Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-54

Taking Wild Turkey

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 35067
Filed: 07/14/2011 11:27:17 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council meetings and the Wildlife Board meeting conducted for taking public input and reviewing the wild turkey program as approved by the Wildlife Board.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed revisions to the above listed rule remove all references to "proclamation" and replace them with "guidebook." The amendment also combines the Upland Game and Wild Turkey guidebooks into one and clarifies the State Waterfowl Management Areas closed to wild turkey hunting.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-14-18
• Section 23-14-19

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This amendment only clarifies current regulations, it does not make any changes to the current regulation therefore, the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) determines that these amendments do not create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or DWR's budget, since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.

local governments:

Since this amendment has no impact on individual hunters or the local governments, the division finds that this filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because the rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.

small businesses:

This amendment replaces terms in the rule for simplification and clarification and therefore does not have the potential to generate a cost or savings impact to small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

This amendment replaces terms in the rule for simplification and clarification and therefore does not have the potential to generate a cost or savings impact to sportsmen or the other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR determines that this amendment will not create additional costs for those who participate in wildlife-related activities in Utah.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

The amendments to this rule do not create an impact on businesses.

Michael R. Styler, Executive Director

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Natural Resources
Wildlife Resources
1594 W NORTH TEMPLE
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84116-3154

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Staci Coons at the above address, by phone at 801-538-4718, by FAX at 801-538-4709, or by Internet E-mail at stacicoons@utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

08/31/2011

This rule may become effective on:

09/07/2011

Authorized by:

James Karpowitz, Director

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-54. Taking Wild Turkey.

R657-54-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19 and in accordance with 50 CFR 20, 2003 edition, which is incorporated by reference, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking wild turkey.

(2) Specific season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, number of permits and other administrative details that may change annually are published in the [Turkey Proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey.

 

R657-54-3. Application Procedure for Wild Turkey.

(1) Permits for wild turkey will be issued pursuant to R657-62-[25.]26.

 

R657-54-4. Landowner Permits.

(1)(a) Up to an additional 20 percent of the limited entry permits authorized for taking Merriam's and Rio Grande turkeys are available to private landowners through a drawing.

(2) Landowners interested in obtaining landowner permits must:

(a) contact the regional Division office in their area on the dates published in the [Turkey Proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey;

(b) obtain and complete a landowner application;

(c) obtain a Division representative's signature on the landowner application; and

(d) submit the landowner application in accordance with Section R657-62-[25.]26.

(4)(a) Landowner permit applications that are not signed by the local Division representative will be rejected.

(5)(a) Only one eligible landowner may submit an application for the same parcel of land within the respective regional hunt boundary area.

(b) In cases where more than one application is received for the same parcel of land, all applications will be rejected.

(6) Applications must include:

(a) description of total acres owned within the respective regional hunt boundary;

(b) evidence of property ownership, including a copy of a title, deed, or tax notice indicating the applicant is the owner of the property; and

(c) the signature of the landowner.

(i) The signature on the application will serve as an affidavit certifying land ownership.

(7)(a) A landowner is eligible to participate in the drawing for available landowner turkey permits provided the landowner owns:

(i) at least 640 acres of essential habitat, or 40 acres of essential habitat that is cleared and planted land, in an open unit designated as a Merriam's unit that supports wild turkeys; or

(ii) at least 20 acres of essential habitat in an open unit designated as a Rio Grande unit that supports wild turkeys.

(b) Land qualifying as essential habitat, or cleared and planted land, and owned by more than one landowner may qualify for a landowner permit. However, the landowners who own the qualifying land must determine the landowner who will be participating in the drawing.

(8)(a) A landowner who applies for a landowner permit may:

(i) be issued the permit; or

(ii) designate a member of the landowner's immediate family or landowner's regular full-time employee to receive the permit.

(b) At the time of application, the landowner must identify the designee who will receive the permit.

(c) The landowner permit may be used only on the open limited entry area in which the landowner's property is located during the open season established for hunting wild turkeys.

(d) A person may not apply for or obtain a landowner permit without possessing a Utah hunting or combination license.

(9) Applicants will be notified by mail or e-mail of the drawing results for landowner permits by the date published in the [Turkey Proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey.

(10)(a) Any landowner permits remaining after the landowner drawing shall be converted to public limited entry permits for that specific unit.

(b) These permits shall be issued through the limited entry drawing. Therefore, the number of public permits listed in the [Turkey Proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey, may increase.

(11)(a) A waiting period does not apply to landowners applying for landowner permits.

(b) A landowner may apply once annually for a landowner permit and a limited entry permit, but may only draw or obtain one permit.

 

R657-54-5. Firearms and Archery Tackle.

Wild turkey may be taken only with a bow and broadhead tipped arrows or a shotgun no larger than 10 gauge and no smaller than 20 gauge, firing shot sizes ranging between BB and no. [6.]8.

 

R657-54-6. Shooting Hours.

(1) Wild turkey may be taken only between one-half hour before official sunrise through one-half hour after official sunset.

(b) A person must add to or subtract from the official sunrise and sunset depending on the geographic location of the state. Specific times are provided in a time zone map in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey.

 

R657-54-15. Closed Areas.

A person may not hunt wild turkey in any area posted closed by the Division or any of the following areas:

(1) Salt Lake Airport boundaries as posted.

(2) Incorporated municipalities: Most of the incorporated areas of Alta, a portion of Davis County, Garland City, Layton, Logan, Pleasant View City, South Ogden City, West Jordan, and West Valley City are closed to the discharge of firearms. Check with the respective city officials for specific boundaries. Other municipalities may have additional firearm restrictions.

(3) [Wildlife Management Areas:]All State Waterfowl Management Areas except Brown's Park and Stewart Lake.

[(a) Waterfowl management areas are open for hunting wild turkey only during designated turkey hunting seasons, including: Bear River National Wildlife Refuge, Bicknell Bottoms, Blue Lake, Brown's Park, Clear Lake, Desert Lake, Farmington Bay, Harold S. Crane, Howard Slough, Locomotive Springs, Mills Meadows, Ogden Bay, Ouray National Wildlife Refuge, Powell Slough, Public Shooting Grounds, Salt Creek, Stewart Lake, and Timpie Springs.

(b) Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is closed to wild turkey hunting.

(c) Goshen Warm Springs is closed to wild turkey hunting.

](4 ) All National Wildlife Refuges unless declared open by the managing authority.

(5 ) Military installations, including Camp Williams, are closed to hunting and trespassing unless otherwise authorized.

 

R657-54-21. Season Dates, Bag and Possession Limits, and Areas Open.

Season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, and number of permits for taking wild turkey are provided in the [Turkey Proclamation of the proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey.

 

KEY: wildlife, wild turkey, game laws

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [October 22, 2009]2011

Notice of Continuation: November 30, 2009

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-14-1; 23-14-18; 23-14-19