SALT LAKE CITY – Animal welfare groups are working in opposition to legal crow hunting in Utah, which is scheduled to begin in September.
Wildlife officials moved to approve crows for hunting earlier this year, and the hunt runs from September 1 to September 30 and from December 1 to February 28. The final decision will be made next week.
Officials with the Humane Society of Utah and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah have launched petitions, and they want the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to present more data regarding why it should be legal to hunt crows.
In a previous press release, DWR officials stated crows can damage fruit, corn and grain crops in parts of Utah. The animals also raid nests and steal eggs from other birds. Officials also said crows damage trees and cause disturbances in urban areas.
Animal advocates called those statements anecdotal and said there needs to be more evidence. They also said the fact that crows resemble ravens, which are a protected species, raises concerns that hunters may accidentally kill ravens instead of crows.
FOX 13 News’ Gene Kennedy spoke with Humane Society officials as well as wildlife officials about the issue, see the video above for their comments.
