R657-43: Landowner permits
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Administrative rule R657-43

Landowner permits

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KEY: wildlife, landowner permits, big game seasons

Date of Last Change: February 7, 2024

Notice of Continuation: February 1, 2022

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-2-304; 23A-2-305

R657-43-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23A-2-304 and 23A-2-305, this rule provides the standards and procedures for landowners to qualify for and obtain big game hunting opportunities in recognition of the benefits their private properties provide to wildlife resources in Utah.

(2) The Private Landowners may apply for and obtain Vouchers from the division through one of the following three programs, and as further outlined in this rule:

(a) The division may provide one of the following permits to individual landowners for the General Season Landowner Permit Program:

(i) A General Season Landowner - Private Land - Buck Deer Permit may be provided for Landowners to use only on their private land; or

(ii) A General Season Landowner - Unit Wide - Buck Deer Permit that Landowners can seek through a draw process and is usable throughout the general season unit.

(b) The division may provide permits to individual Landowners on limited entry units with eligible lands that are not enrolled in a Landowner Association to hunt buck deer, bull elk and buck pronghorn on their own private land.

(c) The division may provide buck deer, bull elk and buck pronghorn permits to Landowner Associations through the Limited Entry Landowner Association Program that can be:

(i) used unit wide for a Landowner Association that allow public access; or

(ii) used only on private land within the Landowner Association if no public access is allowed.

(3) The Landowner permit programs are intended to:

(a) provide an incentive for private landowners to manage their lands as quality habitat for public wildlife;

(b) assist and support the division in managing big game populations;

(c) increase private Landowner tolerance of big game on their Private Lands;

(d) increase big game hunting opportunities;

(e) increase and secure public hunting access on participating Landowners' Private Lands;

(f) reduce the division's obligations in responding to and compensating for depredation events occurring on participating Private Lands;

(g) use objective criteria to determine how hunting opportunities are allocated under the programs; and

(h) allocate hunting opportunities in a manner that fluctuates in proportion to variations in public draw permit numbers.

R657-43-2. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23A-1-101.

(2) In addition:

(a) "Applicant" means a Landowner applying to participate in the General Season Buck Deer Landowner Permit program, the Limited Entry Landowner Association Permit program, or the program for Landowners on limited entry units with eligible land that is not enrolled in a Limited Entry Landowner Association.

(b) "Cropland" means agricultural Private Land that is cultivated and mechanically harvested and upon which the division has determined that migratory deer rely to meet herd management objectives.

(c) "Draw Application" means an application for Permits submitted to the division after the Applicant has been approved to participate in the program.

(d) "Eligible Property" means Private Land that:

(i)(A) provides habitat for deer, elk or pronghorn as determined by the division;

(B) is not used in the operation of a Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit for the same species;

(C) is not used in the operation of an elk farm or elk hunting park; and

(D) is in agricultural use as provided in Section 59-2-502 and eligible for agricultural use valuation as provided in Sections 59-2-503 and 59-2-504.

(ii) In addition to subsection (d)(i), Eligible Property must have one or more of the following attributes:

(A) for receiving General Season Private Land Landowner Buck Deer Vouchers or General Season Unit Wide Landowner Buck Deer Permits, a minimum of 100 acres of Cropland, or a minimum of 640 acres of other Private Land meeting the criteria in Subsection (d)(i) through (iv) that is owned or leased by one Landowner or leased by one landowner within the general season unit hunt boundary; or

(B) for the purposes of receiving a Limited-Entry Landowner Permit Voucher, Private Land owned or leased within a limited-entry elk, deer or pronghorn unit for land that is enrolled in a Limited-Entry Landowners Association.

(C) for the purposes of receiving a Limited-Entry Landowner Permit Voucher for Private Land owned or leased within a limited-entry elk, deer or pronghorn unit for land that is not enrolled in a Limited-Entry Landowners Association, a minimum of 640 acres of Private Land meeting the criteria in Subsection (d)(i)(A) through (D) that is owned or leased by one Landowner or leased by one landowner within the limited-entry unit hunt boundary.

(e) "Governing Documents" mean the legal documents executed by a Legal Entity Owners that govern the formation, operation, management, rules, duties, responsibilities, decision-making and dissolution of said Legal Entity.

