“I found a baby bird. How can I help it?”
DWR provides some answers
It’s not unusual to find a baby bird on the ground this time of the year.
Scott Root, regional conservation outreach manager for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says young birds often leave their nests before they’re able to fly. “They usually spread along the branch of a tree,” he says, “and chirp and call, waiting for their parents to bring food to them.”
While the birds are spread along the branch, it’s not uncommon for a strong wind to blow the birds off the branch and onto the ground.
If you find a baby bird on the ground, what’s the best way to help the bird? Root has some advice:
Tip 1 – Get the bird out of the reach of cats and dogs by placing it on a safe branch. “The baby will squawk,” he says, “and its parents will find it”
Don’t be concerned about leaving your scent on the bird. Root says most birds do not have a good sense of smell. “If you pick a baby bird up,” he says, “and place it on a branch, its parents won’t even know you’ve handled it.”
Tip 2 – While it’s fine for its parents to feed the baby bird, you shouldn’t. Root says birds have a specific diet.
“Feeding them something that’s not part of their diet can kill them,” he says. “For example, many people are surprised to learn that robins are among only a handful of birds that can safely eat worms. Most birds can’t.”
Root says the best thing to do is put the bird back on the branch, and let its parents feed it. “They know what the bird can and cannot eat,” he says.
Tip 3 – If the baby bird is hopping around, you’ve found a bird that almost isn’t a “baby” anymore. These young birds are called fledglings. They have most of their flight feathers and are very close to taking their first flight.
If the bird isn’t in danger, leave it where you found it. This awkward “hopping” stage typically lasts two to five days. It’s part of the natural process a baby bird goes through, before it takes its first flight. Its parents are watching the baby bird and are still feeding it.
If you think the fledgling is in immediate danger, then move it carefully to a safer spot nearby.
Video and more tips
You can learn more about helping baby birds by watching this video: www.facebook.com/Slate/videos/10153975209486438.
Tips and information are also available from Wild Aware Utah. You can get the free information at https://bit.ly/2uTG5LW and https://bit.ly/2Ivo8W4.
###
PHOTOS - five photos to accompany this story are available at http://udwrnewsphotos.zenfolio.com/p958948773 .
Contact: Mark Hadley, DWR Relations with the Public Specialist, 801-538-4737
Turkey hunting tips
Utah’s statewide hunt starts soon
A chance to pursue an elusive, wild bird in Utah is almost here. The state’s general statewide turkey hunt starts April 30.
And, if you were 17 years of age or younger on July 31, you can also participate in Utah’s youth-only turkey hunt. The youth hunt runs April 27 – 29.
Permits for the general hunts aren’t limited, so you’ll have no problem getting one. You can buy a permit at www.wildlife.utah.gov. Permits are also available from Utah hunting license agents and Division of Wildlife Resources offices.
Plenty of birds
Turkeys are doing great in Utah, with an estimated 25,000 to 35,000 turkeys living in the state. Unlike the Midwestern and Eastern states, though, wild turkeys aren’t found everywhere. “Even though lots of turkeys live in Utah,” says Jason Robinson, upland game coordinator for the DWR, “most of the state doesn’t have any birds. Scouting is a huge part of turkey hunting in Utah. You have to find the birds to find success.”
In addition to serving as Utah’s upland game coordinator, Robinson is an avid and successful turkey hunter. Following his top four tips below will greatly increase the chance you take a turkey in Utah this spring. Tips are also available in a series of DWR turkey hunting videos. The videos are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/turkeys.
Tip 1 – Scout, scout, scout
Two turkey subspecies—Rio Grande and Merriam’s—live in Utah. You’ll typically find the birds in different types of habitat. Rio Grande turkeys are usually found at lower elevations. River bottoms dotted with cottonwood trees, and areas containing mostly oak and pinyon-juniper trees, are favorite spots. Merriam’s turkeys, on the other hand, are typically found in ponderosa pine forests at higher elevations.
Knowing the elevation and the habitat type is only part of the equation, though. For example, you might find a 20-mile-long drainage with excellent habitat from top to bottom. But birds won’t use the entire drainage. Instead, they’ll zero in on a few key spots.
Fortunately, turkeys leave lots of sign behind, including tracks, scratches in the ground, feathers and droppings. “If you scout an area,” Robinson says, “and you don’t find any sign, look for a new spot. Turkeys always leave sign behind. Hunt only in areas where you’ve found sign.”
Tip 2 – Pattern the birds
Once you’ve found a spot, it’s time to pattern the birds. Try to determine where they’re foraging and which trees they’re roosting in. Then, find a spot between the two.
“Birds won’t veer long distances from the routes they normally take,” he says. “Make sure you set up fairly close to the route the birds are using.”
