Utah wildlife board approves permit-surrender and extension options for Monroe unit hunters after wildfire

FARMINGTON, Utah — The Utah Wildlife Board on Aug. 1 approved relief options for hunters on the Monroe unit after the Monroe Canyon fire prompted federal land closures that block access to large portions of the unit.

The Division of Wildlife Resources asked the board to give affected permit holders three choices: hunt where access remains open, surrender permits before the start of the permit holder’s season to receive reinstated preference points plus one and a refund minus a $25 handling fee, or surrender the permit and request that the hunt be extended into the 2026 season if they notify the division in writing. The board voted unanimously to approve the division’s proposal.

The options matter because the fire, discovered July 13, had burned more than 55,000 acres as of the morning of the meeting and was roughly 7 percent contained, Division staff said. Federal closures on the Monroe unit currently block access to much of the habitat: division staff estimated closures affect about 67 percent of mule deer habitat and about 72 percent of elk habitat and said about 80 percent of the animals for some seasons are within closed areas. The closures, issued by land management agencies, remain in effect through Oct. 31, 2025, unless changed.

“Because of the uniqueness and the intensity of the fire, the DWR is requesting that the board give hunters the following options,”…