Board adopts new outfitter, guide and spotter registration rule after contentious public comment

The Utah Wildlife Board on June 12 adopted a Division of Wildlife rule implementing a certificate‑of‑registration (COR) program for outfitters, guides and spotters after a lengthy discussion involving state attorneys, law enforcement and public commenters.

DNR Law Enforcement representative Chad Betridge and Assistant Attorney General Kyle Maynard told the board the rule implements statutory direction (Senate Bill 149, adopted in the 2025 legislative session) that moves guide and outfitter oversight from the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing to the Division of Wildlife. Maynard said the legislature required the division to have a program in place for the upcoming season and that the rule lays out an application process, fee collection and basic operational requirements.

The rule requires a certificate of registration, includes an attestation that guides obtain any required federal special‑use permits to operate on federal land, and links each guide to a sponsoring outfitter before they may obtain a COR. The rule as presented removed a preemptive insurance testing requirement and clarified workers’ compensation matters would follow existing state laws. Betridge said the changes were intended to balance public safety and implement the statute quickly so permits could be issued this fall.

Public commenters and RAC chairs raised multiple concerns. The division reported 12 online submissions on the item: three strongly supportive, three neutral and six strongly opposed. Common complaints included the increase in fees in statute (commenters noted a move from a past $40 every‑other‑year fee to a $500 annual fee in the new law), worries about small, part‑time guides being priced out, and requests for clearer definitions of spotter activity, wrangler/contractor roles, and what constitutes a “serious injury” requiring law enforcement notification.

Assistant Attorney General Kyle Maynard said the fee level was set in statute and would require legislative action to change. Maynard and division staff told the board that the rule is a “living” document and that technical edits and stakeholder input can follow; Representative Shipp has indicated he will seek clarifying changes in interim legislative sessions.

RAC chairs presented mixed recommendations: several regions approved the rule as presented, others asked for specific wording changes about federal permits or insurance, and the Southeastern RAC adopted multiple motions, including asking the board to direct the division to form a stakeholder committee to refine implementation (that motion passed 6–2 in the Southeast RAC). Tim Pilling, a guide who participated in the DOPL process under the previous system, urged more training and tighter wrangler guidance in future rulemaking.

At the board meeting, Board member Kent Johnson declared a conflict later related to his status as a licensed guide and later recused himself for the final vote alongside Board member Paula Richmond (who also recused for family involvement). Board minutes record that the motion to accept the rule as presented passed with three votes in favor and two recusals.

Board members and staff emphasized that some questions — especially the fee level and whether certification or a training program should be required — will likely be addressed in legislative cleanup and subsequent rule updates. Division staff agreed to compile RAC and public comments for Representative Shipp’s interim meeting and to continue stakeholder engagement.

The board noted the new rule will allow the division to collect fees and issue CORs in time for the coming season; staff said additional refinements could be proposed to the board later.