Utah’s general-season elk dates are the same statewide, which makes planning simple. Limited-entry and CWMU hunts have their own dates by unit and weapon. Here are the 2026 dates and what to expect from each season.

2026 general-season elk dates

Season	Any-bull units	Spike-only units	How to get a permit
Archery	August 15 – September 16	August 15 – September 4	Over the counter, unlimited
Early any legal weapon	October 3–9	October 3–15	Over the counter (any-bull capped; spike capped)
Late any legal weapon	October 10–16	—	Over the counter, unlimited
Muzzleloader	October 28 – November 5	October 28 – November 5	Over the counter (any-bull shares the early any-bull cap; spike capped)
Extended archery	August 15 – December 15 in extended areas (West Cache to January 31)		Archery permit plus ethics course
Draw-only youth any bull / hunter’s choice	September 12–22		Draw (750 permits recommended)

These dates are from the Utah DWR’s 2026 guidebook. The spike any-legal-weapon hunt runs October 3–15 and overlaps both any-bull rifle hunts.

Limited-entry and CWMU seasons

Limited-entry bull elk hunts have their own dates for each unit and weapon. The pattern in recent years:

• Archery hunts that start in mid-August and run into September, through the early rut.
• Any legal weapon (rifle) hunts, some timed during the rut and others later in the fall.
• Muzzleloader hunts, often in the fall after the rifle hunts.
• Late-season hunts in November and December on some units, including December archery hunts and two late-December hunts (Morgan-South Rich and East Canyon).
• HAMSS (handgun, archery, muzzleloader, shotgun, straight-walled rifle) hunts on some units from late October to mid-November.

Check the Utah Hunt Planner (hunt.utah.gov) for exact dates before you apply.

CWMU hunts: The Wildlife Board sets the timeframes, and operators pick the actual dates. Hunters should expect at least five days, usually somewhere between September 1 and October 31.

What each season is like

Archery (mid-August to mid-September)

The archery season opens in late summer, when bulls are still in bachelor groups and some are still in velvet. As September arrives, bugling picks up and the rut starts. The last two weeks of the any-bull archery season are the best time to call in a bull. Days are hot at lower elevations, so meat care matters.

Early and late any legal weapon (October)

By early October, the peak of the rut has passed, but some bulls are still with cows. These hunts are short, seven days each, and draw lots of hunters to general units. Elk head for thick timber and steep, hard-to-reach country after opening day. The spike hunt runs longer, October 3–15.

Muzzleloader (late October to early November)

Fewer hunters and cooler weather. Bulls are post-rut and often in small groups. Early snow can help you find and track elk. Utah limits muzzleloader scopes to 1x magnification on muzzleloader hunts.

Extended archery

Extended archery areas are mostly near towns and farmland, where elk cause damage. They’re a good option for bowhunters who want a longer season, but expect to hunt around private land and people.

How to pick your season

• Want to call in a bull? General archery, especially the last two weeks.
• First elk hunt, want simple logistics? A spike permit on a spike-only unit.
• Want a rifle hunt with fewer people? The late any legal weapon hunt or the muzzleloader hunt.
• Want a trophy bull? Build points for a limited-entry hunt, or book a CWMU.

Key license dates for 2026

• Big game draw applications: March 19 – April 23
• Draw results: by May 31
• General archery elk and youth elk on sale: July 7
• General any-bull elk on sale: July 9
• General spike elk on sale: July 16

Read our step-by-step guide to the Utah elk draw

Related: How Utah draw points work · Draw odds by unit · Utah Elk Hunting Guide · General-season elk permits · Cost of a Utah elk hunt

Season dates are for 2026 from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Big Game Application Guidebook. Confirm the dates for your hunt in the current guidebook and Hunt Planner.