§ 23A-5-314 — Waste of wildlife unlawful -- Criminal penalty.

(1) A person may not waste or permit to be wasted protected wildlife or a part of protected wildlife except as otherwise provided:
(1)(a) in this title;
(1)(b) by rule made by the Wildlife Board under this title and in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; or
(1)(c) by an order or proclamation.
(2) A person who violates this section is subject to the penalty provided in Section 23A-5-301 except as provided in Subsection (3).
(3) (3)(a) A licensed hunter who legally kills a big game animal, but abandons the big game animal is subject to a class A misdemeanor.
(3)(b) A big game animal is considered abandoned if the licensed hunter acts knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly, and:
(3)(b)(i) the big game animal is not tagged as required by Section 23A-4-709;
(3)(b)(ii) the big game animal is wasted;
(3)(b)(iii) the licensed hunter continues to hunt the same species while exercising the benefits of the issued tag; or
(3)(b)(iv) no attempt or minimal attempt is made to salvage the big game animal.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 347, 2024 General Session