Utah Outdoors News, Activities and Events

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 1st Hour Podcast for November 7th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:37:07 PST

Cris Draper, the Trail Master and his Co Host, Steve Minnis in studio this week and we are joined by Scott Davis and we are talking dogs! Dr White from the Bayview Animal Hospital in Farmington helps us look at what it takes to take care of and train a field dog and carrying some first aid items for your dog while in the field. Tim Miner from SportDog joins us to talk about using a training collar correctly and get the best results when training. Bryan Beckstead with Gun Dog University calls and shares the differences between self training your dog or sending it to a professional for training. AND we are giving away Badlands Pack, Accessories and more so make sure you tune in over the next few months for your chance to win!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PODCAST

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 2nd Hour Podcast for November 7th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 13:28:24 PST

Cris and Steve are joined by Scott Davis with Arkat Dog Food and we are taking this show to the dogs. Arkat Dog Food with Derick Randle and we are talking about field dog nutrition. Judge Julie calls in after a write up in the USA Today on helping wounded Soldiers. AND we are giving away Badlands Pack, Accessories and more so make sure you tune in over the next few months for your chance to win! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD PODCAST

Moab Bighorn Sheep Festival set for Nov. 20 and 21

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:47:07 PST

Moab -- November is the best time of the year to see desert bighorn
sheep. It’s their breeding season, and the time of year when rams
engage in head-butting and other rituals to attract the attention of the
ladies (female sheep called ewes).

“The way the rams act this time of the year is fun and exciting to
watch,” says Brent Stettler, regional conservation outreach manager
for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

That’s why Stettler and other DWR staff have chosen Nov. 20 and 21 as
the dates for this year’s Bighorn Sheep Festival.

The festival will be held in and near Moab in sunny southeastern Utah.

The event is free. Stettler encourages everyone to attend.

What to bring

When you come to the event, bring a pair of binoculars or a spotting
scope along with snacks, drinks and a camera.

DWR biologists will watch the sheep before the event. They’ll guide
you to locations where they’ve observed bighorns recently.

If you don’t have your own binoculars or a spotting scope, don’t
worry: the biologists have extra spotting scopes and binoculars you can
use.

Nov. 20 - learn about the sheep

The festival begins on Friday evening, Nov. 20, at the Moab Information
Center. The center is at the corner of Center and Main streets in
Moab.

At 7 p.m., Justin Shannon, regional wildlife manager for the DWR, will
present a PowerPoint program about bighorn sheep ecology and their life
history. Shannon did his graduate thesis on this very topic.

Shannon will also have bighorn sheep skulls and horns you can see and
handle, and he’ll be available to answer your questions.

Nov. 21 - see the sheep!

The fun really gets rolling on the morning of Nov. 21.

At 8 a.m., DWR biologists and festivalgoers will meet again at the Moab
information Center. Biologists will divide everyone into groups. Then
the groups will travel to various areas near Moab in search of desert
bighorn sheep.

If you bring your own vehicle, you can leave the group at any time. If
you ride in a vehicle with one of the DWR biologists, plan on the field
trip ending by noon or early afternoon. “You can almost always see
bighorn from asphalt roads in Moab Canyon and along the Colorado River,
so don’t worry about your vehicle’s off-road capability,” Stettler
says.

Because bighorn sheep are wild and unpredictable, the DWR can’t
guarantee that sheep will be seen at close range, or even at all. “We
almost always see sheep,” Stettler says. “But even if we don’t,
you can still enjoy the unmatched beauty of the Colorado River Scenic
Byway.”

For more information, contact Stettler at (435) 613-3707 or
brentstettler@utah.gov.

Volunteers Help Wetlands Preserve bounce back after devastating fire

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 04:44:57 PST

Moab -- On Oct. 24, a bunch of volunteers assembled behind the Archway
Inn in Moab. The team was armed with shovels, water buckets and a lot
of determination.

Their mission? Plant more than 2,000 native plants at the Scott M.
Matheson Wetlands Preserve, which was ravaged by fire last fall.

The team focused its efforts on the north side of the preserve.

A successful day

The group’s determination and hard work paid off. Workers, both
young and old, successfully planted 2,022 native plants. The plants
included trees, shrubs and grasses.

The shovel brigade included a bunch of students from Kelly Wilson’s
science class from Grand County Middle School. The students were
especially helpful. The work party also included residents of Moab,
personnel from The Nature Conservancy and the Division of Wildlife
Resources, and people from towns as far away as Park City and Grand
Junction.

