NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE
TYPE OF FILING: Amendment
1. Agency Information
Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources
Salt Lake City, UT 84414-6301
2. Contact Persons
Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.
3. General Information
A. Rule or section catchline:
R657-12. Hunting and Fishing Accommodations for People with Disabilities
B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:
This rule is being amended pursuant to Regional Advisory Council and Wildlife Board meetings conducted annually for taking public input and reviewing the Division of Wildlife Resources' (DWR) rules pursuant to regulating the accommodations for people with disabilities.
C. Summary of the new rule or change:
The amendments to this rule:
1) update verification requirements in alignment with HB 111, passed in the 2026 General Session, allowing statements to be signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner;
2) allow Certificates of Registration to be valid for five years before applying for a renewal;
3) expand qualifications for companion-hunting certificates of registration;
4) remove upper-extremity disability from the definition for a season extension;
5) limit season extensions on seasons that are longer than 21 days in length;
6) clarify the eligibility requirements for general season extensions;
7) update the definition of "Armed Forces" to include Space Force; and
8) make corrections as needed.
4. Legislative Action Information
A. Are any changes in this filing because of state legislative action?
Changes are because of legislative action.
B. If yes, any bill number and session:
HB 111 (2026 General Session)
5. Fiscal Information
Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:
The amendments to Rule R657-12 are administrative in nature, the DWR has determined that these changes can be initiated within the current workload and resources of the DWR, therefore, the DWR does not believe that these amendments would create a cost or savings impact to the state budget or the DWR's budget since the changes will not increase workload and can be carried out with existing budget.
Local governments are not directly or indirectly impacted by these proposed amendments because this rule does not create a situation requiring services from local governments.
C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):
The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact small businesses because a service is not required of them.
D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):
The proposed rule amendments will not directly impact non-small businesses because a service is not required of them.
E. Persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities ("person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency):
The proposed rule amendments do not have the potential to impact other persons that possess or release pen-reared birds in Utah, nor is a service required of them.
F. Compliance costs for affected persons:
DWR has determined that this amendment may not create additional costs for those qualifying individuals wishing to receive a season extension or companion hunting Certificate of Registration.
6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table
Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable."
7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval
After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that this proposed rule amendment will not result in a measurable fiscal impact to businesses.
The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, Jamie Barnes, has reviewed and approved this fiscal analysis.
8. Family Impact Information
A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and formation:
9. Citation Information
Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement:
11. Public Notice Information
The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.
A. Comments will be accepted until:
12. Effective Date Information
This rule change MAY become effective on:
(NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date)
13. Agency Authorization Information
Agency head or
designee and title:
R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.
R657-12. Hunting and Fishing Accommodations for People With Disabilities.
R657-12-1. Purpose and Authority.
Under authority of Sections 23A-2-305, 23A[d]-4-201, 23A-4-305, 23A-5-315 and 63G-3-201, this rule provides the standards and procedures for a person with disabilities to: (1) obtain a certificate of registration for taking wildlife from a vehicle;
(2) obtain a fishing license as authorized under Subsection 23A-4-305 (1); (3) obtain a certificate of registration to participate in companion hunting;
(4) obtain a certificate of registration to receive a limited entry season extension;
(5) obtain a certificate of registration to receive a general deer[ or], elk and wild turkey season extension; (6) obtain a certificate of registration to hunt with a crossbow or draw-lock;[ or] (7) obtain a certificate of registration to use telescopic sights on a weapon when otherwise prohibited[.]; or (8) obtain a discounted license for Veterans with Disabilities. R657-12-2. Definitions.
(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23A-1-101.
(2) In addition:
[(a](a) "Armed Forces" means the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force including the reserve components thereof and the Army and Air National Guard of the United States. (b) "Blind" means the person: (i) has no more than 20/200 visual acuity in the better eye when corrected; or
(ii) has, in the case of better than 20/200 central vision, a restriction of the field of vision in the better eye which subtends an angle of the field of vision no greater than 20 degrees.
