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Pen-reared gamebirds
Possession and release guidelines
On June 12, 2025, the Wildlife Board accepted new regulations for pen-reared gamebirds. These changes include consolidation of the previous rule, clarification of disease testing, and improved consistency with the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food's poultry and gamebird rule.
Significant changes include:
- Prohibiting the sale of gamebirds listed in this rule by feed stores
- Clarification of required licenses and/or permissions
- Adding the link to gamebird facility registration
- Clarification of disease control requirements to protect wild bird populations and Utah's commercial poultry industry
This page is only a summary of rules. Further details are available in Administrative Rule R657-4: Possession and release of pen-reared gamebirds.
Definition of pen-reared gamebird
A "pen-reared gamebird" is a species of the following that were bred from legally acquired captive stock, then hatched and raised in captivity:
- Chukar partridge
- Red-legged partridge
- Gray (Hungarian) partridge
- Pheasant (genus Syrmaticus, Chrysolophus and Phasianus)
- Bobwhite quail
- California quail
- Gambel's quail
- Waterfowl (family Anatidae)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has additional requirements for captive migratory birds (waterfowl), including an additional permit. See their website for more information.
Rock doves (aka pigeon, Columba livia) are not a controlled species. A permit is not required for possession or release of pigeons.
Any species not listed as a pen-reared gamebird is illegal to possess.
Disease testing
All birds being released must be tested for the following diseases prior to release, or must come from a facility that is NPIP-certified for these diseases:
- Avian influenza
- Salmonella pullorum-typhoid
The DWR may randomly sample gamebird flocks for Mycoplasma gallisepticum and Mycoplasma synoviae. This testing will be conducted at the DWR's expense.
Here are the number of birds that must be tested:
| Number of birds to release | Number of birds to test |
|---|---|
| 1-30 birds | All birds tested |
| 31-300 birds | 30 birds tested |
| 301-500 birds | 10% of birds tested |
| More than 500 birds | 50 birds tested |
Current disease testing requirements are summarized in this document.
Types of pen-reared gamebird permits
| Pen-Reared Gamebird Permits | No permit (possession and/or dog training) | Personal pen-reared gamebird possession permit | Special event permission | Field Trial COR | Commercial Hunting Area COR | Commercial Gamebird License (UDAF) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of birds & eggs | Less than 50 | 50-999 | More than 10 | Less than 1,000 (per release) | More than 10 | 1,000 or more |
| Length of possession | Less than 60 days | 60 or more days | 2 or fewer days | Up to 10 days | Any amount of time | 60 or more days |
| Release | Yes (no more than 10 birds/day or 3 birds/day per dog, and less than 10 people) | No, only possession | Yes (in the same area) | Yes (more than 10 birds/day and more than 10 people on 5 or fewer days/year) | Yes (more than 10 birds for more than 5 days/year) | No, only possession |
| Notes | Must have durable marking, bill of sale and disease-free certificate. Used for dog/falconry training or transportation. | Used for hatching, import, propagation, sale, trade, barter. Purchase through DWR licensing. No inspection required. | Division regional supervisor approval required. Contact the region where the event will be held. | One-time event. Must have durable marking; submit application to regional office 60+ days before the event. | Report and pay annually; reapply every 3 years. Season dates Sept. 1 to March 31. Must also have a UDAF license if holding 1,000 or more birds for 60 or more days. | Used for import, propagation, sale, barter, trade. Includes inspections and disease testing. Must also have a CHA COR to release birds. |
Helpful links
Pen-reared gamebirds must be acquired according to DWR Administrative Rule R657-4. The person or group must have an invoice or bill of sale in their possession showing lawful personal possession or ownership of the pen-reared gamebirds. The seller must provide disease test results and certificates of veterinary inspection to the buyer; both parties must keep copies of these records.
Personal Pen-reared Gamebird Possession permit
A personal Pen-reared Gamebird Possession permit is available through the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources licensing system.
- Visit https://wildlifelicense.utah.gov/hflo/ to log in and purchase the permit listed under the "OTHER" category.
- Once you buy a permit, you must also register your facility at this link.
Field Trial COR
A field trial Certificate of Registration is required regardless of property ownership, and pen-reared gamebirds may only be released in the area specified on the permit.
- The link to a field trial COR application can be found here. Please note that the application may take up to 60 days to process.
Commercial Hunting Areas
Commercial Hunting Areas are private businesses that are regulated, but not affiliated with nor endorsed, by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Hunter education or a trial hunting authorization is required to hunt on a CHA. Contact the CHA operator for more information on hours, prices, species available, reservations, etc.
View a map of Commercial Hunting Areas in Utah that are open to the public.
For operators:
- The application for a commercial hunting area is due on May 1 every three years and can be found here.
- The annual fee is also due May 1 every year, though the application is only due every three years. A 30-day grace period may be granted for a late fee.
- The annual report for a commercial hunting area is due on May 1 and can be found here.
- A separate license for a commercial gamebird facility is required from UDAF if your facility houses 1,000 or more pen-reared gamebirds or eggs for 60 or more days.
Commercial Gamebird License
A Commercial Gamebird License is required for possession if 1,000 or more pen-reared gamebirds or eggs are held for 60 or more days. A separate COR for a Commercial Hunting Area is required to release birds.
- The Commercial Gamebird License is issued by UDAF. Please see the avian/poultry section of their webpage to apply.
