DAR File No. 30829

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

R657-5

Taking Big Game

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 30829
Filed: 12/13/2007, 07:14
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council meetings and the Wildlife Board meeting conducted for taking public input and reviewing the big game rule.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed revisions to the above listed rule: 1) alter the permit application procedure to an online only process; 2) adjust the waiting period for management bull elk permits to two years; 3) remove the stipulation allowing a management bull elk permitee to retain his bonus points; 4) allow for late questionnaires to be accepted upon payment of established late fee for all limited entry and once in a lifetime mandatory reporting species; 5) replace "hunter's choice" on the Wasatch Front or Uintah Basin extended archery areas with "any bull or antlerless" for clarification; and 6) make technical corrections for consistency and accuracy.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This amendment requires a sportsman to apply for a permit through an online application process, which is consistent with other drawings conducted by the division. It also reinstates a mandatory waiting period for management bull elk permit holders as well as using any accrued elk bonus points. However, since there is already an electronic system in place for the conducting of drawings and the monitoring of bonus points and waiting periods the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) determines that these amendments do not create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or DWR's budget, since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.

local governments:

Since this amendment only alters the process for which a permit is obtained, and because in addition to the internet-based application the division has offered a phone line to aid hunters with applications, this amendment should have little to no effect on the local governments. This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments because they are not directly affected by the rule. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because the rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

This amendment requires the sportsmen to apply for a big game permit through an internet-based application, however a phone line has also been established to accommodate those who do not currently have access to the internet. Therefore, the amendments do not have the potential to generate a cost or savings impact to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR determines that these amendments will not create additional costs for residents and nonresidents wishing to hunt big game in Utah.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The amendments to this rule have a potential to create an impact on businesses as listed above. Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84116-3154

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Staci Coons at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4718, by FAX at 801-538-4709, or by Internet E-mail at stacicoons@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

01/31/2008

This rule may become effective on:

02/07/2008

Authorized by:

James F Karpowitz, Director

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-5. Taking Big Game.

R657-5-24. Application Process for Premium Limited Entry, Limited Entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit, Once-In-A-Lifetime Permits and Management Bull Elk, and Application Process for General Buck Deer, General Muzzleloader Elk and Youth General Any Bull Elk Permits.

(1) a person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain a big game permit.

(2)(a) A person may obtain only one permit per species of big game, including premium limited entry, limited entry, cooperative wildlife management unit, once-in-a-lifetime, conservation, sportsman, landowner and general permits, except antlerless permits as provided in the Antlerless Addendum and permits as provided in Rule R657-42.

(b) Hunting with a permit where payment has not been received for that permit constitutes a violation of hunting without a valid permit.

(c) A person who applies for, or obtains a permit must notify the division of any change in mailing address, residency, telephone number, and physical description.

(3) Applications are available[ from license agents, division offices, and] through the division's Internet address.

(4) A resident may apply in the big game drawing for the following permits:

(a) only one of the following:

(i) buck deer - premium limited entry, limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit;

(ii) bull elk - premium limited entry, limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit; or

(iii) buck pronghorn - limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit; and

(b) only one once-in-a-lifetime permit, including once-in-a-lifetime cooperative wildlife management unit permits, except as provided in Section R657-5-64(2)(b).

(5) A nonresident may apply in the big game drawing for the following permits:

(a) only one of the following:

(i) buck deer - premium limited entry and limited entry;

(ii) bull elk - premium limited entry and limited entry; or

(iii) buck pronghorn - limited entry; and

(b) only one once-in-a-lifetime permit.

(6) A resident or nonresident may apply in the big game drawing for:

(a)(i) a statewide general archery buck deer permit;

(ii) by region for general any weapon buck deer; or

(iii) by region for general muzzleloader buck deer.

(b) A youth may apply in the drawing as provided in Subsection (a) or Subsection R657-5-27(4), and for youth general any bull elk pursuant to Section R657-5-46.

(7) A person may not submit more than one application per species as provided in Subsections (3) and (4), and Subsection (5) in the big game drawing.

