Introduction

Private ownership of land and public ownership of wildlife are basic to the American way of life. Both principles are firmly established in American law and tradition. Our forefathers made conscious, deliberate decisions that individuals should have the right to acquire, control and use land. At the same time, the public ownership, use and control of wildlife inhabiting both private and public lands was preserved. These latter values were entrusted to the state to manage wildlife on behalf of all of the people.
Wildlife inhabiting private lands in Utah are dependent upon critical resources provided by these lands, but in many cases, their presence results in conflict with other private-land uses and can lead to economic loss for the landowner.
Wildlife managers must balance the interests of private landowners and the public while, at the same time, meeting the biological needs of wildlife. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) attempts to address these needs, in part, by addressing depredation caused by big game on private lands.