Utah Wildlife Board adopts 2025–2027 hunt tables; extends some archery dates and adds bison cow hunt

The Utah Wildlife Board on Dec. 4 voted unanimously to adopt the 2025–2027 hunt tables and season-date revisions presented by the Division of Wildlife Resources.

The board approved changes that include extending the West Cash archery elk season from Dec. 15 to Jan. 31 and a boundary adjustment, and adding an additional bison cow hunt intended to help manage that herd and distribute permits more evenly. Division biologist Sam Robertson briefed the board on the proposals and answered questions during the meeting.

Why it matters: The changes affect when and where hunters may pursue big game and reflect regional rack-advisory input. Regional rack chairs reported mixed votes during their deliberations: some regions accepted recommendations unanimously while others recorded split votes on specific date or bison‑hunt proposals. Public commenters representing Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife and private hunters voiced support; Kevin Norman said the division has “been working hard” on the boundary and timing changes, and Troy Justison urged calendar changes for Antelope Island hunting to improve opportunity.

How the board decided: After rack reports and two public comments in favor of the division’s recommendations, a board member moved to approve the hunt tables as presented. The motion passed with all members saying “aye.”

Background and next steps: Rack chairs noted some regional disagreement over archery date lengths and a desire to keep applicants’ expectations clear when applying. The board also added a separate action‑log item to review the Antelope Island MOU and season structure to consider possible calendar shifts and overlap between paid and public hunts. That action was added to the log and approved unanimously.

The division will publish the adopted hunt tables and updated unit boundaries as part of its regulatory materials for the upcoming application cycle.