(8)(a) Applications must be [mailed]submitted online by the date prescribed in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.[ Applications filled out incorrectly or received later than the date prescribed in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation may be rejected.]

(b) If an error is found on an application, the applicant may be contacted for correction.

(9)[(a) Late applications, received by the date published in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation, will not be considered in the drawing, but will be processed, for the purpose of entering data into the division's draw database to provide:

(i) future preprinted applications;

(ii) notification by mail of late application and other draw opportunities; and

(iii) re-evaluation of division or third-party errors.

(b) The nonrefundable handling fee will be used to process the late application. Any permit fees submitted with the application will be refunded.

(c) Late applications received after the date published in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation shall not be processed and shall be returned to the applicant.

(10)] Any person who applies for a hunt that occurs on private land is responsible for obtaining written permission from the landowner to access the property. To avoid disappointment and wasting the permit and fee if access is not obtained, hunters should get permission before applying. The division does not guarantee access and does not have the names of landowners where hunts occur.

(10)[(11)] Only a resident may apply for or obtain a resident permit and only a nonresident may apply for or obtain a nonresident permit, except as provided in Subsections R657-5-27(4).

(11)[(12)] To apply for a resident permit, a person must be a resident at the time of purchase.

(12)[(13)] The posting date of the drawing shall be considered the purchase date of a permit.

 

R657-5-25. Fees for Premium Limited Entry, Limited Entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit, Once-In-A-Lifetime and Management Bull Elk Permits, and for General Buck Deer, General Muzzleloader Elk and Youth General Any Bull Elk Permits.

(1) [Each premium limited entry, limited entry, cooperative wildlife management unit and once-in-a-lifetime application must include:

(a) ] The[the highest permit fee of any permits applied for;

(b) a nonrefundable handling fee for one of the following permits:

(i) buck deer;

(ii) bull elk; or

(iii) buck pronghorn; and

(c) the nonrefundable handling fee for a once-in-a-lifetime permit; and

(d) the nonrefundable handling fee, if applying only for a bonus point; and

(e) the Utah hunting or combination license fee, if the applicant does not possess one of the licenses.

(2) Each general buck deer and general muzzleloader elk application must include:

(a) the permit fee, which includes the nonrefundable handling fee; or

(b) the nonrefundable handling fee per species, if applying only for a preference point; and

(c) the Utah hunting or combination license fee, if the applicant does not possess one of the licenses.]permit fees and handling fees must be paid pursuant to Rule R657-42-8(5).

 

R657-5-26. Applying as a Group for Premium Limited Entry, Limited Entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit, Once-In-A-Lifetime and Management Bull Elk Permits, and for General Buck Deer, General Muzzleloader Elk and Youth General Any Bull Elk Permits.

(1)(a) Up to four people may apply together for premium limited entry, limited entry, and resident cooperative wildlife management unit deer, elk or pronghorn permits in the big game drawing and in the antlerless drawing.

(b) People may not apply together for management bull elk permits in the big game drawing as provided in R657-5-71(2)(b).

(c) Up to two youth may apply together for youth general any bull elk permits in the big game drawing.

(d) Up to ten people may apply together for general deer permits in the big game drawing.

(e) Youth applicants who wish to participate in the youth general buck deer drawing process as provided in Subsection R657-5-27(4), or the youth antlerless drawing process as provided in Subsection R657-5-59(3), must not apply as part of a group.

(2)(a) Applicants must indicate the [number of ]hunters in the group by [filling in]marking the appropriate box on [each]the application form.

(b) If the appropriate box is not [filled out with]marked indicating the[ number of] hunters in the group, each hunter in that group shall be entered into the drawing as individual hunters, and not as a group.

(3) [Group applicants must submit their applications together in the same envelope.

(4) ]Residents and nonresidents may apply together.

([5]4)(a) Group applications shall be processed as one single application.

(b) Any bonus points used for a group application, shall be averaged and rounded down.

