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UtahDivisiono
fWildlifeResourcesT
urninapo
acher:1-800-66
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ildlife
.utah.gov
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CONTENTSHighlights
Who makes the rules?
Take a closer look at the rules
Fees
Key datesBasic requirements
Adults must accompany young
hunters
Have you passed hunter education?
Burning phragmites during the
hunt
Do you need a ederal stamp?
Do you have a HIP number?Swan hunting
Swan permits or youth
Avian diseases in Utah
Did it get wet? Decontaminate it!
Applying as a group
Post-hunt requirements
Swan harvest reporting
Field requirementsFirearms and archery tackle
Make sure you're in range
Are you allowed to possess a
weapon?
Hunters with disabilities
Hunting methods
Boating laws and rules
Closed areasTrespassing
Possession and transportation
Checkpoints and ocer contacts
Special regulations or national
wildlie reuges
Season dates and bag and
possession limits
Youth hunting day
Show courtesy during goose hunt
Mercury and ducks
North Goose Zone boundary
Shooting hours
Waterowl identication
Denitions
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CONTACT US
Division oces
Oces are open 8 a.m.5 p.m.,Monday through Friday
Salt Lake City1594 W North TempleBox 146301Salt Lake City, UT 84114-6301801-538-4700
Central Region1115 N Main StreetSpringville, UT 84663801-491-5678
Northeastern Region152 E 100 NVernal, UT 84078435-781-9453
Northern Region515 E 5300 SOgden, UT 84405801-476-2740
Southeastern Region319 N Carbonville Road, Ste APrice, UT 84501435-613-3700
Southern Region1470 N Airport RoadCedar City, UT 84721435-865-6100
Washington County (Field Ofce)451 N SR-318Hurricane, UT 84737435-879-8694
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The duck-pair counts also showed increases or
many species. Pintail numbers, or example, were 26
percent higher than last year and 10 percent above
their long-term average. Despite these improve-
ments, pintails still havent reached their population
objective, which is why harvest limits remain the
same or the 20112012 season.
Overall, the outlook or Utah waterowl hunters
is very positive. Youll nd water in many places that
were dry last year, and the hunting should be great
or most species.
Season change or light geese: In March 2012,there will be an earlier season or light geese outsideo the North Goose Zone. The season will run romMarch 110, 2012. For a complete list o hunt datesand bag limits, see page 23.
Also remember
You must register in the HIP every season:
You must obtain a Migratory Bird Harvest Inorma-tion Program (HIP) number or the 20112012 sea-son to hunt waterowl in Utah this all. Your numberrom last season wont work. The HIP number youobtain or the 20112012 season is valid rom March11, 2011 through March 10, 2012. Please see page 8or more inormation.
Buy your license over the phone: You can nowbuy a Utah hunting or combination license over thetelephone. Just call 1-800-221-0659. The line isstaed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addi-tion to the ee or the license, youll also be charged a$2 transaction ee or each item you buy.
Retrieving waterowl: Beore hunting in anarea, make sure you can retrieve the birds you shoot.
Because o mud or deep water, you may need chestwaders, a dog or a boat. Not attempting to retrieveyour waterowl could result in a citation.
Swan reporting: I you draw a 2011 swan permit,you are required to submit a harvest report. You mustsubmit this inormation, even i you dont hunt orharvest a swan. Failure to complete a harvest reportmay aect your eligibility to apply or the 2012
Jake Albrecht
John Bair
Calvin Crandall
Bill Fenimore
Michael King
Wildlie Board members
Del Brady, Chair
Ernie Perkins, Vice Chair
James F. Karpowitz,
Division Director
Executive Secretary
Who makes the rules?The Utah Wildlie Board passes the rules and
laws summarized in this guidebook.There are seven board members, and each
serves a six-year term. Appointed by the governor,board members are not Division employees.
The Divisions director serves as the boards
executive secretary but does not have a vote onwildlie policies.Beore board members make changes
to wildlie rules, they listen to recommendationsrom Division biologists. They also receive inputrom the public and various interest groups viathe regional advisory council (RAC) process.
I you have eedback or suggestions or boardmembers, you can nd their contact inormation
online at wildlife.utah.gov.
GREAT CONDITIONS FOR WATERFOWLAbove-normal precipitation across the prairies o
the United States and Canada should provide more
birds or you to hunt this all.
Every year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlie Service
conducts pond counts and duck-pair counts in the
same areas across the country.
This past spring, the pond count in the U.S. Prai-
rie region was 100 percent above last years count.
The additional water provides avorable conditions
or breeding waterowl.
HIGHLIGHTS
Whats new this season?
New ee or swan permit: Starting this year,there will be a $15 ee or each swan permit. For acomplete list o license and permit ees, see page 5.
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swan hunting season. Please see page 12 or moreinormation about this requirement.
Of-highway vehicles: O-highway vehicles are
not permitted on state waterowl management ar-eas, except in areas that are posted open to OHV use.
Burning phragmites during the hunt: Thisall, as conditions permit, the Division will burnphragmites at both the Farmington Bay and OgdenBay waterowl management areas. To learn more,see the inormation box on page 7.
Corrections: I errors are ound in this guidebook
ater it is printed, the Division will correct themin the electronic copy that is posted online. Visitwildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks to view all o the Divi-sions guidebooks and proclamations.
Private lands: The Division cannot guaranteeaccess to any private land. I you plan to huntorengage in any other wildlie-related activitiesonprivate land, you must obtain WRITTEN permission
rom the landowner or the landowners authorizedrepresentative.
Protection rom discrimination: The Divisionreceives ederal nancial assistance rom the U.S.Fish and Wildlie Service and must abide by ederallaws. Under Title VI o the Civil Rights Act o 1964,Section 504 o the Rehabilitation Act o 1973, TitleII o the Americans with Disabilities Act o 1990, theAge Discrimination Act o 1975, Title IX o the Educa-
Dont lose your hunting and fshing privilegesI you commit a wildlie violation, you could lose the privilege o hunting and fshing in Utah.
The Utah Division o Wildlie Resources can suspend the license o
anyone who knowingly, intentionally or recklessly violates wildlie
laws. Your license can be suspended or a wildlie violation i: You are convicted.
You plead guilty or no contest.
You enter a plea in abeyance or
diversion agreement.
Suspension proceedings are separate and inde-
pendent rom criminal prosecution. The Utah Division
o Wildlie Resources may suspend your license privileges
whether or not the court considers suspension in yourcriminal case. You will be notifed o any action against
your privilege ater criminal proceedings conclude. And
remember, i your license is suspended in Utah, you
may not be permitted to hunt or fsh in most other
states. (Visit ianrc.org to see a map o participating states.)
Take a closer look at therules
This guidebook summarizes Utahs
waterowl hunting laws and rules. Although
it is a convenient quick-reerence document
or Utahs waterowl regulations, it is not anall-encompassing resource.
For an in-depth look at the states
waterowl hunting laws and rules, visit
wildlife.utah.gov/rules.
You can use the reerences in the guide-
booksuch as Utah Code 23-20-3 and Utah
Administrative Rule R657-9-6to search the
Divisions website or the detailed statute or
rule that underpins the guidebook summary.
I you have questions about a particular
rule, call or visit the nearest Division oce.
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External Programs4040 North Fairax Drive, Suite 130
Arlington, VA 22203
Division unding: The Division is mostly unded bythe sale o hunting and shing licenses and throughederal aid made possible by an excise tax on the sale
o rearms and other hunting- and shing-relatedequipment.
FEESResident license ees
Hunting license (under 14 years o age)* $11
Hunting license (14 years o age andolder)*
$26
Combination license* $30
Nonresident license ees
3-day small game license $25
Hunting license* $65
Combination license* $80
Other ees
Federal migratory bird hunting andconservation stamp (16 years o ageand older). These are available at U.S.post oces and some license-agentlocations.
$15
Swan permit $15
* Hunting and combination licenses are valid for 365 daysfrom the day you buy them.
You will be charged an additional $10 nonrefundableapplication fee.
tion Amendments o 1972, the U.S. Department othe Interior and its bureaus prohibit discriminationon the basis o race, color, national origin, age,disability or sex. I you believe that you have beendiscriminated against in any program, activity oracility, or i you desire urther inormation pleasewrite to:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlie ServiceOce or Diversity and Civil Rights Programs
KEY DATESSeason dates
Common snipe Oct. 1Jan. 14
Ducks, mergansers, coots Oct. 1Jan. 14
Scaup Oct. 1Dec. 24
Swan Oct. 1Dec. 11
Dark geese (inside theNorth Goose Zone)
Oct. 1Jan. 14
Dark geese (outside theNorth Goose Zone)
Oct. 113,Oct. 29Jan. 29
Light geese (inside theNorth Goose Zone)
Oct. 22Jan. 14,Feb. 18March 10
Light geese (outside theNorth Goose Zone)
Oct. 14Jan. 14,March 110
Swan application dates
Swan hunting applicationavailable online
Aug. 29, 2011
Application deadline Sept. 7, 2011
Drawing results available Sept. 19, 2011
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Have you passed huntereducation?Utah Code 23-19-11 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-23
I you were born ater Dec. 31, 1965, you must
provide proo that youve passed a hunter education
course approved by the Division beore you can apply
or or obtain a hunting license or a swan permit.
