Law enforcement
Utah's conservation officers work to protect our wildlife heritage on behalf of ethical sportsmen and others who value wildlife. These dispatches represent a fraction of the ongoing efforts to protect your wildlife resources.
June 4, 2018, 12:27 pm
The success of the recent $2.5 million dollar deer fencing and underpass project east of Kanab on Hwy 89 was recently undermined when individuals cut at least six holes in the fence, allowing vehicles to drive through.
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May 8, 2018, 10:35 am
On Sept. 23, 2016, the DWR conservation officer in Roosevelt, Utah received a tip from Utah’s Turn-in-a-Poacher phone hotline. The tip indicated that a convicted felon, Kenneth (Kenny) Swenson Jr., was poaching cow elk and pheasants in nearby Duchesne County. The officer quickly confirmed that Mr. Swenson was a felon and should not be in possession of firearms.
May 8, 2018, 10:26 am
On Jan. 24, 2018 in Duchesne County, and March 27, 2018 in Uintah County, the Thompsons pleaded guilty to all of the charges against them. William received a court fine of $500 and was ordered to pay $16,350 to the state’s Help Stop Poaching fund. He was also placed on probation for 36 months and ordered to serve 107 days in the Duchesne County and Uintah County jails.
April 3, 2018, 12:40 pm
Mark Thayn, the owner of La Sal Mountain Outfitters, pled guilty to Wanton Destruction of Protected Wildlife, a third degree felony, for his role in the poaching of a cow elk.
February 6, 2018, 10:26 am
DWR conservation officers are searching for the individuals who killed four geese and 29 ducks and then left them to waste near a trail in Farmington Canyon.
January 10, 2018, 11:26 am
DWR conservation officers are searching for the person who shot and killed a buck deer commonly seen and photographed along Hwy 65 near East Canyon Resort. When the animal was found, his head was missing, and the rest of his body had been left to rot.
December 11, 2017, 11:26 am
During the months of October and November, within about a two-week period, seven deer were poached and left to waste in Kane County. Officers investigated and found that most of the deer were shot in the head or the base of the head.
December 6, 2017, 3:01 pm
DWR officers are seeking information that could lead to the apprehension and prosecution of the individual(s) that shot a four-point buck deer with archery equipment and fled the area. The deer was left to die with no attempt to salvage any part of the deer.
December 1, 2017, 12:41 pm
On November 22, 2017 a concerned hunter contacted the UTIP hotline to report a moose carcass he found while elk hunting in the Mt. Aire area, near Lamb's Canyon. DWR officers investigated and believe the bull moose was killed between Nov. 15 and Nov. 22. The moose was partially skinned, the antlers were removed and the meat was left to waste.
November 30, 2017, 2:51 pm
Over Thanksgiving weekend, a citizen in Lehi called the UTiP hotline to report finding the headless carcass of a buck deer. DWR conservation officers responded to investigate. When officers investigated the scene, which was near 1350 W 800 N in Lehi, they determined the buck had been shot with a rifle.
