One of the most sought-after game birds in Utah is the wild turkey. This want is increased by the scarcity of available permits to hunt the bird, which has seen a population decrease over the past two years  due to drought conditions in Utah not sustaining the bird. However, there are still between 30,000-35,000 wild turkeys throughout the state. But hunters across the state will have the opportunity to earn one of the coveted wild turkey permits when applications for the Spring 2025 limited-entry turkey hunt open on Thursday, Dec. 12.

The limited-entry hunt will be held April 12-24, 2025. The southeastern Utah turkey area – which includes both Carbon and Emery County – is limited to only 200 permits. If your entry is not selected, worry not, as following the limited entry hunt there will be a general entry statewide hunt from April 28 through the end of May. These permits will be purchasable over the counter and online but will be limited to one permit per hunter.

The application period for the spring 2025 limited-entry turkey hunt opens at 8 a.m. on Dec. 12., but applications must be submitted by 11 p.m. on Dec. 27. You can apply online or over the phone by calling the Southeast Utah DWR Regional Office at (435) 613-3700. If selected, you will receive confirmation via email. You can also view the drawing results online or by calling 800-221-0659. Results will be released no later than Jan. 8, 2025.

As for permits for the 2025 spring general statewide hunt, they will go on sale at 8 a.m. on March 6, 2025.

You can find more information about Utah’s upcoming spring turkey hunting seasons in the 2024-25 Utah Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook. For more information and to stay up-to-date with the Utah DWR, you can visit their website here.