([6]5) When applying as a group:

(a) if the group is successful in the drawing, then all applicants with valid applications in that group shall receive a permit;

(b) if the group is rejected due to an error in fees and only one species is applied for, then the entire group is rejected;

(c) if the group is rejected due to an error in fees and more than one species is applied for, the group will be kept in the drawing for any species with sufficient fees, using the draw order; or

(d) if one or more members of the group are rejected due to an error other than fees, the members with valid applications will be kept in the drawing, unless the group indicates on the application that all members are to be rejected.[

(i) The applicant whose application is on the top of all the applications for that group, will be designated the group leader.

(ii) If any group member has an error on their application that is not corrected during the correction process, the reject box on the group leader's application will determine whether the entire group is rejected.]

 

R657-5-28. Premium Limited Entry, Limited Entry, Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit, Once-In-A-Lifetime and Management Bull Elk Application Refunds, and General Buck Deer, General Muzzleloader Elk and Youth General Any Bull Elk Application Refunds.

(1) Unsuccessful applicants [who applied in the big game drawing with a check or money order will receive a permit refund in May.

(2)(a) Unsuccessful applicants who applied in the big game drawing with a credit or debit card ]will not be charged for a permit.

([b) Unsuccessful applicants who applied as a group will receive an equally distributed refund of money remaining after the successful applicants' permits are paid for.

(c) If group members have other financial arrangements between themselves, group members should be prepared to reallocate each group member's individual refunds among themselves.

(3]2) The handling fees and Utah hunting or combination license feesare nonrefundable.

 

R657-5-31. Waiting Periods for Elk.

(1) A person who obtained a premium limited entry, limited entry, management bull elk or cooperative wildlife management unit bull elk permit through the big game drawing process during the preceding four years may not apply in the big game drawing for any of these permits during the current year.

(2) A person who obtains a premium limited entry, limited entry or cooperative wildlife management unit bull elk permit through the big game drawing, may not apply for any of these permits for a period of five years.

(3) A waiting period does not apply to:

(a) general archery, general any weapon, general muzzleloader, antlerless elk, cooperative wildlife management unit spike bull elk, conservation, sportsman, poaching-reported reward and dedicated hunter limited entry elk permits; or

(b) cooperative wildlife management unit or limited entry landowner bull elk permits obtained through the landowner.

[ (4) The waiting period imposed on a management bull elk permit will be removed if:

(a) the hunter complies with the mandatory reporting requirements in R657-5-71(6), and the animal harvested has five points or less on at least one antler.

]

R657-5-37A. Bonus Point System.

(1) Bonus points are used to improve odds for drawing permits.

(2)(a) A bonus point is awarded for:

(i) each valid unsuccessful application when applying for limited entry permits in the big game or antlerless drawing; or

(ii) each valid application when applying for bonus points in the big game or antlerless drawing.

(b) Bonus points are awarded by species for:

(i) premium limited entry, limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit buck deer;

(ii) premium limited entry, limited entry, management bull elk, and cooperative wildlife management unit bull elk;

(iii) limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit buck pronghorn;

(iv) all once-in-a-lifetime species; and

(v) antlerless moose.

(3) A person may apply for a bonus point for:

(a) only one of the following species:

(i) buck deer - premium limited entry, limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit;

(ii) bull elk - limited entry, management and cooperative wildlife management unit; or

(iii) buck pronghorn - limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit;

(iv) antlerless moose, and

(b) only one once-in-a-lifetime, including once-in-a-lifetime cooperative wildlife management unit.

(4)(a) A person may not apply in the drawing for both a premium limited entry or limited entry bonus point and a premium limited entry or limited entry permit.

(b) A person may not apply in the drawing for a once-in-a-lifetime bonus point and a once-in-a-lifetime permit.

(c) A person may not apply in the drawing for an antlerless moose bonus point and an antlerless moose permit.

(d) A person may not apply for a bonus point if that person is ineligible to apply for a permit for the respective species.

(e) A person may only apply for bonus points in the big game and antlerless drawings.

