As in effect on June 1, 2008
(1) Under authority of Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19 and in accordance with 50 CFR 20, 2004 edition, which is incorporated by reference, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking upland game.
(2) Specific season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, number of permits and other administrative details that may change annually are published in the Upland Game Proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23-13-2.
(2) In addition:
(a) "Bait" means shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt or other feed that lures, attracts or entices birds.
(b) "CFR" means the Code of Federal Regulations.
(c) "Falconry" means the sport of taking quarry by means of a trained raptor.
(d) "Landowner" means any individual, family or corporation who owns property in Utah and whose name appears on the deed as the owner of eligible property or whose name appears as the purchaser on a contract for sale of eligible property.
(e) "Migratory game bird" means, for the purposes of this rule, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Band-tailed Pigeon, and Sandhill Crane.
(f) "Transport" means to ship, carry, export, import, receive or deliver for shipment, conveyance, carriage, exportation or importation.
(g) "Upland game" means pheasant, quail, Chukar Partridge, Hungarian Partridge, Sage-grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Blue Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, White-tailed Ptarmigan, and the following migratory game birds: Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, Band-tailed Pigeon, and Sandhill Crane.
(1) A person must obtain a Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number to hunt migratory game birds.
(2)(a) A person may call the telephone number or register online as published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game to obtain their HIP registration number.
(b) A person must write their HIP registration number on their current valid hunting license.
(3) Any person obtaining a HIP registration number will be required to provide their:
(a) hunting license number;
(b) hunting license type;
(c) name;
(d) address;
(e) phone number;
(f) birth date; and
(g) information about the previous year's migratory game bird hunts.
(4) Lifetime license holders will receive a sticker every three years from the Division to write their HIP number on and place on their lifetime license card.
(5) Any person hunting migratory game birds will be required, while in the field, to possess a hunting or combination license with the HIP registration number recorded on the license, demonstrating they have registered and provided information for the HIP program.
(1)(a) A person may not take or possess:
(i) Band-tailed Pigeon without first obtaining a Band-tailed Pigeon permit;
(ii) Sage-grouse without first obtaining a Sage-grouse permit;
(iii) Sharp-tailed Grouse without first obtaining a Sharp-tailed Grouse permit; or
(iv) White-tailed Ptarmigan without first obtaining a White-tailed Ptarmigan permit.
(b) A person may obtain only one permit for each species listed in Subsection (1)(a), except a falconer with a valid Falconry Certificate of Registration may obtain one additional two-bird Sage-grouse permit beginning on the date published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game, if any permits are remaining.
(2)(a) A limited number of two-bird Sage-grouse permits are available in the areas published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(b) A Sage-grouse permit may only be used in one of the open areas as published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(c) Sage-grouse permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on the date published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game free of charge.
(d) Sage-grouse permit request forms must be submitted with a handling fee.
(3)(a) A limited number of two-bird, Sharp-tailed Grouse permits are available.
(b) A Sharp-tailed Grouse permit may only be used in one of open areas as published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(c) Sharp-tailed Grouse permits will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on the date published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game free of charge.
(d) Sharp-tailed Grouse permit request forms must be submitted with a handling fee.
(4)(a) Band-tailed Pigeon and White-tailed Ptarmigan permits are available from Division offices, through the mail, and through the Division's Internet address by the first week in August, free of charge.
(5) Sage-grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Band-tailed Pigeon and White-tailed Ptarmigan permit forms are available from Division offices and through the Division's Internet address.
(1)(a) Applications will be available from Division offices and license agents. Applications must be mailed by the date prescribed in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(b) Residents and nonresidents may apply.
(c) The application period for Sandhill Crane is published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(2)(a) Applications completed incorrectly or received after the date prescribed in the upland game proclamation may be rejected.
(b) If an error is found on the application, the applicant may be contacted for correction.
(3)(a) Late applications, received by the date published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game, 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 pre-printed applications;
(ii) notification by mail of late application and other draw opportunities; and
(iii) re-evaluation of Division or third-party errors.
