Hunting in Utah: 11 Animals Designated Nongame, Endangered, Threatened, and Protected Species

While Utah offers hunters some of the most diverse species to legally take during their season, it also is home to a variety of federally and state-identified animals that are protected. In 1972, the Utah Legislature passed a Wildlife Resources Code that instructs the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to "protect, propagate, manage, conserve, and distribute protected wildlife in Utah."

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 defines endangered and threatened species. The term "endangered" indicates the animal is in danger of becoming extinct, and "threatened" means it is likely to become endangered in the near future. Animals listed as endangered, threatened, and protected should not be hunted in Utah.

Here are 11 protected species in Utah, according to the Utah Division of Wildlife and the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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1. The black-footed ferret, a member of the weasel family, has a long, slinky body with short legs. It grows to about 21 to 25 inches and has suffered because of prairie dog roundups, which used poisons. By 1978 they were gone, but have been reintroduced through captive breeding.

2. Southwestern willow flycatchers breed in Utah and were listed as endangered in 1995.

3. Gray wolves are large canids that can be pure white or solid black. Gray wolves are protected by the 1973 Endangered Species Act, but sometimes they are mistaken for coyote, according to The Arizona Republic.

4. If you see a grizzly bear in Utah, take a photo as many claim there are no more, while others say they are starting to come into the state. Obviously, you need to leave it alone. Recognize it by its nearly black to pale yellow color and by the hump between its shoulders. A grizzly can reach 7 feet long and be 3 1/2 feet tall at the shoulders. The Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects land set aside for this animal’s nutritional and reproduction needs.

5. The U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife said Utah prairie dogs have full protection as an endangered species.

6. The bald eagle is one of the largest birds in Utah with a wingspan of 8 feet. It is endangered.

7. Canada lynx is a medium-sized cat listed as a "sensitive species" by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and as a threatened species by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

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8. The yellow-billed western cuckoo is a threatened species in Utah.

9. The peregrine falcon was removed from the federal Endangered Species List in 1999 and is recovering statewide, but is protected under Utah State Code and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

10. The Mexican spotted owl is a large, dark-eyed owl with brown and white spots on its front, back and head. The owl is considered threatened in Utah and is protected.

11. The Gunnison sage grouse is listed as a threatened species in Utah.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.