Another planting project is scheduled for this Saturday, Nov. 7. This
project will focus on the south side of the preserve. The Nature
Conservancy hopes to attract scout groups, church groups and
environmentally-minded people who care about the preserve and want to
help rehabilitate it.

If you’d like to help, meet at the TNC parking lot on Kane Creek
Boulevard in Moab at 9 a.m.

Fire

On Oct. 21 and 22, 2008, a fire charred more than 400 acres at the
Matheson Wetlands Preserve. In addition to destroying vegetation, the
fire destroyed trail systems, boardwalks and the preserve’s
wildlife-viewing blind.

Formerly known as the Moab Sloughs, the preserve was established in
1990. It encompasses more than 895 acres. This unique system
represents the largest intact wetlands on the Colorado River in Utah.
The preserve is home to more than 200 species of birds, amphibians and
mammals.

For more information, contact Linda Whitham with The Nature Conservancy
at (435) 259-4629 or lwhitham@tnc.org.

Free Admission on Veterans Day as National Parks Honor America’s Armed Forces

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:27:49 PST

WASHINGTON – From the beginnings of our nation to this very day, brave
Americans have fought to protect our country and defend the principles on
which it was founded.

On Veterans Day, November 11, our country honors the service of those who
have answered the call at places like Lexington and Concord. Guilford
Courthouse. Saratgoa. Yorktown. Fort McHenry. Horseshoe Bend.
Gettysburg. Antietam. Valley Forge. Appomattox. Shiloh. Kennesaw
Mountain. Vicksburg. Wilson’s Creek. USS Arizona. The names are
ingrained in our national memory. The places are preserved forever as
national parks.

“As part of the national observance of Veterans Day, entrance fees will be
waived at all national parks,” said National Park Service Director Jon
Jarvis. “This is just a small way we can honor our veterans and active
duty military, reserves, National Guard, and their families. It is also an
opportunity for all Americans to visit a national park that tells a
veteran’s story and learn more about the struggles and the people who have
kept our nation strong for more than 200 years.”

To learn more about how national parks preserve and commemorate the service
of the American military visit Honor America’s Veterans at Battlefields and
Military Parks Preserved in the National Park System
(http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/veterans/honor.htm) . Or search for a
close-to-home national park by clicking on “refine your search” and
entering your zip code in our park finder.

Many of the 392 national parks have planned special events on Veterans Day
including:

World War II Memorial, Washington, DC – 8 a.m. color guard from the
Military District of Washington, special speakers, wreath-laying, and taps.
Contact: Friends of the National World War II Memorial, (202) 747-4258.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC – 1 p.m. annual Veterans Day
Observance at the Wall. Contact: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund at (202)
393-0090.

Valley Forge National Historical Park, Pennsylvania – 10:30 a.m. wreath
laying at the National Memorial Arch with the Friends of Valley Forge Park
and the Korea DMZ Veterans Association. Contact: Ann Marie Maher at (610)
783-1006 or maher@valleyforge.org.

General Grant National Memorial, New York – 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. living history
displays and demonstrations of the evolution of the American Army during
the 19th century. Contact: Mindi Rambo at (212) 668-2208 or
mindi_rambo@nps.gov.

Free entrance on Veterans Day applies also applies at other areas managed
by the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture’s U.S.
Forest Service.

Let Your Powder-loving Voice Be Heard!

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:45:22 PST

With the projected doubling of Utah's population over the next 30 years, the Wasatch Canyons Tomorrow process is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Utah snowriders to help shape the future of Utah skiing and riding. The results of this process will form the basis of a plan that could significantly alter the experience Utah snow lovers currently enjoy. By taking just a few moments to complete the Wasatch Canyons Tomorrow online survey your opinions will help set priorities and identify long-term strategies that will enhance the value of the canyons for current and future generations. The process will explore the impacts of increased canyon use and address issues such as water quality, recreation, transportation, and environmental concerns with the ultimate goal being the long-term health of our canyons.

Please, take the time to share your opinions on this important subject by filling out this quick online survey: visit www.wasatchcanyons.slco.org
Add your voice to an open house discussion by joining us at the location nearest you.