Tip 3 – Call sparingly
Before the season starts, practice your calling. Then, once you’re in the field, don’t call too much.
“When you’re in the field,” he says, “you’re trying to mimic what wild turkeys do in the wild. You’re trying to trick a bird into thinking the sound it hears is coming from an actual turkey. Many hunters call more than a turkey would call. Calling less is more effective than calling too much.”
Tip 4 – Don’t move
Wild turkeys have amazing eyesight. For that reason, it’s critical that you’re properly camouflaged and well hid. But the right camouflage and hiding well won’t work if you move. “Nine times out of 10,” Robinson says, “movement is what gives hunters away. Try to stay perfectly motionless as a turkey moves in. If you hide well and don’t move, you’ll have a great chance at bagging one of the nation’s wariest birds.”
###
DWR hosts annual Loon Watch
Vernal -- An almost mythical bird—built for diving and with a haunting voice—stops in northeastern Utah every spring. You can learn more about this unique bird on April 21 at the Division of Wildlife Resources’ annual Loon Watch.
The free wildlife viewing event runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Steinaker State Park. The park, which includes Steinaker Reservoir, is just off U.S. Highway 191, about five miles north of Vernal.
Five loon species are found in the world. The second largest, the common loon, migrates through Utah on its way north in the spring and on its way back to coastal destinations in the fall.
"Common loon calls are often what you think of while watching a movie set in the northern territories of Canada,” says Tonya Kieffer, regional conservation outreach manager for the DWR. “They have a wailing, yodel-like call that echoes in the wilderness."
Kieffer says the April 21 Loon Watch will happen at one of the US-191 pull-outs on the east side of the reservoir. “We'll have binoculars and spotting scopes available to help you see, learn about and enjoy these unique birds,” she says.
Named for their awkwardness while walking, or for their calls (after an old Norse word meaning "to moan"), loons are at home on or under the water.
"They’re superb swimmers with torpedo-like bodies that are designed to catch fish," Kieffer says. "Due to the placement of their feet, they can’t walk well, so they only use land during their nesting season. They require lakes with enough surface area for their erratic flapping-and-running takeoffs across the water. You’ll likely see birds take off during the event.”
Kieffer says common loons are common visitors in northeastern Utah. “Folks in the Basin don’t have to travel far to watch these birds,” she says. "With their bold black-and-white appearance, they’re a beautiful bird to watch. If we’re extremely lucky, we might even hear the birds call during the event."
You don’t have to register for the free event, but Kieffer encourages you to complete an online form. Completing the form will help the DWR make future events even better. The form is available at http://bit.ly/loon_watch.
For more information about the Loon Watch, call the DWR’s Northeastern Region office at 435-781-9453.
Loons in the Basin
Kieffer says a migratory population of loons passes through the Uinta Basin every spring. “The loons are fairly consistent,” she says. “They usually arrive around April 1, or just after the ice leaves the reservoirs.”
This spring, though, the loons are already here. “We spotted loons on Steinaker and Starvation reservoirs in March,” she says. “We’re hoping a decent number stick around for the event.”
In the past, biologists have reported seeing more than 200 loons on different reservoirs in the Uinta Basin on a single day. "Steinaker Reservoir seems to be one of their hotspots,” Kieffer says. “Single-day counts of around 60 loons have been common.”
Kieffer says loons eat mostly fish and breed on quiet, remote freshwater lakes in the northern U.S. and Canada. They need crystal-clear lakes to see their prey underwater, so their presence indicates excellent water quality at the waters where they’re found.
###
P
Learn how and where to fish for wipers in Northern Utah
Free seminar on April 26
Salt Lake City – Wipers—a hard-fighting cross between a female striped bass and a male white bass—are fast becoming a favorite fish to catch in Utah.
If you’d like to get in on the action—but you’re not sure what tackle to use or where and when to catch the fish—you won’t want to miss a free seminar on April 26.
The seminar will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Department of Natural Resources auditorium, 1594 W. North Temple in Salt Lake City.
If you can’t attend the event, you can watch it live at https://youtu.be/9gyMiEnMrIQ. You can also visit https://youtu.be/9gyMiEnMrIQ anytime after the event and watch the seminar whenever you like.
The event is free, but you must register to attend. You can register at http://bit.ly/wiper_seminar.
The Division of Wildlife Resources, Smith & Edwards and Utah’s Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council have teamed up to offer the free event.
What you’ll learn
Wiper fishing experts will cover tackle and equipment, trolling tactics and various methods for shore fishing—even fly fishing from shore for wipers! The seminar will focus on fishing opportunities at Willard Bay and East Canyon reservoirs and the DWR’s approach to managing wipers at both waters.
