Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Natural Resources
Title R657 - Wildlife Resources
Rule R657-33 - Taking Bear
Section R657-33-12 - Use of Dogs
Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 657-33-12
Current through Bulletin 2024-18, September 15, 2024
(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 Subsection
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 Subsection
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 the 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 the 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 the guidebook open to pursuit.
(6)
(a) An
individual may not:
(i) release into the
field more than the maximum number of dogs allowed in a single
pursuit;
(ii) pursue a bear with
more than the maximum number of dogs allowed in a single pursuit, regardless of
whether the individual owns or controls the dogs encountered in the field;
or
(iii) harvest a bear that was
pursued using more than the allowable maximum number of
dogs.
(b) An individual
may not pursue or take a bear using more than:
(i) 16 dogs in a single pursuit for the
spring restricted pursuit season;
(ii) 8 dogs in a single pursuit for the
summer restricted pursuit season; and
(iii) 16 dogs in a single pursuit for all
other bear hunts allowing the use of dogs.
(c) The maximum number of dogs allowed in a
single pursuit is cumulative across all members of a hunting party, even if
multiple members of the hunting party possess authorization to use dogs to
pursue bear.
(7)
(a) A dog handler pursuing bear may retrieve
dogs that separate from the pack, provided the dog handler:
(i) takes reasonable steps to keep the pack
together before and during pursuit;
(ii) separates from the permit holder
exclusively to retrieve stray dogs and does not attempt to actively pursue bear
during the retrieval process; and
(iii) immediately releases any bear
incidentally treed or held at bay by the stray dogs.
(b) Dogs that separate from the pack continue
to count towards the maximum number of dogs allowable in pursuit.
(c) A dog handler retrieving stray dogs under
this subsection must still possess the documentation initially required to use
dogs to pursue bear as provided in this rule.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Utah may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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