Management

Utah Code tit. 23A, ch. 23A-11, pt. 23A-11-P3

in effect

Utah Code § 23A-11-301 Deer and elk management plans -- Division to confer with others -- Target herd size objectives.

23A-11-301. Deer and elk management plans -- Division to confer with others -- Target herd size objectives. (1) The division shall: (a) prepare a management plan for each deer and elk herd unit in the state; and (b) submit the plans to the Wildlife Board for the Wildlife Board's approval. (2) Upon approval of a plan by the Wildlife Board, the division shall manage the herd unit in accordance with the management plan. (3) In preparing a management plan, the division shall confer with federal and state land managers, private landowners, sportsmen, and ranchers. (4) (a) A management plan shall establish target herd size objectives. (b) In establishing target herd size objectives, the division and Wildlife Board shall among other factors: (i) consider available information on each unit's range carrying capacity and ownership; and (ii) seek to balance relevant multiple uses for the range. (5) Until a management plan for a herd unit is prepared in accordance with this section and approved by the Wildlife Board, the division shall manage the herd unit to maintain the herd size as range conditions and available data dictate. (6) The division or Wildlife Board may revise a management plan as the division or Wildlife Board determines necessary. A revised plan shall be prepared in accordance with Subsections (3) and (4). Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 103, 2023 General Session

Utah Code § 23A-11-302 Big game protection -- Director authority.

23A-11-302. Big game protection -- Director authority. (1) It is the policy of the state that big game animals are of great importance to the citizens of the state, the citizen's quality of life, and the long term sustainability of the herds for future generations. (2) (a) Unless the condition described in Subsection (2)(b) is determined, the director shall take immediate action to reduce the number of predators within a management unit when the big game population is under the established herd size objective for that management unit. (b) Subsection (2)(a) does not apply if the division determines that predators are not significantly contributing to the big game population being under the herd size objective for the management unit. (3) Immediate action under Subsection (2) includes any of the following management tools: (a) increasing take permits or tags for cougar and bear until the herd size objective is met; (b) allowing big game hunters to harvest predators with the appropriate permit during a big game hunting season, including issuing over-the-counter predator permits; (c) professional trapping and predator control by the following, including aerial control measures: (i) the Department of Agriculture and Food's predator control program; (ii) private contracts; and (iii) the general public; and (d) other management tools as determined by the director. (4) The director shall annually give a status report on predator control measures implemented pursuant to this chapter and Chapter 8, Part 4, Damage by Big Game, by no later than October 1, to the Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Appropriations Subcommittee and Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee. Amended by Chapter 492, 2026 General Session

Source: Utah Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel (le.utah.gov)URL: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title23A/Chapter11/23A-11-P3.html?v=C23A-11-P3_2023050320230701Fetched: 10/26/2026