What a CWMU is
A Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU) is private land where the Wildlife Board sets timeframes for hunting bucks and bulls. Actual hunt dates vary by CWMU. The 2026 guidebook says to expect at least five days, generally between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, and some fall outside that window. If you draw, you must contact the CWMU operator to confirm your dates.
CWMU permits in the draw
Some CWMU permits are offered to the public in the big game drawing. In the 2026 DWR report there were 208 CWMU buck, bull or ram hunts and 136 CWMU antlerless hunts across 125 properties. Unsuccessful CWMU applications earn bonus points under Utah Admin. Rule R657-62-8.
| Species | Hunts | Res. applicants | Res. permits | Applicants per permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck deer | 110 | 3,339 | 213 | 15.7 |
| Bull elk | 64 | 4,226 | 142 | 29.8 |
| Buck pronghorn | 21 | 425 | 66 | 6.4 |
| Bull moose | 13 | 2,866 | 20 | 143.3 |
Rules to know
- Nonresidents may not apply for CWMU permits in the drawing. They can obtain a permit voucher directly from the CWMU landowner or operator.
- CWMU landowner association members, and their spouses and dependent children, cannot apply for their own CWMU permits in the drawing.
- You may not obtain more than one buck deer, one bull elk or one buck pronghorn permit in a season. To switch from a drawn general-season deer permit to a CWMU hunt, you must surrender the general permit before its season opens and before redeeming the private CWMU voucher.
- A CWMU permit obtained from a private landowner or operator for deer, elk or pronghorn does not start a waiting period.
- If you have never drawn a once-in-a-lifetime permit in the public drawing and you buy one from a landowner or CWMU operator, you may not obtain that species in the public drawing in the future.
2026 CWMU permit fees
| Permit | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| CWMU buck deer | $94 | $1,070 |
| Premium CWMU buck deer | $185 | $1,398 |
| CWMU management and cactus buck deer | $94 | $1,070 |
| CWMU bull elk | $314 | $1,950 |
| CWMU buck pronghorn | $63 | $571 |
| CWMU bull moose | $454 | $3,488 |
Most applied-for CWMU hunts, 2026
| Property | Code | Res. applicants | Res. permits | Res. odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deseret Bull elk | EB3514 | 1,057 | 19 | 1 in 55.6 |
| Deseret Bull moose | MB6206 | 813 | 1 | 1 in 813.0 |
| Skull Crack Bull moose | MB6219 | 432 | 2 | 1 in 216.0 |
| Grass Valley/Clark Canyon Bull moose | MB6211 | 311 | 4 | 1 in 77.8 |
| Alton Buck deer | DB1200 | 309 | 3 | 1 in 103.0 |
| Deseret Buck deer | DB1228 | 256 | 13 | 1 in 19.7 |
Questions
When do CWMU hunts take place?
The 2026 guidebook says hunters should expect at least five days, generally between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31, and that actual dates vary by CWMU. Contact the operator to confirm your dates.
Can nonresidents apply for CWMU permits in the draw?
No. Nonresidents can obtain a permit voucher directly from the CWMU landowner or operator.
Is there a waiting period for a private CWMU permit?
Per the 2026 guidebook, getting a CWMU permit from a private landowner or operator for deer, elk or pronghorn does not trigger a waiting period.
Is this the official site?
No. Utah Draw Guide is independent and not affiliated with Utah DWR. Apply only at utahdraws.com.
Utah DWR, 2026 Big Game Application Guidebook, pages 11, 15, 16, 24 to 26.
Utah DWR drawing odds reports, 2026: big game, antlerless.
Updated Sept. 24, 2026. Verify all dates and rules with DWR before applying. Found an error? [email protected].