There is no single age at which you can start hunting in Utah; how old you have to be to hunt in Utah depends on the game. For deer, elk, pronghorn, and other big game, as well as bear, the minimum is 12. For small game, upland birds, and turkey, state law sets no minimum age at all, though you still need a hunting license and, for anyone born after December 31, 1965, a hunter education certificate.
Minimum Age by Game Type
The age rules split along two lines: big game and everything else.
- Big game (deer, elk, pronghorn, and similar species): You must be at least 12 years old to hunt. An 11-year-old may apply for a big game permit if their 12th birthday falls within the same calendar year the permit is issued, but they cannot actually hunt until they turn 12.1Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. R657-5 Taking Big Game – Section R657-5-4 Age Requirements and Restrictions
- Bear: Same rule. You must be 12 to hunt, and an 11-year-old can apply for a permit if they will turn 12 during the permit year.2Utah Legislature. Utah Code 23A-4-704 – Bear Hunting Permit
- Small game, upland birds, and turkey: No statutory minimum age. The only requirements are a valid hunting license and, for anyone born after 1965, hunter education or a trial hunting authorization.3Legal Information Institute. Utah Admin Code R657-54a-3 – Obtaining Permits for Wild Turkey
In practice, the real floor for most young hunters is whenever they can pass the hunter education course. The course ends with a written exam and a live-fire shooting exercise that students must complete on their own.
Hunter Education
Anyone born after December 31, 1965, must complete a state-approved hunter education course before buying a Utah hunting license. The rule applies to residents and nonresidents alike.4Legal Information Institute. Utah Admin Code R657-23-3 – Hunter Education Required
There is no minimum age to enroll, but students have to be physically and mentally able to complete the course on their own. Utah offers two formats:
- An online course followed by a mandatory in-person field day lasting about five hours. The field day includes hands-on exercises, a written exam requiring at least 75% to pass, and a live-fire exercise using a.22 rimfire rifle at 50 feet.5Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Hunter Education
- A traditional instructor-led classroom course covering the same material, with the same written exam and live-fire test.4Legal Information Institute. Utah Admin Code R657-23-3 – Hunter Education Required
Pass either version and the Division of Wildlife Resources issues a “Blue Card,” which serves as lifetime certification. The Hunter Education Registration Certificate itself also functions as a valid hunting license once the instructor validates course completion.4Legal Information Institute. Utah Admin Code R657-23-3 – Hunter Education Required
Utah accepts hunter education certificates from other states, provinces, and countries so long as the issuing program meets or exceeds International Hunter Education Association-USA (IHEA-USA) standards. A young hunter certified elsewhere does not have to retake the course.4Legal Information Institute. Utah Admin Code R657-23-3 – Hunter Education Required
Trial Hunting Authorization
If a child wants to try hunting before sitting through the full course, Utah offers a trial hunting authorization. It is the only legal way for someone born after 1965 to hunt without first completing hunter education.
Applicants must be at least 11 years old and eligible to possess a firearm under state and federal law. The authorization is valid for a single three-year term, and each person can only get one in their lifetime. It ends immediately if the holder completes a hunter education course during that period.6Legal Information Institute. Utah Admin Code R657-68a-4 – Effect and Term of a Trial Hunting Authorization
With a trial authorization, a young hunter can buy a hunting or combination license (not a multi-year one) and apply for most permits. They cannot apply through the division drawing for premium limited-entry, limited-entry, once-in-a-lifetime, cooperative wildlife management unit, dedicated hunter, or sportsman permits.6Legal Information Institute. Utah Admin Code R657-68a-4 – Effect and Term of a Trial Hunting Authorization
While hunting under the authorization, the young hunter must be accompanied in the field by someone at least 21 who holds a current Utah hunting or combination license and has completed hunter education. If the trial hunter is under 18, written consent from a parent or legal guardian is also required.7Utah Legislature. Utah Code 23A-4-701 – Trial Hunting Authorization
Supervision Rules for Young Hunters
Hitting the minimum age does not mean a young hunter can head out alone. Utah has two overlapping supervision rules:
- Anyone under 14 hunting with any weapon must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a responsible person at least 21 years old who is approved by the parent or guardian.8Utah Legislature. Utah Code 23A-4-708 – Children Accompanied by Adults While Hunting With Weapon
- Anyone under 16 hunting big game with a weapon must be accompanied under the same standard, even if they are 14 or 15.8Utah Legislature. Utah Code 23A-4-708 – Children Accompanied by Adults While Hunting With Weapon
So a 14-year-old can legally hunt pheasant without a supervising adult, but the same 14-year-old chasing elk still needs one. The game being pursued, not just the hunter’s age, decides the rule.
“Accompanied” means direct, in-person supervision. Keeping in touch by cell phone or radio does not count. The adult has to stay close enough to see the young hunter and provide immediate verbal guidance.
Youth License Fees
Young hunters need the same core paperwork as adults: a valid hunting or combination license plus any species-specific permits. The fees are reduced for youth.
For Utah residents, a basic hunting license is $11 for those age 13 and younger. For ages 14 to 17, the basic hunting license is $16, and a combination hunting and fishing license is $20. Nonresident youth age 17 and younger pay $44 for a basic hunting license and $58 for a combination license.9Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. License, Permit and Miscellaneous Fees
For comparison, an adult resident hunting license is $40 and an adult nonresident license is $79. Big game permits, bear permits, and other species tags carry separate fees on top of the base license. Licenses are available through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website and from authorized license agents, and buyers must show proof of age and proof of hunter education completion or a trial hunting authorization.10Utah Legislature. Utah Code 23A-4-201 – Possession of Licenses, Certificates of Registration, Permits, and Tags Required
What Happens If You Get It Wrong
Hunting underage for big game, hunting without a valid license, or ignoring the supervision rules are not minor paperwork problems. Utah belongs to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, so a hunting-related suspension here can cost you hunting privileges in nearly every other member state as well.11CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts. Wildlife Violator Compact
Supervising adults should also know that they share responsibility for the young hunter’s conduct. If a youth breaks game laws while under supervision, both the young hunter and the adult can face enforcement action. Sort out the age, license, education, and supervision details before opening day rather than after.