Proo o hunter educationYou can prove that youve completed hunter
education by obtaining a hunter education course
Certicate o Completion (this certicate is called a
blue card in Utah) or by using a hunting license
rom a previous year with your hunter education
number noted on the license.
How to take hunter educationI you were born ater 1965, you must take and
successully complete the states hunter education
course. Its an easy process:
1. Obtain a hunter education registration
certicate. Each certicate costs only $10,
and you can obtain it online, at any Division
oce or rom a license agent.2. Register or a class with your local hunter
education instructor.
3. Take your registration certicate to your
instructor on the rst night o class.
4. Successully complete the courseyour
instructor will then validate your certicate.
The validated certicate serves as your
hunting license.
Both the registration certicate and the cor-
responding hunting license are valid or 365 days
rom the date o purchase. The license enables
you to apply or or obtain permits in the Divisions
hunt drawings. In order to maximize your hunting
opportunities, you should register or and complete
Are you old enough?Utah Code 23-19-11
Anyone who has passed a Division-approved
hunter education course can hunt waterowl in Utah,
regardless o age. However, young hunters must be
accompanied by an adult while in the eld. To learn
more, see the inormation box below.
BASIC REQUIREMENTSCompleting hunter education, obtaining the proper hunting license and registering or a
Migratory Bird Harvest Inormation Program (HIP) number are the rst steps to hunting
waterowl in Utah. Depending on your age, you may also need a ederal migratory bird hunt-
ing and conservation stamp. This section provides inormation about each o these items and
how to obtain them.
Adults must accompanyyoung huntersUtah Code 23-20-20
While hunting with any weapon, a person
under 14 years old must be accompanied
by his or her parent, legal guardian or other
responsible person who is 21 years o age orolder and who has been approved by the par-
ent or guardian.
A person at least 14 years old and under
16 years old must be accompanied by a person
21 years o age or older while hunting with
any weapon.
The Division encourages adults to be
amiliar with hunter education guidelines or tocomplete the hunter education course beore
accompanying youth into the eld.
While in the eld, the youth and the adult
must remain close enough or the adult to see
and provide verbal assistance to the young
hunter. Using electronic devices, such as
walkie-talkies or cell phones, does not meet
this requirement.
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the hunter education course as soon as possible ater
purchasing your registration certicate.
Ater completing the course, you will receive
your ocial hunter education card (commonly
known as the blue card) by mail. It will be sent to
the address listed on your registration certicate.
This card certies that you passed hunter education.You should also keep the ollowing in mind:
Hunters under the age o 16 must be accompa-
nied by an adult while hunting.
Regardless o when a student graduates, all
hunting regulations (such as season dates and
bag limits) will apply.
Students who are planning to hunt out o state
should allow enough time or their hunter
education card to arrive in the mail.
You can see a list o hunter education courses at
wildlife.utah.gov/huntereducation. You can also con-
tact your local Division oce or call 801-538-4727.
New to Utah?I you become a Utah resident, and youve
completed a hunter education course in another
state, province or country, you must obtain a bluecard beore you can buy a resident hunting license
or apply or a swan permit. You can obtain a Utah
blue card at any Division oce by providing proo
that youve completed a hunter education course
approved by the Division. The card costs $10.
Do you have a license?Utah Code 23-19-1
You must purchase either a hunting license or
a combination license to hunt waterowl in Utah.
Heres the dierence between the two licenses:
A hunting license allows you to hunt small
game, including waterowl and upland game.
A combination license allows you to sh and
hunt small game in Utah. When you buy a
combination license, you also get a price break
compared to buying your hunting and shinglicenses separately.
To purchase a license, visit wildlife.utah.govor
call 1-800-221-0659. You can also visit a license
agent or any Division oce.
You must carry your license with you while
youre hunting, and you cannot alter your license, ortranser or lend it to another person.
I you want to hunt a swan in Utah, you will also
need to apply or and obtain a swan permit. For
more inormation about swan permits, see page 9.
Burning phragmitesduring the hunt
Over the past six years, the Divi-
sion has chemically treated and burned
thousands o acres o phragmites (pro-
nounced frag-mite-ees). This tall invasiveplant outcompetes native marsh plants and
eliminates waterowl habitat.
In some cases, phragmites orms dense,
impenetrable thickets up to 13 eet high.
This year, the Division plans to burn
phragmites on both the Farmington Bay and
Ogden Bay waterowl management areas
(WMAs), weather permitting. This may result
in temporary closures o certain areas during
the hunt.
Fortunately, waterowl will fock to the
burned areas a ew weeks ater the burn, and
hunting should improve considerably.
The Division only receives authorization
to burn when the weather, wind and air-
quality conditions cooperate. As a result, the
Division has about 12 hours notice beore aburn occurs.
I conditions are right, the Division will
lock the gates o the WMA the night beore a
proposed burn. The agency will also post signs
at the WMA, work with the media and use a
variety o online tools to alert hunters to the
upcoming burn.
To read more about this alls phragmitesburns or to check or an alert about an impend-
ing burn, visit wildlife.utah.gov/burn.
To receive notice when a phragmites burn
is approved, ollow the Division on Twitter at
twitter.com/DWRburn.
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Do you need a ederalstamp?Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-3
In addition to your hunting license, i youre
16 years old or older, you must obtain a ederal
migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp. This
stamp is commonly reerred to as a "duck stamp."You can purchase a duck stamp rom your
local post oce or by phone. The phone number is
1-800-782-6724. You can also call this number to
order additional duck stamps. Duck stamps are not
available at Division oces.
Ater you buy your stamp, you must validate it
by signing your name in ink across the ace o the
stamp. You must also carry your stamp with youwhile youre hunting (most hunters place their stamp
on the back o their hunting license).
I youre 15 years o age or younger, you do not
need a ederal duck stamp to hunt waterowl, but i
you turn 16 during the season, you must buy a stamp
to hunt the remainder o the season.
Do you have a HIPnumber?50 CFR 20.20 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-33
In addition to your license (and your duck stamp,
i required), you must obtain a Migratory Game
Bird Harvest Inormation Program (HIP) registration
number every season.
The number you obtained last season is not valid
or this season.
HIP numbers or the 20112012 season are valid
rom March 11, 2011 through March 10, 2012.
Its easy to registerYou can obtain your Utah HIP number in one o
two ways:
1. Register at www.uthip.com.
2. Call 1-877-882-4744. I you have questionsor need help obtaining your HIP number,
please call 1-800-368-4683.
Youll need your hunting license to register, so
make sure you have it with you beore you log onto
the website or call. It only takes about 10 minutes
to register.
I your 365-day license expires during the
season, and you buy a new license, simply writeyour 20112012 HIP registration numberand its
expiration datein the space provided on the ront
o your new license. You do not need to get a second
HIP number or the 20112012 season.
Email remindersWhile registering at www.uthip.com, youll have
the opportunity to provide your email address. I you
do, youll receive an email reminder to register or
HIP beore the next season begins.
Valuable inormationThe U.S. Fish and Wildlie Service started the HIP
in the mid-1990s. The program provides biologists
with valuable inormation that helps them manage
the nations migratory game bird populations.
If you want to hunt it tomorrow,
help us protect it today.
Turn In a Poacher
3337
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again as long as you ollow the rules listed in the
Harvest reporting section on page 12.
Swan orientation courseThe swan orientation course provides in-
ormation about swans, including inormation
that will help you identiy tundra swans and
trumpeter swans in fight. Both are legal to take,but the Division discourages you rom shooting
trumpeter swans. The course is available online at
www.utah-hunt.com/utswancourseand takes about
30 minutes to complete. Even i you dont plan on
hunting swans, the Division encourages you to take
the course.
Key datesUtah Admin. Rule R657-62-23Please note the ollowing dates i you want to
apply or a 2011 swan permit or preerence point.
August 29: Apply online or a permit or
preerence pointVisit wildlife.utah.govto apply or a swan permit
or preerence point. Both residents and nonresidents
may apply. Groups o up to our people may alsoapply. For more inormation, please see "Applying as
a group" on page 11.