([b]c) "Crutches" means a staff or support designed to fit under or attach to each arm, including a walker, which improve a person's mobility that is otherwise severely restricted by a permanent physical injury or disability. ([c]d) "Draw-lock" means a mechanical device used to hold and support the draw weight of a conventional or compound bow at any increment of draw until released by the archer using a trigger mechanism attached to the device. ([d]e) "Loss of either or both lower extremities" means the permanent loss of use or the physical loss of one or both legs or a part of either or both legs which severely impedes a person's mobility. [(e](f) "Service-connected disability" means injury or illness incurred or aggravated: (i) while in Armed Forces services; and (ii) that is recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or by a branch of the Armed Forces. (g) "Telescopic sights" means an optical or electronic sighting system that magnifies the natural field of vision beyond 1X and is used to aim a firearm, bow or crossbow. ([f]h) "Upper extremity disabled" means a person who has a permanent physical impairment due to injury or disease, congenital or acquired, which renders the person so severely disabled as to be physically unable to use any legal hunting weapon or fishing device. (i) "Verification of Service-Connected Disability" means an official written letter, statement, or card issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs or by a branch of the Armed Forces certifying that the person has a service-connected disability with a disability rating of 20% or higher. R657-12-3. Certificate of Registration Application. (1)(a) A person may apply for a Certificate of Registration by submitting an application along with a medical statement verifying that the applicant meets the qualified disability under Section R657-12-1 pertaining to the Certificate of Registration they are applying for. (b) The medical statement must be signed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. (c) Issued Certificates of Registration may remain valid for five years, at which point the applicant may apply for renewal. R657-12-3.5. Providing Evidence of Disability for Obtaining a Fishing License. (1) A resident may receive a free fishing license under Subsection 23A-4-305 (1) by providing evidence the person is blind, paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or who has lost either or both lower extremities. (2) A person may obtain this license at any division office.
(3) The division shall accept the following as evidence of disability:
(a) obvious physical impediment;
(b) use of any mobility device described in Subsection R657-12-2([b]d); (c) a signed statement by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner verifying the person is blind[ as defined under Subsection R657-12-2(a);]; or (d) a signed statement by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner verifying the person is paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or has lost either or both lower extremities.
R657-12-4. Obtaining Authorization to Hunt from a Vehicle.
[(1) A person](1) Pursuant to Sections R657-12-1 and R657-12-2, an individual who is paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or who has lost either or both lower extremities, [and who possesses a valid license or permit to hunt protected wildlife may receive]may apply for a certificate of registration to take protected wildlife from a vehicle pursuant to Section 23A-5-315. [(2)(a) Applicants for the certificate of registration must provide evidence of disability as provided in Subsections R657-12-3(3)(a), (b), or (d). (b) Certificates of registration may be renewed annually. (3](2) Wildlife may be taken from a vehicle under the following conditions: (a) Only those persons with a valid hunting license or permit and a certificate of registration allowing them to hunt from a vehicle may discharge a firearm or bow from, within, or upon any motorized terrestrial vehicle;(b) Shooting from a vehicle on or across any established roadway is prohibited;
(c)(i) Firearms must be carried in an unloaded condition, and a round may not be placed in the firearm until the act of firing begins[, except as authorized in Title 53, Chapter 5, Part 7 of the Utah Code; and]; (ii) Arrows must remain in the quiver until the act of shooting begins; and
(d) Certificate of registration holders must be accompanied by, and hunt with, a person who is physically capable of assisting the certificate of registration holder in recovering wildlife.
([4]3) Certificate holders must comply with all other laws and rules pertaining to hunting wildlife, including state, federal, and local laws regulating or restricting the use of motorized vehicles. R657-12-5. Companion Hunting and Fishing.
(1) [A person may take protected wildlife for a person]Pursuant to Sections R657-12-1 and R657-12-2, an individual who is blind, has an upper extremity disability which renders the person so severely disabled as to be physically unable to use any legal hunting weapon or fishing device, or is quadriplegic may apply for a Certificate of Registration for companion hunting and fishing from a division office. This certificate authorizes a companion to take protected wildlife on behalf of the applicant, provided the [blind, upper extremity disabled or quadriplegic person]applicant: (a) [satisfies]complies with the hunter education requirements [as provided]set forth in Section 23A-4-1001 and Rule R657-23; (b) [possesses]holds the [appropriate]requisite license, permit and tag; (c) [obtains a]secures the Certificate of Registration from the division [authorizing]which grants the companion the authority to take protected wildlife for the [blind, upper extremity disabled or quadriplegic person]individual with the qualified disability; and (d) is accompanied by a companion who has [satisfied]fulfilled the hunter education requirements [provided]specified in Section 23A-4-1001 and Rule R657-23. [(2) A person who is blind may obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Division by submitting a signed statement by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician verifying that the applicant is blind as defined in Section R657-12-2(2)(a). (3)(a) A person who is upper extremity disabled or quadriplegic may obtain a Certificate of Registration from the division upon submitting evidence of the disability. (b) The division shall accept the following as evidence of an applicant's disability: (i) obvious physical disability demonstrating the applicant is quadriplegic or upper extremity disabled as defined in Section R657-12-2(2)(d); or (ii) a signed statement by a licensed physician verifying that the applicant is quadriplegic or upper extremity disabled as defined in Section R657-12-2(2)(d). (4](2) The hunting or fishing companion must be accompanied by the blind, upper extremity disabled or quadriplegic person at all times while hunting or fishing, at the time of take, and while transporting the protected wildlife. R657-12-6. Special Season Extension for Disabled Persons - Limited Entry Hunts.
