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House approves measure letting counties permit limited nighttime hunting under strict permits
Summary
The Utah House passed House Bill 79 to allow counties to authorize limited nighttime hunting (spotlighting) for certain nocturnal predators under a county permit program. Supporters cited livestock and game protection; opponents warned of ecosystem impacts.
The Utah House on Feb. 4 passed House Bill 79, allowing counties to adopt ordinances that authorize limited nighttime hunting for certain nocturnal predators under a restricted permit system.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Johnson, told colleagues the measure is aimed at controlling predators such as raccoons, red foxes and skunks that he said have expanded in rural areas and are harming pheasant and other game populations. "The predators that we're talking about now, the raccoon, the fox, the skunk, and all sort of things are nocturnal animals," Johnson said, arguing spotlighting is the only way to effectively reduce those populations.
Opponents urged caution. Representative Carlson warned that targeting predators risks further damaging wildlife already stressed by habitat encroachment, and said lawmakers must "understand" natural ecosystems before taking action. Representative Eubanks cited constituent opposition and described ecological consequences seen in other states when predators were removed.
Supporters from rural districts framed the bill as a narrowly tailored tool for local areas with acute predator problems. Representative Tanner said the bill gives areas "the ability to hunt them at night" where nocturnal predators are reducing game bird populations; Representative Yardley said introduced red fox are a nonnative problem in his region.
The bill requires counties that adopt an ordinance to use a tightly controlled permit process; Johnson emphasized permits would be restricted to trustworthy individuals approved by local sheriffs. Debate was cut off by a motion to end discussion. The transcript records the final vote as 56 yes and 12 no, and the measure was referred to the Senate for further action.
Lawmakers noted the Department of Natural Resources had been consulted and that county-level adoption keeps the decision local. Next steps: if the Senate approves the bill, affected counties would need to adopt ordinances establishing permit criteria and enforcement procedures.