Application ees are charged to your credit or
debit card when your application is processed. Your
application can be rejected i your credit or debit card
is invalid or reused. A permit ee is charged only i
you are successul in drawing a permit. The ee or a
swan permit is $15.You can use American Express, Discover, Master-
Card and VISA credit or debit cards as payment, and
they must be valid through November 2011. You can
also use a pre-paid credit card. I you have questions
about using a pre-paid credit card, check with your
nancial institution or more inormation.
SWAN HUNTINGUtah is one o the ew places in the country where you have the opportunity to hunt swans.
This section provides inormation about applying or a swan permit or preerence point in
2011. You will also nd inormation about what to do i you obtain a permit and harvest a
swan. And nally, be sure to read the important reminder about when you can apply or the
2012 swan hunt.
2011 swan huntingBeore you can hunt swans in 2011, you must
have the ollowing items:
A swan permit
A Utah hunting or combination license
A HIP number
A ederal duck stamp (i you are 16 years o ageor older)
I your license expires beore the swan season
ends, youll have to buy a new license to hunt the
remainder o the season.
Applying or a permitUtah Admin. Rule R657-62-23
To hunt swan in Utah, you must draw a permit in
the states swan hunt drawing.You can apply or the drawing online at
wildlife.utah.govbeginning on Aug. 29, 2011.
I you dont want to apply or a permit this year,
but you want a better chance o drawing one next
year, you can apply or a preerence point instead.
However, beore you can apply or either a swan
permit or a preerence point, you must rst complete
a one-time swan hunting orientation course. Ateryouve taken the course, you dont have to take it
Swan permits or youthUtah Admin. Rule R657-62-23
Fiteen percent o this years swan hunting
permits are reserved or hunters who will be
15 years o age or younger on Oct. 1, 2011 (the
opening day o the hunt).
I youll be 15 years o age or younger
on Oct. 1, you can participate in the youth
drawing by submitting an application as an
individual hunter. You wont be included in
the youth drawing i you apply as a member
o a group.
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September 7: Deadline to withdraw an
applicationI you decide not to hunt swan, you can with-
draw your online permit application until 11 p.m. on
Sept. 7, 2011.
Please remember that any ees you submitted
with your application are not reundable.
September 19: Drawing results availableYoull be notied o the drawing results by email.
Beginning Sept. 19, you can also learn the drawingresults by calling 1-800-221-0659 or by visiting
wildlife.utah.gov.
In order to protect your privacyand to comply
with governmental records access lawsyou may
obtain access to only your own drawing results.
I you draw a permit, youll likely receive your
permit in the mail by the end o September.
September 29: Remaining permits avail-able
Any permits remaining ater the swan hunt
drawing may be obtained beginning Sept. 29, 2011,
at wildlife.utah.govand rom license agents and
Division oces. Remaining permits are available on
a first-come, first-served basis.
September 7: Deadline or permit and
preerence point applicationsYour application or a swan permit or preerence
point must be submitted through wildlife.utah.gov
no later than 11 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2011. I you need
help with your online application, please call any
Division oce beore 5 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2011. A Divi-
sion employee will be available to help you!
September 7: Deadline to resubmit an
applicationDid you make a mistake in your online permit
application? Simply withdraw your original online
application and submit a new, correct application
beore 11 p.m. on Sept. 7, 2011.
In order to withdraw your application, you must
have the conrmation number rom your original
application. You must also have your customer ID
and your date o birth. For each new application yousubmit, you will be charged a $10 application ee.
I you need help with your online application,
please call any Division oce beore 5 p.m. on
Sept. 7, 2011.
Avian diseases in UtahAvian infuenza and avian botulism are dis-
eases that primarily aect wild bird populations.
Neither disease typically aects humans.
However, there is a strain o avian infuenza
(known as Asian bird fu) that has aected some
people. This strain has not been detected in Utah
or anywhere else in North America.
In contrast, outbreaks o avian botulism (type
C) occur in Utah annually. Although avian botulism
typically aects only wild bird populations, some
hunting dogs have been poisoned by contact with
botulism-inected birds.
As long as you take some simple precautions,
you can greatly reduce your risk o contractingavian infuenza, avian botulism or any other
wildlie disease:
Do not harvest any bird that appears sick,
and do not pick up diseased or dead birds.
Do not allow dogs or other pets to handle
sick or dead birds.
Do not handle or eat sick birds.
Keep your game birds cool, clean and dry.
Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves
while handling and cleaning your birds.
Ater cleaning the birds, wash your hands
with soap and water, and thoroughly clean
all knives, equipment and suraces that
came in contact with the birds. You can
disinect these items by using a solution
thats 90 percent water and 10 percent
chlorine bleach.
All birds should be cooked thoroughly (well
done or at 160 F).Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling
your birds.
For more inormation about avian diseases,
please visit wildlife.utah.gov/diseases.
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Applying as a groupUtah Admin. Rule R657-62-23Instead o applying as an individual hunter, you
and your riends and amily can apply together as
a group. Up to our huntersincluding a mix o
residents and nonresidentscan apply together or
swan permits. (See the denition o a resident on
page 44.)
Please remember that i youre a youth, and you
want to be included among those who draw or the
swan permits reserved or youth, you must apply
as an individual hunter. Do NOT apply as part o a
group.
When you apply, all ees or all applicants in your
group must be charged to one credit or debit card.
I your group is successul in the drawing, all o the
applicants in your group who have valid applications
will receive a permit.
Preerence pointsUtah Admin. Rule R657-62-10
Preerence points ensure that applicants who are
unsuccessulor those who choose to apply only
or a preerence pointwill have a better chance o
obtaining a permit in next years swan drawing.
A preerence point is awarded or each unsuc-
cessul swan application.
An individual who does not want to hunt swan
in the current year may apply or a preerence point
only by selecting the appropriate hunt choice code
(SWN) on the application and paying the $10 ap-
plication ee.I you are eligible or a swan permit, you are
eligible to apply or a preerence point. You cannot,
however, apply or both a permit and a preerence
point in the same season.
A preerence point will not be issued i you are
successul in drawing a swan permit.
You will not lose your preerence points i you
obtain a permit that remains available ater the
swan drawing is over.
How your preerence points work in the
drawingIn the drawing, swan applications are sorted
into groups by the number o preerence pointsa
4-preerence-point group, a 3-preerence-point
group and so onrom highest to lowest. Within
each group o preerence points, the applications arethen sorted rom lowest to highest draw numbers.
Permits are awarded in order, based on the hunt
choice selected.
Preerence points are averaged and rounded
down when two or more applicants apply as a
group. For example, i hunter A with three preerence
points and hunter B with zero preerence points
apply as a group, the preerence points are averaged(1.5) and rounded down to one. This process will
determine in which group o preerence points your
application will be considered. Hunters with one
preerence point will be considered only ater all
groups or individuals with two or more preerence
points and beore all groups or individuals with zero
preerence points.
You may surrender your swan permit beore the
season opens in order to reinstate your preerence
points, including a preerence point or the current
year (just as i you had not drawn a permit).
Post-hunt requirementsI you hunt swan in 2011, be sure to meet the
ollowing requirements by Jan. 10, 2012.
Did it get wet?Decontaminate it!
When you hunt waterowl, some o your
gear inevitably gets wet or muddy.
Your waders, clothes, shoes and other
equipment provide good hiding places ormicroscopic invasive species or whirling
disease spores.
Beore you leave a hunting area and step
into another water, rinse all the mud and other
debris o o your waders, boots and wetted
gear or equipment. Then, generously spray
all o itespecially the elt soles o wad-
erswith Formula 409 (a popular household
cleaner). This treatment will kill any whirling
disease spores.
Ater you return home, thoroughly clean
and dry all o your gear beore using it again.
For more inormation about decomtamina-
tion, visit wildlife.utah.gov/mussels.
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Tag your swanUtah Code 23-20-30 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-5
Ater youve taken a swan, you must tag the
swan beore you move the carcass rom or leave the
site o the kill.
To tag a swan, completely detach the tag rom
your swan permit and completely remove thenotches that correspond with the month and day the
swan was taken. Then attach the tag to the carcass
so the tag remains securely astened and visible.
Your swan tag also includes a notch that
indicates the sex o the bird, but you do not need
to remove this notch; you only need to remove the
notches that indicate when the bird was taken.
You may not remove more than one notch
indicating the month or day the swan was taken, or
tag more than one swan using the same tag. Also,
you may not hunt or pursue swans ater any o the
notches have been removed rom the tag or the tag
has been detached rom your permit.
Get your swan examinedUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-6
You must bring the tagged swan or its head toa Division oceor the Bear River Migratory Bird
Reuge ocewithin three days o harvesting the
swan. A sta person will examine the swans head
and assist you in completing your swan question-
naire. This visit provides biologists with valuable
inormation about swans in Utah.
