R657-33. Taking Bear, R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

R657-33-1. Purpose and Authority

Latest version.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19, of the Utah Code, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking and pursuing bear.

(2) Specific dates, areas, number of permits, limits and other administrative details which may change annually are published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking and pursuing bear.

R657-33-2. Definitions

Latest version.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23-13-2.

(2) In addition:

(a) "Accompany" means at a distance within which visual contact and verbal communication are maintained without the assistance of any electronic device.

(b) "Bait" means any lure containing animal, mineral or plant materials.

(c) "Baiting" means the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of bait to lure, attract or entice bear on or over any area.

(d) "Bear" means Ursus americanus, commonly known as black bear.

(e) "Canned hunt" means that a bear is treed, cornered, held at bay or its ability to escape is otherwise restricted for the purpose of allowing a person who was not a member of the initial hunting party to arrive and take the bear.

(f) "Compensation" means anything of economic value in excess of $100 that is paid, loaned, granted, given, donated, or transferred to a dog handler for or in consideration of pursuing bear for any purpose.

(g) "Control permit" means a permit issued in response to bear depredation to commercial crops pursuant to R657-33-23(4).

(h) "Cub" means a bear less than one year of age.

(i) "Draw-lock" means a mechanical device used to hold and support the draw weight of a conventional or compound bow at any increment of draw until released by the archer using a trigger mechanism attached to the device.

(j) "Dog handler" means the person in the field that is responsible for transporting, releasing, tracking, controlling, managing, training, commanding and retrieving the dogs involved in the pursuit. The owner of the dogs is presumed the dog handler when the owner is in the field during pursuit.

(k) "Evidence of sex" means the teats, and sex organs of a bear, including a penis, scrotum or vulva.

(l) "Green pelt" means the untanned hide or skin of a bear.

(m) "Harvest-objective hunt" means any hunt that is identified as harvest-objective in the hunt table of the guidebook for taking bear.

(n) "Harvest-objective permit" means any permit valid on harvest-objective units.

(o) "Harvest-objective unit" means any unit designated as harvest-objective in the hunt table of the guidebook for taking bear.

(p) "Immediate family member" means a landowner's or lessee's spouse, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepchild, and grandchild.

(q)(i) "Limited entry hunt" means any hunt listed in the hunt table, published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking bear, which is identified as a limited entry hunt for bear.

(ii) The Wildlife Board may authorize certain limited entry hunts that span multiple seasons, identified in the guidebook for taking bear as multi-season limited entry hunts.

(iii) "Limited entry hunt" does not include harvest objective hunts or pursuit only.

(r) "Limited entry permit" means any permit obtained for a limited entry hunt, including conservation permits, expo permits, and sportsman permits.

(s) "Private lands" means any lands that are not public lands, excluding Indian trust lands.

(t) "Public lands" means any lands owned by the state, a political subdivision or independent entity of the state, or the United States, excluding Indian trust lands, that are open to the public for purposes of engaging in pursuit.

(u) "Pursue" means to chase, tree, corner or hold a bear at bay with dogs.

(v) "Restricted pursuit unit" means a bear pursuit unit where pursuit is allowed only by a dog handler who:

(i) possesses a pursuit permit issued for that particular pursuit unit;

(ii) possesses or is accompanied by a person who possesses a limited entry bear permit for the unit, and the pursuit occurs within the area and during the season established for the limited entry bear permit; or

(iii) is engaged in pursuit for compensation as provided in R657-33-26(2).

(w)(i) "Valid application" means:

(A) it is for a species for which the applicant is eligible to possess a permit;

(B) there is a hunt for that species regardless of estimated permit numbers; and

(C) there is sufficient information on the application to process the application, including personal information, hunt information, and sufficient payment.

(ii) Applications missing any of the items in Subsection (i) may still be considered valid if the application is corrected before the deadline through the application correction process.

(x) "Waiting period" means a specified period of time that a person who has obtained a bear permit must wait before applying for any other bear permit.

(y) "Written permission" means written authorization from the owner or person in charge to enter upon private lands and must include:

(i) the name and signature of the owner or person in charge;

(ii) the address and phone number of the owner or person in charge;

(iii) the name of the dog handler given permission to enter the private lands;

(iv) a brief description of the pursuit activity authorized;

(v) the appropriate dates; and

(vi) a general description of the property.