6:30-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 4th

Skyline High School Cafeteria
3251 East 3760 South
Salt Lake City

Sandy City Hall (second floor multipurpose room)
10000 Centennial Parkway
Sandy

6:30-8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5th

West High School (Commons Area)
241 North 300 West
Salt Lake City

West Jordan High School (Media Center)
8136 South 2700 West
West Jordan

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 1st Hour Podcast for October 31st, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:09:08 PST

Cris Draper, the Trail Master and his Co Host, Steve Minnis in studio this week and we are talking Outdoor News of the Week, Ghost Fish in Stienaker? Haunted experiences at some of Utah State Parks locations? And much more news. Cris and Steve talk camouflage patterns, is it time to start looking to snow camo and what camouflage patterns for which seasons we recommend. Skyler Miller, Badlands Packs Pro Staff joins us for a look at the new lineup of Badlands packs! How to select the right pack for your next trip, how to pack it and then get outdoors and enjoy carrying and extra few pounds in your back pack. AND we are giving away Badlands Pack, Accessories and more so make sure you tune in over the next few months for your chance to win! This show is dedicated to GLEN MCINTYRE II, a man that loved his family and the outdoors, and shared this love with his kids and everyone he touched. Download the show here
.

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 2nd Hour Podcast for October 31st, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:03:15 PST

This show is dedicated to GLEN MCINTYRE II, a man that loved his family and the outdoors, and shared this love with his kids and everyone he touched. Cris Draper, the Trail Master and his Co Host, Steve Minnis in studio this week and we are talking the Annual Bison Roundup at Antelope Island State Park going on over the next week. Michelle Croft, Park Naturalist joins us to help folks understand the unique opportunity we have just a short drive away from the Metropolitan area to view this program first hand and see some Bison up close and personal. The Big Horn Sheep Festival is going on now. and Lance Egan from the US Fly fishing Team and Cabelas joins us with our Fishing Tip of the week segment. AND we are giving away Badlands Pack, Accessories and more so make sure you tune in over the next few months for your chance to win! Download the show here.

Ghost Fish in Steinaker?

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 05:01:08 PDT

Vernal -- Anglers are raising their eyebrows at Steinaker Reservoir.
“What is this fish I just caught?” many of them are asking.
“It looks like a ghost. Is it radioactive?!”

No, the fish isn’t radioactive. And it’s not a ghost, either.
It’s just a strain of white rainbow trout the Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources has developed and raised to give anglers an unusual
and unique fishing experience.

“We’ve stocked white rainbow trout for years in the Uinta Mountain
lakes along the Mirror Lake Highway,” says Roger Schneidervin, UDWR
regional aquatics manager. “Anglers and wildlife watchers really like
the fish. The fish are easy to see. And they’re quite unusual.”

After Schneidervin learned that one of the DWR’s hatcheries had some
extra white rainbows, he asked the hatchery workers if they would put
them into Steinaker and the Kids Canal in northeastern Utah this fall.

“They stocked a few into the canal and roughly 15,000 into Steinaker
a couple of weeks ago,” Schneidervin says. “It’s been fun talking
with the anglers who have caught them. Some are familiar with the fish.
Others have asked if the fish are radioactive!”

If you catch a fish that’s white at either water, don’t panic.
It’s not a ghost, and it’s not radioactive. It’s just an
unusual genetic variation that’s sometimes found in rainbow trout.
DWR hatchery managers have managed to isolate some of the fish. Now the
fish are being bred and raised in Utah’s fish hatcheries.

For more information, call the DWR’s Northeastern Region office at
(435) 781-9453.

GHOSTS IN UTAH’S STATE PARK MUSEUMS?

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:43:28 PDT

Salt Lake City – Utah’s state park museums reveal and preserve Utah’s history, which may include ghosts. Museum employees and paranormal investigators say activity has been recorded at Frontier Homestead and Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn state park museums. Are these parks really haunted?

According to Frontier Homestead State Park Museum Manager Todd Prince, digital voice recorders used in a recent investigation of the Hunter Home at Frontier Homestead revealed growling, knocking, and whispering voices within the empty home.

Joseph S. Hunter, an early settler of Cedar City, built the Hunter Home in 1866. Various Hunter family descendants lived in the home over the years, which is the oldest remaining home in Cedar City. The Hunter Home was moved to Frontier Homestead in 2005 to protect the home from demolition.

Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn has hosted both novice and experienced paranormal investigators who record their eerie encounters on tape and film. Recordings show orbs or balls of light, which some believe to be energy fields. Other recorded findings include whispering, sounds from moving furniture, mists and ribbons, and unexplained streaks of light.

Once home to members of Johnston’s army, this area was a bustling community until 1861 when tensions between north and south resulted in civil war. Troops were ordered back East for the emergency and nearly all the buildings were dismantled or demolished. Today, only the cemetery and the commissary building remain.

