five years, letting him manage my hunting applications in multiple states while I focused on staying in shape for whatever hunts might come through. When he called about the Tok Range Dall sheep tag (the only non-resident permit out of 10 total), I knew it was special.

After the excitement of drawing my tag settled in, it was time to find the right outfitter to make my hunt a success. WTA recommended one of their top partners for that area and handled every detail. My outfitter made it clear: this would be a backpack hunt in some of Alaska’s toughest sheep country. At 64, with two hip replacements, I can’t run anymore. But I can hike. So that’s how I prepared—I hiked mile after mile with a weighted pack, knowing the Tok doesn’t care about age or medical history.

We went in a day and a half before the season opened and spotted a band of 14 rams, including one heavy-horned giant that immediately caught our attention. Then Alaska did what Alaska does best. Weather rolled in, the rams vanished, and we spent the three days scouring valleys and ridges to find them again.

When we finally relocated them, we had to break camp and make a major move. After a full day’s work, we spotted six rams bedding down as evening fell. The next morning, we made our play.

The wind that day was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. It sounded like a freight train roaring up the mountain; gusting, dying, gusting again. At 320 yards, I had to time my shot during the lulls. My first shot went wide in the wind. The second shot dropped him—a beautiful 39″ ram. Honestly, I didn’t care about the number. That’s not why I hunt. I’m in it for the experience and a good animal. This ram was both.

The pack-out was its own adventure. We crossed the glacier-fed Tok River multiple times before Matt showed up with a Korean War-era military vehicle that could go just about anywhere. After nine days in the mountains, that slow, bumpy ride was a step up from travelling another 10 miles on foot. This was a trip I’ll never forget.

When Jordan called me in February 2025 to tell me I’d drawn a mountain goat tag, I actually laughed. “Figure out something for next year,” I told him, knowing the odds of a three-peat were one in a million. But first, it was time to prepare for my goat hunt.

I flew into Homer at the end of August, expecting to start hunting on Tuesday. By Monday evening, my outfitter, Paul, was warning me about the incoming weather. “We might not get you in until Friday,” he said. He wasn’t kidding. We sat through three days of howling wind, driving rain, and zero visibility before finally getting our chance.

Paul operates from a landing craft that serves as a mobile base camp. But getting from sea level to where the goats live? That was the hardest climb I’ve ever done, and I’ve completed five sheep hunts.

It was only 1,500 vertical feet, but every step came wrapped in devil’s club thorns, soaking brush, deadfall, and rain-slicked cliff bands. We hiked for what seemed like an eternity before stopping for the night to set up camp.

The next morning changed everything. Once above that coastal jungle, the alpine opened up to reveal why we’d suffered through that brutal climb. There were mountain goats everywhere. Good billies. The kind that makes you forget about devil’s club and exhaustion.

I took my billy on August 30, the first day of actual hunting after being sidelined due to weather. While packing him out, we witnessed something I’d never seen: ravens harassing a billy goat. They would swoop within inches of his head, and he’d swing his horns, trying to knock them away. Paul had told me about this strange relationship between ravens and goats, but seeing it firsthand was incredible.

The trip down gave us one more show. A black bear, fat from gorging on berries, army-crawled through the blueberry patches, entertained us from 400 yards away. I had a bear tag, but watching him was worth more than any trophy. Crossing salmon-choked streams on the way out completed the full Alaskan experience.

Both hunts worked because of solid preparation and connections with the right team. Jordan, my WTA consultant, had been helping me strategically build points and select units for years. When the draw results came through, WTA’s network meant proven outfitters were ready and handled every detail. They provided thorough gear lists, arranged logistics, and coordinated air charters. Everything was dialed in.

Some guys chase record books. Others chase hunting milestones. I finished my slam in 2019 with a desert ram, but what excites me most these days is the experience—the hunts that test you, humble you, and stay with you long after the pack is unloaded. When you work with the right people and put in the preparation, amazing things can happen. Jordan’s already working on my applications for 2026, so we’ll see what adventure comes through next.

Contact WTA TAGS to learn more about drawing the tags of your dreams: 1-800-755-8247. 

Get Started with WTA TAGS
Wyoming’s Preference Point Deadline Is Approaching: October 31

Wyoming’s Preference Point Deadline Is Approaching: October 31

Preference Point Deadline: October 31, 2025

The deadline to purchase Wyoming preference points is October 31. If WTA is already managing your TAGS applications, you’re all set. If not, don’t miss the chance to secure points this year. It’s the perfect time to talk with a TAGS consultant to start a new portfolio or grow your existing one.

Wyoming’s system is unique. Unlike other states, you don’t automatically receive a preference point if you’re unsuccessful in the draw. Instead, you must log in after July 1 and purchase your points separately. Building points is critical if you want a shot at drawing a Wyoming tag. Over-the-counter opportunities are a thing of the past. Today, only 25% of non-resident tags are issued randomly. The other 75% go to applicants with the highest point totals.

If you want to hunt big game in Wyoming, building preference points isn’t optional…it’s essential.

Watch Wyoming Video

While preference points are an investment in the future, don’t let that keep you from starting now. While Wyoming has units that require 18+ points, there are also good opportunities to hunt sooner. There are elk, deer, and antelope hunts that can be drawn with 0–3 points. Think about it this way—the more points you have, the more options you have.

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Serious hunters know that Montana is home to some of North America’s most coveted species: Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, Shiras moose, mountain goat, and antelope. The key to unlocking these dream hunts is building points, and the deadline to secure your bonus point for this year is September 30.

Montana squares bonus points in its draw system, and hunters with more points gain a significant advantage in the draw. If you’ve ever dreamed of chasing a record bull, a giant ram, or a heavy-horned buck in Montana, strategically building points will put you in the best position to find success in upcoming seasons.

Watch Montana Video Rocky Mountain Elk

Montana consistently produces exceptional trophy bulls, making elk the most sought-after species in the state. Archery permits are especially appealing, often requiring only 4–7 years to draw—a remarkably short time period compared to other western states. Rifle permits can often be drawn with a similar point investment, though trophy quality is slightly lower on average. Many of these hunts take place on expansive private ranches, providing hunters with excellent opportunities and high success rates.

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