Utah · statute · Utah Code tit. 23A · 255 active provisions
As used in this title: (1) "Activity regulated under this title" means an act, attempted act, or activity prohibited or regulated under this title or the rules and proclamations promulgated under this title pertaining to protected wildlife including: (a) fishing; (b) hunting; (c) trapping; (d) taking; (e) permitting a…
(1) Wildlife existing within this state, not held by private ownership and legally acquired, is the property of the state. (2) Fish released under private stocking become the property of the state and subject to the fishing regulations set forth in this title or a rule or proclamation of the Wildlife Board.
(1) (a) Subject to Subsections 23A-1-101(15) and 23A-1-101(50), an individual is considered a resident who: (i) has been domiciled in the state for six consecutive months immediately preceding the purchase of a license or application of a license, permit, or tag; and (ii) does not claim residency for hunting, fishing,…
(1) (a) Subject to the requirements of this section, a person may: (i) establish and maintain a private wildlife farm for propagating, rearing, and keeping furbearers or birds classified as protected wildlife; and (ii) sell or dispose of wildlife reared upon the private wildlife farm, except that disposal may not inclu…
(1) As used in this section, "tribe" means a federally recognized: (a) Indian tribe; or (b) Indian band. (2) (a) Subject to the requirements of this section, the governor may enter into an agreement with a tribe to settle a dispute between the state and the tribe concerning a hunting, fishing, or trapping right claim t…
In recognition of the substantial and continued contribution by hunters and fishermen toward the sound management of wildlife in Utah, the fourth Saturday of September of each year is known as "Utah State Hunting and Fishing Day."
(1) (a) For purposes of a county ordinance enacted pursuant to this section, "motor vehicle" means the same as that term is defined in Section 41-6a-102. (b) For purposes of this section, "nonprotected wildlife" means the wildlife that is excluded from the definition of protected wildlife under Section 23A-1-101. (2) A…
(1) A person may only donate protected wildlife or wildlife parts to another person in accordance with this section. (2) Documentation of donation shall be kept with the protected wildlife or wildlife parts showing: (a) the number and species of protected wildlife or wildlife parts donated; (b) the date of donation; (c…
(1) As used in this section: (a) "Mitigate" means an activity intended to lessen known negative impacts caused by wildlife, including relocating or distracting wildlife. (b) "New development" means the conversion in use of previously undeveloped land into a developed state that occurs on or after May 1, 2024. (c) "Wild…
(1) As used in this section: (a) "Donor" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-8-301. (b) "Donor registry" means the same as that term is defined in Section 26B-8-301. (2) On the division's website, the division shall provide: (a) information about the option to register as a donor; and (b) a link to a…
Reserved.
(1) The division may determine the facts relevant to the wildlife resources of this state. (2) (a) Upon a determination of the facts, the Wildlife Board shall establish the policies best designed to accomplish the purposes and fulfill the intent of the laws pertaining to wildlife and the preservation, protection, conse…
(1) (a) There is created the Division of Wildlife Resources within the Department of Natural Resources under the administration and general supervision of the executive director. (b) The division is the wildlife authority for Utah and is vested with the functions, powers, duties, rights, and responsibilities provided i…
(1) The director shall: (a) be the executive and administrative head of the division; and (b) have demonstrated ability in management and administration and experience in the protection, conservation, restoration, and management of wildlife resources. (2) The director may not hold another public office or be involved i…
The director, under administrative supervision of the executive director, has: (1) executive authority and control of the division so that policies of the Wildlife Board are carried out in accordance with the laws of this state; (2) authority over personnel matters; (3) full control of property acquired and held for th…
An employee of the division shall receive the compensation the director determines within limits established for state employees by Title 63A, Chapter 17, Utah State Personnel Management Act. In addition to salaries provided for within this title, the director and employees of the division are entitled to receive trave…
The director may administer oaths for the purposes required in the discharge of the director's duties.
Wildlife within this state, including wildlife on public or private land or in public or private waters within this state, is within the jurisdiction of the division.
(1) Subject to the other provisions of this section, the division may take wildlife of any kind from any place and in any manner for purposes considered by the director to be in the interest of wildlife conservation. (2) The division shall deliver notice to an affected landowner or an agent of an affected landowner, ei…
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following may, without obtaining a permit, use fireworks and explosives to rally, drive, or otherwise disperse concentrations of wildlife as may be necessary to protect property or wildlife resources: (1) an employee of the division designated by the director; or (2) a fe…
(1) Subject to Subsection (7), the division may transplant big game, turkeys, wolves, or sensitive species only in accordance with: (a) (i) a list of sites for the transplant of each particular species that is prepared and adopted in accordance with Subsections (2) through (5); (ii) a species management plan, such as a…
(1) Before reintroducing a big game animal, turkey, wolf, or sensitive species to a new area in accordance with Section 23A-2-209, the Wildlife Board shall approve a mitigation plan for the area into which the animal is being transplanted. (2) (a) A mitigation plan described in this section shall: (i) identify the obje…
(1) There is created a Wildlife Board that consists of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 24, Part 2, Vacancies. (2) (a) In addition to the requirements of Section 79-2-203, the members of the Wildlife Board shall have expertise or exp…
(1) There is created a Wildlife Board Nominating Committee that consists of 11 members. (2) The governor shall appoint members to the nominating committee as follows: (a) three members shall be appointed from a list of at least two nominees per position submitted by the agriculture industry; (b) three members shall be…
(1) There are created five regional advisory councils that consist of 12 to 15 members each from the wildlife region whose boundaries are established for administrative purposes by the division. (2) (a) The members shall include individuals who represent the following groups and interests: (i) agriculture; (ii) sportsm…