Utah Destruction of Wildlife Lawyer

In Utah, being charged with willful destruction of wildlife can have serious consequences that can affect the rest of your life including imprisonment, loss of hunting and fishing license, and a hefty fine.

What is the Destruction of Wildlife? 

Any person who captures, injures, or destroys protected wildlife; and does so with intentional, knowing, or reckless conduct is guilty of destruction of wildlife.

Examples of destruction of wildlife include but are not limited to:

• Intentionally abandons protected wildlife or a carcass;
• Commits the offense at night with the use of a weapon; or
• Is under a court or division revocation of a license, tag, permit, or certification of registration.

What are the Values of Wildlife?

Wildlife is categorized by the following values for the purpose of determining the offense for destruction of wildlife. *Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list.

$1,000 per animal for:

• Bison, bighorn sheep, rocky mountain goat, moose, bear, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, or any animal on the endangered species list.

$750 per animal for:

• Elk, or any animal on the threatened species list

$500 per animal for:

• Cougar, golden eagle, river otter, or Gila monster. 

$400 per animal for:

• Pronghorn antelope or deer

$350 per animal for bobcat.

$100 per animal for:

• Swan, sandhill crane, turkey, pelican, loon, egrets, herons, raptors, Utah milk snake, and Utah mountain king snake.

$35 per animal for:

• Trout, char, salmon, grayling, tiger muskellunge, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and wiper

$10 for any other game fish not listed above.

What is the Punishment?

Willful destruction of wildlife in Utah is a classified as a class A misdemeanor, class B misdemeanor, and even a third-degree felony, depending on the circumstances of the citation. If the value of the protected wildlife is more than $500, or a trophy animal, it is a third-degree felony. If the value of the protected animal is more than $250 but less than $500, it is a class A misdemeanor. If the value of the protected animal is $250 or less, it is a class B misdemeanor. 

A third-degree felony is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.00. Specifically, in the statue for destruction of wildlife, if a person is convicted of a third-degree felony, they must be sentenced to not less than 20 days in jail.

A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000.00.

A class B misdemeanor is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.00.

Additionally, the Wildlife Board could suspend your hunting and fishing license or permit for up to three years. You could go in front of the Wildlife Board, and they will determine based on your prior history, for example is this the first time you have had a run in with the Wildlife Board? 

How Can You Fight It?

If you have been cited for willful destruction of wildlife in Utah, there are a few ways Weber Law can fight for you. Whether it is negotiating to lower the charge to a lesser crime, reducing your fine amount, making sure you don’t lose your hunting and fishing license, reducing your jail time, or defending you at trial, Weber Law will work for you every step of the way. 

By looking at potential evidence, such as your prior criminal record, trail cameras, and eye witness testimony, Weber Law will make sure to look at all the details of your case. The court room can be an intimidating place, do not face it alone, let Weber Law’s team of experienced attorney’s work for you today! At Weber Law we are experienced in defending these charges, winning these cases, and getting you back on the hunt. Mistakes happen, but that does not mean that the rest of your life should be ruined, or that your rights to hunting and fishing animals should be taken away. Utah is a beautiful state, with beautiful wildlife, and big part of the recreational life here is hunting and fishing. Let Weber Law help you to keep that right!

If you or anyone you know has been cited for willful destruction of wildlife in the state of Utah, call Weber Law today for a consultation. 

• Utah Code § 23-20-4, Wanton destruction of protected wildlife- penalties
• Utah Code § 23-19-9, Suspension of license or permit privileges – suspension of certificates of registration
• Utah Code § 76-3-204, misdemeanor conviction – term of imprisonment
• Utah Code § 76-3-203, Felony conviction—indeterminate term of imprisonment
• Utah Code § 76-3-301, fines of individuals