Join in the paranormal investigation of Camp Floyd Saturday, October 24 at 5:30 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own tape recorders, film, digital and infrared cameras. Park staff will assist participants in the use of their equipment in finding paranormal orbs, mists and sounds. A brief presentation will be conducted to familiarize visitors with ghost hunting techniques before the investigation begins. Admission fees are $2 per person or $6 per family.

To visit Camp Floyd, take Lehi Exit 279 off I-15, which is Lehi's Main Street. Continue west along this street, which turns into Highway 73. Continue along this highway to the town of Fairfield, approximately 22 miles from Lehi. Once in Fairfield, follow the highway signs into the park.

For more information on these museums or upcoming events, visit stateparks.utah.gov.

UPCOMING UTAH STATE PARKS EVENTS

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:42:12 PDT

November 7 Antelope Island State Park - Syracuse
Creatures of the Night: Meet at the visitor center at 6 p.m. for a night of mystery as we learn about the island’s animals who come out after the sun goes down. Enjoy an indoor presentation then venture outside to catch a glimpse of the island’s nocturnal predators. (801) 773-2941

November 7 Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum - Blanding
Sneak a Peek: Discover how artifacts are cared for and curated, and view perishable and environmentally-sensitive artifacts up close. Enjoy tours from 2 to 4 p.m. Free with paid admission, with a special rate for San Juan County residents. (435) 678-2238

November 10 Frontier Homestead State Park Museum – Cedar City
Children's Story Time: Pre-school children are invited to learn about the past through stories and history-related activities from 12:30 to 1 p.m. (435) 586-9290

November 12 Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum - Blanding
Perishable Artifacts of Chaco and Aztec: Dr. Laurie Webster shares her research examining sandals, basketry samples, cordage, textiles, and other perishable artifacts from the Four Corners area. A slide presentation focuses on her analysis of materials discovered at both Chaco Canyon and Aztec Pueblo. Program begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public. (435) 678-2238

November 13 Escalante Petrified Forest State Park - Escalante
Star Gazing: Celebrate the International Year of Astronomy with an evening of star gazing. Join the park naturalist on a tour through the galaxy as we search for planets, constellations and other celestial wonders. Meet at the visitor center at 7 p.m. Dress warmly and bring folding chairs or blankets. Hot drinks will be served. (435) 826-4466

November 13 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Simple Campfire Desserts: Gather around a toasty fire at 7 p.m. to bake and sample simple campfire desserts. Leave with recipes for your next camping trip. Space is limited and registration is required. (435) 628-2255

November 13 Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum - Vernal
Movie Night at the Museum: Watch Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian at either 5:45 p.m. or 8 p.m. This event is free, but tickets are required and can be picked up in advance at the Uintah Community Center in Vernal. (435) 789-3799

November 14 Antelope Island State Park - Syracuse
Hands-on Bison: Join the park naturalist from 1 to 3 p.m. for an afternoon of hands-on bison activities. Compare a bison and cow skull, explore horns and fur, and learn why this animal is so unique. (801) 773-2941

MONTE CRISTO SNOWMOBILE PARKING PASSES AVAILABLE

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 04:41:17 PDT

Willard - Season parking passes for the Monte Cristo Snowmobile Trailhead are available November 10 for $50.

To purchase by mail, please send a cashier’s check or money order to Willard Bay State Park at 900 West 650 North, Willard, UT 84340. To purchase by phone with a credit card, please call (435) 734-9494. Passes may also be purchased at Willard Bay State Park and at the trailhead when grooming begins.

Funds derived from pass sales are used for maintenance of facilities and the trailhead parking lot.

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 1st Hour Podcast for October 24th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:19:41 PDT

Cris Draper, Steve Minnis and Jayson Toerck in studio. Bill Fenimore, Wildlife Board Member and owner of the Layton Wild Bird Center calls from the duck blind talk about waterfowl hunting and upcoming changes for big game hunting in 2010 - 2011. And we talk about the 2009 Cabelas Waterfowl Classic

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 2nd Hour Podcast for October 24th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:14:03 PDT

Cris Draper, Steve Minnis and Jayson Toerck in studio. We are joined by `Cameron Hanes host of RMEF's Elk Chronicles show joins us for hunting stories, bow tips and late season hunting tips. Mat Lamb from The Traditional Sportsman in Lewiston, ID calls in with a fishing report for Idaho steelhead fishing and we wrap up the show talking with Judge Julie of Third Eye Guides and Outfitters and the Huntin with the Judge TV Show talks about some bailout fallout hunts you don't want to miss out on.

Major Big Game Hunting Changes Could Happen in 2011

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:52:29 PDT

The time of year when you can hunt deer and elk in Utah might change in
2011.

