Section 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 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.Utah Admin. Code R657-33-12
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2015-7, effective 3/16/2015Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2019-8, effective 3/25/2019Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-07, effective 3/24/2020Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-08, effective 3/24/2020