Harvest reportingUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-6
I you obtain a swan permit, you must complete
and submit a swan questionnaire by Jan. 10,
2012even if you dont end up hunting or
harvesting an animal. I you do harvest a swan,
a Division biologist will complete your question-
naire as part o the post-harvest examination that is
required o all successul swan hunters.
The questionnaire is available at wildlife.utah.gov.You can also complete it by calling 1-800-221-0659.
Its important to comply with the requirements
listed above. I you miss the Jan. 10 deadline, you
will be ineligible to apply or a 2012 swan permit
unless you:
Get the head o your harvested swan examined
at a Division oce
Complete and submit a late questionnairePay a $50 late ee
Complete the swan orientation course again
I you did not harvest a swan, you would only
be required to complete the last three items beore
applying or your 2012 swan permit.
Applying or a swan
permit next yearUtah Admin. Rules R657-62-23 and R657-42
Applications or swan permits or the 2012 season
will be accepted starting in early September 2012.
Mark your calendar today and remember to visit
wildlife.utah.govat the start o September 2012 or
the latest inormation.
Report your swan or riskpermit cuts
Harvest reporting or swan is mandatory.
In the 20102011 season, swan hunters
returned their harvest reports in much higher
numbers than in recent years. The Divisionappreciates these eorts and asks all swan
hunters to make harvest reporting a priority
during the 20112012 season.
I reporting compliance drops below 80
percent, the ederal government will cut Utahs
swan permits by 10 percent. That would mean
200 ewer permits.
To report your swan harvest, simply bring
the tagged swan or its head to a Division oce,
or the Bear River Migratory Bird Reuge oce,
within three days o harvest. A Division or
Reuge employee will help you complete your
swan harvest report.
Reporting is required, even i you
did not hunt or harvest a swan. Failure to
return your harvest report could result in a cita-
tion and leave you ineligible to participate innext years swan drawing. I you didnt harvest
a swan, you can enter your report online or by
calling toll-ree 1-800-221-0659.
Dont be the hunter who jeopardizes 200
swan permitsplease complete your harvest
report as soon as possible.
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Firearms and archerytackle
Several rules apply to the type o shotguns and
archery tackle that may be used to take waterowl
in Utah.
Weapon requirements50 CFR 20.21 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-7
You may take migratory game birds only witha shotgun thats no larger than 10 gauge or with
archery tackle. (You may not take waterowl with
a crossbow, however.) Also, the shotgun you use
cannot be capable o holding more than three shells
(one in the chamber and two in the magazine).
Many shotguns can hold more than two shells in
the magazine, but making these guns legal or wa-
terowl hunting is easy. An inexpensive item, calleda "shotgun plug," comes with most shotguns or you
can purchase one at most sporting goods stores.
Nontoxic shot and use ofrearms and archery tackle50 CFR 20.21(j) and Utah Admin. Rules R657-9-8 and R657-9-9
A shotgun with nontoxic shot is the only rearm
and ammunition you may have in your possession
while hunting waterowl or coot in any area o thestate. (To learn what nontoxic shot is, please see
page 43 o this guide.) In addition, nontoxic shot is
the only shot you may have in your possession while
visiting or hunting any species o wildlie on ederal
reuges, the Scott M. Matheson wetland preserve,
and the ollowing waterowl management areas:
Box Elder CountyHarold S. Crane, Locomo-
tive Springs, Public Shooting Grounds and SaltCreek
Daggett CountyBrowns Park
Davis CountyFarmington Bay, Howard
Slough and Ogden Bay
Emery CountyDesert Lake
Juab CountyMills Meadow
Millard CountyClear Lake and Topaz Slough
Sanpete CountyManti MeadowsTooele CountyBlue Lake and Timpie Springs
Uintah CountyStewart Lake
Utah CountyPowell Slough
Wayne CountyBicknell Bottoms
Weber CountyOgden Bay and Harold S.
Crane
You may not possess a rearm or archery tackle
on any o the areas listed above any time o theyear except during the specied waterowl hunting
seasons or as authorized by the Division.
FIELD REQUIREMENTSWhile hunting waterowl in Utah, there are several requirements you must keep in mind
to protect yoursel and the resource. Please be amiliar with the requirements or carrying
and using shotguns, the dierent types o hunting methods you may use and what youre
required to do with any waterowl you harvest.
Make sure youre in rangeIn the marsh, you should only shoot at
birds that are within range. I you try to hit a
bird thats too ar away, theres a much greater
chance the bird will be wounded or hard to nd.So, how do you know i youre in range?
Beore this years waterowl season opens,
you can improve your ability to judge distance
accurately with the ollowing exercise:
Find an area thats at least 50 yards
long and place our regular-sized duck
decoys 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards rom your
starting point.I you dont have our regular-sized
decoys, use our pieces o cardboard cut
21 inches long by 4 inches high (the size
o a medium-sized duck).
Ater placing your targets, go back to
your starting point, bring your unloaded
shotgun to your shoulder and aim it at
the target thats 20 yards away. Noticehow big your barrel looks in relation to
the size o the target. Then aim at the
targets that are 30, 40 and 50 yards away.
Practice this process enough, and youll
know how birds should look when you view
them over your barrel at dierent distances in
the marsh.
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The rearm restrictions in this section do notapply to concealed rearm permit holders carrying
a concealed weapon in accordance with Utah Code
76-10-504, provided the person is not utilizing the
concealed rearm to hunt or take wildlie.
Areas where you cantdischarge a frearmUtah Code 76-10-508
You may not discharge a dangerous weapon orfirearm under any o the ollowing circumstances:
From a vehicle
From, upon or across any highway
At power lines or signs
At railroad equipment or acilities, including
any sign or signal
Within Utah state park camp or picnic sites,
overlooks, gol courses, boat ramps or devel-oped beaches
Without written permission rom the owner or
property manager, within 600 eet o:
A house, dwelling or any other building
Any structure in which a domestic animal
is kept or ed, including a barn, poultry
yard, corral, eeding pen or stockyard
The rearm restrictions in this section do notapply to concealed rearm permit holders carrying
a concealed weapon in accordance with Utah Code
76-10-504. Visit wildlife.utah.gov/rules or more
inormation.
Loaded frearms in a vehicleUtah Code 76-10-502, 76-10-504, 76-10-505 & 76-10-523
You may not carry a loaded rearm in or on a ve-
hicle unless you meet all o the ollowing conditions:You own the vehicle or have permission rom
the vehicles owner.
The rearm is a handgun.
You are 18 years o age or older.
A pistol, revolver, rife or shotgun is considered to
be loaded when there is an unexpended cartridge,
shell or projectile in the ring position.
Pistols and revolvers are also considered tobe loaded when an unexpended cartridge, shell
or projectile is in a position whereby the manual
operation o any mechanism once would cause the
unexpended cartridge, shell or projectile to be red.
A muzzleloading rearm is considered loaded
when it is capped or primed and has a powder
charge and ball or shot in the barrel or cylinders.
Are you allowed to possessa weapon?Utah Code 76-10-503
It is illegal under Utah Code 76-10-503 to
possess or use a firearm, muzzleloader, archery
tackle or any other dangerous weapon i you:
Have been convicted o or are under indict-
ment or any elony oense;
Are on probation or parole or a elony
oense;
Are on parole rom a secure acility;
Have been adjudicated delinquent (juve-
nile) in the last seven years o an oense
that, i committed by an adult, would have
been a elony;Are an unlawul user o a controlled
substance;
Have been ound not guilty by reason o
insanity or a elony oense;
Have been ound mentally incompetent to
stand trial or a elony oense;
Have been adjudicated mentally deective
as provided in the ederal Brady Handgun
Violence Prevention Act;
Have been committed to a mental institu-
tion;
Are an alien who is illegally in the United
States;
Have been dishonorably discharged rom
the armed orces; or
Have renounced your United States citizen-
ship.
The purchase or possession o any hunting
license, permit, tag or certificate o registration
rom the Division does not authorize the holderto legally possess or use a firearm, muzzleloader,
archery tackle or any other dangerous weapon
while hunting i they are otherwise restricted
rom possessing these weapons under Utah Code
76-10-503.
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Migratory game birds may not be taken rom
a sailboat unless the boats sails are urled and
the boat has stopped moving.
You may use any o these crats under power to
retrieve dead or crippled birds, but you may
not shoot crippled birds rom a crat i its motor is
still running.Also, you may not use any o the crats listed
above, or any type o motor-driven land, water or air
transportation, to concentrate, drive, rally or stir up
migratory birds.
Airboats and personalwatercratUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-11
Air-thrust or air-propelled boats and personalwatercrat are not allowed in designated parts o
the ollowing waterowl management or ederal
reuge areas:
Box Elder County: Box Elder Lake, Bear River,
that part o Harold S. Crane within one-hal
mile o all dikes and levees, Locomotive
Springs, Public Shooting Grounds and Salt
Creek, and that part o the Bear River Migra-tory Bird Reuge north o the "D" line dike, and
outside Units 1, 3, 4 and 5 as posted.
