1. (1) A person may release legally acquired pen-reared gamebirds without wildlife documents or the approval of a division regional supervisor provided:

   1. (a) the person or group of persons is not releasing more than ten pen-reared gamebirds per day or three pen-reared gamebirds per dog or registered falcon per day, whichever is greater;

      1. (i) If the group of persons or number of pen-reared gamebirds is more than ten for two or fewer days in the same area within a 365 day period, division regional supervisor approval is required;
   2. (b) the group releasing pen-reared gamebirds is less than or equal to ten persons;
   3. (c) the person or group is releasing legally acquired pen-reared gamebirds for training bird dogs or falconry birds;
   4. (d) the person or group has an invoice or bill of sale in their possession showing lawful personal possession or ownership of the pen-reared gamebirds;
   5. (e) each pen-reared gamebird must be marked with a durable marking;
   6. (f) any pen-reared gamebird released in areas with wild populations of the same species must be marked with a visible streamer or tape at least 12 inches in length before being released, and must have the streamer or tape attached when killed; and
   7. (g) the use of dogs complies with Rules R657-6, R657-9, and R657-54a and use of falconry birds complies with Rule R657-20.
2. (2) A person may only take the pen-reared gamebirds they or members of their group have released.

3. (3) Pen-reared gamebirds that are not recovered on the day of the training, released without permanent marking, or pen-reared gamebirds that escape shall become property of the state and may not be recaptured or taken except:

   1. (a) as specified in Section R657-4-6; or
   2. (b) during legal hunting seasons as specified in the Upland Game and Waterfowl proclamations of the Wildlife Board.

4. (4) Pen-reared gamebirds released must:

   1. (a) meet requirements specified in Sections R657-4-10 and R657-4-11; and
   2. (b) be healthy, capable of flight, free of disease and suitable for human consumption.

KEY: wildlife, birds, game laws, aviculture

Date of Last Change: August 7, 2025

Notice of Continuation: April 4, 2022

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 23A-5-302; 23A-2-305; 23A-2-304