General bull elk permits for this fall's hunts go on sale at 7:30 a.m. on June 17.
"The biggest change this year is the opportunity to buy an any bull elk muzzleloader permit, formerly known as an ML-300 permit, over-the-counter," said Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR. "The 1,300 any bull elk muzzleloader permit cap has been removed, and muzzleloader permits are now included in a 14,300 permit cap that also includes rifle permits."
More than 6,000 hunters applied for ML-300 any bull elk muzzleloader permits in 2003. With the 1,300 cap removed, there's a chance that many of the 6,000 hunters will take advantage of the opportunity to buy a permit, and that will impact how fast any bull elk permits sell this year.
"Any bull elk permits have come close to selling out in the past, and I think there's a good chance they'll sell out this year," Tutorow said. "I would encourage hunters to buy their permit early."
The easiest way to obtain a permit is at the DWR's Internet Web site (wildlife.utah.gov). Hunters may also buy permits at DWR offices. Hunters who decide to buy a permit from a license agent are encouraged to visit the DWR Web site to learn which agents are selling general bull elk permits this year.
"Because we think they'll be quite a demand for any bull elk permits, we're only allowing agents who are connected to our Agent On-line system to sell them this year," Tutorow said. "The system allows us to know, on a daily basis, how many permits have been sold. Selling them through the system will allow us to close permit sales and prevent permits from overselling this year."
For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources
office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.
Copyright © 2004 J & D Outdoor Communications. All rights reserved.