(1) [A person may obtain a Certificate of Registration from a division office requesting]Pursuant to Sections R657-12-1 and R657-12-2, an [extension for any limited entry hunt, provided the person requesting the extension: (a) ]individual who is blind, quadriplegic[, upper extremity disabled], paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or who has lost either or both lower extremities[;] may obtain a Certificate of Registration from a division office requesting an extension for any limited entry hunt, provided the person requesting the extension: ([b]a) satisfies the hunter education requirements as provided in Section 23A-4-1001 and Rule R657-23; and ([c]b) obtains the appropriate license, permit, and tag. (2) The division shall not issue a Certificate of Registration for an extension on any limited entry hunt where the extension will violate federal law or if the season date of that hunt is more than 21 days. [(3) The division shall accept the following as evidence of disability: (a) obvious physical impediment; (b) use of any mobility device described in Section R657-12-2(2)(b); (c) a signed statement by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or a physician verifying the person is blind as defined under Section R657-12-2(2)(a); or (d) a signed statement by a licensed physician verifying the person is quadriplegic, upper extremity disabled as defined under Section R657-12-2(2)(d), paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or has lost either or both lower extremities. ](3) The extended limited entry season wild turkey season may occur up to seven days before the limited entry turkey hunt season as published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking Upland Game and Wild Turkey. R657-12-7. Special Season Extension for Disabled Persons - General Deer, Elk and Wild Turkey Hunts.
[(1) A person](1) Pursuant to Sections R657-12-1 and R657-12-2, an induvial who is blind, quadriplegic, paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or who has lost either or both lower extremities may obtain a Certificate of Registration from a division office to hunt an extended general deer, elk or wild turkey season as provided in Subsection (2), provided the person requesting the extension: [(a) is blind, quadriplegic, upper extremity disabled, paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or who has lost either or both lower extremities; (b](a) satisfies the hunter education requirements as provided in Section 23A-4-1001 and Rule R657-23; and ([c]b) obtains the appropriate license, permit and tag. (2)(a) The extended general deer season may include:
(i) a hunt immediately preceding [the]any general[ any weapon]-season buck deer season opening date published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game; [(A) the extension may not apply to general any weapon deer hunts with season length restrictions. ](b) The extended general spike bull elk season may occur five days after the general season spike bull elk hunt published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.(c) The extended general any bull elk season may occur concurrently with the general youth any bull elk hunt published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking big game.
(d) The extended general-season wild turkey season may occur [seven]five days [prior to]before the [limited entry]general season turkey hunt season as published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking Upland Game and Wild Turkey. [(3) The division shall accept the following as evidence of disability: (a) obvious physical impediment; (b) use of any mobility device described in Section R657-12-2(2)(b); (c) a signed statement by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or a physician verifying the person is blind as defined under Section R657-12-2(2)(a); or (d) a signed statement by a licensed physician verifying the person is quadriplegic, upper extremity disabled as defined under Section R657-12-2(2)(d), paraplegic, or otherwise permanently disabled so as to be permanently confined to a wheelchair or the use of crutches, or has lost either or both lower extremities. ]
R657-12-8. Crossbows and Draw-Locks.