(b) The handling fee will be used to process the late application. Any Utah hunting or combination license fees submitted with the application will be refunded.
(c) Late applications, received after the date published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game, shall not be processed and shall be returned to the applicant.
(4) Group applications for Sandhill Crane will not be accepted.
(5)(a) A person may obtain only one Sandhill Crane permit each year.
(b) A person may not apply more than once annually.
(6) Each application must include:
(a) a nonrefundable handling fee; and
(b) the hunting or combination license fee, if it has not yet been purchased.
(7) A hunting or combination license may be purchased before applying, or the hunting or combination license will be issued upon successful drawing results. Fees must be submitted with the application.
(8) The posting date of the drawing results is published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(9) Any permits remaining after the drawing are available by mail-in application on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on the date published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(10) To apply for a resident permit or license, a person must establish residency at the time of purchase.
(11) The posting date of the drawing shall be considered the purchase date of a permit.
(12)(a) An applicant may withdraw their application for the Sandhill Crane Drawing by requesting such in writing by the date published in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(b) The applicant must send their notarized signature with a statement requesting that their application be withdrawn to the Salt Lake Division office.
(c) An applicant may reapply in the Sandhill Crane Drawing provided:
(i) the original application is withdrawn;
(ii) the new application is submitted with the request to withdraw the original application;
(iii) both the new application and request to withdraw the original application are received by the initial application deadline; and
(iv) both the new application and request to withdraw the original application are submitted to the Salt Lake Division office.
(d) Handling fee will not be refunded.
(13)(a) An applicant may amend their application for the Sandhill Crane Drawing by requesting such in writing by the initial application deadline.
(b) The applicant must send their notarized signature with a statement requesting that their application be amended to the Salt Lake Division office.
(c) The applicant must identify in their statement the requested amendment to their application.
(1) A person may not use any weapon or device to take upland game except as provided in this section.
(2)(a) Upland game may be taken with archery equipment, a shotgun no larger than 10 gauge, or a handgun. Loads for shotguns and handguns must be one-half ounce or more of shot size between no. 2 and no. 8, except:
(i) migratory game birds may not be taken with a handgun, or a shotgun capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three shells;
(ii) cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare may be taken with any firearm not capable of being fired fully automatic;
(iii) a person hunting upland game on a temporary game preserve as defined in Rule R657-5 may not use or possess any broadheads unless that person possesses a valid big game archery permit for the area being hunted;
(iv) only shotguns, firing shot sizes no. 4 or smaller, may be used on temporary game preserves as specified in Rule R657-5; and
(v) Sandhill Crane may be taken with any size of nontoxic shot.
(b) Crossbows are not legal archery equipment for taking upland game, except as provided in Rule R657-12.
(3) A person may not use:
(a) a firearm capable of being fired fully automatic; or
(b) any light enhancement device or aiming device that casts a beam of light.
(1) Only nontoxic shot may be used to take Sandhill Crane.
(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), nontoxic shot is not required to take any species of upland game, except Sandhill Crane.
(3) A person may not possess or use lead shot or any other shot that has not been approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service while on federal refuges or the following state waterfowl or wildlife management areas: Bicknell Bottoms, Blue Lake, Brown's Park, Clear Lake, Desert Lake, Farmington Bay, Harold S. Crane, Howard Slough, Locomotive Springs, Manti Meadows, Mills Meadows, Ogden Bay, Powell Slough, Public Shooting Grounds, Salt Creek, Scott M. Matheson Wetland Preserve, Stewart Lake, and Timpie Springs.
(1) A person may not possess a firearm or archery tackle, except during the specified hunting seasons or as authorized by the Division on the following wildlife management areas: Bear River Trenton Property Parcel, Bud Phelps, Castle Dale, Huntington, James Walter Fitzgerald, Mallard Springs, Manti Meadows, Montes Creek, Nephi, Pahvant, Redmond Marsh, Richfield, Roosevelt, Scott M. Matheson Wetland Preserve, Vernal, and Willard Bay.