(f) "Immediate Family" means a Landowner's, a Lessee's, or a Legal Entity Owner's spouse, children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, stepchildren, and grandchildren.

(g) "Landowner" means, for the purposes of this rule, any person or Legal Entity which:

(i) owns Private Land in Utah as evidenced by such deeds vesting title in such Landowner;

(ii) is the purchaser of Private Land pursuant to a recorded contract of sale; or

(iii) is an agricultural Lessee of Private Land, being any person or legal entity with a written lease whose terms permit the lessee to be in physical control of such Private Land.

(h) "Landowner Association" means a Legal Entity created by Landowners who own Eligible Property within a limited entry unit, which Legal Entity is organized for working with the division as outlined in this rule.

(i) "Legal Entity" means an entity such as a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or trust that is organized under the laws of the state and otherwise qualified to do business within Utah.

(j) "Legal Entity Owner" means a person or other Legal Entity which has ownership in a Legal Entity, such as a shareholder of a corporation, a member of a limited liability company, a partner in a partnership, or trustee or beneficiary of a trust.

(k) "Permit" means a hunting authorization obtained through a draw or purchased from the division by a person who is the holder of a Voucher, pursuant to the terms and authorizations contained in such Voucher.

(l) "Private Land" means, for the purposes of this rule, any real property owned or leased by a Landowner, excluding:

(i) land owned by the state or federal government;

(ii) land owned by a county or municipality;

(iii) land owned by an Indian tribe;

(iv) land enrolled in a Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit for the same species under Rule R657-37; and

(v) land where public access for big game hunting has been secured.

(m) "Qualifier Application" means the initial application submitted to the division to determine if a Landowner meets the necessary requirements to participate in the landowner permit program.

(n) "Voucher" means an authorization issued by the division to a Landowner that entitles such Landowner or its permitted transferees, if allowed pursuant to this rule, to purchase a Permit from the division.

Table
Landowner Permit Programs Table
Permit/Voucher Type Hunt Boundary Species Requirements Stipulations Public Access Permit Quantity
General Season Private Lands Only Deer 640 acres of Agricultural Land or Range Land Can be sold Not required Up to 10% above total unit permits
General Season Unit Wide Deer 100 acres Agricultural Land, or 640 acres of Range Land Owner or immediate family only - cannot be sold Not required Up to 3% above total
Limited Entry - Non-LOA Owners Private Lands Only Deer, Elk, Pronghorn 640 acres of Agricultural Land or Range Land For anyone - cannot be sold Not required Up to 5% above total unit permits
Limited Entry - LOA 1 Unit Wide Deer, Elk, Pronghorn >50% of eligible land enrolled Can be sold Required Percentage of habitat = percentage of LOA permits
Limited Entry - LOA 2 Private Lands Only Deer, Elk, Pronghorn >50% of eligible land enrolled Can be sold Not required Percentage of habitat = percentage of LOA permits
R657-43-3 General Season Landowner Program - Private Land Only Buck Deer Vouchers – Availability and Eligibility.

(1) The division shall establish the maximum number of General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Vouchers annually by:

(a) identifying the number of public draw permits available in a hunting unit; and

(b) allocating up to an additional 10% of that number to the General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer program.

(2) An Applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for or obtain vouchers under the General Season Landowner Program for a Private Land Buck Deer Voucher:

(a) own the minimum quantity of Eligible Property in the proper general season unit boundaries as identified in this rule;

(b) be able to lawfully obtain and use a hunting license and big game permit;

(c) submit a complete application by the deadline; and

(d) pay necessary fees.

(3) An Applicant may apply for General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Vouchers according to the following limitations:

(a) one General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Voucher may be issued for 640 acres of Eligible Property owned or leased by the Applicant;

(b) one additional General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Voucher may be issued for each additional 640 acres of Eligible Property owned or leased by the Applicant.

(4) General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Vouchers may be transferred or sold.

(5) Any remaining permits for the General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Vouchers may be issued to qualifying landowners over-the-counter at the same time the other over-the-counter big game permits go on sale.

R657-43-4. General Season Landowner Program - Private Land Buck Deer Vouchers — Applications and Permit Use.

