The Division of Wildlife Resources is getting the word out on two laws passed in the Utah legislative session that will soon have impacts on some hunters and anglers. First is HB295 that went into effect on May 5th. “This law restricts the baiting of big game animals (like deer and elk) when hunting in Utah. In the new law, ‘bait’ is defined as intentionally placing food or nutrient substances — including salt or other mineral blocks — to manipulate the behavior of wildlife for the purpose of hunting or attempting to harvest big game.” The second new law is HB197 which prohibits anyone who is more than $2,500 dollars behind on child support from having a fishing or hunting license. “We want individuals to be aware that this law is going into effect July 1st and want them to start making plans now so they are not caught off guard when they try to buy a hunting or fishing license, or obtain upcoming hunting season permits. The legislature did postpone implementing this for a year to give people in arrears the opportunity to rectify it.”