(f) Group applications will not be accepted when applying for bonus points.

(5)(a) Fifty percent of the permits for each hunt unit and species will be reserved for applicants with bonus points.

(b) Based on the applicant's first choice, the reserved permits will be designated by a random drawing number to eligible applicants with the greatest number of bonus points for each species.

(c) If reserved permits remain, the reserved permits will be designated by a random number to eligible applicants with the next greatest number of bonus points for each species.

(d) The procedure in Subsection (c) will continue until all reserved permits have been issued or no applications for that species remain.

(e) Any reserved permits remaining and any applicants who were not selected for reserved permits will be returned to the big game drawing.

(6)(a) Each applicant receives a random drawing number for:

(i) each species applied for; and

(ii) each bonus point for that species.

(7) Bonus points are forfeited if a person obtains a permit through the drawing for that bonus point species as provided in Subsection (2)(c), including any permit obtained after the drawing.

(8) Bonus points are not forfeited if:

(a) a person is successful in obtaining a conservation permit or sportsman permit;

(b) a person obtains a landowner or a cooperative wildlife management unit permit from a landowner; or

(c) a person obtains a poaching-reported reward permit.

[(9) Bonus points may be reinstated if a hunter obtains a management bull elk permit and complies with R657-5-71(7).

]([10]9) Bonus points are not transferable.

([11]10) Bonus points are averaged and rounded down when two or more applicants apply together on a group application.

([12]11)(a) Bonus points are tracked using social security numbers or division-issued customer identification numbers.

(b) The division shall retain paper copies of applications for three years prior to the current big game and antlerless drawings for the purpose of researching bonus point records.

(c) The division shall retain electronic copies of applications from 1996 to the current big game drawing for the purpose of researching bonus point records.

(d) Any requests for researching an applicant's bonus point records must be requested within the time frames provided in Subsection (b) and (c).

(e) Any bonus points on the division's records shall not be researched beyond the time frames provided in Subsection (b) and (c).

(f) The division may eliminate any bonus points earned that are obtained by fraud or misrepresentation.

 

R657-5-41. Limited Entry Buck Deer Hunts.

(1) To hunt in a premium limited entry or limited entry area, hunters must obtain the respective limited entry buck permit. Limited entry areas are not open to general archery buck, general any weapon buck, or general muzzleloader buck hunting, except as specified in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(2) A limited entry buck deer permit allows a person using the prescribed legal weapon, to take one buck deer within the area and season specified on the permit, except deer cooperative wildlife management units located within the limited entry unit.

(3)(a) A person who has obtained a premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit buck deer permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a buck deer.

(b) Limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit buck deer permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's Internet address.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for any once-in-a-lifetime, premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit permit or bonus points in the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Rule R657-42-9(3).

(4) A person who has obtained a limited entry buck permit may not hunt during any other deer hunt or obtain any other deer permit, except antlerless deer.

 

R657-5-43. General Archery Elk Hunt.

(1) The dates of the general archery elk hunt are provided in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(2)(a) A person who has obtained a general archery elk permit may use archery equipment to take:

(i) one elk of hunter's choice on a general any bull elk unit, except on elk cooperative wildlife management units;

(ii) an antlerless elk or spike bull elk on a general spike bull elk unit, except on elk cooperative wildlife management units;

(iii) one elk[ of hunter's choice], any bull or antlerless on the Wasatch Front or Uintah Basin extended archery areas as provided in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(3)(a) A person who obtains a general archery elk permit may hunt within the Wasatch Front, Uintah Basin, [Nebo-West Desert, ]and Sanpete Valley extended archery areas during the extended archery area seasons as provided in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game and as provided in Subsection (b).

(b) A person must complete the Archery Ethics Course annually to hunt the extended archery areas during the extended archery season.

(c) A person must possess an Archery Ethics Course Certificate of Completion while hunting.

(4) A person who has obtained an archery elk permit may not hunt during any other elk hunt or obtain any other elk permit, except as provided in Subsection R657-5-48(3).

