The Division of Wildlife Resources is making proposals in fulfillment of 2021 legislation concerning the use of trail cameras in hunting. HB 295 instructed the Utah Wildlife Board to make rules to govern the use of trail cameras and as a result the DWR surveyed 6000 hunters to get their feedback. 62 percent of the public opposed trail cameras that transmit images and footage in real time. After consideration, the DWR proposes to prohibit the use of transmitting trail cameras to attempt to locate big game between July 31st and January 31st. The DWR is also proposing to prohibit the sale, distribution or storage of any footage that was used to help in the harvest of any big game animals. This new rule would not apply to private landowners who are monitoring their property for trespass or active agricultural operations. Another proposed change is to not allow any night-vision device to locate or attempt to locate a big game animal. “We feel that these new rule changes are in line with much of the public feedback that we received during our surveys, and that it will also help maintain a more sportsmanlike and ‘fair chase’ approach to hunting in Utah,” stated DWR Big Game Coordinator Covy Jones. Find more information at wildlife.utah.gov.
