Utah Elk Hunting Units & Draw Odds
29 units · 59.2% avg hunter success
Utah's elk draw uses a hybrid bonus-point system across 29 units, giving nonresidents a 10% allocation of available tags. Applications open March 19 and close April 23 each year, with results posted May 31. Nonresident hunters pay a $10 application fee plus an $849 tag fee if drawn. The units below show what zero-point (first-time applicant) success looks like—some archery hunts drew at 50.0%, while rifle opportunities ranged from 16.7% to 33.3% in recent years. Harvest success varies widely by unit and season type, from 0% to 100%, so your choice depends on tag odds, season length, and terrain preference.
How the Utah Draw Works
Draw system
Hybrid draw — part preference order, part random allocation.
Nonresident allocation: 10% of tags
2026 application window
Mar 19 – Apr 23(nonresident)
Results: May 31
2026 fees (nonresident, regular)
$10 app · $144 license · $849 tag
Easiest Elk Draws for Nonresidents (2024 Results)
Point levels that drew with certainty, and the best documented zero-point hunts — actual draw results, per hunt.
50% at zero points · Archery, Late LE — EB3170
33% at zero points · Archery, Late LE — EB3197
25% at zero points · H.A.M.S. LE — EB3143
20% at zero points · Archery LE — EB3182
17% at zero points · Rifle, Mid LE — EB3185
13% at zero points · Archery LE — EB3003
5.6% at zero points · Rifle, Late LE — EB3065
4.3% at zero points · Rifle, Mid LE — EB3194
2.4% at zero points · Archery LE — EB3022
2.1% at zero points · Rifle, Mid LE — EB3126
0.0% at zero points · Archery LE — EB3135
0.0% at zero points · Archery LE — EB3000
| Unit | Drew with certainty at | Best zero-point hunt | Success | Public land |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit Cache, South | — | 50%Archery, Late LE — EB3170 | 0% | 81% |
| Unit Southwest Desert, South | — | 33%Archery, Late LE — EB3197 | 47.1% | 88% |
| Unit Southwest Desert, North | — | 25%('22)H.A.M.S. LE — EB3143 | 81.8% | 98% |
| Unit La Sal, La Sal Mtns | — | 20%('23)Archery LE — EB3182 | 28.6% | 94% |
| Unit Monroe | — | 17%Rifle, Mid LE — EB3185 | 100% | 79% |
| Unit Cache, Meadowville | — | 13%Archery LE — EB3003 | 33.3% | 62% |
| Unit Fishlake/Thousand Lakes | — | 5.6%Rifle, Late LE — EB3065 | 35.5% | 94% |
| Unit San Juan Bull Elk | — | 4.3%Rifle, Mid LE — EB3194 | 48% | 94% |
| Unit Wasatch Mtns | — | 2.4%Archery LE — EB3022 | 10.9% | 82% |
| Unit Manti | — | 2.1%Rifle, Mid LE — EB3126 | 85.7% | 76% |
| Unit Barney Top/Kaiparowits | — | 0.0%Archery LE — EB3135 | 33.3% | 99% |
| Unit Beaver, East | — | 0.0%Archery LE — EB3000 | 60.9% | 92% |
All Utah Elk Units
Utah Elk Draw FAQ
When do Utah elk applications open and close in 2026?
Applications open March 19 and close April 23, 2026. Results are released May 31. If you're drawn, you'll pay a $10 application fee and an $849 tag fee.
What are my odds as a zero-point nonresident?
Zero-point success depends heavily on unit and hunt type. Recent data shows archery hunts ranging from 20.0% to 50.0% draw odds, while rifle opportunities have drawn as low as 16.7%. Your odds improve with bonus points accumulated over years of applying.
How does Utah's elk draw system work?
Utah uses a hybrid bonus-point system where nonresidents make up 10% of tag allocations. Bonus points increase your odds each year you don't draw, but the system also reserves tags for zero-point applicants. The draw is not weighted by preference—everyone in a pool has an equal chance once entered.
Which elk units have the best harvest success?
Southwest Desert North (h.a.m.s. hunt) reported 81.8% harvest success, and Monroe (rifle) showed 100%. Cache South archery was 0%, so harvest rates vary drastically. Consider unit terrain, season length, and your weapon choice alongside draw odds.
Plan your Utah Elk hunt — free account, no card. Run the draw simulator at your point level and compare every unit in the state.
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