(5) Hunter orange material must be worn if a centerfire rifle hunt is also in progress in the same area as provided in Section 23-20-31. Archers are cautioned to study the rifle hunt tables to identify these areas described in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

 

R657-5-47. Premium Limited Entry and Limited Entry Bull Elk Hunts.

(1) To hunt in a premium limited entry or limited entry bull elk area, a hunter must obtain the respective premium limited entry or limited entry elk permit.

(2)(a) A premium limited entry bull elk permit allows a person, using the prescribed legal weapon, to take one bull elk within the area and to hunt all limited entry bull elk seasons specified in the hunt tables, published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game, for the area specified on the permit, except elk cooperative wildlife management units located within a premium limited entry unit. Spike bull elk restrictions do not apply to premium limited entry elk permittees.

(b) A limited entry bull elk permit allows a person, using the prescribed legal weapon, to take one bull elk within the area and season specified on the permit, except elk cooperative wildlife management units located within a limited entry unit. Spike bull elk restrictions do not apply to limited entry elk permittees.

(3)(a) A person who has obtained a premium limited entry, limited entry or cooperative wildlife management unit bull elk permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a bull elk.

(b) Limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit bull elk permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's Internet address.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for any once-in-a-lifetime, premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit permit or bonus points in the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Rule R657-42-9(3).

(4) A person who has obtained a premium limited entry or limited entry bull elk permit may not hunt during any other elk hunt or obtain any other elk permit, except as provided in Subsections (4)(a) and R657-5-48(3).

 

R657-5-49. Buck Pronghorn Hunts.

(1) To hunt buck pronghorn, a hunter must obtain a buck pronghorn permit.

(2) A person who has obtained a buck pronghorn permit may not obtain any other pronghorn permit or hunt during any other pronghorn hunt.

(3)(a) A person who has obtained a limited entry or cooperative wildlife management unit buck pronghorn permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a buck pronghorn.

(b) Limited entry and cooperative wildlife management unit buck pronghorn permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the Division's Internet address.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for any once-in-a-lifetime, premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit permit or bonus points in the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Rule R657-42-9(3).

(4) A buck pronghorn permit allows a person using any legal weapon to take one buck pronghorn within the area and season specified on the permit, except during the buck pronghorn archery hunt when only archery equipment may be used and on buck pronghorn cooperative wildlife management unit located within a limited entry unit.

 

R657-5-52. Bull Moose Hunts.

(1) To hunt bull moose, a hunter must obtain a bull moose permit.

(2) A person who has obtained a bull moose permit may not obtain any other moose permit or hunt during any other moose hunt.

(3) A bull moose permit allows a person using any legal weapon to take one bull moose within the area and season specified on the permit, except in bull moose cooperative wildlife management units located within a limited entry unit.

(4)(a) A person who has obtained a bull moose permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a bull moose.

(b) Bull moose permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's Internet address.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for any once-in-a-lifetime, premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit permit or bonus points in the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Rule R657-42-9(3).

 

R657-5-53. Bison Hunts.

(1) To hunt bison, a hunter must obtain a bison permit.

(2) A person who has obtained a bison permit may not obtain any other bison permit or hunt during any other bison hunt.

(3) The bison permit allows a person using any legal weapon to take a bison of either sex within the area and season as specified on the permit.

(4)(a) An orientation course is required for bison hunters who draw a an Antelope Island bison permit. Hunters shall be notified of the orientation date, time and location.

(b) The Antelope Island hunt is administered by the Division of Parks and Recreation.

(5) A Henry Mountain cow bison permit allows a person to take one cow bison using any legal weapon within the area and season as specified on the permit and in the Antlerless Addendum to the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(6) An orientation course is required for bison hunters who draw Henry Mountain cow bison permits. Hunters will be notified of the orientation date, time and location.

(7)(a) A person who has obtained a bison permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a bison.

(b) Bison permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's Internet address.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for any once-in-a-lifetime, premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit permit or bonus points in the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Rule R657-42-9(3).

