R657-33-12. Use of Dogs

  (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

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

  (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

  (C) immediately releases any bear incidentally treed or held at bay by the stray dogs.