1. (1) A CWMU may be established for the purposes of hunting one or more of the following:

   1. (a) mule deer;
   2. (b) elk;
   3. (c) moose;
   4. (d) pronghorn; and
   5. (e) turkey.

2. (2) The Wildlife Board may approve the issuance of a certificate of registration for a CWMU, provided:

   1. (a) the property is capable of independently maintaining the presence of the respective species and harboring them during the established hunting season;
   2. (b) the property is capable of accommodating the anticipated number of hunters and providing a reasonable hunting opportunity;
   3. (c) the property exhibits enforceable boundaries clearly identifiable to both the public and private hunters;
   4. (d) the CWMU contributes to meeting division wildlife management objectives;
   5. (e) as needed, the CWMU provides reasonable assistance to the division in minimizing and addressing damage to agricultural interests within and adjacent to the CWMU caused by wildlife; and
   6. (f) the CWMU meets the technical specifications provided in this rule.

3. (3) A CWMU shall satisfy the following criteria:

   1. (a) a CWMU for elk or moose must contain at least 10,000 contiguous acres;
   2. (b) a CWMU for deer, pronghorn, or turkey must contain at least 5,000 contiguous acres;
   3. (c) the CWMU shall consist of private land to the extent practicable;
   4. (d) only private lands may be included in calculating minimum acreage requirements;
   5. (e) land parcels adjoining corner-to-corner may not be included for the purposes of meeting minimum contiguous acreage requirements; and
   6. (f) all lands counting toward the minimum acreage requirements shall provide quality hunting opportunity and form a quality hunting unit.

4. (4) If a CWMU does not satisfy the criteria contained in Subsection (3) the CWMU can apply to be a CWMU if:

   1. (a) the CWMU meets 90% of the acreage requirements; and
   2. (b) the CWMU gives one extra permit each year to the public draw.
5. (5) A CWMU currently operating below the required minimum acreage that was previously granted a variance for not meeting the minimum acreage requirement will continue to receive that acreage variance unless enrolled acreage is further reduced below the required minimum acreage.

6. (6) A CWMU may include public land only if:

   1. (a) the public land is surrounded by private land or is otherwise publicly inaccessible;
   2. (b) the public land is necessary to establish an enforceable and identifiable hunt boundary; or
   3. (c) inclusion of the public land is necessary to achieve statewide and unit management objectives.

7. (7) A CWMU may not include:

   1. (a) any lands comprising Domesticated Elk Facilities and Domesticated Elk Hunting Parks, as defined in Subsection 4-39-102(2) and Rules R58-18 and R58-20;
   2. (b) any lands already included in another active CWMU; or
   3. (c) differing hunt boundaries for multiple species approved on a single CWMU.
8. (8) The Wildlife Board may deny a CWMU that meets technical requirements of this rule but does not otherwise fulfill the purposes of the CWMU program.

KEY: wildlife, cooperative wildlife management unit

Date of Last Change: August 21, 2024

Notice of Continuation: March 15, 2023

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-7-102