(1) Qualifier Applications for General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Vouchers are available from division offices and on the division website before the draw.

(2)(a) Only one Applicant may submit a Qualifier Application for a parcel of Private Land.

(b) The division may reject all Qualifier Applications if more than one application is received for the same parcel of Private Land.

(c) A Landowner may only submit one Qualifier Application, regardless of whether there are:

(i) multiple individual persons owning the Eligible Property;

(ii) multiple Legal Entity Owners in the Legal Entity owning the Eligible Property; or

(iii) similar instances of split ownership of the Eligible Property.

(3) Qualifier Applications for General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Vouchers must include:

(a) total acres of Eligible Property within the respective general season unit hunt boundary area;

(b) the signature of all Landowners having an interest in the Eligible Property; and

(c) a digital map of the Eligible Property indicating the parcel numbers, county, and general season hunt unit within which it is located.

(4) Qualifier Applications must be submitted to the regional division office with management responsibilities where the Eligible Property is located.

(5) Vouchers will be issued on a first come, first serve basis when over-the-counter permits go on sale.

(6) The Applicant will select the season and weapon type when issued the voucher.

(7) Any person issued a General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Permit under this rule is subject to all season dates, weapon restrictions, and any other rules, specifically Rule R657-5, and fees as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(8) General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Permits are only valid on private property in the unit in accordance with Sections 23A-5-310 and 23A-5-317.

(9) A General Season Landowner - Private Land Only Buck Deer Permit may be used to hunt the entirety of the Landowner’s adjoining Private Land even when the Landowner's Private Land is in more than one general unit hunt boundary area.

R657-43-5. General Season Landowner Program - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits — Availability and Eligibility.

(1)(a) The division will establish the number of General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits annually by identifying the number of public draw permits available in a unit and allocate an additional 3% of that number to the program.

(b) Vouchers for General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits will be issued through the General Season Landowner Permit draw.

(c) Vouchers for General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits may only be redeemed by the Landowner or Immediate Family members.

(2) An Applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for or obtain permits under the General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit program:

(a) own the minimum quantity of Eligible Property in the proper general season unit boundaries as identified in this rule;

(b) be able to lawfully obtain and use a hunting license and big game permit;

(c) submit a complete application by the deadline;

(d) participate in the General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit drawing; and

(e) pay necessary fees.

(3)(a) An Applicant may apply for General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits according to the following limitations:

(i) One General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit may be issued for 640 acres of Eligible Property owned or leased, for agricultural purposes, by the Applicant; or

(ii) One General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit may be issued for 100 acres or more of Cropland owned or leased, for agricultural purposes, by the Applicant.

(b)(i) One additional General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit may be issued for each additional 640 acres of Eligible Property owned or leased, for agricultural purposes, by the Applicant; and

(ii) Only one General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit may be issued to a Landowner based on Cropland acreage, regardless of whether that Applicant owns or leases for agricultural purposes more than 100 acres of Cropland.

(d) General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits cannot be sold and may only be transferred to Immediate Family members.

(e) An Applicant may apply for and receive a maximum of five General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits in a single hunt year.

(4) Vouchers for General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits will be issued following the draw and may only be claimed by the Landowners and their Immediate Family members.

(5) Remaining General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits may be issued to qualifying landowners over-the-counter at the same time the other over-the-counter big game permits go on sale.

R657-43-6. General Season Landowner Program - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits — Applications, Drawing, and Permit Use.

(1) Qualifier Applications for General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permits are available from division offices and on the division website before the draw.

(2)(a) Only one Applicant may submit a Qualifier Application for a parcel of Private Land.

(b) The division may reject all Qualifier Applications if more than one application is received for the same parcel of Private Land.

(c) Where the Landowner's Private Land is in more than one general unit hunt boundary area, the Landowner may select only one of those units from which to receive the Permit.

(d) A Landowner may only submit one Qualifier Application, regardless of whether there are:

(i) multiple individual persons owning the Eligible Property;

(ii) multiple Legal Entity Owners in the Legal Entity owning the Eligible Property; or

(iii) similar instances of split ownership of the Eligible Property.

