Utah Admin. Code R657-53-9 - Determination of Prohibited Species; Establishing Daily Limits and Total Possession Limits for Controlled Species

(1)

(a) A species of the Order Squamata (snakes and lizards) is classified as a prohibited species if:

(i) it is venomous;

(ii) not native to Utah; and

(iii) a bite from which may cause substantial physical injury to humans ordinarily requiring medical treatment.

(b) Species of the Order Crocodilia (crocodiles, gharials, caimans, and alligators) are classified as prohibited.

(c) The division may classify any species of reptile or amphibian as prohibited if take from the wild or introduction into the wild poses a significant detrimental impact to wildlife populations or their habitat and publish them in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for amphibians and reptiles.

(d) Any amphibian or reptile listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as endangered or threatened pursuant to the federal Endangered Species Act shall have a zero daily and total possession limit, except:

(i) the division may issue a wildlife document authorizing the collection, importation, possession, or propagation of a threatened or endangered species under the criteria set forth in this rule where the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a permit or otherwise authorized the particular activity; and

(ii) A person may import, possess, transfer, or propagate captive-bred eastern indigo snakes (Drymarchon couperi) without a certificate of registration where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued a permit or otherwise authorized the particular activity.

(2) The division may consider the following factors in establishing recommended daily limits, total possession limits, collection permit numbers, and collection permit boundaries for controlled species to the Wildlife Board for approval:

(a) prevalence and distribution of the species;

(b) anticipated number of persons participating in the program;

(c) harvest success rates;

(d) population trends and related conservation data for the species;

(e) human safety concerns posed by collection and possession of the species; and

(f) other relevant social, biological, and political concerns.

(3)

(a) The division may establish a harvest objective for each species, which is the total number of specimens per species may be collected from the wild each year and close an area or region.

(b) If an established harvest objective for a particular species is reached, collection in that area or region is closed for the remainder of the collection season and removing additional specimens of that species from the wild is prohibited.

(c) The division will identify harvest objective species and numbers in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for amphibians and reptiles and publish harvest objective criteria on their website.

(d) Individuals collecting amphibians or reptiles having an established harvest objective are responsible for verifying that collection remains open.

Notes

Utah Admin. Code R657-53-9

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-02, effective 1/1/2020