Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-10

Taking Cougar

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 35208
Filed: 09/01/2011 10:25:42 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted annually for taking public input and reviewing the division's cougar program.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed revisions to the above listed rule: 1) add definitions for "Cougar Management Area", "Harvest-objective hunt", "Harvest-objective permit"; 2) set harvest quota regulations for Cougar Management areas; and 3) replace "proclamation" with "guidebook" throughout.

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 adds definitions and sets the harvest quota regulations for Cougar Management areas, therefore, the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) determines that these amendments do not create a cost or savings impact to the state budget, since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.

local governments:

Since this amendment only adds definitions and harvest quota regulations for Cougar Management areas this should have no effect on the local government. This filing does not create any direct cost or savings impact to local governments because they are not directly affected by the rule. Nor are local governments indirectly impacted because the rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments

small businesses:

None--The amendments do not impose any additional requirements on small businesses, nor generate a cost or savings impact to other persons.

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

None--The amendments do not impose any additional requirements on other persons, nor generate a cost or savings impact to other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

DWR determines that these amendments will not create additional costs for sportsmen wishing to hunt cougar in Utah. Therefore, the rule amendments do not create a cost or savings impact to individuals who participate in hunting cougar.

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:

10/17/2011

This rule may become effective on:

10/24/2011

Authorized by:

James Karpowitz, Director

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-10. Taking Cougar.

R657-10-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19 of the Utah Code, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking and pursuing cougar.

(2) Specific dates, areas, number of permits, limits, and other administrative details which may change annually are published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

 

R657-10-2. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23-13-2.

(2) In addition:

(a) "Canned hunt" means that a cougar is treed, cornered, held at bay or its ability to escape is otherwise restricted for the purpose of allowing a person who was not a member of the initial hunting party to arrive and take the cougar.

(b) "Compensation" means anything of economic value in excess of $100 that is paid, loaned, granted, given, donated, or transferred to a dog handler for or in consideration of pursuing cougar for any purpose.

(c) "Cougar" means Puma concolor, commonly known as mountain lion, lion, puma, panther or catamount.

(d) "Cougar pursuit permit" means a permit that authorizes a person to pursue cougar during designated seasons.

(e) " Cougar Management Area" means a group of units under the same cougar harvest quota.

(f) "Dog handler" means the person in the field that is responsible for transporting, releasing, tracking, controlling, managing, training, commanding and retrieving the dogs involved in the pursuit. The owner of the dogs is presumed the dog handler when the owner is in the field during pursuit.

([f]g) "Evidence of sex" means the sex organs of a cougar, including a penis, scrotum or vulva.

([g]h) "Green pelt" means the untanned hide or skin of any cougar.

([h]i) "Harvest-objective hunt" means any hunt that is identified as harvest-objective in the hunt table of the guidebook for taking cougar.

(j) "Harvest-objective permit" means any permit valid on harvest-objective units, including limited-entry permits for split units after the split-unit transition date.

(k) "Kitten" means a cougar less than one year of age.

([i]l) "Kitten with spots" means a cougar that has obvious spots on its sides or its back.

([j]m) "Limited entry hunt" means any hunt listed in the hunt tables of the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar, which is identified as limited entry and does not include harvest objective hunts.

([k]n) "Limited entry permit" means any permit obtained for a limited entry hunt by any means, including conservation permits and sportsman permits.

([l]o) "Private lands" means any lands that are not public lands, excluding Indian trust lands.

([m]p) "Public lands" means any lands owned by the state, a political subdivision or independent entity of the state, or the United States, excluding Indian trust lands, that are open to the public for purposes of engaging in pursuit.

([n]q) "Pursue" means to chase, tree, corner or hold a cougar at bay.

([o]r) "Split unit" means a cougar hunting unit that begins as a limited entry unit then transitions into a harvest objective unit.

([p]s) "Waiting period" means a specified period of time that a person who has obtained a cougar permit must wait before applying for any other cougar permit.

([q]t) "Written permission" means written authorization from the owner or person in charge to enter upon private lands and must include:

(i) the name and signature of the owner or person in charge;

(ii) the address and phone number of the owner or person in charge;

(iii) the name of the dog handler given permission to enter the private lands;

(iv) a brief description of the pursuit activity authorized;

(v) the appropriate dates; and

(vi) a general description of the property.

 

R657-10-3. Permits for Taking Cougar.

(1)(a) To harvest a cougar, a person must first obtain a valid limited entry cougar permit or a harvest objective cougar permit for the specified management units as provided in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(b) Any person who obtains a limited entry cougar permit or a harvest objective cougar permit may pursue cougar on the unit for which the permit is valid.

(2) A person may not apply for or obtain more than one cougar permit for the same season, except:

(a) as provided in Subsection R657-10-25(3); or

(b) if the person is unsuccessful in the limited entry drawing, the person may purchase a harvest objective permit.

(3) Any cougar permit purchased after the season opens is not valid until seven days after the date of purchase.

(4) To obtain a cougar limited entry permit, harvest objective permit, or pursuit permit, a person must possess a Utah hunting or combination license.

