Utah Admin. Code 657-37-3

Current through Bulletin 2025-01, January 1, 2025

Section R657-37-3 - Requirements for the Establishment of a Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit

(1) A CWMU may be established for the purposes of hunting one or more of the following:

(a) mule deer;

(b) elk;

(c) moose;

(d) pronghorn; and

(e) turkey.

(2) The Wildlife Board may approve the issuance of a certificate of registration for a CWMU, provided:

(a) the property is capable of independently maintaining the presence of the respective species and harboring them during the established hunting season;

(b) the property is capable of accommodating the anticipated number of hunters and providing a reasonable hunting opportunity;

(c) the property exhibits enforceable boundaries clearly identifiable to both the public and private hunters;

(d) the CWMU contributes to meeting division wildlife management objectives;

(e) as needed, the CWMU provides reasonable assistance to the division in minimizing and addressing damage to agricultural interests within and adjacent to the CWMU caused by wildlife; and

(f) the CWMU meets the technical specifications provided in this rule.

(3) A CWMU shall satisfy the following criteria:

(a) a CWMU for elk or moose must contain at least 10,000 contiguous acres;

(b) a CWMU for deer, pronghorn, or turkey must contain at least 5,000 contiguous acres;

(c) the CWMU shall consist of private land to the extent practicable;

(d) only private lands may be included in calculating minimum acreage requirements;

(e) land parcels adjoining corner-to-corner may not be included for the purposes of meeting minimum contiguous acreage requirements; and

(f) all lands counting toward the minimum acreage requirements shall provide quality hunting opportunity and form a quality hunting unit.

(4) If a CWMU does not satisfy the criteria contained in Subsection (3) the CWMU can apply to be a CWMU if:

(a) the CWMU meets 90% of the acreage requirements; and

(b) the CWMU gives one extra permit each year to the public draw.

(5) A CWMU currently operating below the required minimum acreage that was previously granted a variance for not meeting the minimum acreage requirement will continue to receive that acreage variance unless enrolled acreage is further reduced below the required minimum acreage.

(6) A CWMU may include public land only if:

(a) the public land is surrounded by private land or is otherwise publicly inaccessible;

(b) the public land is necessary to establish an enforceable and identifiable hunt boundary; or

(c) inclusion of the public land is necessary to achieve statewide and unit management objectives.

(7) A CWMU may not include:

(a) any lands comprising Domesticated Elk Facilities and Domesticated Elk Hunting Parks, as defined in Subsection 4-39-102(2) and Rules R58-18 and R58-20;

(b) any lands already included in another active CWMU; or

(c) differing hunt boundaries for multiple species approved on a single CWMU.

(8) The Wildlife Board may deny a CWMU that meets technical requirements of this rule but does not otherwise fulfill the purposes of the CWMU program.

Utah Admin. Code R657-37-3

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2016-5, effective 2/8/2016

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2019-16, effective 7/22/2019

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2024-17, effective 8/21/2024