Natural Resources

Wildlife Resources

Rule 54a: Taking Wild Turkey

Effective Date: 08/22/2026

Admin. Code Reference: R657-54a

Rule Type: Current Rule

NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

TYPE OF FILING: Amendment

Filing ID: 58077

Rule or section number:

R657-54a

1. Agency Information

Title catchline:

Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources

Building:

DNR Complex

Street address:

1594 W North Temple

City, state:

Salt Lake City, UT 84416

Mailing address:

PO Box 146301

City, state and zip:

Salt Lake City, UT 84414-6301

2. Contact Persons

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Staci Coons

801-450-3093

stacicoons@utah.gov

Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.

3. General Information

A. Rule or section catchline:

R657-54a. Taking Wild Turkey

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 taking of wild turkey.

C. Summary of the new rule or change:

The amendments to this rule:

1) add the mandatory harvest reporting requirement; and

2) clarify existing language.

5. Fiscal Information

Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:

A. State budget:

The amendments to Rule R657-54a are administrative in nature, the DWR determines 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.

The DWR may see an increase in late fees paid by those who fail to submit the hunt questionnaire by the established deadline.

B. Local governments:

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 have the potential to impact other persons that take wild turkey in Utah. If the hunter fails to return the harvest survey by the deadline then a $50 fee would be assessed.

F. Compliance costs for affected persons:

The DWR has determined that this amendment may create additional costs for those individuals wishing to take wild turkey in Utah if they miss the set deadline to submit a harvest survey.

The fee of $50 would be charged.

It is impossible to estimate the number of permit holders who may miss the deadline. A permit holder may choose to sit out the following hunt year instead of paying the fee.

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."

Fiscal Cost

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

$inestimable

Total Fiscal Cost

Fiscal Benefits

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

$inestimable

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Benefits

Net Fiscal Benefits

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, Joel Ferry, 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:

Section 23A-2-304

Section 23A-2-305

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:

08/14/2026

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)

08/21/2026

13. Agency Authorization Information

Agency head or

designee and title:

Riley Peck, Director

Date:

06/18/2026

R657. Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources.

R657-54a. Taking Wild Turkey.

R657-54a-1. Purpose and Authority.

(1) Under authority of Sections 23A-2-304 and 23A-2-305 and in accordance with 50 CFR 20, 2003 edition, which is incorporated by reference, the Wildlife Board has established this rule for taking wild turkey.

(2) Specific season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, number of permits and other administrative details that may change annually are published in the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey.

R657-54a-2. Definitions.

(1) Terms used in this rule are defined in Section 23A-1-101.

(2) In addition:

(a) "Bait" means shelled, shucked or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt or other feed that lures, attracts or entices wild turkey.

(b) "Baiting" means the direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of salt, grain, or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for wild turkey to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.

(d) "Falconry" means the sport of taking quarry by a trained raptor.

(e) "Fall season permit" means any wild turkey hunting permit having season dates on or between August 1 to March 14, excluding turkey permits issued pursuant to Rule R657-41 and turkey control permits issued pursuant to Section R657-69-6.

(f) "Night vision device" means any device that enhances visible or non-visible light, including: night vision, thermal imaging, infrared imaging, or electronics that enhance the visible or non-visible light spectrum.

(g) "Pre-charged pneumatic air rifle" means a rifle that fires a single projectile with compressed air released from a chamber:

(i) built into the rifle; and

(ii) pressurized at a minimum of 2,000 pounds per square inch from an external high compression device or source, such as a hand pump, compressor, or scuba tank firing a single:

(A) broadhead tipped bolt or arrow; or

(B) pellet or slug during fall turkey season that:

(I) is .25 caliber or larger;

(II) weighs 18 grains or more; and

(III) is fired at a velocity to produce at least 30 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.

(h) "Spring season permit" means any wild turkey hunting permit having season dates on or between March 15 to July 31, excluding turkey permits issued pursuant to Rule R657-41 and turkey control permits issued pursuant to Section R657-69-6.

(i) "Wild Turkey" as used in this rule means a wild, free-ranging turkey or wild-domestic hybrid and does not include a privately-owned

[wild turkey, ]domestic [turkey, or wild-domestic hybrids]turkeys.

R657-54a-3. Obtaining Permits for Wild Turkey.

(1) A person must possess or obtain a valid hunting or combination license to apply for or obtain a wild turkey permit.

(2) General season wild turkey permits are issued over-the-counter consistent with this rule and the guidebook of the Wildlife Board for taking upland game and wild turkey.

(3) Limited entry permits for wild turkey are issued pursuant to Section R657-62-25.

(4) Wild turkey control permits and wild turkey control permit vouchers are issued pursuant to Rule R657-69.

(5) Wild turkey conservation and sportsman's permits are issued pursuant to Rule R657-41.

(6) Wild turkey permits available through the Expo are issued pursuant to Rule R657-55.

(7) Wild turkey poaching-reported reward permits are issued pursuant to Rule R657-51.

(8)(a) A person who has obtained a limited entry, general season, CWMU, or fall management harvest turkey permit must report hunt

information within 30 calendar days after the end of the hunting season of that hunt year, whether the permit holder was successful or unsuccessful in

harvesting a turkey.

(b) Limited entry and general season turkey permit holders must report hunt information by telephone, or through the division's website.

(c) A person who fails to comply with the requirement in Subsection (a) shall be ineligible to apply for a turkey permit or bonus point in

the following year.

(d) Late questionnaires may be accepted pursuant to Subsection R657-42-9(2).

R657-54a-6. State Parks.

(1) Hunting of any wildlife is [prohibited]allowed within the boundaries of all state park areas, except those areas designated [open]closed

to hunting by the Division of State Parks in Section R651-614-4.

(2) Hunting with rifles and handguns in state park areas designated open is prohibited within one mile of all park facilities including buildings, camp or picnic sites, overlooks, [golf courses, ]boat ramps, and developed beaches.

(3) Hunting with shotguns, crossbows or archery tackle is prohibited within [one-quarter]1/4 mile of the stated areas, unless otherwise

authorized by the state park.

R657-54a-7. Falconry.

Falconers may not release a raptor on wild turkeys during the spring seasons. Falconers may release a raptor on wild turkeys during the fall season, as published in the guidebook [of the Wildlife Board ]for taking upland game and wild turkey.

R657-54a-21. Season Dates, Bag and Possession Limits, and Areas Open.

(1) Season dates, bag and possession limits, areas open, and number of permits for taking wild turkey are provided in the guidebook [of the

Wildlife Board ]for taking upland game and wild turkey.

(2) A person may not obtain or possess more than:

(a) one wild turkey permit during the spring season annually; and

(b) three wild turkey [permit]permits during the fall season annually.

KEY: wildlife, wild turkey, game laws

Date of Last Change: 2026[October 22, 2025]

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-2-304; 23A-2-305

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