I think this is slightly more complicated if you actually read the law and regs than most here realize.
State code:
Utah code 23A-5-307(1) says “As used in this section, "trail camera" means a device that is not held or manually operated by a person and is capable of capturing images, video, or location data of wildlife using heat or motion to trigger the device.”
So a camera that does not use heat or motion to trigger it (ie a time lapse camera) would not be a “trail camera” under this state law definition.
23A-5-307(b) “A trail camera may not be used to take wildlife on public land during the period beginning on July 31 and ending on December 31.”
So any camera not being used to take wildlife would not violate this state law.
Big Game/bear/cougar Rules:
R657-5-2(2)y “Trail camera" means a device that is not held or manually operated by a person and is used to capture images, video, or location data of wildlife using heat, or motion to trigger the device.
23-13-2 (48) "Take" means to: (a) hunt, pursue, harass, catch, capture, possess, angle, seine, trap, or kill any protected wildlife; or (b) attempt any action referred to in Subsection (48)(a).
R657-5-7(3)(b)(i) “A person shall not place, maintain, or use any trail camera or non-handheld device capable of capturing image, video, location, time, or date data in the field to take, attempt to take, or aid in the take or attempted take of big game between July 31 and December 31;”
So the rules prohibit any non-handheld device (including time lapse cameras) for the attempted take/take/aid take of big game during the closed period on public land without an exemption.
R657-33-9(5)(a) mirrors the big game rule and apples to bears.
R657-10-9(6)(a) mirrors the big game rule and applies to cougars.
Cameras not being used to take/attempt take/aid take of big game, bears or cougars would not violate these rules.
So looks to me like not all cameras on public land during the closed period are illegal.