Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Rule R657-9

Taking Waterfowl, Common Snipe and Coot

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 35213
Filed: 09/01/2011 10:45:10 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 waterfowl program.

Summary of the rule or change:

The proposed revisions to the above listed rule add definitions for "Dark geese" and "Light geese". The amendment also changes "proclamation" to "guidebook" to be consistent with other division rules.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 23-14-19
• Section 23-14-18

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This amendment only adds definitions and clarifies text, it does not make any changes to the process 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 clarifies terms 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 clarifies terms 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:

10/17/2011

This rule may become effective on:

10/24/2011

Authorized by:

James Karpowitz, Director

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-9. Taking Waterfowl, Common Snipe and Coot.

R657-9-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23-14-18 and 23-14-19, and in accordance with 50 CFR 20, 50 CFR 32.64 and 50 CFR 27.21, 2004 edition, which is incorporated by reference, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking waterfowl, Common snipe, and coot.

(2) Specific dates, areas, limits, requirements and other administrative details which may change annually are published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot.

 

R657-9-2. Definitions.

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

(2) In addition:

(a) "Bait" means shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt or other feed that lures, attracts or entices birds.

(b) "Baiting" means the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of salt, grain, or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for migratory games birds to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.

(c) "CFR" means the Code of Federal Regulations.

(d) "Daily Bag Limit" means the maximum number of migratory games birds of a single species or combination (aggregate) of species permitted to be taken by one person in any one day during the open season in any one specified geographic area for which a daily bag limit is prescribed.

(e) "Dark geese" means the following species: cackling, Canada, white-fronted and brant.

(f) "Light geese" means the following species: snow, blue and Ross'.

(g) "Live decoys" means tame or captive ducks, geese or other live birds.

([f]h) "Off-highway vehicle" means any motor vehicle designed for or capable of travel over unimproved terrain.

([g]i) "Permanent waterfowl blind" means any waterfowl blind that is left unattended overnight and that is not a portable structure capable of immediate relocation.

([h]j) "Possession limit" the maximum number of migratory game birds of a single species or a combination of species permitted to be possessed by any one person when lawfully taken in the United States in any one specified geographic area for which a possession limit is prescribed.

([i]k) "Sinkbox" means any type of low floating device, having a depression, affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water.

([j]l) "Transport" means to ship, export, import or receive or deliver for shipment.

([k]m) "Waterfowl" means ducks, mergansers, geese, brant and swans.

([l]n) "Waterfowl blind" means any manufactured place of concealment, including boats, rafts, tents, excavated pits, or similar structures, which have been designed to partially or completely conceal a person while hunting waterfowl.

 

R657-9-4. Permit Applications for Swan.

(1) Swan permits will be issued pursuant to R657-62-[22]23.

 

R657-9-12. Motorized Vehicle Access.

(1) Motorized vehicle travel is restricted to county roads, improved roads and parking areas.

(2) Off-highway vehicles are not permitted on state waterfowl management areas, except as marked and posted open.

(3) Off-highway vehicles are not permitted on Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

(4) Motorized boat use is restricted on waterfowl management areas as specified in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot.

 

R657-9-29. Season Dates and Bag and Possession Limits.

(1) Season dates and bag and possession limits are specified in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot.

(2) A youth duck hunting day may be allowed for any person 15 years of age or younger as provided in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot.

 

R657-9-31. Shooting Hours.

(1) A person may not hunt, pursue, or take wildlife, or discharge any firearm or archery tackle on state-owned lands adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, on division-controlled waterfowl management areas, or on federal refuges between official sunset and one-half hour before official sunrise.

(2) Legal shooting hours for taking or attempting to take waterfowl, Common snipe, and coot are provided in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot.

 

R657-9-32. Falconry.

(1) Falconers must obtain a valid hunting or combination license, a federal migratory bird stamp and a falconry certificate of registration to hunt waterfowl.

(2) Areas open and bag and possession limits for falconry are specified in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot.

 

R657-9-33. Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP).

(1) A person must obtain an annual Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number to hunt migratory game birds.

(2)(a) A person must call the telephone number published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot, or register online at the address published in the [proclamation]guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking waterfowl, Common snipe and coot to obtain their HIP registration number.

(b) A person must write their HIP registration number on their current year's hunting license.

(3) Any person obtaining a HIP registration number will be required to provide their:

(a) hunting license number;

(b) hunting license type;

(c) name;

(d) address;

(e) phone number;

(f) birth date; and

(g) information about the previous year's migratory bird hunts.

(4) Lifetime license holders will receive a sticker every three years from the division to write their HIP number on and place on their lifetime license card.

(5) Any person hunting migratory birds will be required, while in the field, to prove that they have registered and provided information for the HIP program.

 

KEY: wildlife, birds, migratory birds, waterfowl

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

Notice of Continuation: August 16, 2011

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23-14-19; 23-14-18; 50 CFR part 20