R657-33-3. Permits for Taking Bear

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(1)(a) To harvest a bear, a person must first obtain a valid limited entry bear permit, a harvest objective bear permit, or a bear control permit for a specified hunt unit as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking bear.

(b) Any person who obtains a limited entry bear permit or a harvest objective bear permit which allows the use of dogs may pursue bear without a pursuit permit while hunting during the season and on the unit for which the take permit is valid, provided the person is the dog handler.

(2)(i) A person may not apply for or obtain more than one bear permit per year, except:

(ii) if the person is unsuccessful in the drawing administered by the division under R657-62, the person may purchase a permit available outside of the drawing; and

(iii) a person may acquire more than one bear control permit as described in R657-33-23(4).

(3) Any bear permit purchased after the season opens is not valid until three days after the date of purchase.

(4) Residents and nonresidents may apply for and receive limited entry bear permits, and may purchase harvest objective bear permits and bear pursuit permits.

(5)(a) A person must complete a mandatory orientation course prior to applying for or obtaining a limited entry, harvest objective, or bear pursuit permit.

(b) The orientation course is not required to receive a bear control permit under R657-33-23(4).

(6) To obtain a limited entry, harvest objective, or bear pursuit permit, a person must possess a valid Utah hunting or combination license.

R657-33-4. Permits for Pursuing Bear

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(1)(a) To pursue bear without a limited entry or harvest objective bear permit, the dog handler must:

(i) obtain a valid bear pursuit permit from a division office or through the drawing administered pursuant to R657-62; or

(ii) possess the documentation and certifications required in R657-33-26(2) to pursue bear for compensation.

(b) A bear pursuit permit or exemption therefrom does not allow a person to kill a bear.

(2) Residents and nonresidents may purchase bear pursuit permits consistent with the requirements of this rule and the guidebooks of the Wildlife Board.

(3) To obtain a bear pursuit permit, a person must possess a valid Utah hunting or combination license.

R657-33-5. Hunting Hours

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Bear may be taken or pursued only between one-half hour before official sunrise through one-half hour after official sunset.

R657-33-6. Firearms, Archery Equipment, Crossbows, and Airguns

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(1) For limited entry and harvest objective hunts identified as an "any legal weapon hunt" in the Wildlife Board's guidebook for taking bear, a person may use the following to take bear:

(a) any firearm not capable of being fired fully automatic, except a firearm using a rimfire cartridge;

(b) archery equipment meeting the following requirements:

(i) the minimum bow pull is 30 pounds at the draw or the peak, whichever comes first;

(ii) arrowheads used have two or more sharp cutting edges that cannot pass through a 7/8 inch ring;

(iii) expanding arrowheads cannot pass through a 7/8 inch ring when expanded; and

(iv) arrows must be a minimum of 20 inches in length from the tip of the arrowhead to the tip of the nock;

(i) a minimum draw weight of 125 pounds;

(ii) a positive mechanical safety mechanism; and

(iii) an arrow or bolt that is at least 16 inches long with:

(A) a fixed broadhead that is at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point; or

(B) an expandable, mechanical broadhead that is at least 7/8 inch wide at the widest point when the broadhead is in the open position; and

(d) an airgun used to hunt bear must:

(i) be pneumatically powered;

(ii) be pressurized solely through a separate charging device; and

(iii) may only fire a bolt or arrow:

(A) no less than 16 inches long;

(B) with a fixed or expandable broadhead at least 7/8 inch wide at its widest position; and

(2) Arrows and bolts carried in or on a vehicle where a person is riding must be in an arrow quiver or a closed case.

(3)(a) A person who has obtained a limited entry bear archery permit may not use, possess, or be in control of a firearm, crossbow, draw-lock, or airgun while in the field during an archery bear hunt.

(b) "Field" for purposes of this subsection, means a location where the permitted species of wildlife is likely to be found, but does not include a hunter's established campsite or the interior of a fully enclosed automobile or truck.

(i) a person lawfully hunting upland game or waterfowl;

(ii) a person licensed to hunt big game species during hunts that coincide with the archery bear hunt;

(iii) livestock owners protecting their livestock; or

(iv) 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 protected wildlife.

R657-33-7. Traps and Trapping Devices

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(1) Bear may not be taken with a trap, snare or any other trapping device, except as authorized by the division.

