Utah Dedicated Hunter Program

[Waddi]

This is my first time hearing of this program seems like a great opportunity. My understanding is that you pay $1,050 (nonresident) or $150 (resident) and complete 32 hours of DWR approved volunteer work. You get to hunt the same general season deer unit for three consecutive years but can only harvest two deer during that time.

I’ve always wanted to do some conservation related volunteer work, and this will force me to do so. I’m 30 miles away from the Utah border so getting the service hours done shouldn’t be too difficult.

Would love to hear some feedback from those that have participated in this program.

 

[MuleyFever]

Hopefully you can find some conservation related projects. So many wasted hours in the program doing nothing for wildlife.

 

[muleyapprentice]

New to the program, I like the concept. It allows me to sneak away and hunt when I can and not stress when I can’t. With that being said the projects are somewhat limited;

Utah DWR volunteer projects

dwrapps.utah.gov

 

[Waddi]

Hopefully you can find some conservation related projects. So many wasted hours in the program doing nothing for wildlife.

That’s unfortunate to hear, I haven’t looked into the specific programs yet because I won’t be able to hunt until 2027.

 

[Chris in TN]

That's very interesting.

I did a lot of cool stuff as a research tech in college 25+ years ago. If I wasn't 1400 miles away that would be tempting. I can't exactly run out there for the weekend, from here. lol.

 

[Waddi]

New to the program, I like the concept. It allows me to sneak away and hunt when I can and not stress when I can’t. With that being said the projects are somewhat limited;

https://dwrapps.utah.gov/Volunteer/[/URL

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New to the program, I like the concept. It allows me to sneak away and hunt when I can and not stress when I can’t. With that being said the projects are somewhat limited;

Utah DWR volunteer projects

dwrapps.utah.gov

A couple of those actually seem interesting

 

[MuleyFever]

New to the program, I like the concept. It allows me to sneak away and hunt when I can and not stress when I can’t. With that being said the projects are somewhat limited;

Utah DWR volunteer projects

dwrapps.utah.gov

Yeah it can depend on where you live. One year the only projects we could find were helping at a turkey hunting seminar and again one time we had to go to a gun club to help with a trap shoot. Basically the DWR supplied free labor for a gun clubs shoot. Another time though we were able to do almost all our hours planting bitter brush so that was a good project.

 

[Brent]

You can also request credit for an improvement project in your hunting area. For instance, my brother-in-law is in the program and was having frequent trouble with motorcycle riders tearing up a non-motorized area in his hunting unit. He requested credit and got hourly credit to rebuild fences and post signs to help enforce the non-motorized area.

It's a good program if you're close to the state to complete the hours, but it gets awfully expensive if you buy out your hours. That said, it's a very undersubscribed program in a lot of units for Non-Residents. Participation could almost guarantee tags in your pocket if you're willing to deal with the downsides.

 

[Macegl]

If you check fairly frequently you can find good projects. I have re-developed springs, planted bitter brush multiple times, fenced riparian areas, cut pinion and juniper seedlings, and hung wildlife markers on fences.

I will say this, it is more difficult to get 32 hours than it sounds.

 

[Waddi]

32 hours is a good amount of time. Are the service hours due before you apply for the tag?

 

[MuleyFever]

You can also request credit for an improvement project in your hunting area. For instance, my brother-in-law is in the program and was having frequent trouble with motorcycle riders tearing up a non-motorized area in his hunting unit. He requested credit and got hourly credit to rebuild fences and post signs to help enforce the non-motorized area.

It's a good program if you're close to the state to complete the hours, but it gets awfully expensive if you buy out your hours. That said, it's a very undersubscribed program in a lot of units for Non-Residents. Participation could almost guarantee tags in your pocket if you're willing to deal with the downsides.

I have a friend that found an illegal dump site and got hours for cleaning it up. After talking to him he told me he has asked to do a few projects and got them approved. Next time I do it Ill find things that will help the area and ask if I can get them approved.

 

[Brent]

32 hours is a good amount of time. Are the service hours due before you apply for the tag?

No. You complete them during the 3-year program once you're drawn.

 

[Waddi]

You can also request credit for an improvement project in your hunting area. For instance, my brother-in-law is in the program and was having frequent trouble with motorcycle riders tearing up a non-motorized area in his hunting unit. He requested credit and got hourly credit to rebuild fences and post signs to help enforce the non-motorized area.

It's a good program if you're close to the state to complete the hours, but it gets awfully expensive if you buy out your hours. That said, it's a very undersubscribed program in a lot of units for Non-Residents. Participation could almost guarantee tags in your pocket if you're willing to deal with

I have a friend that found an illegal dump site and got hours for cleaning it up. After talking to him he told me he has asked to do a few projects and got them approved. Next time I do it I’ll find things that will help the area and ask if I can get them

No. You complete them during the 3-year program once you're drawn.

Oh wow, 32 hours in three years is pretty doable

 

[Macegl]

I was more referring to getting 32 meaningful hours being more difficult than you would think.

I’m pretty sure you have to get 8 hours before they will issue you your first tag. I do believe a proposal passed to allow you to start before the draws are posted.

Finding a project for those first 8 hours between may and august was always a little stressful for me, just due to time constraints during that window.