(3) Qualifier Applications for General Season Landowner Permits must include:

(a) total acres of Eligible Property within the respective general season unit hunt boundary area;

(b) the signature of all Landowners having an interest in the Eligible Property; and

(c) a digital map of the Eligible Property indicating the parcel numbers, county, and general season hunt unit within which it is located.

(4) Qualifier Applications must be submitted to the regional division office with management responsibilities where the Eligible Property is located.

(5) The signatures of the Landowners on the Draw Application serve as an affidavit by such Landowner certifying ownership of the Eligible Property enrolled.

(6) After Qualifier Applications are reviewed and approved, Draw Applications will be submitted pursuant to Section R657-62-27.

(7) Any person issued a General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit under this rule is subject to all season dates, weapon restrictions, and any other rules, specifically Rule R657-5, and fees as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(8) A General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit is valid unit wide under the same season dates and unit boundary as a general draw buck deer permit would be.

(9) Individuals that obtain a General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit must choose a weapon type with season for their permit when redeeming a General Season Landowner - Unit Wide Buck Deer Permit.

R657-43-7. Limited Entry Landowner Program - Permit Vouchers for Lands not Participating in a Landowner Association -- Availability and Eligibility.

(1) The division shall establish the number of Limited Entry Landowner Program Permit Vouchers for private lands not enrolled in a Landowner Association for buck deer, bull elk, and buck pronghorn annually by:

(a) identifying the number of public draw limited entry permits available in a unit; and

(b) allocating up to an additional 5%, by weapon type, of that number to the program.

(2) Vouchers for Limited Entry Landowner Program Permits for lands not participating in a Landowner Association will be issued through the Limited Entry Landowner Program Permit Voucher draw.

(3) An Applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for or obtain permits under the Limited Entry Landowner Program:

(a) own the minimum quantity of Eligible Property in the proper Limited Entry unit boundaries as identified in this rule;

(b) be able to lawfully obtain and use a hunting license and big game permit;

(c) submit a complete application by the deadline;

(d) participate in the Limited Entry Landowner Permit drawing; and

(e) pay necessary fees.

(4) An Applicant may apply for Limited Entry Landowner Permit Vouchers according to the following limitations:

(a) A minimum of 640 acres of Eligible Property is required to submit an application;

(b) Only one Limited Entry Landowner Program Permit may be issued per parcel of Eligible Property; and

(c) An Applicant may apply for and receive a maximum of one Limited Entry Landowner Program Permit Vouchers in a single hunt year.

(5) A landowner or lessee transferring a permit voucher to another individual may not receive any form of compensation or remuneration for the transfer or for allowing access to the private land for hunting on a permit redeemed with that voucher on the landowner or lessee's eligible property.

R657-43-8. Limited Entry Landowner Program - Permit Vouchers for Lands not Participating in a Landowner Association, -- Drawing, and Permit Use.

(1) Qualifier Applications for Limited Entry Landowner Program Permit Vouchers are available from division offices and on the division website before the draw.

(2)(a) Only one Applicant may submit a Qualifier Application for a parcel of Private Land.

(b) The division may reject all Qualifier Applications if more than one application is received for the same parcel of Private Land.

(c) A Landowner may only submit one Qualifier Application, regardless of whether there are:

(i) multiple individual persons owning the Eligible Property;

(ii) multiple Legal Entity Owners in the Legal Entity owning the Eligible Property; or

(iii) similar instances of split ownership of the Eligible Property.

(3) Qualifier Applications for Limited Entry Landowner Permits must include:

(a) total acres of Eligible Property within the respective Limited Entry unit hunt boundary area;

(b) the signature of all Landowners having an interest in the Eligible Property; and

(c) a digital map of the Eligible Property indicating the parcel numbers, county, and limited entry hunt unit within which it is located.

(4) Qualifier Applications must be submitted to the regional division office with management responsibilities where the Eligible Property is located.

(5) The signatures of the Landowners on the Draw Application serve as an affidavit by such Landowner certifying ownership of the Eligible Property in the Qualifier Application.

(6) After Qualifier Applications are reviewed and approved, Draw Applications will be submitted pursuant to Section R657-62-27.