Daggett County: Browns Park
Davis County: Howard Slough, Ogden Bay
and Farmington Bay within diked units or as
posted.
Emery County: Desert Lake
Millard County: Clear Lake and Topaz Slough
Tooele County: Timpie Springs
Uintah County: Stewart Lake
Utah County: Powell Slough
Wayne County: Bicknell Bottoms
Weber County: Ogden Bay within diked units
or as posted, and the portion o the Harold S.
Crane Waterowl Management Area that alls
within the county line
The term "personal watercrat" means a motorboatthat meets the ollowing conditions:
It is less than 16 eet in length.
It is propelled by a water jet pump.
It is designed to be operated by a person sit-
ting, standing or kneeling on the vessel, rather
than sitting or standing inside the vessel.
State parksUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-30 and R651-614
Hunting any wildlie is prohibited within the
boundaries o all state park areas, except those
designated open to hunting by the Division o Parks
and Recreation in Utah Admin. Rule R651-614-4.
In park areas that are designated open to hunt-ing, you are not permitted to use shotguns or archery
tackle within one-quarter mile o all park acilities,
including buildings, camp or picnic sites, overlooks,
gol courses, boat ramps and developed beaches.
In addition to the rules above, the Great Salt Lake
Marina and posted areas adjacent to the marina are
closed to hunting.
Waterowl hunting, including the retrieval o
downed birds, is also prohibited on all o Antelope
Island except or the ollowing areas:
100 yards beyond the existing shoreline rom
the Fielding Garr Ranch, proceeding around
the north end o the island and then south to
Elephant Head; and
below the upland vegetation line o the island
rom the Fielding Garr Ranch, proceeding
around the south end o the island and thennorth to Elephant Head.
Hunters with disabilitiesUtah Admin. Rule R657-12
Utah provides special hunting accommodations
or people with disabilities.
For a complete copy o these accommodations
and whats required to qualiy or them, please visitwildlife.utah.gov/rules or call any Division oce.
Hunting methodsSeveral rules apply to the methods that you may
use to hunt waterowl in Utah.
Use o boats, and airborneand land vehicles50 CFR 20.21(e), Utah Code 23-20-3 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-10
You may use a boat or motorized aquatic vehicle
to hunt waterowl i you obey the ollowing rules:
Migratory game birds may not be taken rom
any motorboat, or crat that has a motor
attached to it, unless the motor has been
completely shut o and the motorboat or crat
has stopped moving.
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the Division gives express, written permission
to do so.
Rock and soil material may not be transportedto a WMA to construct a blind.
Waterowl blinds may not be constructed or
used in any area or manner that obstructs
vehicle or pedestrian travel on dikes.
Waterowl blinds that are constructed or main-
tained on WMAs in violation o the rules above may
Restrictions on motorizedboatsUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-12
Portions o three WMAs have been set aside or
hunters who enjoy walking or paddling nonmotor-
ized boats into the marsh. Motorized boats, which
are boats with a motor o any kind, including a gasengine or an electric motor, are not allowed in the
ollowing areas:
Farmington Bay, South Crystal Unit
Harold S. Crane: Rainbow Pond Unit and the
main East Pond Unit
Public Shooting Grounds, Pintail Unit.
In addition: motorized boats are allowed in the
Ogden Bay, Unit 3 main impoundment, but motor-
ized boats in this impoundment are restricted to
slow, wakeless boating speeds only.
Motorized vehicle accesson waterowl managementareasUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-12
Motorized vehicle travel on state waterowl
management areas is restricted to county roads,improved roads and parking areas.
O-highway vehicles are not permitted on state
waterowl management areas, except in areas that
are marked or posted open to their use.
O-highway vehicles are not permitted on the
Bear River Migratory Bird Reuge.
Waterowl blinds on water-owl management areasUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-34
You can construct and use waterowl blinds on
Division waterowl management areas (WMAs) as
long as you obey the ollowing rules:
Waterowl blinds may not be let unattended
overnight unless theyre constructed entirely o
non-woody, vegetative materials that naturally
occur where the blind is located.Live or dead-standing trees and shrubs on
WMAs may not be cut or damaged unless the
Division gives express, written permission to
do so.
Soil or rock, above or below the waters sur-
ace, may not be excavated on a WMA unless
Boating laws and rulesUtah State Park Rangers want you to have
a sae waterowl hunt. I your plans include a
motorboat, please remember these laws and
rules to ensure your sae return home:
Everyone on your boat or vessel must
have a properly tted, U.S. Coast Guard-
approved lie jacket. Youth 12 and under
must wear a lie jacket at all times.
Vessels longer than 16 eet must have
a throwable lie preserver immediately
available.
All motorboats, including those with
electric motors, must be registered and
properly numbered.All motorboats must display appropriate
navigation lights rom sunset to sunrise.
Manually propelled boats may use a
white light.
Let someone know where you are going
and when you expect to return, along
with your boat and vehicle license num-
ber. Remember to stick to your plan!All motorboats must carry a Type B, U.S.
Coast Guard-approved re extinguisher,
unless exempt.
In addition to the equipment above,
airboats operating on Great Salt Lake
and adjacent Waterowl Management
Areas (WMAs) must have a compass and
either a fare, strobe light or other visualdistress signal.
For additional boating saety inorma-
tion, visitstateparks.utah.gov/boating or call
801-538-2628.
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during open hunting seasons or as posted by the
Division.
Live decoys50 CFR 20.21(f) and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-14
You may not use live birds as decoys.
Also, you may not take migratory game birdsrom an area where tame or captive live ducks
or geese are present. The only exception is i the
tame or captive live ducks or geese areand have
beenconned or at least 10 consecutive days
beore you take the migratory game birds. The area
o connement must substantially reduce the sound
o the tame or captive birds calls. It must also totally
conceal the birds rom the sight o wild migratory
waterowl.
Amplifed bird calls50 CFR 20.21 (g) and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-15
You may not use recorded or electronically am-
plied bird calls or sounds, or recorded or electroni-
cally amplied imitations o bird calls or sounds.
Baiting50 CFR 20.21 (i) and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-16
Baiting is an illegal activity that involves the
spreading o shelled, shucked or unshucked corn,
wheat or other grain, or salt or other eed, to lure,
attract or entice birds to an area. You may not hunt
waterowl, snipe or coots by baiting. You also cannot
hunt on or over any baited area i you know, or
reasonably should know, that the area is or has been
be removed or destroyed by the Division without
notice.
The restrictions above do not apply to the ollow-
ing WMA areas:
Farmington Bay Waterowl Management
Areawest and north o Unit 1, Turpin Unit
and Crystal Unit.Howard Slough Waterowl Management
Areawest and south o the exterior dike
separating the WMAs resh-water impound-
ments rom the Great Salt Lake.
Ogden Bay Waterowl Management Area
west o Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3.
Harold S. Crane Waterowl Management
Areaone hal mile north and west o the
exterior dike separating the WMAs resh water
impoundments rom the Willard Spur.
Unattended blindsIn addition to the rules above, two other impor-
tant rules apply to waterowl blinds on WMAs and
other state lands that are open to public hunting:
Any person may use any unoccupied,
permanent waterowl blind. Waterowl blindson state lands are open on a rst-come, rst-
served basis to everyone, not just to the person
who built the blind.
You cannot leave waterowl blinds or decoys
unattended overnight to reserve a spot.
Sinkbox50 CFR 20.21(c) and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-13
You cannot take migratory game birds rom anytype o low-foating device that allows you to be
concealed beneath the surace o the water. Called
"sinkboxes," these devices foat on the water, but
they foat barely above the waters surace. You may
not hunt rom sinkboxes. You may, however, hunt
rom other types o boxes, blinds or culverts that are
attached to the bottom o the body o water where
you are hunting.
Using dogs to huntUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-28
Dogs may be used to locate and retrieve water-
owl during open hunting seasons.
Dogs are not allowed on state wildlie manage-
ment or waterowl management areas, except
Hunting dog feld trialsand trainingUtah Admin. Rule R657-46
Many o todays hunting dog eld trialers
and trainers want to use game birds (water-
owl or upland game) in their dog-related
pursuits.
Because game birds in Utah are classied
as protected wildlie, rules and regulations
govern their use in these activities.
I you want to use live game birds in dog
eld trials and training, please review the rules
thoroughly. You can pick up a copy o the rules
at any Division oce or nd them online at
wildlife.utah.gov/rules.
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The areas open and the bag and possession
limits or alconry are listed on page 23.
Legal alconry hours or waterowl hunting are
30 minutes beore ocial sunrise until ocial sunset.