(2) The firearm restrictions set forth in this section do not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7 of the Utah Code, provided the person is not utilizing the concealed firearm to hunt or take wildlife.
(1) A person may not possess a firearm or archery tackle, except during the specified waterfowl hunting seasons or as authorized by the Division on the following waterfowl management areas: Bicknell Bottoms, Blue Lake, Brown's Park, Clear Lake, Desert Lake, Farmington Bay, Harold S. Crane, Howard Slough, Locomotive Springs, Mills Meadows, Ogden Bay, Powell Slough, Public Shooting Grounds, Salt Creek, Stewart Lake, and Timpie Springs.
(2) During the waterfowl hunting seasons, a shotgun is the only firearm that may be held in possession.
(3) The firearm restrictions set forth in this section do not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7 of the Utah Code, provided the person is not utilizing the concealed firearm to hunt or take wildlife.
(1)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), shooting hours for upland game are as follows:
(i) Band-tailed Pigeon, Mourning Dove, White-winged Dove, and Sandhill Crane may be taken only between one-half hour before official sunrise through official sunset.
(ii) Sage-grouse, Ruffed Grouse, Blue Grouse, Sharp-tailed Grouse, White-tailed Ptarmigan, Chukar Partridge, Hungarian Partridge, pheasant, quail, cottontail rabbit, and snowshoe hare may be taken only between one-half hour before official sunrise through one-half hour after official sunset.
(b) A person must add to or subtract from the official sunrise and sunset depending on the geographic location of the state. Specific times are provided in a time zone map in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(2) Pheasant and quail may not be taken prior to 8 a.m. on the opening day of the pheasant and quail seasons.
(3) A person may not discharge a firearm on state owned lands adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, state waterfowl management areas or on federal refuges between official sunset through one-half hour before official sunrise.
(1) Hunting of any wildlife is prohibited within the boundaries of all state park areas, except those areas designated open to hunting by the Division of Parks and Recreation in Rule R651-614-4.
(2) Hunting with rifles and handguns in park areas designated open is prohibited within one mile of all park facilities including buildings, camp or picnic sites, overlooks, golf courses, boat ramps, and developed beaches.
(3) Hunting with shotguns or archery tackle is prohibited within one quarter mile of the above stated areas.
(1)(a) Falconers must obtain an annual hunting or combination license and a valid falconry certificate of registration or license to hunt upland game and must also obtain:
(b) a Band-tailed Pigeon permit before taking Band-tailed Pigeon;
(c) a Sage-grouse permit before taking Sage-grouse;
(d) a Sharp-tailed Grouse permit before taking Sharp-tailed Grouse;
(e) a White-tailed Ptarmigan permit before taking White-tailed Ptarmigan; or
(f) a Sandhill Crane permit before taking Sandhill Crane.
(2) Areas open and bag and possession limits for falconry are provided in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
(1) A person may not hunt upland game by the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area where a person knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited. This section does not prohibit:
(a) the taking of any migratory game bird on or over the following lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas:
(i) standing crops or flooded standing crops (including aquatics), standing, flooded or manipulated natural vegetation, flooded harvested croplands, or lands or areas where seeds or grains have been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation or normal soil stabilization practice;
(ii) from a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with natural vegetation;
(iii) from a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with vegetation from agricultural crops, as long as such camouflaging does not result in the exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of grain or other feed; or
(iv) standing or flooded standing agricultural crops where grain is inadvertently scattered solely as a result of a hunter entering or exiting a hunting area, placing decoys or retrieving downed birds.
(b) The taking of any upland game, except Sandhill Crane, on or over lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas, and where grain or other feed has been distributed or scattered solely as the result of manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where grown or solely as the result of a normal agricultural operation.
Motorized vehicle travel on all state wildlife management areas is restricted to county roads and improved roads that are posted open.
A person may not possess live, protected wildlife. Protected wildlife that is wounded must be immediately killed and shall be included in the hunter's bag limit.
