Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Agriculture and Food
Title R58 - Animal Industry
Rule R58-20 - Elk Ranches
Section R58-20-5 - Facilities

(1) No cervids other than domesticated elk are allowed to enter and be kept on any elk ranch.

(2) Each perimeter fence and gate shall meet the minimum standard defined in Section 4-39-201. The perimeter fences and gates shall be constructed to prevent the movement of cervids, both captive and wild, into or out of the facility.

(3) An elk ranch may be no smaller than 600 fenced contiguous acres, with sufficient trees, rocks, hills, and natural habitat, to provide cover for the animals. Elk ranch owners intending to operate facilities larger than 5,000 acres shall obtain written approval from the Elk Advisory Council, following studies, reviews, or assessments, which the Council may consider necessary to undertake, to make an informed decision.

(4) The elk ranch owner shall provide sufficient signage around the facility indicating that it is a domesticated elk facility, so the public is notified that the animals are not wild elk.

(5) Each location of a licensed facility with separate perimeter fences shall have a separate loading facility.

(6) To be licensed, the elk ranch shall include a handling facility that can be accessed and operated with reasonable ease for identification and disease control purposes. An exception to this section may be granted in cases where there is a licensed farm owned by the same individual within 50 miles of the elk ranch that can be accessed in a reasonably short period.

(7) Each requirement in Section 4-39-401 concerning the escape of domesticated elk applies to elk ranches.

(8) An elk ranch owner shall remove any wild big game animals before enclosing the elk ranch. If wild big game animals are found within the elk ranch after it has been licensed, the owner shall notify the department and Division of Wildlife Resources within 48 hours. The parties involved may design a cooperative removal program to remove the animals.