Closed areasUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-30
Unless you have prior permission rom the
Division, you may visit state waterowl management
areas (WMAs) only during the hunting season or or
other activities or which the WMAs have been posted
open. While youre on a WMA, you may not partici-
pate in activities that are prohibited on the WMA.
In addition to the rules above, the ollowing
areas are closed to the taking, hunting, shooting at
or rallying o waterowl, snipe or coot:Browns Park WMAthe part adjacent to the
headquarters.
Clear Lake WMASpring Lake.
Desert Lake WMAthe part known as
"Desert Lake."
Farmington Bay WMAthe headquarters and
learning center area; within 600 eet o dikes
and roads accessible by motorized vehicles;and the waterowl rest area in the northwest
quarter o Unit 1 as posted.
Goshen Warm Springs WMA
Ogden Bay WMAthe headquarters area.
Public Shooting Grounds WMAthe part that
lies above and adjacent to the Hull Lake Diver-
sion Dike known as "Duck Lake."
Salt Creek WMAthe part known as "RestLake."
State ParksHunting o any wildlie is
prohibited within the boundaries o all state
park areas except those designated open (Utah
Admin. Rule R651-614-4).
Great Salt Lake Marina and adjacent areas as
posted.
Millard CountyGunnison Bend Reservoir
and the infow upstream to the Southerland
Bridge.
Salt Lake International AirportHunting and
shooting is prohibited. Hunting or shooting on
the airport or its related or controlled proper-
ties is not allowed without the express, prior
baited. An area is considered to be a baited area or
10 days ater the bait has been completely eaten or
removed rom the area.
You may not take waterowl or coots on or
over lands or areas where grain or other eed has
been distributed or scattered as the result o the
manipulation o an agricultural crop or other eed onthe land where grown. However, you may take snipe
on or over these areas.
Nothing in this guidebook prohibits you rom
harvesting waterowl or coots on land with residual
crops or eed let as a result o normal agricultural
practices.
You also may take waterowl, snipe and coots on
or over the ollowing lands or areas, as long as these
areas have not been baited:
Standing crops or fooded standing crops
(including aquatics); standing, fooded or
manipulated natural vegetation; fooded
harvested croplands; or lands or areas where
seeds or grains have been scattered solely as
the result o a normal agricultural planting,
harvesting, post-harvest manipulation (or
example, a armer working his land aterthe harvest is over) or normal soil stabiliza-
tion practice (or example, a armer planting
a cover crop to protect the soil during the
winter);
From a blind or other place o concealment
camoufaged with natural vegetation;
From a blind or other place o concealment
camoufaged with vegetation rom agriculturalcrops, as long as such camoufaging does not
result in the exposing, depositing, distributing
or scattering o grain or other eed; or
Standing or fooded standing agricultural
crops where grain is inadvertently scattered
solely as a result o a hunter entering or exiting
a hunting area, placing decoys or retrieving
downed birds.
FalconryUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-32
I you are interested in hunting waterowl or
coots with a alcon, you must obtain a hunting or
combination license, a HIP number, a ederal migra-
tory game bird stamp and a alconry certicate o
registration (COR).
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property lines, and on roads, gates and rights-o-way
entering the land. I metal ence posts are used, the
entire exterior side must be painted.
You may not post private property you do not
own or legally control or land that is open to the
public as provided by Utah Code 23-21-4. In addi-
tion, it is unlawul to take protected wildlie or theirparts while trespassing in violation o Utah Code
23-20-14.
You are guilty o a class B misdemeanor i you
violate any provision described in this section.
Your license, tag or permit privileges may also be
suspended.
Possession andtransportation
Once youve taken a migratory game bird, several
rules apply to the use o the game youve taken.
During closed season50 CFR 20.32 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-17
You may not possess any reshly killed migratory
game birds when the hunting season is closed.
Live birds50 CFR 20.38 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-18
You may not possess or transport live migratory
game birds. You must immediately kill any migratory
game bird you wound and include it in your bag limit.
A hunting license does not give you author-
ity to possess live migratory game birds. More
inormation about the possession o live migratory
game birds is ound in Utah Admin. Rule R657-4 atwildlife.utah.gov/rules.
Waste o migratory gamebirds50 CFR 20.25, Utah Code 23-20-8 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-19
You may not waste any migratory game birds
or permit them to be wasted or spoiled. (Waste
means to abandon migratory game birds or to allowthem to spoil or be used in a manner not normally
associated with their benecial use. For example,
using the meat as ertilizer or or trapping bait is not
considered a benecial use.)
In addition, you may not kill or cripple any
migratory game bird without making a reasonable
eort to immediately retrieve it. Any migratory
written approval o the airport director (Salt
Lake City, UT, ORD. Sec. 16.12.325).
The ollowing areas are also closed to trespass o
any kind:
Clear Lake WMASpring Lake.
Desert Lake WMAthe part known as
"Desert Lake."Farmington Bay WMAthe waterowl
rest area in the northwest quarter o Unit 1 as
posted.
Goshen Warm Springs WMA
Public Shooting Grounds WMAthe part that
lies above and adjacent to the Hull Lake Diver-
sion Dike known as "Duck Lake."
Salt Creek WMAthe part known as
"Rest Lake."
TrespassingUtah Code 23-20-14 and 23-20-3.5
While taking wildlie or engaging in wildlie-re-
lated activities, you may not do any o the ollowing
activities:
Enter upon privately owned land that is
cultivated or properly posted without thepermission o the owner or the person in
charge o the land
Reuse to immediately leave the private land
i requested to do so by the owner or person
in charge
Obstruct any entrance or exit to private
property
"Cultivated land" is land that is readilyidentifiable as land whose soil is loosened or broken
up or the raising o crops, land used or the raising
o crops, or a pasture that is artificially irrigated.
"Permission" means written authorization rom
the owner or person in charge to enter upon private
land that is cultivated or properly posted. Permission
must include all o the ollowing details:
The signature o the owner or person in charge
The name o the person being given permission
The appropriate dates
A general description o the land
"Properly posted" means that "No Trespassing"
signsor a minimum o 100 square inches o bright
yellow, bright orange or fluorescent paintare
displayed at all corners, on fishing streams crossing
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Custody o another personsbirds50 CFR 20.37 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-23
You may not receive or have in your custody
migratory game birds that belong to another person
unless the birds have been tagged in the manner
described in the Tagging requirement section in theadjacent column.
Species identifcationrequirement50 CFR 20.43 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-24
You may not transport migratory game birds
within the United States unless the head or one
ully eathered wing remains attached to each bird
while youre transporting them to your home or toa migratory bird preservation acility (i.e., a acility
where birds are taken to be cleaned and prepared or
the table).
Marking package orcontainer50 CFR 20.44 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-25
You may not transport migratory game birds,
by the Postal Service or a common carrier, unless
all o the ollowing items are clearly marked on the
outside o the package or container:
Your name and address
The name and address o the recipient
The number and the species o the birds
contained in the package
A Utah shipping permit must accompany each
migratory game bird package that is shipped withinor rom Utah. Shipping permits are available rom
the Division.
Migratory birdpreservation acilities50 CFR 20.82 and 20.83 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-26
No migratory bird preservation acility (see de-
nition on page 42) shall receive or have in custody
any migratory game bird unless accurate records
are maintained that can identiy who each bird was
received rom and can show all o the ollowing
inormation:
The number o each species
The location where they were taken
The date the birds were received
game bird that you wound must be immediately
killed and included in your bag limit.
Termination o possession50 CFR 20.39 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-20
Birds that you have taken are no longer in your
possession once youve delivered the birds to another
person as a git, or once youve taken the birds to amigratory bird preservation acility (i.e., a acility
where birds are taken to be cleaned and prepared or
the table) or to a post oce or common carrier and
consigned them or transport to a person other than
yoursel.
Tagging requirement50 CFR 20.36 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-21
I you leave your birds in the custody o another
person or picking, cleaning, processing, ship-
ping, transporting or storing, including temporary
storage, or at a location to have taxidermy services
perormed, you must tag the birds. You must sign the
tag, and it must include your address and Utah hunt-
ing license number, the total number and species o
birds taken and the date the birds were killed.
I youre transporting migratory game birds thatyouve taken, the birds are not considered to be in
storage or temporary storage, and you dont need to
have a tag on them at that time.
Giving birds to someone else50 CFR 20.40, Utah Code 23-20-9 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-22
You can give the waterowl youve taken to
another person, but please remember the ollowing:
I you give birds to someone at any location,
you must tag the birds. The tag must include
your address and Utah hunting license number,
the total number and species o birds youre
donating, the date the birds were killed and
the date the birds were donated. You must also
sign the tag.