Several months ago, the Utah Wildlife Board directed the state’s
wildlife agency to:

- give big game hunters more hunting options to choose from

- reduce crowding among hunters who are in the field.

The ideas the Division of Wildlife Resources has come up with
wouldn’t be implemented until the 2011 hunts. But the changes are
big enough that the DWR wants to get the ideas out now so there’s
plenty of time for you to comment.

Rules for the 2011 hunts will not be approved until November 2010.

“The ideas we’ve come up with would give hunters some new
options,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR.

Learn more, share your ideas

You can learn more about the DWR’s ideas -- and provide your input
and suggestions -- at five Regional Advisory Council meetings will be
held across Utah.

Citizens representing the RACs will share with the Utah Wildlife Board
the input received at the meetings.

You can participate and provide your input at any of the following
meetings (two notes: the Southern Region meeting begins at 5 p.m. The
Central Region meeting will be held on a Thursday.):

Southern Region
Nov. 3
5 p.m.
Richfield High School
510 W. 100 S.
Richfield

Southeastern Region
Nov. 4
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St.
Green River

Northeastern Region
Nov. 5
6:30 p.m.
Western Park, Room #1
302 E. 200 S.
Vernal

Northern Region
Nov. 10
6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W.
Brigham City

Central Region
Nov. 12
6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High
165 S. 700 E.
Springville

E-mail

You can also provide your comments to your RAC via e-mail. E-mail
addresses for your RAC members are available at
www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings .

The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.)
is listed under each person’s e-mail address. You should direct your
e-mail to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.

Big Game Ideas for 2011

The following are among the ideas the DWR is considering. A calendar
that shows when the proposed seasons would be held is available at
www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/info/09-11-03.pdf :

General Deer and Elk Hunts

Four major general-season deer and elk changes could occur in 2011:

Two general rifle deer hunts

The first idea would keep the number of general rifle buck deer permits
the same as it is now (no more than 97,000 permits), but it would split
Utah’s general rifle deer hunt into two hunts.

Each hunt would be nine days long, just like the hunt is now, but
hunters could choose to participate in an early hunt or a late hunt.

The early hunt would be held at the start of October. The late hunt
would happen at the end of October.

Having two rifle deer hunts would reduce by half the number of hunters
in the field at any one time.

“You’d still be able to hunt the same number of days you can hunt
now, but you’d have fewer hunters in the field with you,” Aoude
says. “We think this change would make your rifle hunt even
better.”

Hunting deer and elk at the same time

Another idea would let you hunt deer and elk at the same time. The DWR
is considering holding the general rifle buck deer hunt and the general
rifle bull elk hunt on the same days.

“This change would allow you to hunt deer and elk at the same
time,” Aoude says. “But you wouldn’t have to do that. If you
wanted, you could obtain a deer permit to hunt during either the early
or the late season, and also obtain an elk permit to hunt during the
season when you’re not hunting deer.

“This change wouldn’t take anything away from you. But it would
give you another option you could take advantage of, if you wanted
to.”

Hold muzzleloader deer and elk hunts at the same time

In addition to holding the rifle deer and elk hunts at the same time,
the DWR is considering holding Utah’s general muzzleloader deer and
muzzleloader elk hunts at the same time too. The general muzzleloader
deer and elk season would be held in the middle of October, between the
two rifle hunts.

The DWR is also considering adding a second muzzleloader elk hunt -- a
general any-bull elk hunt. That hunt would happen in mid November.

Same start dates every year

A third idea is to start all of Utah’s big game hunts on the same
calendar days every year. For example, if Aug. 21 was chosen as the day
to start the general archery elk hunt, the season would start on Aug. 21
every year, even if Aug. 21 didn’t fall on a Saturday.

The only exception would be if a start date fell on a Sunday. Then the
season would probably begin on the proceeding Saturday.

“This idea would keep the season dates consistent from year to
year,” Aoude says.

Limited-entry Deer and Elk Hunts

The DWR also has two ideas for Utah’s limited-entry deer and elk
hunts:

Dates for limited-entry elk hunts

One idea would change the dates of the limited-entry elk hunts. It
would also give archers first chance at the elk.

Starting in 2011, biologists would like to start the limited-entry
archery elk hunt in early September and end it in mid-September.
That’s when the elk are at the peak of their rut.

After the limited-entry archery hunt ended in mid-September, the
limited-entry muzzleloader elk hunt would start the next day.
Muzzleloader elk hunters would have the elk to themselves for four days.
Then the limited-entry rifle hunt would also begin. Both the
muzzleloader hunt and the rifle hunt would end on the same day in early
October.

