23A-5-314. Waste of wildlife unlawful -- Criminal penalty.
(1) A person may not waste or permit to be wasted protected wildlife or a part of protected wildlife except as otherwise provided: in this title; by rule made by the Wildlife Board under this title and in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act; or by an order or proclamation.
(2) A person who violates this section is subject to the penalty provided in Sectionexcept as provided in Subsection (3). 23A-5-301
(3) A licensed hunter who legally kills a big game animal, but abandons the big game animal is subject to a class A misdemeanor. A big game animal is considered abandoned if the licensed hunter acts knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly, and: the big game animal is not tagged as required by Section; 23A-4-709 the big game animal is wasted; the licensed hunter continues to hunt the same species while exercising the benefits of the issued tag; or no attempt or minimal attempt is made to salvage the big game animal.