Waterfowl hunters should watch for harmful algal blooms while hunting around Utah
SALT LAKE CITY — Many of Utah’s waterfowl hunts opened on Oct. 5 and 12, and hunters are getting out on the water across the state to harvest migrating geese and ducks. While they are prepared with decoys, dogs and ammunition, some hunters may not be as prepared to recognize and avoid harmful algal blooms on some Utah waterbodies.
There are 30 waterbodies still under warning advisories across Utah. On October 31, the Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) will stop monitoring for harmful algal blooms as temperatures continue to decrease, and weather conditions worsen during fall and winter. However, despite some notions that harmful algal blooms only occur during hot summer weather, they can actually persist throughout the fall and winter and continue to pose a potential threat to humans and pets.
“Most active advisories will be lifted by the end of the month, and signs and website posts will be removed,'' Kate Fickas, harmful algal bloom program coordinator for DWQ, said. “However, it’s essential to know that these blooms can continue in colder weather. People should know what to look for, and when in doubt, keep your pets out.”
Blooms form when naturally occurring cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, multiply to high densities and form visible water discoloration, scum, and mats. Harmful algal blooms can look like pea soup, spilled paint, grass clippings or water that has a green or blue-green hue.
Cyanobacteria can produce three kinds of toxins: liver, nerve and skin toxins. If you suspect a harmful algal bloom in the water, stay out of the water and avoid any contact with water or scum. Be sure to clean waterfowl and any fish well and discard all guts.
Hunters should also keep their dogs away if they suspect a harmful algal bloom, as the toxins have proved to be fatal in pets. Dogs can be exposed to toxins by skin contact with water that is contaminated with cyanobacteria or toxins, when swallowing water or by licking the water off their fur or hair.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to a harmful algal bloom, seek immediate care from your veterinarian. Even with proper veterinary care, most exposures are fatal. Prevention is the best way to protect your pet.
Find more information about harmful algal blooms at habs.utah.gov.
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Oct. 10, 2019
What hunters should expect for the upcoming general season deer hunt
SALT LAKE CITY — You breathe in the crisp fall air as you sit quietly scanning the hillside with your binoculars. You see some movement and your heart skips a beat as you see a buck deer slowly walking up the ravine. The brilliant yellow aspen leaves seem to glow around you, and you smile at the picturesque scene of another perfect day hunting deer in Utah’s beautiful outdoors.
Utah’s general any-legal-weapon deer hunt opens on Oct. 19 and runs until Oct. 27. It is the most popular hunt in Utah, and if you are among those planning to don your hunter orange and head for the hills, here are some things you should know:
What should hunters expect this fall?
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists estimate that there are just over 370,000 mule deer in Utah, which is about 100,000 additional deer than were in the state in 2011.
“Over the last three years, we’ve had the highest deer numbers in Utah in 25 years,” DWR big game coordinator Covy Jones said. “We have more bucks on the statewide landscape currently than we’ve ever had. A lot of that is due to good habitat work and climate. With the wet spring, habitat has flourished, providing the necessary nutrition for antler growth. Hunters who are targeting buck mule deer should expect some of the best antler growth they have ever seen. It’s been a great year for deer. Hunters are set up to have a very memorable year.”
While hunters should expect good antler growth across the state in general, there are some areas that saw a harsher winter and lower deer survival rates, like in northern and northeastern Utah. Hunters targeting units in these regions will likely see fewer yearling bucks.
A lot of what to expect during the hunt also depends on if there are leaves on the trees or if there is snow on the ground in the area you are hunting. If either of those conditions exists, then your chances of having a successful hunt go up because both the snow and leaves muffle sound, increasing your chance of getting closer to a deer without being detected. Snow also increases your chance of more easily seeing tracks.
“Even after the archery and muzzleloader hunts, there are a lot of big deer on the landscape,” Jones said. “You still have a good chance of harvesting a large, antlered buck.”
What can hunters do to be successful?
If you hope to harvest some fresh deer meat this fall, one of the keys to success is scouting the area you plan to hunt before the season opens. Make sure that you look for deer in areas that have good views, like at the top of a ridge or ravine, rather than in a thick forest of conifer trees where you can’t see very far. Hunters should also spend a lot of time looking for deer with binoculars before starting to hike around.
“It’s crazy how much deer can blend in, so you can spend time looking at one spot and not see any deer until you continue watching closely,” Jones said. “Spend some time searching for deer before you take off hiking. If you hunt smart, you can see a lot more deer and not have to walk as much.”
Hunters should also be aware that deer will be in different habitats during the general rifle hunt than they were during the earlier archery hunts.
“By mid-to-late October, a lot of deer have started migrating from their summer range to their winter range,” Jones said. “They are transitioning from higher-elevation feeding areas to lower-elevation areas. During the first part of the rifle hunt, you can hunt in an area and not see any deer, and by the end of the hunt, they are pouring into that area.”