(7) Any person issued a Limited Entry Landowner Program Permit under this rule is subject to all season dates, weapon restrictions, and any other rules, specifically Rule R657-5, and fees as provided in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(8) Limited Entry Landowner Program Permit Vouchers are not valid for:

(a) multi-season hunting opportunities;

(b) public land;

(c) private land outside of the property for which the application was submitted for; and

(d) late season limited entry buck deer permits on a general season unit.

R657-43-9. Limited Entry Landowner Association Program Permit Vouchers — Availability and Eligibility.

(1)(a) Landowners in a limited-entry unit may join together to form a Landowner Association for participation in the Limited Entry Landowner Association Permit program.

(b) To qualify as a Landowner Association, participating Landowners must:

(i) own more than 50% of the Private Lands that are Eligible Property within the limited entry herd unit;

(ii) form a Landowner Association;

(iii) limit participation to Private Lands within a limited-entry hunt unit serving as habitat for that species; and

(iv) the president of the Landowner Association must participate in a division training annually.

(2) The division will establish the number of Limited-Entry Landowner Association Program Permits available on an annual basis by

(a) identifying the number of public draw permits in a unit for the previous hunt year;

(b) identifying the total acreage of Private Land in a unit enrolled in the Landowner Association;

(c) calculating the percentage of habitat in the unit represented by the Landowner Association by dividing the habitat acreage represented by the Landowner Association by the habitat acreage in the whole unit;

(d) applying that percentage to the total number of available public draw permits from the previous year to determine the number of Limited-Entry Landowner Association Program Permit Vouchers to be allocated to the Landowner Association;

(e) applying standard rounding will be practiced when determining permit numbers - .49 rounds down and .5 rounds up; and

(f) an approved Landowner Association that qualifies for less than one permit voucher every year will receive one permit voucher the first year after approval.

(3) To form a Landowner Association, Landowners must:

(a) elect a president;

(b) enter into Governing Documents signed by all participating Landowners that:

(i) agree to the formation of a Landowner Association for the purposes of participating in the program;

(ii) establish membership qualifications;

(iii) identify any yearly dues, if any, necessary to participate and how those funds will be utilized;

(iv) establish a distribution plan for allocating Vouchers or revenue from Vouchers to members;

(v) describe the process for adding and removing members in a fair and impartial process;

(vi) describe how the Landowner Association will provide notice of upcoming meetings and how members can participate;

(vii) establish how voting and decisions on behalf of the Landowner Association will be made;

(viii) establish rules and guidelines outlining permit holder conduct on Landowner Association property;

(ix) describe how the Landowner Association will complete compliance requirements for the program;

(x) describe how the members will elect a president to represent the landowner association and the president's length of term;

(xi) include a written waiver from each participating Landowner of all depredation claims due to big game damage during the term of such Landowner's membership in the Landowner Association;

(xii) if option 1, Subsection R657-43-9(5)(a) is chosen include a written agreement from each participating member to allow free public access onto all participating Landowner's Private Lands as required by Subsections R657-43-5(5) and R657-43-5(6); and

(xiii) other items deemed necessary and appropriate to administer the Landowner Association.

(4) Limitations on the eligibility of Private Lands in Landowner Associations:

(a) Private Lands enrolled in a Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit for the same species are not eligible to participate in a Landowner Association under this rule;

(b) Public and state lands are not eligible to be included in a Landowner Association;

(c) Only Private Lands that qualify as Eligible Property will be considered for Limited Entry Landowner Permits;

(d) Only one Landowner Association, per species, may be formed for each limited entry unit; and

(e) A Landowner or Landowner Association may not restrict legally established passage through Private Land to access public lands for hunting.

(5) A Landowner Association may choose one of two Voucher options during the term of its certificate of registration:

(a) Option 1:

(i) The Landowner Association will be issued Vouchers valid for the entire limited entry hunting unit;

(ii) an equivalent number of public hunters to the number of Vouchers received by the Landowner Association shall be provided complete access to hunt all Landowner Associations' Private Lands at no charge for the species during the season dates identified on the Limited-Entry Landowner Association Permit; and

(iii) the division will notify the lowest draw numbers of public hunters in that unit who will be given access to the Landowner Association's Private Lands pursuant to this section.

(b) Option 2:

(i) The Landowner Association will be issued Vouchers valid only for Private Lands enrolled in the Landowner Association;

(ii) the number of Vouchers allocated to a Landowner Association will be calculated using the formula in Subsection (2), rounded up to the nearest whole number.

