Utah Wildlife Resources seeks public input on hunting regulation proposals

Hunting over duck decoys is the perfect way to bring ducks in for a good shot. Photo: DWR // Cory Meacham

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is seeking public comment on proposed changes to hunting regulations for waterfowl, bears, cougars and furbearers.

The proposals include combining migratory upland game bird species with migratory waterfowl in the next Utah Waterfowl Guidebook, classifying them all as “migratory game birds” in the administrative rule, and updating the rule to include snipe, coot, American crow, band-tailed pigeon, mourning dove, white-winged dove, sandhill crane and black bear.

The DWR proposes a three-year hunting regulation cycle for these birds, up from the previous two-year cycle. “These bird species are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the regulations, season dates and bag limits are ultimately set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conjunction with the harvest strategies of multiple states located within the Pacific Flyway,” DWR migratory bird and falconry coordinator Jason Jones said in a press release. “As such, changes to waterfowl frameworks tend to be small, and the regulations are tightly controlled, so a three-year cycle provides more consistency.”

The DWR proposes season dates and bag limits for the newly classified species over the next three years, incorporating applicable migratory game bird and waterfowl hunting rules for the Provo River Delta and Blackhawk Waterfowl Management Areas. The Provo River Delta, open to the public since October, allows fishing and hunting on certain parts of the property. The new Blackhawk WMA is near the Great Salt Lake, but current access issues prevent public entry, though it will open later.

The public can view the biologists’ presentations before the meetings and share feedback on the DWR website or view the presentations on the DWR YouTube channel and submit comments through forms on the website.

Public comment is open for the five Regional Advisory Council meetings and the Utah Wildlife Board meeting, beginning on Nov. 19. Online comments will only be accepted until the deadlines are listed on the DWR website. The presentations are also available on the DWR YouTube channel, but comments can only be submitted through the forms on the DWR website.

More information on the proposals:

• Waterfowl: The DWR is proposing to combine migratory upland game bird species with migratory waterfowl in the next Utah Waterfowl Guidebook. This would include species such as snipe, coot, American crow, band-tailed pigeon, mourning dove, white-winged dove, and sandhill crane. The DWR is also proposing a three-year hunting regulation cycle for these birds, up from the previous two-year cycle.

• Bears: The DWR is proposing the permit numbers and season dates for the 2025-27 black bear hunting and pursuit seasons. The DWR is also recommending the following rule changes:
  • Allowing the use of a metal container to hold bait during seasons where bait is legal. The maximum size of the container cannot exceed 55 gallons and may not be used in areas designated as wilderness by federal land management agencies. The container must also be removed within 72 hours of harvest or the end of the season.
  • Allowing anyone who draws a multiseason bear permit to hunt any open harvest objective seasons on the unit they draw, in addition to the limited-entry seasons.

• Cougars: The DWR is proposing the following rule changes for cougars:
  • Allowing the sale of “green” cougar pelts, meaning that the hide does not need to be tanned first.
  • Allowing the use of rimfire cartridges and ammunition to harvest cougars caught in traps. This change will not allow the use of these firearms and ammunition to harvest cougars that are not constrained in traps.

• Furbearers: The DWR is proposing the season dates and permits for the 2025-26 furbearer species, including for bobcat, beaver, mink, marten, badger, gray fox, kit fox, ringtail, spotted skunk and weasel. There is a recommendation to close three areas to beaver harvest (in places where beavers were relocated to help with habitat projects), while two other areas were proposed to reopen to beaver trapping.

Additional proposals and updates from the DWR include falconry, beaver, control incentives, shed antler gathering committee decisions, and West Desert Complex deer and elk unit plans.

Meetings:

Central Utah RAC meeting: Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. at the DWR Springville Office at 1115 N. Main St. in Springville.

Northern Utah RAC meeting: Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Weber County Commission Chambers at 2380 Washington Blvd. #240 in Ogden.

Southern Utah RAC meeting: Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. at the DNR Richfield City Complex at 2031 Industrial Park Road in Richfield.

Southeastern Utah RAC meeting: Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. at the John Wesley Powell Museum at 1765 E. Main St. in Green River.

Northeastern Utah RAC meeting: Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. at the DWR Vernal Office at 318 N. Vernal Ave. in Vernal.

Utah Wildlife Board meeting: Jan. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center at 1157 South Waterfowl Way in Farmington.