 

R657-10-4. Permits for Pursuing Cougar.

(1)(a) To pursue cougar without a limited entry cougar permit, the dog handler must:

(i) obtain a valid cougar pursuit permit from a division office; or

(ii) possess the documentation and certifications required in R657-10-25(2) to pursue cougar for compensation.

(b) A cougar pursuit permit or exemption therefrom does not allow a person to kill a cougar.

(2) Residents and nonresidents may purchase cougar pursuit permits consistent with the requirements of this rule and the [proclamations]guidebooks of the Wildlife Board.

(3) To obtain a cougar pursuit permit, a person must possess a Utah hunting or combination license.

 

R657-10-9. Prohibited Methods.

(1) Cougar may be taken or pursued only during open seasons and using methods prescribed in this rule and the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar. Otherwise, under the Wildlife Resources Code, it is unlawful for any person to possess, capture, kill, injure, drug, rope, trap, snare or in any way harm or transport cougar.

(2) After a cougar has been pursued, chased, treed, cornered or held at bay, a person may not, in any manner, restrict or hinder the animal's ability to escape.

(3) A person may not engage in a canned hunt.

(4) A person may not take any wildlife from an airplane or any other airborne vehicle or device or any motorized terrestrial or aquatic vehicle, including snowmobiles and other recreational vehicles.

(5) Electronic locating equipment may not be used to locate cougars wearing electronic radio devices.

 

R657-10-12. Use of Dogs.

(1) Dogs may be used to take or pursue cougar only during open seasons as provided in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(2) A dog handler may pursue cougar provided he or she possesses:

(a) a valid limited entry cougar permit issued to the dog handler;

(b) a valid cougar pursuit permit; or

(c) the documentation and certifications required in R657-10-25(2) to pursue cougar for compensation.

(3) When dogs are used in the pursuit of a cougar, the licensed hunter intending to take the cougar 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 cougar and there is not an open pursuit season, the dog handler must have:

(a) a limited entry cougar permit issued to the dog handler for the unit being hunted;

(b)(i) a valid cougar pursuit permit; and

(ii) be accompanied, as provided in Subsection (3), by a hunter possessing a limited entry cougar permit for the area; or

(c)(i) the documentation and certifications required in R657-10-25(2) to pursue cougar for compensation and

(ii) be accompanied, as provided in Subsection (3), by a paying client possessing a limited entry cougar permit for the area.

(5) A dog handler may pursue cougar under:

(a) a cougar pursuit permit only during the season and in the areas designated by the Wildlife Board in [proclamation]guidebook open to pursuit;

(b) a limited entry cougar permit only during the season and in the area designated by the Wildlife Board in [proclamation]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 [proclamation]guidebook open to pursuit.

(6) When dogs are used to take cougar and there is not an open pursuit season, the owner and handler of the dogs must have a valid pursuit permit and be accompanied by a licensed hunter as provided in Subsection (3), or have a cougar permit.

 

R657-10-23. Taking Cougar.

(1)(a) A person may take only one cougar during the season and from the area specified on the permit.

(b) Limited entry permits may be obtained by following the application procedures provided in this rule and the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(c) Harvest objective permits may be purchased on a first-come, first-served basis as provided in [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(2) A person may not:

(a) take or pursue a female cougar with kittens or kittens with spots; or

(b) repeatedly pursue, chase, tree, corner, or hold at bay, the same cougar during the same day after the cougar has been released.

(3) Any cougar may be taken during the prescribed seasons, except a kitten with spots, or any cougar accompanied by kittens, or any cougar accompanied by an adult.

(4) A person may not take a cougar wearing a radio collar from any areas that are published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(5) The division may authorize hunters who have obtained a limited entry cougar permit to take cougar in a specified area of the state in the interest of protecting wildlife from depredation.

(6) Season dates, closed areas, harvest objective permit areas and limited entry permit areas are published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(7)(a) A person who obtains a limited entry cougar permit on a split unit may hunt on all harvest objective units after the date split units transition into harvest objective units. The split unit transition date is provided in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(b) A person who obtains a limited entry cougar permit on a split unit and chooses to hunt on any harvest objective unit after the transition date is subject to all harvest objective unit closure requirements provided in Sections R657-10-34 and 657-10-35.

 

R657-10-25. Cougar Pursuit.

(1)(a) Except as provided in rule R657-10-3(1)(b) and Subsection (2), cougar may be pursued only by persons who have obtained a cougar pursuit permit.

(b) The cougar pursuit permit does not allow a person to:

(i) kill a cougar; or

(ii) pursue cougar for compensation.

(c) A person may pursue cougar for compensation only as provided in Subsection (2).

(d) To obtain a cougar pursuit permit, a person must possess a Utah hunting or combination license.

(2)(a) A person may pursue cougar on public lands for compensation, provided the dog handler:

(i) receives compensation from a client or customer to pursue cougar;

(ii) is a licensed hunting guide or outfitter under Title 58, Chapter 79 of the Utah Code and authorized to pursue cougar;

(iii) possesses on his or her person the Utah hunting guide or outfitter license;

(iv) possesses on his or her person all permits and authorizations required by the applicable public lands managing authority to pursue cougar for compensation; and

(v) is accompanied by the client or customer at all times during pursuit.