(2) Bear accidentally caught in any trapping device must be released unharmed.

(3)(a) Written permission must be obtained from a division representative to remove the carcass of a bear from any trapping device.

(b) The carcass shall remain the property of the state of Utah and must be surrendered to the division.

R657-33-8. State Parks

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(1) Hunting of any wildlife is prohibited within the boundaries of all state park areas except those designated by the Division of Parks and Recreation in Section R651-614.

(2) Hunting with a rifle, handgun or muzzleloader in park areas designated open is prohibited within one mile of all area park facilities, including buildings, camp or picnic sites, overlooks, golf courses, boat ramps and developed beaches.

(3) Hunting with shotguns, crossbows, archery tackle, and airguns is prohibited within one quarter mile of the above stated areas.

R657-33-9. Prohibited Methods

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(1) Bear may be taken or pursued only during open seasons and using methods prescribed in this rule and the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking and pursuing bear. Otherwise, under the Wildlife Resources Code, it is unlawful for any person to possess, capture, kill, injure, drug, rope, trap, snare, or in any way harm or transport bear.

(2) After a bear has been pursued, chased, treed, cornered, legally baited or held at bay, a person may not, in any manner, restrict or hinder the animal's ability to escape.

(3) A person may not engage in a canned hunt.

(4) A person may not take any wildlife from an airplane or any other airborne vehicle or device or any motorized terrestrial or aquatic vehicle, including snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles.

R657-33-10. Spotlighting

Latest version.

(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 probable cause 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 weapon to hunt or take wildlife.

R657-33-11. Party Hunting

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A person may not take a bear for another person.

R657-33-12. Use of Dogs

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

(2) A dog handler may pursue bear in a unit and during a season permitting the use of dogs, provided he or she possesses:

(a) a valid limited entry or harvest objective bear permit issued to the dog handler;

(b) a valid bear pursuit permit; or

(3) When dogs are used to pursue a bear, the licensed hunter intending to take the bear 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 bear during a restricted pursuit season or when there is not an open pursuit season, the dog handler must have:

(a) a limited entry or harvest objective bear permit authorizing the use of dogs issued to the dog handler for the unit being hunted;

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

(ii) be accompanied, as provided in Subsection (3), by a hunter possessing a limited entry or harvest objective bear permit authorizing the use of dogs for the unit being hunted; or

(c)(i) the documentation and certifications required in R657-33-26(2) to pursue bear for compensation; and

(ii) be accompanied, as provided in Subsection (3), by a paying client possessing a limited entry or harvest objective bear permit authorizing the use of dogs for the unit being hunted.

(5) A dog handler may pursue bear under:

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

(b) a limited entry or harvest objective bear permit authorizing the use of dogs 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 pursue or take a bear, no more than eight dogs may be used in the field at one time while pursuing during the summer pursuit or restricted pursuit seasons as established by the Wildlife Board in guidebook.

(7) A dog handler pursuing bear may retrieve dogs that separate from the pack, provided the dog handler:

(A) takes reasonable steps to keep the pack together before and during pursuit;

(B) separates from the permit holder exclusively to retrieve stray dogs and does not attempt to actively pursue bear during the retrieval process; and

R657-33-13. Certificate of Registration Required for Bear Baiting

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(1) A certificate of registration for baiting must be obtained before establishing a bait station.

(2) Certificates of registration for bear baiting are issued only to holders of limited entry permits authorizing the use of bait, as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking bear.

(3) A certificate of registration may be obtained from the division office within the region where the bait station will be established.

(4) A new certificate of registration must be obtained prior to moving a bait station. All materials used as bait must be removed from the old site prior to the issuing of a new certificate of registration.

(5) The following information must be provided to obtain a certificate of registration for baiting: a 1:24000 USGS quad map with the bait location marked, or the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) or latitude and longitude coordinates of the bait station, including the datum, type of bait used and written permission from the appropriate landowner for private lands.

(6)(a) Any person interested in baiting on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management must verify that the lands are open to baiting before applying for and receiving a certificate of registration for bear baiting.

(b) Information on areas that are open to baiting on National Forests must be obtained from district offices.

(i) designated Wilderness Areas;

(ii) heavily used drainages or recreation areas; and

(iii) critical watersheds.

(d) The division shall send a copy of the certificate of registration to the private landowner or appropriate district office of the land management agency that manages the land where the bait station will be placed, as identified by the hunter on the application for a certificate of registration.

