Just moved to SLC from Alaska, literally been here one night. I've been busy doing so much other stuff but I really want to start figuring out how and what to hunt here. I literally know next to nothing about the area or regulation etc. Any Advice or information about being a hunter in Utah is appreciated. I looked at the regs and it seemed confusing compared to Alaska, do I buy a general hunting license and then have to pay for a tag for every species, are some of them lottery draws only? Is there anywhere within reasonable distance of SLC that has decent hunting or trapping opportunities? I'm used to being grizzly alert but are people worried about cougars? Any comments are appreciated guys and I'm interested in hunting anything big or small, predator or grass eater.
Hunting
Bear - Draw / Harvest Objective
Cougar - Draw
Deer - Draw - Limited Entry / General Season
Elk - Draw/ OTC
Moose - Draw
Bison - Draw
Sheep - Draw
Goat - Draw
Swan - Draw
Sage Grouse / Sharptail - Draw
Pine/Ruff Grouse - Small Game
Cottontails / Snowshoe Hares - Small Game
Ptarmagian - Free Permit
Chukar / Hun - Small game
Pheasant - Small game
Ducks/Geese - Small game
Doves - small game
Quail - small game
Bobcat - Buy Tag - I think - not sure
Coyote/skunk/fox/jackrabbit - No Closed season No limit
Crane - Draw
I think I got them all, but others can add more.
Draw times are different throughout the year, so if you are tuned into the forum - someone will inevitably remind you of the draw coming up.
Trapping for Mink can be decent on the Weber River in Morgan/Summit counties depending on how many escape the farms.
Cougars? I think you are way more likely to have a heart attack nearly stepping on a pine grouse than seeing or being stalked by a cougar. They are there in good numbers, but they are very recluse.
Edit: Speed Goats aka Pronghorn - Draw