1. (1) A person is not required to obtain a certificate of registration or a federal permit to kill a house sparrow (Passer domesticus), European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), or domestic pigeon or rock pigeon (Columba livia) when found damaging personal or real property, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance when:

   1. (a) an attempt to control the birds using non-lethal methods occurs before using lethal methods;
   2. (b) applicable local, state, and federal laws are strictly complied with; and
   3. (c) none of the birds killed, nor their plumage, are sold or offered for sale.

2. (2) A person is not required to obtain a certificate of registration or a federal permit to kill a Brewer's blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus), Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus), Boat-tailed grackle (Quiscalus major), Common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), Great-tailed grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), Black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), bronzed cowbird (Molothrus aeneus), brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), or shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) that is committing or about to commit depredations on ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance when:

   1. (a) an attempt to control the birds using non-lethal methods occurs before using lethal methods;
   2. (b) applicable local, state, and federal laws are strictly complied with; and
   3. (c) none of the birds killed, nor their plumage, are sold or offered for sale.
3. (3) Any person that takes a nuisance bird pursuant to Subsections (1) and (2) must provide to the appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office an annual report for each species taken.
4. (4) A person may not take nuisance birds with bait, explosives, or poisons.
5. (5) A person shall dispose of dead nuisance birds at a landfill that accepts wildlife carcasses, or burned or incinerated.
6. (6) Neither a federal permit nor a state certificate of registration is required to destroy the nests and eggs of resident Canada geese if the landowner or agent qualifies, registers, and complies with all the Federal Nest and Egg Registry.
7. (7) A person may kill coyote, field mouse, gopher, ground squirrel, jackrabbit, muskrat, and raccoon at any time.
8. (8) A person may kill nuisance furbearers as provided in Rule R657-11
9. (9) A person may kill nongame mammals as provided in Rule R657-19.

KEY: wildlife, animal protection, import restrictions, zoological animals

Date of Last Change: October 1, 2023

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-2-304; 23A-2-305; 23A-5-305; 23A-5-309; 63G-7-101 et seq.