HUNTING IN UTAH’S STATE PARKS – In a country that seems to be turning its back on the hunting and the 2nd Amendment, Utah is fighting to keep America’s past times alive. As of February 24th, all state parks are open to hunting unless specifically designated as being closed.
The New Regulation
Regulation R651-614.4 was adopted back in November 2019 but went into effect on February 24, 2020. “Hunting is a great way for people to get outdoors and to obtain locally sourced meat, so we are excited about this rule change that allows for those expanded opportunities on public lands,” Justin Shannon, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wildlife section chief, said.
This new regulation comes right on the heels of the recent proposal to make hunting a constitutional right in Utah. And Utah doesn’t appear to be stopping anytime soon with proposing pro-hunting changes.
Where Can You Hunt?
Most of Utah is now open to hunting. If you are planning a trip, the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has an interactive map to help plan your trip:
Only 15 state parks remain closed to hunting under the new regulation:
- Anasazi State Park Museum
- Camp Floyd State Park Museum
- Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum
- Flight Park State Recreation Area
- Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
- Goosenecks State Park
- Great Salt Lake State Park
- Green River State Park and Golf Course
- Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park
- Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle State Park
- Snow Canyon State Park
- Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
- This is the Place Heritage Park
- Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum
- Utah Lake State Park
So with deer populations reaching record highs, and recent legislation proposing to ban wolf reintroduction, the only real predator now us the hunter. It is our responsibility to get out there and help maintain the wildlife populations and Utah is encouraging it!
Are you planning a trip to Utah anytime soon? Let us know where you plan to go in the comments below!