 

R657-5-54. Desert Bighorn and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Hunts.

(1) To hunt desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, a hunter must obtain the respective permit.

(2) A person who has obtained a desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit may not obtain any other desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit or hunt during any other desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep hunt.

(3) Desert bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain big horn sheep permits are considered separate once-in-a-lifetime hunting opportunities.

(4)(a) The desert bighorn sheep permit allows a person using any legal weapon to take one desert bighorn ram within the area and season specified on the permit.

(b) The Rocky Mountain sheep permit allows a person using any legal weapon to take one Rocky Mountain bighorn ram within the area and season specified on the permit.

(5) The permittee may attend a hunter orientation course. The division provides each permittee with the time and location of the course.

(6) All bighorn sheep hunters are encouraged to have a spotting scope with a minimum of 15 power while hunting bighorn sheep. Any ram may be legally taken, however, permittees are encouraged to take a mature ram. The terrain inhabited by bighorn sheep is extremely rugged, making this hunt extremely strenuous.

(7) Successful hunters must deliver the horns of the bighorn sheep to a division office within 72 hours of leaving the hunting area. A numbered seal will be permanently affixed to the horn indicating legal harvest.

(8)(a) A person who has obtained a desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep.

(b) Desert bighorn sheep or Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's Internet address.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for any once-in-a-lifetime, premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit permit or bonus points in the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Rule R657-42-9(3).

 

R657-5-55. Rocky Mountain Goat Hunts.

(1) To hunt Rocky Mountain goat, a hunter must obtain a Rocky Mountain goat permit.

(2) A person who has obtained a Rocky Mountain goat permit may not obtain any other Rocky Mountain goat permit or hunt during any other Rocky Mountain goat hunt.

(3) A Rocky Mountain goat of either sex may be legally taken on a hunter's choice permit. Permittees are encouraged to take a mature goat. A mature goat is a goat older than two years of age, as determined by counting the annual rings on the horn.

(4) The goat permit allows a person using any legal weapon to take one goat within the area and season specified on the permit.

(5) All goat hunters are encouraged to have a spotting scope with a minimum of 15 power while hunting goats. The terrain inhabited by Rocky Mountain goat is extremely rugged making this hunt extremely strenuous. The goat's pelage may be higher quality later in the hunting season.

(6) A female-goat only permit allows a person to take one female-goat using any legal weapon within the area and season as specified on the permit and in the Antlerless Addendum to the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(7) An orientation course is required for Rocky Mountain goat hunters who draw female-goat only permits. Hunters will be notified of the orientation date, time and location.

(8)(a) A person who has obtained a Rocky Mountain goat permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a Rocky Mountain goat.

(b) Rocky Mountain goat permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's Internet address.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for any once-in-a-lifetime, premium limited entry, limited entry, or cooperative wildlife management unit permit or bonus points in the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Rule R657-42-9(3).

 

R657-5-59. Antlerless Big Game Drawing.

(1) [The antlerless drawing results may be posted at the Lee Kay Center, Cache Valley Hunter Education Center, division offices and on the division Internet address on]Applicants shall be notified by mail of draw results by the date published in the Antlerless Addendum to the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(2) Permits are drawn in the order listed in the Antlerless Addendum to the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(3)(a) Twenty percent of the antlerless deer, elk and doe pronghorn permits are reserved for youth hunters.

(b) For purposes of this section, "youth" means any person 18 years of age or younger on the opening day of the general archery buck deer season.

(c) Youth hunters who wish to participate in the youth drawing must:

(i) submit an application in accordance with Section R657-5-57; and

(ii) not apply as a group.

(d) Youth applicants who apply for an antlerless deer, elk, or doe pronghorn permit as provided in Subsection (c), will automatically be considered in the youth drawing based upon their birth date.

(e) Any reserved permits remaining and any youth applicants who were not selected for reserved permits shall be returned to the antlerless drawing.

(4) If permits remain after all choices have been evaluated separately for residents and nonresidents, a second evaluation will be done allowing cross-over usage of remaining resident and nonresident permit quotas.