(e) Issuance of a certificate of registration for baiting does not authorize an individual to bait if it is otherwise unlawful to bait under the regulations of the applicable land management agency.

(7) A handling fee must accompany the application.

(8) Only hunters listed on the certificate of registration may hunt over the bait station and the certificate of registration must be in possession while hunting over the bait station.

(9) Any person tending a bait station must be listed on the certificate of registration.

R657-33-14. Use of Bait

Latest version.

(1)(a) A person who has obtained a limited entry bear archery permit may use archery tackle only, even when hunting bear away from the bait station.

(b) A person who has obtained a limited entry bear permit for a season and hunt unit that allows baiting may use firearms and archery equipment as provided in R657-33-6.

(c) Bear lured to a bait station may only be taken using firearms and archery equipment approved by the Wildlife Board and described in the guidebook for taking bear.

(d) A person may establish or use no more than two bait stations. The bait stations may only be used during periods designated in the guidebook for taking bear.

(e) Bear lured to a bait station may not be taken with dogs.

(f) Bait may not be contained in or include any metal, glass, porcelain, plastic, cardboard, or paper.

(g) The bait station must be marked with a sign provided by the division and posted within 10 feet of the bait.

(h) A dog handler may not intentionally run dogs off of a bait station while pursuing bear.

(2)(a) Bait may be placed only in areas open to hunting and only during the open seasons.

(b) All materials used as bait must be removed within 72 hours after the close of the season or within 72 hours after the person or persons, who are registered for that bait station harvest a bear.

(3) A person may use nongame fish as bait, except those listed as prohibited in Rule R657-13 and the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for Taking Fish and Crayfish. No other species of protected wildlife may be used as bait.

(4)(a) Domestic livestock or its parts, including processed meat scraps, may be used as bait.

(b) A person using domestic livestock or their parts for bait must have in possession:

(i) a certificate of brand inspection, bill of sale, or other proof of ownership or legal possession.

(5) Bait may not be placed within:

(a) 100 yards of water or a public road or designated trail; or

(b) 1/2 mile of any permanent dwelling or campground.

R657-33-15. Tagging Requirements

Latest version.

(1) The carcass of a bear must be tagged in accordance with Section 23-20-30.

(2) The carcass of a bear must be tagged with a temporary possession tag before the carcass is moved from or the hunter leaves the site of kill.

(3) A person may not hunt or pursue bear after the notches have been removed from the tag or the tag has been detached from the permit.

(4) The temporary possession tag:

(a) must remain attached to the pelt or unskinned carcass until the permanent possession tag is attached; and

(b) is only valid for 48 hours after the date of kill.

(5) A person may not possess a bear pelt or unskinned carcass without a valid permanent possession tag affixed to the pelt or unskinned carcass. This provision does not apply to a person in possession of a properly tagged carcass or pelt within 48 hours after the kill, provided the person was issued and is in possession of a valid permit.

R657-33-16. Evidence of Sex and Age

Latest version.

(1) Evidence of sex must remain attached to the carcass or pelt of each bear until a permanent tag has been attached by the division.

(2) The pelt and skull must be presented to the division in an unfrozen condition to allow the division to gather management data.

(3) The division may seize any pelt not accompanied by its skull.

R657-33-17. Permanent Tag

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(1) Each bear taken by the permit holder must be checked by a division representative within 48 hours after the date of kill to have a permanent possession tag affixed to the pelt or unskinned carcass.

(2) A person may not possess a green pelt after the 48-hour check-in period, ship a green pelt out of Utah, or present a green pelt to a taxidermist if the green pelt does not have a permanent possession tag attached.

(3) The location of harvest and a tooth sample must be provided to the division during the check-in process.

R657-33-18. Transporting Bear

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Bear that have been legally taken may be transported by the permit holder provided the bear is properly tagged and the permittee possesses a valid permit.

R657-33-19. Exporting Bear from Utah

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(1) A person may export a legally taken bear or its parts if that person has a valid permit and the bear is properly tagged with a permanent possession tag.

(2) A person may not ship or cause to be shipped from Utah, a bear pelt without first obtaining a shipping permit issued by an authorized division representative.

R657-33-20. Donating

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(1) A person may donate protected wildlife or their parts to another person in accordance with Section 23-20-9.

