R657-64-3. Predatory Animal Control Programs

  (1) Two predatory animal control programs are created within the division to provide financial incentive to participants for the removal of coyotes detrimental to mule deer production.

  (a) The General Predator Control Program provides a financial incentive to any participant with a predator control certificate of registration to remove coyotes within the State.

  (i) The financial incentive to participate in the program and remove coyotes under the conditions prescribed in this rule and by the division is $50 compensation per animal, unless otherwise reduced by the division pursuant to Subsections (ii) and (iii).

  (ii) Compensation for coyotes in any given fiscal year is limited to the annual legislative appropriation for the program, and no further compensation will be paid once the funding allocation is exhausted.

  (iii) Beginning July 1, 2019, compensation amounts may be adjusted by the division as follow.

  (A) When annual compensation claims exceed the program funding allocation appropriated by the Legislature in a fiscal year, the compensation amount for each animal in the coming year will be reduced by $5 from that paid in the previous year.

  (B) When annual compensation claims are less than the program funding allocation appropriated by the Legislature in a fiscal year, the compensation amount for each animal in the coming year will be increased by $5 from that paid in the previous year, provided compensation never exceeds $50 per animal.

  (b) The Targeted Predator Control Program focuses coyote removal efforts within prescribed areas of the State and during specified times of the year where predation on deer is most prevalent by:

  (i) using personnel hired and employed by the division to undertake targeted removal efforts; or

  (ii) contracting with vendors to undertake targeted removal efforts.

  (2) Participants in either program are not granted special authority to take coyotes beyond that available to non-participants, and each shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

  (3)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), participants in both programs are required to follow all relevant rules and regulations related to trapping and firearm use, as detailed in state code and rule R657-11, "Taking Furbearers."

  (b) The division may exempt a participant in the Targeted Predator Control Program from specified provisions of R657-11 which the division determines necessary to effectively control coyotes in a targeted area that are detrimental to mule deer production.