08/20/2026
Excellent LTE by Brandy Price in the The Salt Lake Tribune:
“Utahns deserve wildlife policy grounded in independent science, not in research funded by groups that profit from predator removal. The “study” used to justify the mountain lion bill is financed largely by private hunting organizations whose financial stake in increasing trophy‑hunting opportunities is obvious. When the funders stand to gain from the outcome, the public should question the research’s objectivity.
It’s also important to acknowledge Sen. Scott Sandall’s direct connection to this issue. As the owner of a Cooperative Wildlife Management Unit (CWMU), he benefits financially from policies that reduce natural predation and increase the availability of trophy animals. That doesn’t automatically disqualify him from participating in wildlife legislation, but it does create a conflict of interest — one that should be openly recognized when he sponsors or supports bills affecting mountain lions.
We keep hearing that this bill is about protecting livestock. If that were true, we would see data showing widespread depredation or evidence that current tools are inadequate. Instead, the numbers show that lion‑related livestock losses in Utah are relatively low and already managed through existing channels. What this bill really protects is profit: more tags, more hunts, and more revenue for private hunting operations.
Wildlife management should serve the public interest, not private financial interests. Utahns deserve transparency, independent science, and policy that prioritizes long‑term ecosystem health over short‑term profit.
This bill needs to be repealed and Sen. Sandall must answer for the deeper connections and who is actually benefiting. Utahns do not want to see an eradication order of their beloved wildlife.
Brandy Price, Riverton”
https://www.sltrib.com/opinion/letters/2026/08/19/letter-utahs-mountain-lion-statute/
Letter: Utah’s mountain lion statute is about protecting profit, not livestock. It should be repealed.
