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Board rejects division proposal to ban lethal cougar snares on public land after heated debate
Summary
After months of review and 19 public submissions, the Utah Wildlife Board voted to reject the division's recommendation to prohibit lethal snares for cougars on public land. Supporters of the ban cited selectivity and non‑lethal concerns; trappers, houndsmen and agricultural groups urged further stakeholder work or equipment modifications instead.
The Utah Wildlife Board on June 11 rejected a division recommendation that would have barred use of lethal snares for taking mountain lions on public land, a proposal that generated strong, polarized public comment and extensive discussion among advisory racks.
Chad Wilson said the rulemaking was a three‑year review following legislative changes (House Bill 469). Division data showed an average of about seven cougars lethally trapped per year during the period reviewed; the division recommended disallowing lethal snares on public land while allowing their use on private property and for certain damage situations.
The proposal drew high public engagement. Penny Maldonado of the Cougar Fund told the board lethal snares are "among the least selective methods available" and argued that snares cannot evaluate age, sex or reproductive status and can therefore harm dependent young. The Cougar Fund urged restricting snares on public land for sport hunting.
On the other side, representatives of the Utah Trappers Association, Utah Houndsmen Association, Utah Farm Bureau and other agricultural stakeholders urged the board not to remove snares as a tool. Brett Guy of the Houndsmen Association said changes to snare design, locking devices, cable size or other equipment modifications could lower risk to hounds and non‑targets without eliminating an important management tool. Several speakers warned that removing snares could reduce other hunting tools and harm predator control for livestock producers.
Regional advisory committees (RACKs) were split: some regions recommended rejection and formation of a stakeholder committee to seek compromise; one central rack voted to accept the division recommendation. After discussion the board voted to reject the division's proposed R657‑11 amendment, and the motion to reject passed unanimously.
Board members said the record showed passionate views on both sides and recommended continued stakeholder dialogue. Several members asked the division to convene or facilitate further collaborative work to explore targeted equipment or procedural changes that might reduce incidental captures while preserving effective management tools.
Next steps: the division will not implement a public‑land snare ban at this time. Board members encouraged additional stakeholder conversations and recommended the division consider narrowly tailored equipment specifications, education and voluntary reporting as possible alternatives.