 

R657-5-65. Fees for Special Hunt Applications.

[(1) Each application must include:

(a) the permit fee for the species applied for;

(b) a nonrefundable handling fee: and

(c) the Utah hunting or combination license fee, if the applicant does not possess one of the licenses.

(2)(a) Personal checks, money orders, cashier's checks and credit or debit cards are accepted from residents.

(b) Money orders, cashier's checks and credit or debit cards are accepted from nonresidents. Personal checks are not accepted from nonresidents.

(3)(a) Credit or debit cards must be valid at least 30 calendar days after the drawing results are posted.

(b) If applicants are applying as a group, all fees for all applicants in that group must be charged to one credit or debit card.

(c) Handling fees are charged to the credit or debit card when the application is processed. Permit fees are charged after the drawing, if successful.

(d) Payments to correct an invalid or refused credit or debit card must be made with a cashier's check or money order for the full amount of the application fees plus any permits requested.

(4) An application is voidable if the check is returned unpaid from the bank or the credit or debit card is invalid or refused.]Fees and handling fees must be paid pursuant to Rule R657-42-8(5).

 

R657-5-66. Special Hunt Drawing.

(1) [The special hunt drawing results may be posted at the Lee Kay Center, Cache Valley Hunter Education Center and division offices on]Applicants shall be notified by mail of draw results by the date published in [the]an addendum to the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation [or]of the Wildlife Board for taking big game or the Antlerless Addendum to the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(2) If permits remain after all choices have been evaluated separately for residents and nonresidents, a second evaluation will be done allowing cross-over usage of remaining resident and nonresident permit quotas.

 

R657-5-71. Management Bull Elk Hunt.

(1)(a) For the purposes of this section "management bull" means any bull elk with 5 points or less on at least one antler. A point means a projection longer than one inch, measured from its base to its tip.

(b) For purposes of this section "youth" means any person 18 years of age or younger on the opening day of the management bull elk archery season published in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(c) For the purposes of this section "senior" means any person 65 years of age or older on the opening day of the management bull elk archery season published in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(2)(a) Management bull elk permits shall be distributed through the division's big game drawing. Thirty percent of the permits are allocated to youth, 30 percent to seniors and the remaining 40 percent to hunters of all ages.

(b) Group application shall not be accepted in the division's big game drawing for management bull elk permits.

(3) Waiting periods as provided in R657-5-31 are incurred as a result of obtaining management bull elk permits[, except as provided in Subsection (7)].

(4)(a) Bonus points shall be awarded when an applicant is unsuccessful in obtaining a management bull elk permit in the big game drawing.

(b) Bonus points shall be expended when an applicant is successful in obtaining a management bull elk permit in the big game drawing[, except as provided in Subsection (7)].

(5) Management bull elk permit holders may take one management bull elk during the season, on the area and with the weapon type specified on the permit. Management bull elk hunting seasons, areas and weapon types are published in the Bucks, Bulls and Once-In-A-Lifetime Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(6)(a) A person who has obtained a management bull elk permit must report hunt information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in harvesting a management bull elk.

(b) Management bull elk permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's Internet address.

(7)(a) Management bull elk permit holders who successfully harvest a management bull elk, as defined in Subsection (1)(a)[, and] must have their animal inspected by the division[, will have their bonus points reinstated and waiting period for limited bull elk removed].

(b) Successful hunters must deliver the head and antlers of the elk they harvest to a division office for inspection within 72 hours of leaving the hunting area.

(8) Management bull elk permit holders may not retain possession of any harvested bull elk that fails to satisfy the definition requirements in Subsection (1)(a).

(9) A person who has obtained a management bull elk permit may not hunt during any other elk hunt or obtain any other elk permit, except as provided in Section R657-5-48(3).

 

KEY: wildlife, game laws, big game seasons

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [August 7, 2007]2008

Notice of Continuation: November 21, 2005

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-14-18; 23-14-19; 23-16-5; 23-16-6