Statewide
Ride along with officers during the elk hunt opener
What: Approximately 30,000 hunters — plus their families and friends — will head into Utah’s backcountry this weekend for the general-season elk hunt opener. DWR conservation officers will be there too, talking with hunters, checking their licenses and taking a look at the animals the hunters harvested. The elk hunts are a popular part of Utah’s big game hunting season.
When: Oct. 7–8
Checking hunters during the waterfowl opener
What: Before dawn tomorrow morning, thousands of hunters will set up decoys and blinds in northern Utah’s marshes, just waiting for the opening moments of the 2017–2018 waterfowl hunt in the Northern Zone. As the hunt begins, DWR conservation officers will be on the ground, answering questions, talking to hunters and checking their bag limits.
When: Saturday, Oct. 7
Electrofishing the Lower Provo River
What: In the middle of October, DWR biologists will use electrofishing equipment to sample fish in the Lower Provo River. After the fish have been temporarily stunned, DWR employees and volunteers will work quickly to net the fish, weigh and measure them and record the data. Then, they’ll release the unharmed fish back into the river. The biologists expect to find brown and rainbow trout of various sizes, and are interested to see if any other sportfish turn up in the survey. s.
When: Oct. 16–17
Where: The Lower Provo River, from below Deer Creek to the Vivian Park area. Meet at the Deer Creek Campground (below the dam) at 9 a.m. and please call the contact if you’re interested in attending.
Surveying fish populations at Jordanelle Reservoir (space limited)
What: In recent years, DWR biologists have made sweeping changes to the fishery at Jordanelle Reservoir. Now, in addition to smallmouth bass and brown trout, the reservoir holds tiger muskie, wipers and kokanee salmon. Next week, the biologists will use gill nets to survey fish populations at Jordanelle. As the heavy, fish-filled nets come to shore, the biologists will sort, weigh and measure the fish and record their findings. It’s a sampling process that provides valuable data about how the sportfish populations are doing. Reporters and photographers are invited to join the DWR during the sampling, interview biologists and see if the newly added species are thriving in the reservoir. Note: We have space for two media representatives on the gill-netting boats.
When: Oct. 10–11, meet at 9 a.m. at the Hailstone boat ramp.
Where: Jordanelle Reservoir
Electrofishing for rare fish in the Strawberry River
What: Three fish on the Utah Sensitive Species List make their home in the Strawberry River. The bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker and roundtail chub are native to Utah and the focus of conservation efforts. Starting next week, DWR biologists will use an electrofishing barge to survey the populations of these fish in the Strawberry River. After stunning the fish, the biologists will identify, count and measure them, and then return them to the river unharmed.
Surveying the walleye population at Starvation Reservoir
What: In a couple of weeks, DWR biologists will take a close look at the walleye population in Starvation Reservoir. The reservoir is one of northeastern Utah’s most popular fisheries and is home to a variety of fish. The biologists will boat across the reservoir over the course of three days and pull gill nets at multiple locations. The walleye are fertile in Starvation, so the biologists expect to see many different age classes of fish. After they pull the fish out of the nets, the biologists will weigh and measure them and check their stomach contents.
Improving habitat for mule deer, sage grouse and other wildlife
What: Fall is habitat-restoration season in Utah. Busy crews are heading into the field to tackle a variety of interesting projects that will improve habitat for mule deer, sage grouse and other Utah wildlife. Here are four types of projects happening in central Utah over the next couple of months:
Reseeding fire-damaged areas — Utah has had its fair share of wildfires this summer. The DWR will work with partners to reseed and restore six fire-damaged areas in central Utah, including acreage burned in the Tank Hollow Fire.
Cheatgrass spraying — The DWR will spray 16,000 acres of cheatgrass in Tooele County, with the goal of removing it from the landscape. Cheatgrass has limited nutritional value for wildlife and poses a huge wildfire hazard. After the cheatgrass dies, the DWR will reseed the area with vegetation that benefits wildlife.
Using a bullhog to remove vegetation — When it comes to wildlife habitat, not all vegetation is of equal value. In fact, certain types of plants (like pinyon pine and Utah juniper) crowd out more beneficial plants like sagebrush. The DWR will use a large machine called a bullhog to shred the pinyon and juniper trees so more sagebrush can grow. See a bullhog in action at http://j.mp/1TDQY81
Building artificial beaver dams to help sage grouse — DWR habitat crews will build artificial beaver dams in a creek in the Vernon area (Tooele County). The goal is to raise the water table in the area and create wet-meadow habitat that will benefit a local population of greater sage grouse.
