A Utah mule deer hunt can cost a nonresident about $1,400 as a do-it-yourself general-season hunt, or $13,500 to nearly $19,000 for a guided CWMU or trophy hunt. Here’s where the money goes.

License and permit costs (2026)

These fees are from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. You pay the permit fee only if you draw.

Item	Nonresident	Resident
Hunting license (ages 18–64)	$144	$40
Application fee (plus 2.2% transaction fee)	$21	$10
General-season buck deer permit	$599	$46
Total, general-season hunt	about $764	about $96
Limited-entry buck deer permit instead	$1,070	$94
Premium limited-entry buck deer permit instead	$1,398	$185
CWMU buck deer permit	$1,070	$94
Dedicated Hunter (adult, covers three years)	$1,248	$215

Building points

Each year you apply without drawing costs a nonresident about $165 (license plus application fee). One license covers applications for every species, so if you’re also applying for elk or other species, the per-species cost drops. Premium and limited-entry deer can take many years of points.

DIY hunt: what to budget

Expense	Typical range
License, application, and permit	about $765
Travel (gas or flights, rental)	$300–$1,300
Food and camp supplies	$150–$350
Lodging if not camping	$0–$900
Meat processing	$150–$300
Shipping or hauling meat home	$0–$300
Trip total, not counting gear	about $1,365–$3,915

These ranges are estimates. Most mule deer can be packed out by one or two hunters, so a deer trip costs less to manage than an elk trip. Good optics are the key gear investment.

Guided hunt prices

Here are real examples from Utah outfitters’ published prices. Licenses and permits are not included.

Hunt	Example price
Private-ranch mule deer, archery, 5 days, 1-on-1	$7,500
Private-ranch mule deer, general rifle permit, 5 days, 1-on-1	$9,500
CWMU mule deer, 5 days	$13,500
Trophy mule deer hunt (listed price)	$18,795

Guided hunts for premium limited-entry units like the Henry Mountains and Paunsaugunt are usually priced individually after you draw, and many outfitters list them as “price on request.” Prices depend on the unit, private vs. public land, season, and guide ratio.

Semi-guided and DIY help

Between full DIY and a full guided hunt, some Utah outfitters offer options such as a furnished camp, help finding deer for a day or two, or packing services. These can cut the cost of a guided hunt significantly while still giving you local knowledge. Ask outfitters what they offer outside their standard packages, and be clear about what you need: a camp, scouting information, or a guide in the field.

What’s usually NOT included in a guided hunt

• Your hunting license and deer permit
• The CWMU permit fee ($1,070 for nonresidents), even when the operator supplies the voucher
• Travel to and from Utah
• Meat processing and shipping
• Taxidermy
• Tips (an estimate: often 10–20% of the hunt price; ask your outfitter)
• Taxes on services

Ways to save

• Hunt archery. In many units archery permits draw more easily, and the season is four weeks long.
• Hunt a general unit DIY. Utah’s general units hold a lot of public land. Browse DIY and self-guided hunts.
• Try the Dedicated Hunter program. Three years of hunting on one unit for one fee, plus volunteer hours.
• Look for openings. See discount guided hunts.
• Bundle applications. One license covers all your point applications.

Related: How Utah draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Utah Deer Hunting Guide · Guided vs. DIY deer hunting · How to apply for the deer draw

License and permit fees are from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for 2026. Guided hunt examples are from outfitters’ published price lists and can change at any time.