“Because they use rifles, rifle hunters have a better chance at
taking an elk than archery or muzzleloader hunters do,” Aoude says.

“Even if we move limited-entry rifle hunters to the latter part of
the rut, they’re still going to be successful,” he says. “But
allowing archery hunters to hunt during the rut would really increase
their success. And their success rate would probably still be lower
than the success rate rifle hunters find during the rut.”

Hold the general and limited-entry rifle deer hunts at the same time

An additional idea is to hold the limited-entry rifle buck deer hunt at
the same time the general-season rifle buck deer hunt is held.

The hunt on some limited-entry deer units would happen at the start of
October. The hunt on other units would happen at the end of October.

“Limited-entry deer hunts and general-season deer hunts are held on
completely different units,” Aoude says. “Holding the hunts at the
same time shouldn’t create any conflicts between limited-entry hunters
and general-season hunters. They’d be hunting on separate units.”

Once-In-a-Lifetime Hunts

Bull moose season

Utah’s bull moose season is currently split into two hunts. The DWR
is considering combining the two hunts into one hunt. The hunt would be
held from late September to mid October.

The bull moose change is the only once-in-a-lifetime species change the
DWR is considering for 2011.

“The ideas we have right now are a starting point to get our
biologists and sportsmen talking about possible changes for 2011,”
Aoude says. “We’re wide open to the suggestions hunters and other
folks have.”

Apply for a 2010 Sportsman Permit

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:31:53 PDT

Applications for Utah’s most prized hunting permits accepted soon

Applications for next year’s most prized Utah hunting permits -- 2010
sportsman permits -- will be available by Nov. 2.

Only Utah residents may apply for sportsman permits. One sportsman
permit is offered for each of the following species: Desert bighorn ram,
Rocky Mountain bighorn ram, buck deer, buck pronghorn, bull elk, bull
moose, hunter’s choice bison, hunter’s choice Rocky Mountain goat,
black bear, cougar, sandhill crane and wild turkey.

If you draw a sportsman permit, the dates you can hunt vary. But in
most cases, they’re longer than the regular season dates. You can
also hunt on almost any unit in Utah that’s open to hunting the
species you drew a permit for.

Highly prized

“Sportsman permits are highly prized,” says Judi Tutorow, wildlife
licensing coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “If
you’re one of the lucky hunters who draw one, you’ll have plenty of
days -- and plenty of areas -- to hunt.”

You can apply for a sportsman permit starting Nov. 2 at
www.wildlife.utah.gov. Applications must be submitted no later than
11 p.m. on Nov. 19 to be entered in the draw for permits.

Draw results will be posted by Dec. 10. If you draw a permit, you’ll
also receive a letter in the mail. “Not many hunters draw these
permits,” Tutorow says. “If you receive a letter in the mail, it
wouldn’t surprise me if you frame it!”

For more information, see pages 23 and 24 of the 2009 Utah Big Game
Guidebook (www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks) or call the nearest
Division of Wildlife Resources office. You can also call the DWR’s
Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

Statewide Deer Archery Hunting Could Happen Again in 2010 and many more changes too

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 05:29:35 PDT

The facts are in, and the findings are clear -- based on the acres of
public land that have deer habitat, the Southern Region doesn’t have
any more archery hunters in it than any other region in the state.

In fact, based on the number of acres per archery hunter, the Southern
Region is actually the least crowded region in Utah.

For that reason, the Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing that
general archery deer hunters be allowed to hunt anywhere in Utah
that’s open to general-season hunting.

(In 2009, archery hunters had to choose one region to hunt in during
the first two weeks of the hunt. After the first two weeks, they could
hunt anywhere in Utah that was open to general-season hunting.)

All of the DWR’s recommendations for Utah’s 2010 big game seasons
are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings .

Learn more, share your ideas

Once you’ve read the proposals, you can share your thoughts and ideas
one of two ways:

RAC meetings

Five Regional Advisory Council meetings will be held across Utah.
Citizens representing the RACs will take the input received at the
meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board. Board members will use the input
to help them set rules for Utah’s 2010 big game hunts. They’ll set
those rules at their Dec. 3 meeting in Salt Lake City.