I you accept birds rom another hunter, those
birds become part o your possession limit. Forexample, i you have 10 ducks at home in your
reezer, and you accept 4 ducks rom another
hunter, you now have 14 ducks in your posses-
sion. Thats the maximum number o ducks you
can have in your possession in Utah. Youll have
to eat some o those ducks beore you can go
hunting and take more.
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You should expect to encounter conservation ocers
and biologists checking hunters in the marsh and at
checkpoints.
I youre contacted by a conservation ocer, you
must provide the ocer with the items he or she
requests, including any licenses and permits required
or hunting, any devices used to participate in hunt-ing and any birds youve taken. These contacts allow
the Division to collect valuable inormation about
Utahs waterowl populations.
Special regulations ornational wildlie reugesUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-30
More than 500 reuges across the nation and
the U.S. territories are included in the U.S. Fish and
Wildlie Services National Wildlie Reuge System.
Three o those reugesBear River, Fish Springs
and Ourayare located in Utah, and the ollowing
regulations apply to all.
Current state and ederal regulations apply
or season dates, shooting hours, and bag and
possession limits.
Hunters may possess and use only approved
nontoxic shot while in the eld.
Hunters may not enter closed areas to retrieve
birds. Thereore, allow enough room between
the closed area boundary and where youre
hunting to retrieve your birds.
Camping is not permitted on the reuges.
Prohibited activities include wood cutting and
gathering, littering, disturbing or remov-ing plants or natural objects, and removing
artiacts o antiquity. Shell casings and
ammunition boxes are litter. Failure to make a
reasonable eort to retrieve litter could result
in a citation.
The ollowing is specic inormation and regula-
tions or each o the ederal reuges in Utah:
Bear River50 CFR 32.64 and 27.21
Hunters may not shoot or hunt within 100
yards o principal reuge roads (tour route).
Hunters may not use pits or permanent blinds.
The building o a temporary blind made o
The name and address o the person rom
whom the birds were received
The date the birds were disposed o
The name and address o the person to whom
the birds were delivered
In addition, migratory bird preservation acilities
may not destroy any records they are required tomaintain under this section or a period o one year
ollowing the last entry on record.
Record keeping as required by this section is not
necessary at hunting clubs that do not ully process
migratory birds by removing their head and wings.
No migratory bird preservation acility may
prevent any person authorized to enorce this part
rom entering their acilities at all reasonable hours
and inspecting the records and the premises where
bird-processing operations are being carried out.
ImportationFor inormation regarding the importation
o migratory game birds youve harvested in
another country, please see 50 CFR 20.61 and
20.62, and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-29, at
wildlife.utah.gov/rules.
Bag limits50 CFR 20.11 and 20.24 and Utah Admin. Rule R657-9-29
Federal bag and possession limits apply to
migratory game bird hunting, regardless o the
number o states or provinces you may have hunted
in during your trip. For example, i you hunt ducks in
two states, the total number o ducks you take can-
not exceed a single ederal bag and possession limit(e.g., i the ederal bag limit is 7 ducks, and you take
5 ducks in one state and then travel to another state
and hunt the same day, you can take only 2 ducks in
the second state.)
Checkpoints and ocercontactsUtah Code 23-20-25 and 77-23-104
To help the Division ulll its responsibility as
trustee and custodian o Utahs wildlie, Division
conservation ocers and biologists monitor the
taking and possession o waterowl and the required
permits, rearms and equipment used or hunting.
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natural material is permitted, but is not al-
lowed prior to the opening day.
Airboats are permitted only in Unit 9 and Block
C o the reuge.
O-highway vehicles are not permitted on the
Bear River Migratory Bird Reuge.
Hunters may enter the reuge two hours beorelegal sunrise and must exit the reuge by two
hours ater legal sunset. The reuge prohibits
leaving decoys, boats, vehicles and other
personal property on the reuge overnight.
Hunters may only park in designated parking
sites.
Any hunters entering, using or occupying the
reuge or waterowl hunting must abide by
all the terms and conditions in the Reuge
Hunting Brochure. The brochure is available at
www.fws.gov/bearriver.
When hunters are in their vehicles, at parking
lots or traveling on reuge roads, all rearms
must be completely unloaded (including
magazines) and cased or dismantled.
Hunters may possess only 10 shells while hunt-
ing on or within 50 eet rom the center o thedikes on Unit 1A or 2C.
A portion o the Bear River Reuge will be
open or the youth waterowl hunt on Sept.
17, 2011.
Archery hunting is not allowed on the reuge.
Predator and snipe hunting are not allowed on
the reuge.
For more inormation, call the reuge manager at435-723-5887.
Fish Springs50 CFR 32.64
The reuge allows the hunting o ducks, coots
and geese in designated areas.
All waterowl hunters must register individu-
ally at the visitor inormation station beore
entering the open hunting area and beoreexiting the reuge.
Hunters may only possess rearms legally used
to hunt waterowl unless the rearm is cased
or dismantled.
Hunters may construct nonpermanent blinds,
but must remove all blinds constructed out o
materials other than vegetation at the end o
the hunting day.
The reuge provides a Special Blind Area or use
by the disabled. The reuge prohibits trespass
or any reason by any individual not registered
to utilize the area.
The reuge allows the use o small boats, 15eet or less, but does not allow gasoline motors
and air boats.
Hunters may enter the reuge two hours beore
sunrise, and must exit the reuge by 1 hours
ater sunset. Hunters may not leave decoys,
boats, vehicles and other personal property on
the reuge overnight.
The reuge will be open or the youth water-
owl hunt on Sept. 17, 2011.
For more inormation, call the reuge manager at
435-831-5353.
OurayLeota Bottom is the only area on the Ouray
reuge open to duck, goose and coot hunting.
Access into Leota Bottom is limited to oot,
bike, canoe, rowboat or electric motorizedboats. Gas-powered boats are not permitted.
All rearms must be unloaded, cased or
dismantled and must remain in the vehicle in
the closed hunting areas o the reuge.
The reuge will be open or the youth water-
owl hunt on Sept. 17, 2011.
Snipe and swan hunting are not allowed on
the reuge.The use o pits and permanent blinds is not
allowed. The building o a temporary blind
made o natural material is permitted, but is
not allowed prior to opening day.
For more inormation, call the reuge manager at
435-789-0351.
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Common snipeDates: Oct. 1, 2011Jan. 14, 2012 statewide.
Bag and possession limits: The daily bag limit is8, and the possession limit is 16.
Ducks, mergansers andcootsDates: Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day) andOct. 1, 2011Jan. 14, 2012 statewide (except or
scaup, which you can hunt Oct. 1Dec. 24, 2011).
Bag and possession limits: All bag and posses-sion limits are listed below:
Ducks and mergansers7 daily (except no
more than 1 canvasback, no more than 2 hen
mallards, no more than 2 pintails, no more
than 2 redheads and no more than 3 scaup).
The possession limit is twice the daily bag limit.
Coots25 daily or in possession.
FalconryCommon snipe: Oct. 1, 2011Jan. 14, 2012statewide.
Ducks, mergansers and coots: Sept. 17, 2011(or Youth Hunting Day) and Oct. 1, 2011Jan. 14,
2012 statewide.Dark geese (inside the North Goose Zone):Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day) and Oct. 1,2011Jan. 14, 2012.
Dark geese (outside the North Goose Zone):Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day), Oct. 113,2011 and Oct. 29, 2011Jan. 29, 2012.
Light geese (inside the North Goose Zone):
Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day), Oct. 22,2011Jan. 14, 2012 and Feb. 18March 10, 2012
Light geese (outside the North Goose Zone):Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day), Oct. 14,2011Jan. 14, 2012 and March 110, 2012.
Note: The Bear River, Fish Springs and Ouraynational wildlie reuges and the Browns Park,
SEASON DATES AND BAG AND POSSESSIONLIMITSUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-31
Desert Lake, Farmington Bay, Harold S. Crane,Howard Slough, Locomotive Springs and Ogden Bay
waterowl management areas will be closed to lightgoose hunting rom Feb. 18March 10, 2012.
Falconry bag and possession limits or com-mon snipe, ducks, geese and coots: The dailybag limit is 3 birds. The possession limit is 6 (singly orin combination).
North Goose Zone boundary: See page 25.
Youth Hunting DayUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-29
Hunters 15 years old or younger will have
the marshes to themselves on Sept. 17, 2011
as Utah holds its annual Youth Hunting Day.
To hunt on Youth Hunting Day, you must
be 15 years old or younger. You must also have
a Utah hunting, combination or three-day
nonresident small-game license, and a HIPregistration number.
Adults must accompany youth hunters.
Please see page 6 o this guide or more inor-
mation about the requirements adults must
meet to accompany a youth in the eld.
The shooting hours on Youth Hunting
Day are rom 30 minutes beore sunrise until
sunset. This means that on Sept. 17, youth canhunt rom 6:40 a.m. until 7:33 p.m.
