07-12-2021, 10:14 PM
(07-08-2021, 04:14 PM)wiperhunter2 Wrote: You are receiving this email because you drew a permit to hunt during Utah’s 2021 big game or antlerless seasons. We want you to be aware of a new law that’s now in effect and may require a change in hunting methods for some hunters this fall.
[font="Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]HB 295, which passed during the 2021 Utah legislative session, 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.
Hunters who violate the new baiting law could see criminal charges ranging from a class B misdemeanor to a third-degree felony, and possibly the suspension of hunting privileges.
In a nutshell, baiting big game is illegal if your intentions are to lure an animal to an area to hunt or harvest it. Please take some time to read and understand the law before you head out on your hunt this year. If you have additional questions, check out our frequently asked questions page or read our recent news release about the new law.
[/font]Got the same email. My thoughts are unless someone is pretty stupid and "baits" next to the road, how will they enforce this? Already have too few CO's. Guess if other hunters find baits for big game they can turn them in. I've never been a guy who wants to shoot a buck over a pile of apples. But i never had an issue with folks who do. I guess i don't see a lot of difference in staking out a spring with a tree stand or blind and shooting one coming for a drink. I'd like to see Utah ban trail cams every August 1. Use them from January through July and then pull them. Unfair advantage when you know when every buck is and can even report direct to your smart phone. But where's the line? Carbon arrows? Expandable broadheads? Long range rifles? range finders? Optics? Radios? We have become very proficient at killing stuff. A far cry from a wood arrow and recurve or an old open sight .30.30