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

  (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;

  (c) a crossbow meeting the following requirements:

  (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

  (C) traveling no less than 400 feet per second at the muzzle.

  (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.

  (c) The provisions of Subsection (a) do not apply to:

  (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.