Applications for big game permits are still coming in, but one thing is certain: It won't be a sellout.
Officials of the Division of Wildlife Resources were scheduled to go before the Utah Board of Big Game Control on Thursday to ask for permission to sell all remaining permits over-the-counter.According to Alta Meier, auditor for the DWR, about 60,000 application have been received in the mail since Aug. 1. There were about 73,000 permits available on this, the second drawing. About 77,000 were issued during the first drawing.
She says that early indications are that there will be permits available for the general rifle hunt in the Northern, Central and Northeastern regions. All of the permits are gone for the Southern and Southeastern regions.
Also gone are permits for special buck, elk, antlerless moose and antelope. She said that on Thursday there were still a few antlerless elk permits available.
If all of the permits are not sold, then the division would suffer anywhere from a $750,000 to $1 million loss in anticipated revenue.
The DWR will be asking the board to approve a plan to begin selling the remaining permits over-the-counter on Aug. 29 from DWR offices statewide.
"We will still continue taking applications by mail to allow easier access to those in outline areas," she said.
"Also, there are some people, especially some non-residents, who have not heard about the drawing and think they'll be able to come in an buy a permit anytime before the hunt. This will give those people a chance to buy a permit."