(c) Limited-Entry Landowner Association Program Permit Vouchers are not valid for:

(i) multi-season hunting opportunities;

(ii) private land not enrolled in the Landowner Association; or

(iii) late season limited entry buck deer permits on a general season unit.

(6)(a) Public draw permit holders specified in Subsection (5)(a) will have access to all enrolled Landowner Association lands for the entirety of the hunt.

(b)(i) The Landowner Association will be responsible for ensuring those public draw permit holders identified in Subsection (5)(a) are given access to all private lands; and

(ii) Landowner Associations may determine how to disperse public hunters by seasons. If all public hunters are in one season it will be the any-weapon season.

(c) The Landowner Association must provide a written copy of its guidelines used to regulate a permit holder's conduct as a guest on the Landowner Association land. These guidelines will go through the RAC and Wildlife Board process to ensure they are fair and reasonable.

(7) Performance metrics will be established by the division, with recommendations from the Landowner Association Advisory Committee, to determine if the purposes of the program are being met.

R657-43-10. Limited-Entry Landowner Association Program Permits — Application.

(1) Applications for a limited entry Landowner Association certificate of registration are available at division offices and on the division website.

(2) Applications must include:

(a) total acres providing habitat for the species in question that are participating in the Landowner Association;

(b) signature of each of the Landowners within the Landowner Association including acres owned, with said signature serving as an affidavit certifying ownership;

(c) a copy of the Landowner Association's Governing Documents;

(d) a digital map of the Private Lands participating in the Landowner Association and indicating the Private Lands which serve as habitat for the species in question; and

(e) a non-refundable handling fee.

(3) The division may aid the Landowner Association in preparing the application, but the division is not responsible for errors in the application or a failure to properly or completely submit an application.

(4) Applications must be completed and submitted to the regional division office managing the limited entry hunting unit where the Landowner Association is located by September 1 of the year before the hunting is to occur.

(5) The division shall review the application and determine its completeness and formulate a recommendation:

(a) the division may reject any application that is incomplete or completed incorrectly; and

(b) Applicants must notify the division in writing regarding any changes to the substance of their application while it is under consideration, or it may be considered incomplete or incorrect.

(6) After evaluating the application, the Wildlife Board shall consider:

(a) the contents of the application;

(b) the division's recommendation; and

(c) any violations of Title 23A, the Wildlife Resources Act, by the Landowner Association, its operator, its president, or any of its members that would reasonably influence whether the Applicant should be approved to participate in the program.

(7) Upon receiving the application and recommendation from the division, the Wildlife Board may:

(a) authorize the issuance of a three-year certificate of registration allowing the Landowner Association to operate; or

(b) deny or partially deny the application and provide the Landowner Association with reasons for the decision.

(8)(a) The certificate of registration for a Landowner Association must be renewed every three years through the process outlined in this rule.

(b) In evaluating a certificate of registration renewal application, the Wildlife Board shall consider:

(i) the Landowner Association's fulfillment of public access requirements, if applicable, during the term of the prior certificate of registration;

(ii) the Landowner Association's fulfillment of antlerless harvest access and success, if a condition of its prior certificate of registration;

(iii) the contents of its renewal application; and

(iv) a recommendation provided by the division.

(9) The Wildlife Board may deny a certificate of registration application or renewal application if:

(a) the Landowner Association has failed to supply the necessary documentation specified in Section R657-43-6;

(b) a member of the Landowner Association has been convicted of a wildlife violation;

(c) the president of the Landowner Association has engaged in conduct that results in the conviction of, a plea of no contest to, or a plea held in abeyance to a crime of moral turpitude, or any other crime that when considered with the functions and responsibilities of a Landowner Association president bears a reasonable relationship to their ability to responsibly operate a Landowner Association;

(d) the Landowner Association has failed to abide by the terms of their Governing Documents in a manner that undermines the purposes of the program; or

(e) the Landowner Association's president or its designee fails to complete mandatory annual training.

(10)(a) An Applicant may appeal a denial of an application, renewal application, or request for certificate of registration amendment by submitting an appeal to the division director.