Even though the seminar will focus on Willard Bay and East Canyon reservoirs, Phil Douglass, regional conservation outreach manager for the DWR, says the tips shared can help you catch wipers at any water in Utah where the fish are found.
Douglass says introducing wipers to the two reservoirs, and other waters across the state, has created a new and exciting option for anglers.
“Many anglers, including myself, have really enjoyed the chance to catch this hard fighting and great tasting fish,” he says. “From the first time I caught a wiper, I knew I’d found a new favorite fish to catch and cook for my friends and family.”
DWR seminars
The April 26 seminar is part of the DWR’s new Wildlife Recreation program. “These seminars are just perfect for helping people expand their fishing knowledge and explore new fishing opportunities,” Douglass says.
The wiper seminar is one in a growing lineup of events. Douglass says Wildlife Recreation seminars are planned for a rich variety of wildlife recreation, ranging from dog training to waterfowl and upland game bird hunting to fly fishing the Uintas.
You can learn where and when the events are being held at www.facebook.com/UtahDWR. The events are also included in a calendar at the agency’s website (www.wildlife.utah.gov/calendar.html).
###
More chances to take a turkey
DWR biologists recommend changes for 2018 – 2019 turkey hunt
Starting this fall, there might be more chances to take wild turkeys during Utah’s fall hunting season. And you might have more firearm and shot shell options to choose from.
Biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources are recommending three major changes. Two apply only to Utah’s fall hunting season. A third applies to both the fall and the spring hunts:
· Allow hunters to buy up to three fall turkey hunting permits. Currently, those hunting in the fall may have only one fall hunting permit.
· During both the fall and spring seasons, allow hunters to use any shotgun firing BB or smaller diameter shot. Currently, hunters are required to use shotguns that range from 10 gauge to 28 gauge. And only shot sizes BB through 8 may be used.
· During the fall season only, allow hunters to hunt turkeys with rim fire firearms.
Starting April 18, all of the DWR’s turkey and upland game bird recommendations should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.
Learn more, share your ideas
After you’ve reviewed the ideas at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings, you can let your Regional Advisory Council members know your thoughts by attending your upcoming RAC meeting or by sending an email to them.
RAC chairmen will share the input they receive with members of the Utah Wildlife Board. The board will meet in Salt Lake City on May 31 to approve turkey and upland game hunting rules and permits for Utah’s 2018 - 2019 season.
Dates, times and locations for the RAC meetings are as follows:
Central Region
May 1
6:30 p.m.
Springville Civic Center
110 S. Main St.
Springville
Northern Region
May 2
6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W.
Brigham City
Southern Region
May 8
7 p.m.
Beaver High School
195 E. Center St.
Beaver
Southeastern Region
May 9
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St.
Green River
Northeastern Region
May 10
6:30 p.m.
DWR Northeastern Region Office
318 N. Vernal Ave.
Vernal
You can also provide your comments to your RAC via email. Email addresses for your RAC members are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/rac-members.html.
The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non-consumptive, etc.) is listed under each person’s email address. You should direct your email to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.
Fall hunt recommendations
Turkey populations, especially in parts of Cache County, have gotten large enough that the birds are coming into conflict with people. DWR biologists trapped and moved a record number of birds—548—from the county this past winter. Increased fall hunting is another tool that should reduce the number of birds.
“Hunting is still the best tool biologists have to manage wildlife populations, including turkeys,” Robinson says.
Biologists are recommending two changes that should increase the opportunity to take a turkey: allow hunters to have up to three fall permits and allow the use of rim fire firearms. Rim fire firearms are small caliber firearms, including the popular .22 long rifle and the .17.
“Allowing hunters to buy up to three fall turkey permits will give avid turkey hunters more chances to get into the field and hunt,” Robinson says. “And allowing hunters to use rim fire firearms might really appeal to young hunters who don’t want to shoot a shotgun.”
Gauge, shot size change
A change that would allow turkey hunters to use any shotgun, including a .410, would benefit both spring and fall hunters.
“.410 shotguns are a good option for many young, beginning hunters,” Robinson says. “We’d like to change the requirement and allow hunters to use these smaller guns.”
In addition, biologists want to allow the use of smaller shot sizes. Robinson says advances in shotgun shell design have made sizes as small as No. 9 effective for turkeys.
“Shells loaded with smaller shot sizes put out dense patterns that can be very effective in bringing a turkey down,” he says. “We’d like to give hunters the option to choose the gun and ammunition combination that works best for them and their hunting situation.”
###
Fishing reports - available at http://wildlife.utah.gov/hotspots .
Attachments area
Preview YouTube video Utah Wiper Fishing Seminar
