Hunting is an important part of utahs economic political and social welfare

The State of Utah, Division of Wildlife Resources received a $408,000 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This award supports Utah's efforts to streamline hunting regulations and expand public education regarding hunting and shooting opportunities throughout the state. Deliverables under this grant include the development of simplified hunting guidebooks, implementation of a marketing campaign, and delivery of hunter and shooter introductory events designed to engage new and existing hunters while reactivating lapsed hunters.

These activities directly advance the state's wildlife management objectives by building public participation in hunting as the preferred means of wildlife control and species management. The grant supports the Division of Wildlife Resources' mission to serve as trustees and guardians of Utah's protected wildlife resources while fulfilling federal Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act objectives to restore, conserve, and enhance wild birds and mammals. The award reflects the program's standard formula-based allocation methodology to state fish and wildlife agencies meeting federal eligibility criteria.

Hunting was recently protected in utahs constitution as an individual right and the preferred means of wildlife control and management. Beyond achieving internal goals the simplified guidebooks marketing campaign and hunter and shooter introductory events will help US fulfill our mission of serving the people of utah as trustees and guardians of the states protected wildlife. Engaging new and existing hunters and reactivating lapsed hunters is essential to managing utahs protected species. This grant is focused on simplifying hunting regulations and ensuring that the utah division of wildlife resources is educating the public about hunting and shooting opportunities in the state.