Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR)

Notify a DWR representative (regional office) immediately upon discovering damage; the regional supervisor contacts you within 72 hours to set up a depredation mitigation plan.

Deadline text on the page: Landowner or lessee shall immediately, upon discovery of big game damage, request that the division take action; division contacts the landowner within 72 hours.

General office

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources main office (Salt Lake City)

Northern Region

Regional office

Northeastern Region

Central Region

Southeastern Region

Southern Region

When deer, elk, pronghorn or other big game damage cultivated crops on cleared and planted land, or fences or irrigation equipment on private land, Utah DWR works out a depredation mitigation plan with the landowner or lessee. The plan can include temporary or permanent fencing, hazing, depredation hunts, mitigation permits or vouchers, and a damage payment. Damage to rangeland livestock forage gets mitigation help but no cash compensation.



- Landowner or lessee (written lease of at least one year) of private land used for farming or ranching
- Damage to cultivated crops on cleared and planted land, fences, or irrigation equipment
- Must request division action immediately on discovery and agree to the mitigation plan before a claim is filed

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Compensation is calculated under Utah Code 23A-8-405 and may consider revenue from CWMU, landowner association or mitigation permits. Plans run for the damage incident period (July 1–June 30).

Published amounts: Damage payment or assessment per Utah Code 23A-8-405, agreed in the mitigation plan; additional compensation may be paid above the value of mitigation permits or vouchers if damage exceeds their value. Damage to livestock forage is not eligible for monetary compensation.

Contact your DWR regional office; agreements are approved at the division's discretion.

Deadline text on the page: No application window published.

Under a new 2026 rule, Utah DWR may pay a private landowner to let big game or turkeys use their cleared and planted (cropped) land under a cooperative agreement of up to six years. The agreement replaces the regular depredation program for that property. DWR uses it where it helps big game or turkey populations below objective, adds forage and hunting opportunity, and reduces female harvest.



- Private landowner with cleared and planted land (cultivated crops for commercial gain, irrigated or harvested, or crop residue with forage value)
- Division must find the agreement benefits big game or turkey populations
- Property is excluded from depredation relief while enrolled

Up to six years; evaluated at least every three years.

Published amounts: Payment amount not published.

Contact the DWR Lands Program by email.

Deadline text on the page: No application cycle published.

DWR Lands Program

Utah DWR buys access and conservation easements from private landowners, who keep ownership and control of their land while allowing public access and protecting wildlife habitat. There is no formal application or program page; landowners contact the DWR Lands Program.



- Private landowners with land of wildlife habitat or public-access value

Payment per unit of land to do or avoid certain practices related to land management.

Easement

Not published.

Published amounts: Not published.

Notify DWR (orally to expedite) within 4 days; submit the Livestock Damage Proof of Loss form (draft within 14 days of the investigation, final signed copy to the mammals program coordinator by June 1).

Deadline text on the page: Notification must be given to the Division within 4 days of the damage; unsigned draft Livestock Damage Proof of Loss form within 14 days of the field investigation; final signed form to the mammals program coordinator by June 1 (by June 30 for damage May 15–June 30).

Utah DWR compensates livestock owners for animals killed or permanently injured by mountain lions, black bears, wolves (only where wolves are delisted) or eagles. The owner notifies DWR within 4 days, and losses are documented on a Livestock Damage Proof of Loss form. Claims are paid once a year after the fiscal year closes, at fair market value, and are prorated if funds run short.



- Owner of livestock killed or permanently injured by mountain lion, black bear, wolf or eagle in Utah
- Notify the Division within 4 days; allow field investigation
- Wolf claims only where wolves are removed from ESA protection

Claims collected July 1–June 30 and paid together; prorated if total exceeds appropriation; disputes go to a panel with a Utah Department of Agriculture specialist.

Published amounts: Based on fair market value (average commercial livestock prices July 1–June 30 per Utah Livestock and Auction Reporting Service); prorated if claims exceed appropriated funds; eagle claims paid after lion, bear and wolf claims.

Notify your DWR regional office within 72 hours; the division and claimant appraise the damage together (third-party appraiser if no agreement).

Deadline text on the page: Notify the division of the damage within 72 hours after the damage is discovered.

Utah DWR can pay landowners on green-belt (agricultural) property up to $5,000 a year for verified wild turkey damage, such as damage to hay bales. Hay-bale damage is paid once, after which DWR provides tarps or coverings. DWR may also hold turkey control hunts to reduce future damage.



- Landowner of green-belt eligible property in Utah
- Notify the division within 72 hours of discovering damage and allow access to verify
- Payment considers revenue from CWMU, landowner association permits, mitigation permits or hunter access fees

No speculative or future-value damages; other perceived or actual turkey damage is not monetarily compensated.

Published amounts: Monetary compensation up to $5,000 annually per green-belt eligible property; hay-bale damage paid only once per landowner, after which tarps or coverings are provided.

Contact the DWR Walk-in Access coordinator or your DWR regional office; the division evaluates the property and develops a WIA recreational lease agreement.

Deadline text on the page: No enrollment deadline published.

Utah DWR leases hunting, trapping or fishing rights on private land and pays the landowner, opening the property to the public as a Walk-in Access area. Payment depends on habitat and wildlife quality, acreage or stream miles, and how many years the land is enrolled; some landowners can also get habitat restoration work instead of or alongside payment. DWR provides conservation officer patrols and liability coverage under Utah law.



- Private landowner or lessee with legal right to grant hunting, trapping or fishing rights
- At least a 40-acre contiguous block of land, wetland or riparian area for hunting/trapping; or 0.25 continuous miles of stream or river; or one contiguous acre of lake, reservoir or pond (smaller unique properties may be approved by the statewide WIA coordinator)
- Property must support the leased activities; enrollment is at the division's discretion

Lease agreement states landowner and division responsibilities and the compensation amount for the term; early termination may reduce final payment where a higher multi-year rate was given.

Published amounts: Compensation may be determined by suitable habitat and wildlife, actual acreage of land or flat water or length of stream, and number of consecutive years within an agreement (rates not published). Habitat improvement, materials or labor may be provided in lieu of compensation.

List of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) Funding Opportunities