(1) The carcass of a Sandhill Crane, sage grouse, or Sharp-tailed Grouse must be tagged in accordance with Section 23-20-30.
(2) A person may not hunt or pursue Sandhill Crane, sage grouse, or Sharp-tailed Grouse after any of the notches have been removed from the tag or the tag has been detached from the permit.
One fully feathered wing must remain attached to each upland game bird and migratory game bird taken while it is being transported to allow species identification.
A person shall not kill or cripple any upland game without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the animal.
(1) Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, or youth enrolled in 4-H or FFA may collect and rear pheasants from eggs in nests destroyed by normal hay mowing operations. The 4-H club leader, FFA adviser or Scout Master shall first apply for and obtain a certificate of registration for this activity.
(2) Landowners or operators of mowing equipment may collect the eggs and possess them for no more than 24 hours for pick up by a person with a certificate of registration.
(3) Pheasants must be released by 16 weeks of age.
(4) These pheasants remain the property of the state of Utah.
(1) Dogs may be used to locate and retrieve upland game during open hunting seasons.
(2) Dogs are not allowed on state wildlife management or waterfowl management areas, except during open hunting seasons or as posted by the Division.
(3) State wildlife management and waterfowl management areas are listed under Sections R657-6-9 and R657-6-10.
A person may not hunt upland game in any area posted closed by the Division or any of the following areas:
(1) Salt Lake International Airport boundaries as posted.
(2) Incorporated municipalities: Most of the incorporated areas of Alta, a portion of Davis County, Garland City, Layton, Logan, Pleasant View City, South Ogden City, Syracuse City, West Jordan, and West Valley City are closed to the discharge of firearms. Check with the respective city officials for specific boundaries. Other municipalities may have additional firearm restrictions.
(3) Wildlife Management Areas:
(a) Waterfowl management areas and federal refuges are open for hunting upland game only during designated waterfowl hunting seasons, including: Bear River National Wildlife Refuge, Bicknell Bottoms, Blue Lake, Brown's Park, Clear Lake, Desert Lake, Farmington Bay, Harold S. Crane, Howard Slough, Locomotive Springs, Mills Meadows, Ogden Bay, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Powell Slough, Public Shooting Grounds, Salt Creek, Stewart Lake, and Timpie Springs.
(b) Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is closed to upland game hunting.
(c) Goshen Warm Springs is closed to upland game hunting.
(4) Military installations, including Camp Williams, are closed to hunting and trespassing unless otherwise authorized.
A person may not take migratory game birds by the use or aid of live decoys, recorded or electronically amplified bird calls or sounds, or recorded or electronically amplified imitations of bird calls or sounds.
(1) No person may transport upland game by the Postal Service or a common carrier unless the package or container has the name and address of the shipper and the consignee and an accurate statement of the numbers of each species of birds contained therein clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside of the container.
(2) A shipping permit issued by the Division must accompany each package containing upland game within or from the state.
(3) A person may export upland game or their parts from Utah only if:
(a) the person who harvested the upland game accompanies it and possess a valid license or permit corresponding to the tag, if applicable; or
(b) the person exporting the upland game or its parts, if it is not the person who harvested the upland game, has obtained a shipping permit from the Division.
(1) Except as provided in Section 23-13-17:
(a) a person may not use or cast the rays of any spotlight, headlight or other artificial light to locate protected wildlife while having in possession a firearm or other weapon or device that could be used to take or injure protected wildlife; and
(b) the use of a spotlight or other artificial light in a field, woodland or forest where protected wildlife are generally found is prima facie evidence of attempting to locate protected wildlife.
(2) The provisions of this section do not apply to:
(a) the use of the headlights of a motor vehicle or other artificial light in a usual manner where there is no attempt or intent to locate protected wildlife; or
(b) a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7 of the Utah Code, provided the person is not utilizing the concealed firearm to hunt or take wildlife.
Season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, and number of permits for taking upland game are provided in the proclamation of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game.
wildlife, birds, rabbits, game laws
August 7, 2007
July 8, 2005
23-14-18; 23-14-19
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