1. (1) Preference points are used in the applicable drawings to ensure that applicants who are unsuccessful in the drawing will have first preference in the next year's drawing.

2. (2)(a) A preference point is awarded for:

   1. (i) each valid, unsuccessful application applying for a general buck deer, antlerless deer, antlerless elk, doe pronghorn, Sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse or tundra swan permit; or

      1. (ii) each valid application when applying only for a preference point in the applicable drawings.

   2. (b) Preference points are awarded by species for:

      1. (i) general buck deer;
      2. (ii) antlerless deer;
      3. (iii) antlerless elk;
      4. (iv) doe pronghorn;
      5. (v) Sandhill crane;
      6. (vi) Sharp-tailed grouse;
      7. (vii) Greater sage-grouse; and
      8. (viii) Tundra swan.

3. (3)(a) A person may not apply in the drawing for both a preference point and a permit for the species listed in Subsection (2)(b).

   1. (b) A person may not apply for a preference point if that person is ineligible to apply for a permit.

      1. (i) Except for when a person is successful in the Sportsman drawing, they may purchase a preference point for the respective species they would have been ineligible for.

4. (4) Preference points for the applicable species are forfeited if a person obtains a general buck deer, antlerless deer, antlerless elk, doe pronghorn, Sandhill crane, sharp-tailed grouse, greater sage-grouse or tundra swan permit, whether obtained through a division drawing or over the counter, except points are not forfeited if a person obtains one or more of the following:

   1. (a) youth archery buck deer permit;
   2. (b) mitigation permits issued to a landowner Rule R657-44, including mitigation permit vouchers;
   3. (c) antlerless elk control permits;
   4. (d) a general landowner buck deer permit or landowner appreciation permit issued pursuant to Rule R657-43; and
   5. (e) private land only antlerless elk permits.
5. (5) Preference points are not transferable.
6. (6) Preference points are averaged and rounded down when two or more applicants apply together on a group application.

7. (7)(a) Preference points are tracked using social security numbers or division-issued customer identification numbers.

   1. (b) The division shall retain copies of electronic applications from 2000 to the current applicable drawings for researching preference point records.
   2. (c) Any requests for researching an applicant's preference point records must be submitted within the time frames provided in Subsection (b).
   3. (d) Any preference points on the division's records may not be researched beyond the time frames provided in Subsection (b).
   4. (e) The division may eliminate any preference point obtained by fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, or in violation of law.

KEY: wildlife, permits

Date of Last Change: October 22, 2025

Notice of Continuation: March 13, 2024

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-2-304; 23A-2-305