Department of Natural Resources. Division of Wildlife Resources

Entity: 1316
Entity Type: State Government

Abstract

The office of the Fish and Game Warden was created in 1896 by law. The office title was changed in 1899 to Fish and Game Commissioner. In 1941 the name "Fish and Game Department" was substituted for the earlier phrase "Commissioner of Fish and Game". In 1967, the Department of Fish and Game became the Division of Fish and Game within the newly created Department of Natural Resources. In 1971, the Division of Fish and Game was renamed the Division of Wildlife Resources. The purpose of the division is to investigate and determine the facts relative to the wildlife resources of the state.

Biography/History Notes

The mission of the Division is to serve the people of Utah as trustee and guardian of the state's wildlife.

Purpose: "Manage wildlife programs and encourage active citizen participation in issues concerning conservation and wildlife."__(From "Capitol Connections" newsletter, volume 1, issue 6, October 1993, page 4.)?"The division of wildlife resources manages wildlife habitats and regulates hunting, fishing, and trapping in the state of Utah. It is charged with the duty to protect, propagate, manage, conserve, and distribute protected wildlife throughout the state." (From "State and Local Government in Utah," 1992 ed., pp. 182-183.)

"The division is headed by a director who is approved by the executive director of the Department of Natural Resources with the consent of the wildlife board. The director must be trained in the requirements for protection, conservation, restoration, and management of wildlife resources and not involved in a political party or organization.?"Two policy-making boards operate within the division of wildlife resources--a wildlife board and a board of big game control." (From "State and Local Government in Utah," 1992 ed., pp. 182-183.)

Hierarchy

Department of Natural Resources
Division of Wildlife Resources