(2) A written statement of donation must be kept with the protected wildlife or parts showing:

(a) the number and species of protected wildlife or parts donated;

(b) the date of donation;

(d) the signature of the donor.

(3) A green pelt of any bear donated to another person must have a permanent possession tag affixed.

(4) The written statement of donation must be retained with the pelt.

R657-33-21. Purchasing or Selling

Latest version.

(1) Legally obtained tanned bear hides may be purchased or sold.

(2) A person may not purchase, sell, offer for sale or barter a green pelt, gall bladder, tooth, claw, paw or skull of any bear.

R657-33-22. Waste of Wildlife

Latest version.

(1) A person may not waste or permit to be wasted or spoiled any protected wildlife or their parts in accordance with Section 23-20-8.

(2) The skinned carcass of a bear may be left in the field and does not constitute waste of wildlife, however, the division recommends that hunters remove the carcass from the field.

R657-33-23. Livestock and Commercial Crop Depredation

Latest version.

(1) If a bear is harassing, chasing, disturbing, harming, attacking or killing livestock, or has committed such an act within the past 72 hours:

(a) the livestock owner, an immediate family member or an employee of the owner on a regular payroll, and not hired specifically to take bear, may kill the bear;

(b) a landowner or livestock owner may notify the division of the depredating bear and the division may:

(i) authorize a local hunter to take a bear using a valid permit; or

(ii) request that the offending bear be removed by Wildlife Services specialist, supervised by the USDA Wildlife Program; or

(c) the livestock owner may notify a Wildlife Services specialist of the depredation, and that specialist or another agency employee may take the depredating bear.

(2) Depredating bear may be taken at any time by a Wildlife Services specialist while acting in the performance of the person's assigned duties and in accordance with procedures approved by the division.

(3) A depredating bear may be taken by those persons authorized in Subsection (1)(a) with:

(a) any weapon authorized for taking bear; or

(b) snares only with written authorization from the director of the division and subject to all the conditions and restrictions set out in the written authorization.

(i) The option in Subsection (3)(b) may only be authorized in the case of chronic depredation verified by Wildlife Services or division personnel where numerous livestock have been killed by a depredating bear.

(4)(a) The division may issue one or more control permits to an owner or lessee of private land to remove a bear causing damage to cultivated crops on cleared and planted land provided the following conditions are satisfied:

(i) the landowner or lessee contacts the appropriate division office within 72 hours of the damage occurring or provides documentation of previous chronic damage incidents;

(ii) the damaged cultivated crop is raised and utilized by the landowner or lessee for commercial gain and with a reasonable expectation of generating a profit;

(iii) at least 5 acres of the private land is placed in agricultural use pursuant to Section 59-2-502 and eligible for agricultural use valuation as provided in Sections 59-2-503 and 59-2-504;

(iv) the division confirms that the private land where the cultivated crop occurs has experienced chronic recurring damage from bears, or that there will likely be chronic recurring damage if offending bears are not immediately removed;

(v) the landowner, an immediate family member, or an employee of the owner on a regular payroll, and not hired specifically to take bear, receives the control permit from the division to remove the bear prior to initiating such action; and

(vi) the bear removal is otherwise in accordance with Utah law.

(b) The division may issue control permits described in Subsection (4)(v) to identify restrictions necessary and to balance the threat to commercial crops on cleared and planted land and the wildlife resource, such as:

(i) locations on the landowner or lessee's private property where offending bears may be taken;

(ii) the total number of control permits that may be issued; and

(iii) reporting requirements to the division.

(c) Nothing herein mandates the division to issue control permits for a landowner or lessee to remove bears from their private property in lieu of:

(i) the landowner or lessee taking nonlethal preventative measures in protecting their private property; and

(ii) the division undertaking wildlife management techniques as they deem appropriate.

(5)(a) Any bear taken pursuant to Subsections (1)(a) and (4) shall:

(i) be delivered to a division office or employee within 48 hours; and

(ii) remain the property of the state, except the division may sell a bear damage permit to a person who has killed a depredating bear if that person wishes to maintain possession of the bear.

(b) A person may only retain one bear carcass annually under this Section.

(6)(a) Hunters interested in taking depredating bear as provided in Subsection (1)(b) may contact the division.

(b) Hunters will be contacted by the division to take depredating bear as needed.

