SALT LAKE CITY — 2024 was a banner year for volunteers helping benefit wildlife in Utah, with volunteers in the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Dedicated Hunter Program completing 1,473 projects — more than double the number of projects completed the year before.
The Dedicated Hunter Program is a service-based hunting program that allows participants to have more time to hunt deer each year. In 2024, there were 8,792 people who participated in the program. Participants are required to complete 32 hours of DWR-approved service (or pay for their hours) in order to qualify for deer permits through the program. They enroll in the program for a three-year period and can harvest two deer during that period if they meet the service requirements.
“The Dedicated Hunter program is designed to provide opportunities for hunters and the DWR to work together as partners to improve wildlife habitat, increase hunting and angling opportunities and support all forms of wildlife recreation in Utah,” DWR Dedicated Hunter Coordinator Bryan Christensen said. “Dedicated Hunters contribute thousands of hours of service each year and accomplish an incredible amount of work that benefits wildlife, which would otherwise not happen at this scale.”…