The numbers are in and while the amount of wild animals illegally killed in Utah in 2022 was close to past years, the value of the animals was nearly double. According to the Division of Wildlife Resources, a total of 1,283 animals were illegally killed which was in the ballpark of the 1,153 animals poached in 2021 and 1,079 animals in 2020. The value in 2022 was $698,561 dollars due to trophy sized kills compared to the value in 2020 of $387,000 dollars. “Each animal that is illegally killed in our state is one less animal for legal hunters, wildlife enthusiasts and everyday residents to enjoy,” shares DWR Captain Chad Bettridge. “Poachers steal our ability to enjoy Utah’s wildlife.” Wildlife officials have not yet released the breakdown by county but the violations and citations issued included incidents in Daggett, Uintah, and Duchesne Counties.
