Only Utah residents may apply for Sportsman Permits. One Sportsman Permit is offered for each of the following species: Desert bighorn ram, buck deer, buck pronghorn, bull elk, bull moose, hunter's choice bison and hunter's choice Rocky Mountain goat.

The 2002 Sportsman Permit hunt runs September 1 - December 31, 2002. Hunters will be allowed to hunt on any unit open for the respective species, except the Pilot Mountain unit for elk and the Pine Valley, Virgin River for desert bighorn sheep.

"The long season dates and ability to hunt every open hunting unit in the state except two make Sportsman Permits a highly prized item," says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

By November 7, Sportsman Permit applications will be available from more than 381 hunting and fishing license agents statewide; Division of Wildlife Resources offices in Ogden, Salt Lake City, Springville, Vernal, Price and Cedar City; and the Division's Internet web site at www.wildlife.utah.gov

To be entered in the Sportsman Permit Draw, applications must be received no later than 5 p.m., November 21. Hunters who have an American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa credit card can apply online at the Division's web site. Hunters who don't have one of these credit cards must mail their application in. "Hunters are reminded that it will take a few days for their application to arrive through the mail, and to mail it as far in advance of the November 21 date as possible," Tutorow said. She also reminds hunters that a $5 nonrefundable handling fee is required for each species a hunter applies for.

Results of the Sportsman Permit Draw will be posted December 11, at the six Division offices and the Division's Internet web site. Draw results also will be posted that week at the Lee Kay Center for Hunter Education in Salt Lake City, and the Cache Valley Hunter Education Center in Logan. Successful applicants also will be notified by letter. Those with questions may call their nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office, or the Division's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.