You can participate and provide your input at any of the following
meetings (two notes: the Southern Region meeting begins at 5 p.m. The
Central Region meeting will be held on a Thursday.):

Southern Region
Nov. 3
5 p.m.
Richfield High School
510 W. 100 S.
Richfield

Southeastern Region
Nov. 4
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St.
Green River

Northeastern Region
Nov. 5
6:30 p.m.
Western Park, Room #1
302 E. 200 S.
Vernal

Northern Region
Nov. 10
6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W.
Brigham City

Central Region
Nov. 12
6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High
165 S. 700 E.
Springville

E-mail

You can also provide your comments to your RAC via e-mail. E-mail
addresses for your RAC members are available at
www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.

The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.)
is listed under each person’s e-mail address. You should direct your
e-mail to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.

Acres of land per hunter

“The data is clear -- archery hunters are not the only reason some
people feel the Southern Region is crowded during the first part of the
archery hunt,” says Anis Aoude, big game coordinator for the DWR.

Aoude bases his finding on two statistics:

- the acres of public land in the region that have deer habitat

- the number of archers who hunt in the region.

You can see the statistics at
www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings/info/09-11-08.pdf .

Crowding -- what’s causing it?

Even though the Southern Region has more acres of public land per
hunter than any region in Utah, that doesn’t mean certain parts of the
region aren’t crowded from mid August to mid September.

“Southern Utah is a very popular place to camp and hike. And
that’s what’s causing most of the crowding,” Aoude says. “We
don’t feel we should restrict and penalize archery hunters because
other people enjoy being in the woods too.”

Aoude says archers can also be part of the crowding challenge, but that
situation isn’t unique to the Southern Region -- it happens in every
region in the state. “There are certain areas in every region that
are popular and draw a lot of hunters,” he says.

Archery committee

A committee helped the DWR draft the statewide proposal for 2010. The
committee included three archery hunters from southern Utah, two members
of the Utah Bowhunter’s Association, two members of Bowhunters of Utah
and Bill Fenimore, a member of the Utah Wildlife Board.

“The data helped the committee see that archers aren’t the only
reason the Southern Region gets crowded during the first part of the
archery hunt,” Aoude says. “The committee took the data, looked
through it and then recommended to us that Utah return to a statewide
hunt for the entire general archery season.”

Wild Sheep Foundation Adopts Boone and Crockett Scoring

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:58:05 PDT

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) has formally endorsed the Boone and Crockett scoring system for measuring North American sheep taken by WSF members.

The move follows a unanimous vote by the WSF board of directors.

By official proclamation, WSF will use the Boone and Crockett scoring system—and its attendant ethical and fair chase standards—as the basis for its Ram Awards. The awards recognize WSF members who take trophy-class bighorn, California, Dall’s, desert or Stone’s sheep.

The Boone and Crockett scoring system will apply for all rifle kills entered into the Ram Awards. WSF will use accepted international scoring systems for other species of sheep, and Pope and Young Club scoring (which is based on the Boone and Crockett system) for archery kills.

“We’re pleased to formalize our long partnership with America’s first conservation organization, the Boone and Crockett Club. We look forward to an even stronger alliance for putting and keeping sheep on the mountain,” said Gray Thornton, WSF president and CEO.

Eldon “Buck” Buckner, vice president of Big Game Records for Boone and Crockett Club, said, “Wild sheep are one of the most tightly monitored of all big game species. This endorsement from the Wild Sheep Foundation is important because it strengthens the objectives we share for sheep conservation as well as sheep hunting in North America.”

The Boone and Crockett scoring system was the first ever developed for measuring conservation initiatives in North America. Today the Club’s records book remains a classic gauge of modern habitat and management programs. In addition to its prestigious history and tradition, the Boone and Crockett scoring system is strongly associated with the highest tenets of fair chase and hunting ethics.

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 1st Hour Podcast for October 17th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:02:17 PDT

Cris Draper, Steve Minnis, with Verle and Matt Duerden joining us in studio this week. This weeks show is based around get children outdoors and ways to do that from even just getting them outdoors to a local community fisheries pond, to camping along the Wasatch front. Matt shares some serious statistics on how seriously kids not getting outdoors is changing our World. We talk with Verle and Matt about Action Whitewater Adventures rafting adventures, Fish Lake Lodge and Resorts and the WILD Foundation. Cody King joins us to talk waterfowl! Cody is the Utah Ducks Unlimited State Advisory Chairman and spends a ton of time tracking and hunting ducks and geese from Canada to Texas and shares some good information on this years hunt.

