R657-10-12. Use of Dogs

  (1) Dogs may be used to take or pursue cougar only during open seasons as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

  (2) A dog handler may pursue cougar provided he or she possesses:

  (a) a valid cougar permit issued to the dog handler;

  (b) a valid cougar pursuit permit; or

  (c) the documentation and certifications required in R657-10-25(2) to pursue cougar for compensation.

  (3) When dogs are used in the pursuit of a cougar, the licensed hunter intending to take the cougar must be present when the dogs are released and must continuously participate in the hunt thereafter until the hunt is completed.

  (4) When dogs are used to take a cougar and there is not an open pursuit season, the dog handler must have:

  (a) a valid cougar permit issued to the dog handler for the unit being hunted;

  (b)(i) a valid cougar pursuit permit; and

  (ii) be accompanied, as provided in Subsection (3), by a hunter possessing a cougar permit for the area; or

  (c)(i) the documentation and certifications required in R657-10-25(2) to pursue cougar for compensation and

  (ii) be accompanied, as provided in Subsection (3), by a paying client possessing a valid cougar permit for the area.

  (5) A dog handler may pursue cougar under:

  (a) a cougar pursuit permit only during the season and in the areas designated by the Wildlife Board in guidebook open to pursuit;

  (b) a valid cougar permit only during the season and in the area designated by the Wildlife Board in guidebook for that permit; or

  (c) the pursuit for compensation provisions in this rule only during the seasons and in the areas designated by the Wildlife Board in guidebook open to pursuit.

  (6) When dogs are used to take cougar and there is not an open pursuit season, the owner and handler of the dogs must have a valid pursuit permit and be accompanied by a licensed hunter as provided in Subsection (3), or have a cougar permit.