(b) An appeal must be submitted to the division within 30 days of receiving the notice of denial.

(11)(a) If a Landowner Association is cited for violating this rule, Title 23A, the Wildlife Resources Act, or any other proclamation or guidebook by the Wildlife Board, the division may suspend or revoke the Landowner Association certificate of registration pursuant to Rule R657-26; and

(b) if an individual landowner who is part of a Landowner Association violates this rule, Title 23A, the Wildlife Resources Act, or any other proclamation or guidebook by the Wildlife Board, the division may remove the individual landowner from the Landowner Association's certificate of registration pursuant to Rule R657-26.

(12)(a) The division shall annually review the permit types, numbers, and seasons authorized by a certificate of registration issued under this section and implement modifications for the following hunt season.

(b) Landowner Associations and the division will work cooperatively to achieve desired management directives, including antlerless management objectives.

(13)(a) A Landowner Association may petition to amend a certificate of registration upon submitting a written request to the regional division office where the Landowner Association's Private Land is located; and

(b) A Landowner Association shall submit an application to amend their certificate of registration for changes in:

(i) the Landowner Association's Governing Documents; or

(ii) acreage;

(A) If during a term of its certificate of registration, a Landowner Association's Eligible Property decreases but remains at least equal to 50% of the Eligible Property in the limited entry unit, such Landowner Association shall submit an amendment outlining the new acreage to update their current certificate of registration; or

(B) if during a term of its certificate of registration, a Landowner Association's Eligible Property decreases and equals less than 50% of the Eligible Property in the limited entry unit, such Landowner Association's certificate of registration shall be deemed non-compliant and shall terminate at the end of the certificate of registration's term; provided, however, such Landowner Association may reapply for a certificate of registration as a new application.

(iii) Private Land ownership; or

(iv) any other matter related to the management and operation of the Landowner Association not originally included in the certificate of registration.

(c) If approved, an amendment to the certificate of registration shall be issued in writing.

(14)(a) Upon approval of the certificate of registration, Limited Entry Landowner Association Program Permit Vouchers may be issued and redeemed to purchase Limited Entry Landowner Permits from division offices.

(b) The fee for any Limited Entry Landowner Association Program Permit is the same as the cost of similar limited entry buck deer, bull elk, or buck pronghorn limited entry permits.

(c) A Landowner receiving a Voucher for a Limited Entry Landowner Permit may sell or otherwise transfer such Voucher to any legal hunter so long as that person possesses or obtains a Utah hunting or combination license.

(d) Any recipient of a Limited Entry Landowner Association Program Permit must follow the season dates, weapon restrictions, and any other regulation governing the taking of big game as specified in Rule R657-5 and the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.

(e) Nothing in this rule permits the take of more than one buck deer, one bull elk, or one buck pronghorn during any one year.

R657-43-11. Landowner Association Advisory Committee.

(1) A Landowner Association Advisory Committee shall be created consisting of seven members nominated by the director and approved by the Wildlife Board.

(2) The committee shall include:

(a) two sportsmen representatives;

(b) two landowner representatives;

(c) one agriculture representative;

(d) one at large public representative; and

(e) one Regional Advisory Council chair or member.

(3) The committee shall be chaired by the Wildlife Section Chief, or their designee, and shall be a non-voting member.

(4) The committee shall:

(a) hear complaints dealing with fair and equitable treatment of hunters on Landowner Association lands;

(b) review the operation of the Landowner Association program; and

(c) make advisory recommendations to the director and Wildlife Board on the matters in Subsections (a) and (b).

(5)(a) The committee may, after hearing evidence of complaints or violations, place a Landowner Association on probation.

(b) A Landowner Association placed on probation status must provide the Landowner Association Advisory Committee a plan of corrective action to address concerns regarding operation of the Landowner Association, and report annually to the Landowner Association Committee during the probationary period regarding their progress in addressing such concerns.

(c) The Landowner Association Advisory Committee shall report to the Wildlife Board any Landowner Association that remains on probation during a certificate of registration renewal process.

(6) The Wildlife Section Chief shall determine the agenda, time, and location of the meetings.

(7) The director shall set staggered terms of appointment of members such that there is rotating representation and that all committee members' terms shall expire after four years.