The bag limits or Youth Hunting Day are
as ollows:
Ducks and mergansers: 7 birds (except no
more than 1 canvasback, no more than 2
hen mallards, no more than 2 pintails, no
more than 2 redheads and no more than
3 scaup).
Coots: 25 birds
Light geese (snow, blue and Ross): 10
birds
Dark geese (cackling, Canada, white-
ronted and brant): 3 birds
Common snipe and swan: Closed or
youth hunt
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waterowl management areas will be closed to lightgoose hunting rom Feb. 18March 10, 2012.
North Goose Zone boundary: See page 25.
Bag and possession limits: Dark geese (cackling,Canada, white-ronted, brant)3 per day, 6 inpossession; Light geese (snow, blue, Ross)10 perday, 20 in possession.
RailsNo open season.
GeeseDark geese (inside the North Goose Zone):Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day) and Oct. 1,
2011Jan. 14, 2012.Dark geese (outside the North Goose Zone):Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day), Oct. 113,2011 and Oct. 29, 2011Jan. 29, 2012.
Light geese (inside the North Goose Zone):
Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day), Oct. 22,2011Jan. 14, 2012 and Feb. 18March 10, 2012.
Light geese (outside the North Goose Zone):Sept. 17, 2011 (or Youth Hunting Day), Oct. 14,2011Jan. 14, 2012 and March 110, 2012.
Note: The Bear River, Fish Springs and Ouraynational wildlie reuges and the Browns Park,Desert Lake, Farmington Bay, Harold S. Crane,Howard Slough, Locomotive Springs and Ogden Bay
Mercury and ducksBecause o elevated mercury levels in three
duck speciescinnamon teal, Northern shov-
eler and common goldeneyehunters should
eat them only on a limited basis. You can read
the latest consumption advisories or these
species at waterfowladvisories.utah.gov.
Cinnamon teal
Northern shoveler
Allphotos,U.S.F
ishandWildlifeService
Common goldeneye
Show courtesy duringgoose hunt
The extended light goose hunt (outside the
northern zone) occurs in early March, mostly
on private lands.
I you want to hunt light geeseor anyother waterowlon private property, you
mustobtain written permission rom the
landowner beore you can hunt.
Ideally, you should obtain this permis-
sion weeks, or even months, beore the hunt
begins. I youre knocking on a landowners
door ater the hunt has started, youve waited
too long.
To download a Landowner/Hunter permis-
sion card, visitgo.usa.gov/cEf.
I a landowner denies you permission,
accept the decision calmly and try contacting
someone else.
The long-term success o the extended light
goose hunt depends on hunters respecting
landowners and their properties. You can do
your part by obtaining permission, packing outyour trash and remaining courteous to anyone
you encounter.
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Area open to swan hunting: Boundary begins inSalt Lake City at I-80 and I-15; north on I-15 to Exit363 (Forest Street); west on this street to the BearRiver Migratory Bird Reuge northern boundary;
west along this northern boundary to the north andmost western corner o the reuge at latitude 41.53decimal degrees (NAD 83 datum); west cross countryon this latitude to the East Promontory Road; northon this road to SR-83; north on SR-83 to I-84; weston I-84 to SR-30; southwest on SR-30 to the Nevada-Utah state line; south on this state line to I-80; easton I-80 to I-15.
Swan (holders o swanpermits only)Dates: Oct. 1Dec. 11, 2011, unless the Divisions
monitoring program indicates that 10 trumpeterswans have been taken. I 10 or more trumpeterswans are taken, the season will be closed earlierthan Dec. 11.
Bag and possession limit: The holder o a swanpermit may take and possess only one swan duringthe 2011 season.
20112012 North Goose Zone boundaryBoundary begins at the Weber-Box Elder county line at I-15; north on I-15 to the Perry access road;
southwest on this road to the Bear River Migratory Bird Reuge southern boundary; west and north on
this southern boundary to the north and most western corner o the reuge at latitude 41.53 decimal
degrees (NAD 83 datum); west cross-country on this latitude to the East Promontory Road; north on this
road to Golden Spike Drive; west on this drive to the Salt Wells Flat county road; west on this road to the
Locomotive Springs-Snowville-Stone, Idaho county road; north on this road to the Utah-Idaho state line;
east on this state line to Utah-Wyoming state line; south on this state line to the Summit-Rich county line;
west on this county line to the Rich-Morgan county line; northwest on this county line to the Rich-Weber
county line; west on this county line to the Weber-Cache county line; west on this county line to the
Weber-Box Elder county line; west on this county line to I-15.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources makes no warranty with respect to the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of thedata. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources assumes no liability for direct, indirect, special, or consequential damages result-ing from the use or misuse of this data or any of the information contained herein.
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ATSA
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C A C H E C O U N T Y
R I C H C O U N T Y
MORG
ANCO
UNTY
W E B E R C O U N T Y
Brigham City
Tremonton
Logan
Randolph
Woodru
Ogden
Layton
Salt Creek
WMA
BEAR
LAKE
I D A H O
W
Y
O
M
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N
G
N OR
TH
GO
OS
E Z
ON
E
NORTH
B O
X E L D E R C O U N T Y
Snowville
Locomotive
Springs WMA
Bear River
Migratory Bird Refuge
Public Shooting
Grounds WMA
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16 7:10 AM 6:46 PM : 5 n ^ u M
17 7:11 AM 6:44 PM : 5 n ^ u M
18 7:12 AM 6:43 PM : 5 n ^ u M
19 7:13 AM 6:41 PM : 5 n ^ u M
20 7:14 AM 6:40 PM : 5 n ^ u M
21 7:15 AM 6:39 PM : 5 n ^ u M
22 7:16 AM 6:37 PM : 5 n ^ u s M
23 7:17 AM 6:36 PM : 5 n ^ u s M
24 7:18 AM 6:34 PM : 5 n ^ u s M
25 7:20 AM 6:33 PM : 5 n ^ u s M
26 7:21 AM 6:32 PM : 5 n ^ u s M
27 7:22 AM 6:30 PM : 5 n ^ u s M
28 7:23 AM 6:29 PM : 5 n ^ u s M
29 7:24 AM 6:28 PM : 5 n ^ u l s M
30 7:25 AM 6:26 PM : 5 n ^ u l s M
31 7:27 AM 6:25 PM : 5 n ^ u l s M
SHOOTING HOURSUtah Admin. Rule R657-9-31
Hunters may take waterowl, snipe and coots
during the shooting hours listed below, except on
October 1 in Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Salt
Lake and Weber counties, when the legal
shooting hours are 7:30 a.m. to sunset.Utahs annual Youth Hunting Day will take
place on Sept. 17, 2011. For details, please see the
inormation box on page 23.
Legal shooting times may dier slightly, depend-
ing on the area o the state where youre hunting.
Consult the time zone map to learn the dierences.
Hunters may not take wildlie or discharge any
rearm or archery tackle on state-owned lands ad-
jacent to the Great Salt Lake, on Division-controlled
waterowl management areas or on ederal reuges
between ocial sunset and 30 minutes beore
ocial sunrise.
Time zone map
GRAND
BOX ELDER
TOOELE
JUAB
MILLARD
BEAVER
CACHE
WEBER
MORG
AN
DAVIS
SALT
LAKE
UTAH
SANPETE
SEVIER
SUMMIT
WASATCH
DAGGETT
CARBON
EMERY
PIUTE WAYNE
SAN JUAN
GARFIELD
KANE
IRON
WASHINGTON
RICH
UINTAH
DUCHESNE
+ 5 MIN. -0- -5 MIN. -10 MIN.
Colored symbols represent species that may be hunted on the dates listed.
:Common Snipe5Ducks (except scaup), mergansers, cootsn
Scaup^Swan
uDark geese (inside the North Goose Zone)lDark geese (outside the North Goose Zone)s
Light geese (inside the North Goose Zone)MLight geese (outside the North Goose Zone)
October 2011
Date Begins Ends
1 7:30 AM* 7:10 PM : 5 n ^ u l
2 6:55 AM 7:08 PM : 5 n ^ u l
3 6:56 AM 7:07 PM : 5 n ^ u l
4 6:57 AM 7:05 PM : 5 n ^ u l
5 6:58 AM 7:03 PM : 5 n ^ u l
6 6:59 AM 7:02 PM : 5 n ^ u l
7 7:00 AM 7:00 PM : 5 n ^ u l
8 7:01 AM 6:58 PM : 5 n ^ u l
9 7:02 AM 6:57 PM : 5 n ^ u l
10 7:03 AM 6:55 PM : 5 n ^ u l
11 7:04 AM 6:54 PM : 5 n ^ u l
12 7:05 AM 6:52 PM : 5 n ^ u l
13 7:06 AM 6:51 PM : 5