R657-33-24. Questionnaire

Latest version.

Each permittee who receives a questionnaire should return the questionnaire to the division regardless of success. Returning the questionnaire helps the division evaluate population trends, determine harvest success and other valuable information.

R657-33-25. Taking Bear

Latest version.

(1)(a) A person who has obtained a bear permit, excluding limited entry archery bear permit, may use any legal weapon to take one bear during the season and within the hunt unit(s) specified on the permit.

(b) A person who has obtained a limited entry bear archery permit may use only archery tackle to take on bear during the season and within the hunt units(s) specified on the permit.

(c) Harvest objective permits may be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking bear.

(2)(a) A person may not take or pursue a cub, or a sow accompanied by cubs.

(b) Any bear, except a cub or a sow accompanied by cubs, may be taken during the prescribed seasons.

(3) Limited entry permits may be obtained by following the application procedures provided in this rule and the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking and pursuing bear.

(4) Season dates, closed areas, harvest objective permit areas and limited entry permit areas are published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking and pursuing bear.

R657-33-26. Bear Pursuit

Latest version.

(1)(a) Except as provided in rule R657-33-3(1)(b) and Subsection (2), bear may be pursued only by persons who have obtained a bear pursuit permit.

(b) The bear pursuit permit does not allow a person to:

(i) kill a bear; or

(ii) pursue bear for compensation.

(d) To obtain a bear pursuit permit, a person must possess a Utah hunting or combination license.

(2)(a) A person may pursue bear on public lands for compensation, provided the dog handler:

(i) receives compensation from a client or customer to pursue bear;

(ii) is a licensed hunting guide or outfitter under Title 58, Chapter 79 of the Utah Code and authorized to pursue bear;

(iii) possesses on his or her person the Utah hunting guide or outfitter license;

(iv) possesses on his or her person all permits and authorizations required by the applicable public lands managing authority to pursue bear for compensation; and

(v) is accompanied by the client or customer at all times during pursuit.

(b) A person may pursue bear on private lands for compensation, provided the dog handler:

(i) receives compensation from a client or customer to pursue bear;

(ii) is accompanied by the client or customer at all times during pursuit; and

(iii) possesses on his or her person written permission from all private landowners on whose property pursuit takes place.

(c) A person who is an employee or agent of the Division of Wildlife Services may pursue bear on public lands and private lands while acting within the scope of their employment.

(3) A pursuit permit is not required to pursue bear under Subsection (2).

(4)(a) A person pursuing bear for compensation under subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b) shall comply with all other requirements and restrictions in statute, rule and the guidebooks of the Wildlife Board regulating the pursuit and take of bear.

(b) Any violation of, or failure to comply with the provisions of Title 23 of the Utah Code, this rule, or the guidebooks of the Wildlife Board may be grounds for suspension of the privilege to pursue bear for compensation under this subsection, as determined by a division hearing officer.

(5) Except as provided in Subsection (6), a bear pursuit permit authorizes the holder to pursue bear with dogs on any unit open to pursuing bear during the seasons and under the conditions prescribed by the Wildlife Board in guidebook.

(6) The Wildlife Board may establish or designate in guidebook restricted pursuit units as determined necessary or convenient to better manage wildlife resources, including to protect wildlife, curtail over-utilization of resources, reduce conflict with other recreational activities, reduce conflict with private and public land activities, and protect wildlife habitat.

(a) Bear may not be pursued on a restricted pursuit unit unless the dog handler:

(i) possesses a pursuit permit issued for the particular restricted pursuit unit;

(ii) possesses or is accompanied by a person who possesses a limited entry or harvest objective bear permit allowing the use of dogs, and the pursuit occurs within the area and during the season established by the respective permit; or

(iii) is engaged in pursuit for compensation as provided in Subsection (2), and pursuit occurs within the area and during the season established for the:

(A) paying client's limited entry or harvest objective bear permit allowing the use of dogs; or

(B) restricted pursuit unit.

(b) A pursuit permit issued for a restricted pursuit unit authorizes the holder to pursue bear on:

(i) the particular restricted pursuit unit for which the permit is issued; and

(ii) any other bear pursuit unit not designated as a restricted pursuit unit.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (6)(a)(i), when two or more dog owners are in the field pursuing bear together with a single pack of eight dogs or less on a restricted pursuit unit, only one must possess a restricted pursuit unit permit, provided the dog owners accompany the person possessing the restricted pursuit unit permit at all times.

