SALT LAKE CITY — The Division of Wildlife Resources reports that killing rattlesnakes in Utah has been illegal since 1989, but there are exceptions to the law.

Krissy Wilson, the native aquatic program coordinator for DWR, said rattlesnakes are protected under Utah Law like all native animal species. Wilson said the DWR regulates and oversees the wildlife in Utah and that while some animals have hunts to help regulate them, non-consumptive species — like snakes — are illegal to hunt.

“What we are trying to get away from is people indiscriminately killing snakes,” Wilson said. “Our whole goal is we don’t want this species to become to the point where they have to be listed under the endangered species act. So we are trying to protect all native population.”

The law was modified in 2010, however, to allow people to kill Great Basin rattlesnakes if they felt their life was endangered by the reptile. While there are six species of rattlesnakes in Utah, the amendment to the law only applies to the Great Basin species of rattlesnakes. Wilson said the Great Basin rattlesnake is the most common species found across the Wasatch Front.

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“It’s important that folks understand that the Division of Wildlife Resources’ responsibility is to protect the wildlife in the state of Utah so that this wildlife is here for our grandchildren and their grandchildren,” Wilson said. “I think it’s part of our heritage that we have this unique assemblage of native species in the state. Many of the species found in the state are not found any place else. But it’s also important that folks understand we don’t want anybody to feel threatened or endangered by venomous reptiles, like rattlesnakes.”

Wilson said that fines can be given to people who kill rattlesnakes, but a conservation officer would have to prove that the person’s life was not in danger. Fines range between $50 and $2,500, depending on a judge’s ruling. Wilson said killing a rattlesnake while not in danger is considered a Class B misdemeanor.

If a person is threatened or endangered by a rattlesnake in the wild and they kill it, Wilson said they can just leave the rattlesnake where they kill it. If they kill the snake in their yard, they can dispose of the body in their trash can. It is not necessary to report these incidents to DWR officials, Wilson said.

Wilson cautioned that rattlesnakes can still bite shortly after they die, so people should be very careful.

“Snakes are a good predator in the ecosystem as far as maintaining rodents,” Wilson said. “They are a very important part of the ecosystem in maintaining that balance so you don’t have a rodent population explosion. We are just trying to prevent that indiscriminate killing of snakes and people do it for rattlesnakes especially.”

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