[(1)(a) A person](1) Pursuant to Sections R657-12-1 and R657-12-1, an individual who has a permanent physical impairment due to injury or disease, congenital or acquired, which renders the person so severely disabled as to be unable to use conventional archery equipment may receive a certificate of registration to use a crossbow or draw-lock to hunt big game, cougar, bear, turkey, waterfowl, small game or carp during the respective archery, [any weapon hunting, ]or fishing seasons as provided in the applicable guidebooks of the Wildlife Board for taking protected wildlife. [(b) The division shall accept the following as evidence of eligibility to use a crossbow or draw-lock: (i) obvious physical disability, as provided in Subsection (1)(a), demonstrating the applicant is eligible to use a crossbow or draw-lock; or (ii) a physician's statement confirming the disability as defined in Subsection (1)(a). ](2[)(a]) Any crossbow used to hunt big game, cougar, bear, turkey, waterfowl or small game must comply with the requirements in Subsections R657-5-8(4) and (5), except a crossbow used to hunt turkey, waterfowl, or small game may have a minimum draw weight of 60 pounds. (3)(a) Any crossbow or [drawlock]draw-lock used to hunt carp must have a: (i) reel with line capable of tethering the bolt to restrict the flight distance; and
(ii) positive safety mechanism.
(4) Conventional bows equipped with a draw-lock and used to hunt big game must conform with the minimum draw weights, and arrow and broadhead restrictions contained in Rule R657-5.
R657-12-9. Telescopic Sights.
[(1) A person](1)(a) Pursuant to Section R657-12-2, and individual who has a permanent vision impairment leaving them with worse than 20/40 corrected visual acuity in the better eye may receive a Certificate of Registration to use telescopic sights when otherwise prohibited by the rules and proclamations of the Wildlife Board; and (b) if in the professional opinion of the eye care provider telescopic sights will sufficiently mitigate the effects of the disability to enable the person to: [(a) adequately discern between lawful and unlawful wildlife species and species genders; and (b) safely discharge a firearm or bow in the field. (2) A person with a qualified vision impairment may obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Division to use telescopic sights, when otherwise prohibited, by submitting a signed statement from a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician verifying that: (a) the applicant has a permanent vision impairment resulting in worse than 20/40 corrected visual acuity in the better eye; and (b) telescopic sights will sufficiently mitigate the effects of the vision impairment to enable the applicant to: ](i) adequately discern between lawful and unlawful wildlife species and species genders; and
(ii) safely discharge a firearm or bow in the field.
R657-12-10. Discounted Licenses for Veterans with Disabilities.
(1)(a) [A]Pursuant to Section R657-12-1, a resident who has a service-connected disability of 20% or more may purchase a discounted 365-day or multi-year hunting, fishing, or combination license upon furnishing verification of a service-connected disability and paying the fee established in the approved fee schedule. (b) Fees for multi-year service-connected disability licenses will be calculated according to the process identified [n]in Subsection R657-45-3(2)(c). [(2)(a) "Armed Forces" means the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof and the Army and Air National Guard of the United States. (b) "Service-connected disability" means injury or illness incurred or aggravated: (i) while in Armed Forces service; and (ii) that is recognized by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or by a branch of the Armed Forces. (c) "Verification of Service-Connected Disability" means an official written letter, statement, or card issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs or by a branch of the Armed Forces certifying that the person has a service-connected disability with a disability rating of 20% or higher. (3](2)(a) A service-connected disability fishing license is not available to an individual who is eligible to fish without a license under Section 23A-4-303 or to receive a free fishing license under Section 23A-4-306. (b) Applications for service-connected disability licenses may be submitted at division offices and may be issued by mail, online or at license agents.
([4]3) The purchaser may be required to complete an affidavit of the service-connected disability at the time of application. R657-12-11. Administrative and [j]Judicial [r]Review. (1) A person may request administrative review of the division's partial or complete denial of a certificate of registration under this chapter by delivering a written request for administrative review to the division director or designee within 30 days of the date of denial.
(2) The request for administrative review shall include:(a) the name, address, and phone number of the petitioner;
(b) a specific description of the disability involved and the physical limitations imposed by that disability;
(c) a specific description of the accommodations requested to mitigate the physical limitations caused by the disability; and
(d) verifiable medical or other information describing the disability and the medical need for the requested accommodation.
(3) A person may appeal the division director's or designee's decision under Subsection (1) by filing a request for agency action pursuant to Rule R657-2. KEY: wildlife, wildlife law, disabled persons, fishing
Date of Last Change: [June 23,] 2026 Notice of Continuation: July 18, 2022
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-5-315; 63G-3-201
!--dar--