(i) A dog handler pursuing bear on a restricted pursuit unit may leave the pursuit permit holder to retrieve dogs that separate from the pack, provided the dog handler;

(A) takes reasonable steps to keep the pack together before and during pursuit;

(B) separates from the pursuit permit holder exclusively to retrieve stray dogs and does not attempt to actively pursue bear during the retrieval process; and

(7) Pursuit permits may be obtained at division offices, through the Internet and at license agents.

(a) The division may distribute pursuit permits for restricted pursuit units:

(i) through its offices, license agents, or online resources on a first-come, first-served basis; or

(ii) through a random drawing.

(8) A person may not:

(a) take or pursue a female bear with cubs;

(b) repeatedly pursue, chase, tree, corner or hold at bay the same bear during the same day;

(c) individually or in combination with another person, use more than eight dogs in the field to pursue a bear during the summer pursuit season as established by the Wildlife Board in guidebook; or

(d) possess a firearm or any device that could be used to kill a bear while pursuing bear.

(i) The weapon restrictions set forth in Subsection (d) 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 or attempting to utilize the concealed weapon to injure or kill bear.

(9) If eligible, a person who has obtained a bear pursuit permit may also obtain a limited entry or harvest objective bear permit.

(10) Season dates, closed areas and bear pursuit permit areas are published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking and pursuing bear.

R657-33-27. Limited Entry Bear Permit Application Information

Latest version.

(1) Limited entry bear permits are issued pursuant to R657-62-19.

R657-33-28. Waiting Period

Latest version.

(1) Any person who obtains a limited entry permit may not apply for a permit in a division drawing for a period of two years.

(2) Individuals who obtain a conservation permit, sportsman permit, control permit, or harvest objective permit for bear are not subject to a waiting period.

R657-33-29. Harvest Objective General Information

Latest version.

(1) Harvest objective permits are valid only for the open harvest objective management units and for the specified seasons published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking bear.

(2) Harvest objective permits are not valid in a specified unit after the harvest objective has been met for that harvest objective unit.

R657-33-30. Harvest Objective Permit Sales

Latest version.

(1) Harvest objective permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on the date published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking bear.

(2) Any bear permit purchased after the season opens is not valid until three days after the date of purchase.

(3) A person must possess a valid hunting or combination license to obtain a harvest objective permit.

R657-33-31. Harvest Objective Unit Closures

Latest version.

(1) Prior to hunting in a harvest objective unit, a hunter must call 1-888-668-5466 or visit the division's website to verify that the bear hunting unit is still open. The phone line and website will be updated each day by 12 noon. Updates become effective the following day thirty minutes before official sunrise.

(2) Harvest objective units are open to hunting until:

(a) the bear harvest objective for that harvest objective unit is met and the division closes the area; or

(b) the end of the hunting season as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking bear.

(3) Upon closure of a harvest objective unit, a hunter may not take or pursue bear except as provided in Section R657-33-26.

R657-33-32. Harvest Objective Unit Reporting

Latest version.

(1) Any person taking a bear with a harvest objective permit must report to the division, within 48 hours, where the bear was taken and have a permanent tag affixed pursuant to Section R657-33-17.

(2) Failure to accurately report the correct harvest objective unit where the bear was killed is unlawful.

(3) Any conviction for failure to accurately report, or aiding or assisting in the failure to accurately report as required in Subsection (1) shall be considered probable cause evidence of a knowing, intentional or reckless violation for purposes of permit suspension.

R657-33-33. Fees

Latest version.

The permit fees and handling fees must be paid pursuant to Rule R657-42-8(5).

R657-33-34. Drawings and Remaining Permits

Latest version.

Remaining limited entry bear permits are issued pursuant to R657-62.

R657-33-35. Bonus Points

Latest version.

Bonus points are accrued and used pursuant to R657-62-8 and R657-62-19.

R657-33-36. Refunds

Latest version.

(1) Unsuccessful applicants will not be charged for a permit.

(2) The handling fees and hunting or combination license fees are nonrefundable.

R657-33-37. Duplicate License and Permit

Latest version.

Whenever any unexpired license, permit, tag or certificate of registration is destroyed, lost or stolen, a person may obtain a duplicate in accordance with R657-42.