(b) A person may pursue cougar on private lands for compensation, provided the dog handler:

(i) receives compensation from a client or customer to pursue cougar;

(ii) is accompanied by the client or customer at all times during pursuit; and

(iii) possesses on his or her person written permission from all private landowners on whose property pursuit takes place.

(c) A person who is an employee or agent of the Division of Wildlife Services may pursue cougar on public lands and private lands while acting within the scope of their employment.

(3) A pursuit permit is not required to pursue cougar under Subsection (2).

(4)(a) A person pursuing cougar for compensation under subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b) shall comply with all other requirements and restrictions in statute, rule and the [proclamations]guidebooks of the Wildlife Board regulating the pursuit and take of cougar.

(b) Any violation of, or failure to comply with the provisions of Title 23 of the Utah Code, this rule, or the [proclamations]guidebooks of the Wildlife Board may be grounds for suspension of the privilege to pursue cougar for compensation under this subsection, as determined by a division hearing officer.

(5) A cougar pursuit permit authorizes the holder to pursue cougar with dogs on any unit open to pursuing cougar during the seasons and under the conditions prescribed by the Wildlife Board in [proclamation]guidebook.

(6) A person may not:

(a) take or pursue a female cougar with kittens or kittens with spots;

(b) repeatedly pursue, chase, tree, corner or hold at bay, the same cougar during the same day; or

(c) possess a firearm or any device that could be used to kill a cougar while pursuing cougar.

(i) The weapon restrictions set forth in the subsection do not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon in accordance with Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7 of the Utah Code, provided the person is not utilizing or attempting to utilize the concealed weapon to injure or kill cougar.

(7) If eligible, a person who has obtained a cougar pursuit permit may also obtain a limited entry cougar permit or harvest objective cougar permit.

(8) Cougar may be pursued only on limited entry units or harvest objective units during the dates provided in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(9) A cougar pursuit permit is valid on a calendar year basis.

(10) A person must possess a valid hunting or combination license to obtain a cougar pursuit permit.

 

R657-10-26. Limited Entry Cougar Permit Application Information.

(1) Limited entry cougar permits are issued pursuant to R657-62-[23.]24.

 

R657-10-27. Harvest Objective General Information.

(1) Harvest objective permits are valid only for the open harvest objective management units and for the specified seasons published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(2) Harvest objective permits are not valid in a specified management unit after the harvest objective has been met for that specified[management unit]Cougar Management Area.

 

R657-10-28. Harvest Objective Permit Sales.

(1) Harvest objective permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis beginning on the date published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(2) Any cougar permit purchased after the season opens is not valid until seven days after the date of purchase.

(3) A person must possess a valid hunting or combination license to obtain a Harvest objective permit.

 

R657-10-29. Harvest Objective Unit Closures.

(1) To hunt in a harvest objective unit, a hunter must call 1-888-668-LION or visit the division's website to verify that the cougar management [unit]area is still open. The phone line and website will be updated each day by 12 noon. Updates become effective the following day thirty minutes before official sunrise.

(2) Harvest objective units are open to hunting until:

(a) the cougar harvest objective for that [unit]cougar management area is met and the division closes the area; or

(b) the end of the hunting season as provided in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking cougar.

(3) Upon closure of a harvest objective unit, a hunter may not take or pursue cougar except as provided in Section R657-10-25.

 

R657-10-32. Poaching-Reported Reward Permits.

(1) For purposes of this section, "successful prosecution" means the screening and filing of charges for the poaching incident.

(2) Any person who provides information leading to another person's arrest and successful prosecution for wanton destruction of a cougar on a limited entry cougar unit, under Section 23-20-4, may receive a permit from the division to hunt cougar on the same limited-entry cougar unit where the reported violation occurred, as provided in Subsection (3).

(3)(a) The division may issue poaching-reported reward permits only in limited-entry cougar units that have more [that]than 10 total permits allocated.

(b) The division may issue only one poaching-reported reward permit per limited-entry cougar unit per year.

(4)(a) The division may issue only one poaching-reported reward permit for any one animal illegally taken.

(b) No more than one poaching-reported reward permit shall be issued to any one person per successful prosecution.

(c) No more than one cougar poaching-reported reward permit shall be issued to any one person in any one cougar season.

(5)(a) Poaching-reported reward permits may only be issued to the person who provides the most pertinent information leading to a successful prosecution. Permits are not transferrable.

(b) If information is received from more than one person, the director of the division shall make a determination based on the facts of the case, as to which person provided the most pertinent information leading to the successful prosecution in the case.

(c) The person providing the most pertinent information shall qualify for the poaching-reported reward permit.

(6) Any person who receives a poaching-reported reward permit must possess a Utah hunting or combination license and otherwise be eligible to hunt and obtain cougar permits as provided in all rules and regulations of the Wildlife Board and the Wildlife Resources Code.

 

KEY: wildlife, cougar, game laws

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [October 25, 2010]2011

Notice of Continuation: August 16, 2011

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