Southern RAC approves changes to big-game rule including eased limits on importing antlered skulls; CWD concerns remain

CEDAR CITY, Utah — The Southern Region Advisory Council approved changes to Utah’s big-game rule R657-5 on April 15, voting 9–2 to adopt a package of amendments that include a firm Feb. 15 deadline for mandatory harvest reporting, clarifications about youth privileges on restricted-rifle hunts and a rollback of the prohibition on importing antlered skulls from states where chronic wasting disease (CWD) is present.

The rule changes were presented to the council by Dax, the division’s big-game coordinator, who described the importation change as a response to low compliance and requests from hunters who want to bring complete skulls for European-style mounts. “We’re recommending walking that back just a tiny bit to allow for the importation of a head — a skull with the brain material still in it,” Dax said, adding that the division judged the practice a low risk because most heads taken to Utah are sent to taxidermists rather than discarded outdoors.

Why it matters: CWD is a fatal, long-lived prion disease that persists in the environment and has been a focal point of statewide wildlife management. The council’s vote effectively permits antlered skulls containing brain or spinal tissue to be returned to Utah from states with CWD, while other parts of the rule package aim to improve data available to biologists (earlier reporting) and clarify who may hunt additional general-season hunts after drawing restricted-rifle permits.

Division explanation and public input Dax told the council the change followed enforcement observations showing “pretty poor compliance” at a highway checkpoint where skulls were being transported, and that many hunters reported they were unaware of the prior restriction. A regional supervisor said the division received four online comments on the agenda item — all in favor — including written support from the mayor and the town council in Alton, where the division is proposing antlerless harvest opportunity as part of a local depredation and fence-repair agreement.

Concerns from council members and public Several council members and public commenters raised technical and disease-risk questions. Bart, a council member, asked whether taxidermists had any required disposal procedures for brain tissue; Dax acknowledged there are currently no specific measures for taxidermists. “We don’t,” Dax said when asked whether disposal measures were in place.

Mike, who questioned the change and who opposed the final motion, argued that relaxing the ban makes little sense while the division declines to move live deer because of disease risk. “We don’t accept a lot of things. This shouldn’t be one of them,” Mike said after the vote, saying the rule change “feels like accepting it” rather than preventing risk.

Council action and vote After discussion and public comment, a motion to approve the proposed R657-5 amendments as presented was made by Tammy and seconded by Berlin. The council approved the package 9–2; Bart and Mike recorded the opposing votes.

What the rule changes say (summary) - Mandatory harvest reporting: A firm reporting deadline of Feb. 15 was added in most hunts (a 30-day window or Feb. 15, whichever is earliest) so biologists have timely data for recommendations. - Youth and restricted-rifle clarification: If a youth draws a restricted-rifle hunt on a unit, the rule now clarifies they may hunt other applicable general-season hunts on that unit, aligning restricted-rifle youth privileges with those for any-legal-weapon youth permits. - Antlered skull importation: The division will allow importation of an antlered skull (including brain material) from states with CWD under the amended rule; the division said it views the risk as low because taxidermists typically handle skulls rather than hunters discarding brain matter outdoors.

What remains unresolved Council members repeatedly asked what measures will prevent brain or tissue from entering the environment after taxidermists receive skulls. Dax acknowledged taxidermist disposal is an open question and said the division prefers education over strict regulation at this time. Members opposing the change said that stance is insufficient to guard against spread of CWD.

Next steps The Southern Region Advisory Council approved the amendments during its April 15 meeting in Cedar City. The changes will be included as the division’s rule package going forward in the administrative process.

Ending note Supporters said the amendments improve data collection and clarify youth hunt access; opponents warned about unresolved pathways for CWD and urged stronger controls or monitoring for taxidermist and carcass-handling practices.