Administrative rules menu

Admin. rules menu

  • R657-1 — Repealed
  • R657-2
    — Adjudicative proceedings
  • R657-3 — Repealed
  • R657-3a
    — Collection, importation, transportation and possession of animals
  • R657-3b
    — Certification of registration — birds and mammals
  • R657-3c
    — Certification of registration — fish, mollusks and crustaceans
  • R657-4
    — Possession and release of pen-reared gamebirds
  • R657-5
    — Taking big game
  • R657-6
    — Taking upland game
  • R657-7
    — Repealed
  • R657-8
    — Repealed
  • R657-9
    — Taking waterfowl, snipe and coot
  • R657-10
    — Taking cougar
  • R657-11
    — Taking furbearers
  • R657-12
    — Hunting and fishing accommodations for people with disabilities
  • R657-13
    — Taking fish and crayfish
  • R657-14
    — Commercial harvesting of protected aquatic wildlife
  • R657-15
    — Closure of Gunnison, Cub and Hat Islands
  • R657-16
    — Repealed
  • R657-17
    — Lifetime hunting and fishing license
  • R657-18
    — Repealed
  • R657-19
    — Taking nongame mammals
  • R657-20
    — Falconry
  • R657-21
    — Cooperative Wildlife Management Units for small game and waterfowl
  • R657-22
    — Repealed
  • R657-23
    — Utah Hunter Education Program
  • R657-24
    — Compensation for mountain lion, bear, wolf or eagle damage
  • R657-25
    — Repealed
  • R657-26
    — Adjudicative proceedings for a license, permit, tag or certificate of registration
  • R657-27
    — License agent procedures
  • R657-28
    — Use of Division lands — rights of way, leases and special-use permits
  • R657-29
    — GRAMA
  • R657-30
    — Fishing license for the terminally ill
  • R657-31
    — Repealed
  • R657-32
    — Repealed
  • R657-33
    — Taking bear
  • R657-34
    — Procedures for confirmation of ordinances on hunting closures
  • R657-35
    — Repealed
  • R657-36
    — Repealed
  • R657-37
    — Cooperative Wildlife Management Units for big game or turkey
  • R657-38
    — Dedicated Hunter Program
  • R657-39
    — Wildlife Board and Regional Advisory Councils
  • R657-40
    — Wildlife rehabilitation
  • R657-41
    — Conservation and sportsman permits
  • R657-42
    — Fees, exchanges, surrenders, refunds and reallocation of wildlife documents
  • R657-43
    — Landowner permits
  • R657-44
    — Big game depredation
  • R657-45
    — Wildlife license, permit, and certificate of registration forms and terms
  • R657-46
    — Repealed
  • R657-47
    — Repealed
  • R657-48
    — Repealed
  • R657-49
    — Repealed
  • R657-50
    — Error remedy
  • R657-51
    — Poaching-reported reward permits
  • R657-52
    — Commercial harvesting of brine shrimp and brine shrimp eggs
  • R657-53
    — Amphibian and reptile collection, importation, transportation and possession
  • R657-54
    — Taking wild turkey
  • R657-55
    — Wildlife Expo Permits
  • R657-56
    — Lease of private lands for free public walk-in access
  • R657-57
    — Division variance rule
  • R657-58
    — Fishing contests and clinics
  • R657-59
    Repealed
  • R657-59a
    — Private fish ponds
  • R657-59b
    — Short-term fishing events
  • R657-59c
    — Aquaponics
  • R657-59d
    — Institutional aquaculture
  • R657-59e
    — Stocking into natural lakes, natural flowing streams or reservoirs on natural stream channels
  • R657-60
    — Aquatic invasive species interdiction
  • R657-61
    — Valuation of real property interests for purposes of acquisition or disposal
  • R657-62
    — Drawing application procedures
  • R657-63
    — Self defense against wild animals
  • R657-64
    — Predator control incentives
  • R657-65
    — Urban deer control
  • R657-66
    — Military Installation Permit Program
  • R657-67
    — Utah Hunter Mentoring Program
  • R657-68
    — Trial Hunting Authorization
  • R657-69
    — Turkey depredation
  • R657-70
    — Repealed
  • R657-71
    — Removal of wild deer from domesticated elk facilities