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 2nd Hour Podcast for October 17th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:45:32 PDT

Cris Draper, Steve Minnis, with Verle and Matt Duerden joining us in studio this week. This weeks show is based around get children outdoors and ways to do that. We talk with Verle and Matt about the WILD Foundation. Steve talks Steelhead fishing in Idaho. We also talk with Scott Root, Central Region Outreach Manager for the Utah Division of Wildlife calling in from one of the many check stations out there for the deer hunt to talk about how important these check stations are.

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 2nd Hour Podcast for October 10th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:50:58 PDT

Host Cris Draper and Co Host Steve Minnis are in studio. We talk about hunting in Idaho and the great programs available for both Adult and Youth Hunters. We are joined by John Kline of the Boise Gun Company to tallk about getting ready for the hunt and some of the new options on the market. Judge Julie joins us and we are talking to start of Season 4 of the Huntin with the Judge TV Show and our hunts and Cris's wedding in Africa which are airing now. We also talk about how affordable it really can be to go on a trip like Africa or New Zealand with good planning and checking out your resources. We also talk about some new gadgets on the market.

Trail Master Outdoors Radio Show 1st Hour Podcast for October 10th, 2009

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 04:44:42 PDT

Cris Draper, the Trail Master and Steve Minnis in studio this week. We talk with Jon Gunderson wirh Russell Outdoor Gear about the new APX2X layering hunting clothing line. This is one of the best new technology for lightweight, dependable, layering hunting gear available. We also talk news of the week.

ksl.com - Trail runner comes eye to eye with cougar above Bountiful

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 06:05:42 PDT

ksl.com - Trail runner comes eye to eye with cougar above Bountiful
Plenty of wildlife roams along the Wasatch Front just beyond our view. But an experienced trail runner had a close encounter with a cougar this weekend that made him pray for his life.

Steve Newman said it was a terrifying episode that lasted five minutes.

"We would stare at each other in the eyes, and it was a haunting feeling that I'm this piece of meat and I'm its prey," Newman said.

Early Saturday morning, Newman headed to Mueller Park Canyon in Bountiful to mountain bike and trail run. He biked up more than an hour then changed into his running shoes. A few minutes into his run, he heard a strange sound.
Shared via AddThis

Wildlife Officers at Checkpoints across Utah for opening of the Deer Hunt

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:35:55 PDT

Don’t be surprised if wildlife officers stop your vehicle at an
administrative checkpoint this fall.

Division of Wildlife Resources officers conduct these checkpoints,
formerly called roadblocks, throughout the year. But the number of
checkpoints increases when the hunting seasons start in the fall.

Scott Dalebout, a lieutenant with the DWR, says the checkpoints allow
the DWR to help Utah’s fish and wildlife several ways.

“Monitoring public compliance with wildlife laws is one of the major
reasons we conduct the checkpoints," Dalebout says. “We can contact a
lot of people in a short period of time.”

But catching those who violate wildlife laws isn’t the only reason
the DWR conducts checkpoints.

“Our biologists use these checkpoints to gather biological data about
Utah’s fish and wildlife,” Dalebout says. “They examine the fish
and wildlife that anglers and hunters have taken. They also visit with
the anglers and hunters to learn more about the number and type of game
they saw and the fish they hooked.

“We’ve been entrusted as the guardians of Utah’s wildlife,”
Dalebout says. “That means a lot to us. Checkpoints are one of the
most important tools we have to help us fulfill that role.”

Study Begins for Proposed Bear River Pipeline

cris@utahoutdoors.com (Cris Draper) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:30:57 PDT

Box Elder County, Utah -- Studies are underway on the Bear River
Pipeline Project that would develop water for Cache, Box Elder, Weber,
Davis, and Salt Lake counties. The Utah Division of Water Resources
(DWRe) is studying multiple routes for the proposed pipeline from now
through May 2010.

The pipeline may not be needed for at least 20 years; however Gina
Hirst, DWRe, believes it is important to identify a preferred route now
as part of the project planning. The population of Box Elder and Weber
counties has grown significantly over the past decade, increasing the
need to identify and protect a route for the future pipeline.

The 50-mile study area begins at the proposed Washakie Reservoir site
and ends near the Slaterville Diversion on the Weber River.

The study will provide an updated cost estimate in order to plan for
this long-term project. It will also identify environmental issues and
possible multi-use recreational opportunities such as trails along the
pipeline alignment.

After the potential routes are identified, DWRe can begin the
environmental permitting process for selecting a final route and
prioritizing property acquisition planning activities.

For more information about the Bear River Pipeline Project, please
contact Gina Hirst at 801-538-7286 or email BearRiverProject@utah.gov.

The Utah Division of Water Resources plans, conserves, develops and
protects Utah’s water resources.