It is also a good idea to visit the Utah Hunt Planner before heading out into the field. It is a great resource that includes notes from biologists who manage the various hunting units across the state, as well as general information about the unit and safety and weather items. Information about the number of bucks on the units, compared to the number of does, is also provided. You’ll also find maps that show the units’ boundaries, which land is public and private and the various types of deer habitat on the unit.
Lastly, remember to be safe and wear hunter orange in any public hunting areas so that you are visible around other hunters.
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Hey members of the media!
We wanted to remind Utahns that applications for some of the most prized hunting permits in the state are opening soon. Thanks for spreading the word!
For Immediate Release
Oct. 14, 2019
Applications for Utah’s most prized hunting permits open Oct. 23
SALT LAKE CITY — Sportsman permits are among Utah’s most prized hunting permits, and the time to apply for one is coming up soon.
Utahns can begin submitting applications for 2020 sportsman permits on Oct. 23. To be included in the permit drawing, you have to submit your application no later than 11 p.m. on Nov. 13. You can apply for permits on the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website or over the phone by calling the nearest DWR regional office.
“If you draw a sportsman permit, you can hunt on almost every unit in Utah that’s open to hunting the species you drew a permit for,” DWR wildlife licensing coordinator Lindy Varney said. “Also, the season dates are much longer, so you’ll have more time to scout different places to harvest an animal. It’s the hunt of a lifetime.”
Utahns may apply for as many species as they’d like, but only one sportsman permit is offered for each of the following species each year:
Buck deer
Buck pronghorn
Bull elk
Bull moose
Desert bighorn sheep
Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep
Bison
Mountain goat
Black bear
Cougar
Wild turkey
There’s a $10 application fee to apply for each species. If you successfully draw a permit, the permit fees range from $35 to $513. Visit the DWR website to see the cost of each permit.
Applicants cannot earn or use bonus points in the sportsman drawing, and only Utah residents may apply for sportsman permits. (See Utah residency requirements on the DWR website.)
Applicants must be at least 11 years old to apply for most of the permits. (Applicants for the cougar sportsman permit must be at least 12 years old by Dec. 31, 2019, in order to apply.) You must be at least 12 years old to hunt most of the species, including all big game species. A valid Utah hunting or combination license is also required to apply for any of the sportsman permits.
Applicants will be notified about the drawing results on Nov. 20. You'll be notified by email, but you can also get the drawing results online or by calling 1-800-221-0659.
For more information about Utah’s sportsman permits, visit the DWR website.
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Oct. 9, 2019
What hunters should expect during the pheasant and quail hunts
SALT LAKE CITY — Many upland game and waterfowl hunts are already underway across Utah, and the general rifle deer hunt will be opening soon as well. The youth pheasant and quail hunts take place Oct. 12-14, and the general pheasant and quail hunts open Nov. 2. If you are planning to target either of these birds, here is what you should know.
Pheasant (ring-necked)
Biologists estimate that Utah’s wild ring-necked pheasant populations have slightly increased from last year, due to a wet spring that resulted in good brood-rearing conditions. The largest wild populations are located in the wetland areas around the Great Salt Lake, Cache Valley and Utah Valley.
“Hunters should also target the Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) located throughout the state because we will be releasing about 11,000 pen-reared rooster pheasants in these areas,” Heather Talley, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources upland game coordinator, said. “Birds will be released each week throughout November to help increase hunter success and give everyone a good opportunity to harvest birds this season.”
Visit the DWR website to see where pheasants will be released throughout the season. For a full list of WMAs that can be hunted for upland game and which seasons they are open for, visit pages 33 and 34 of the 2019-20 Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook.
Pheasants like areas that have nearby fields of wheat or corn, which provides feed for them. Hunters should remember that written permission from landowners is required to hunt on any agricultural private lands.
Pheasants also prefer habitat with stemmed grass that provides nesting cover, as well as areas with dense woods or wetlands with thick cattails that provide shelter during the snowy winter months.
These birds are good at hiding in brush, so hunting with a well-trained dog will increase your chances of success.
“If you don’t have a dog, you can still be successful by walking slowly to flush out the pheasants,” Talley said. “Many times, they will flush if you stand near them for a few minutes because they think that they’ve been spotted.”
Walking along ditch banks or fence lines is also a good hunting strategy. Pheasants typically prefer to run rather than fly away, so if you walk along these areas, you are more likely to drive them out into the open, where they will flush.
“If you do choose to hunt on one of our WMAs, be willing to hike a long way away from parking areas and other hunters to increase your chances of finding the wild birds,” Talley said.
Hunters should also remember that several of the WMAs require non-toxic shot (for example, steel shot) when hunting. Lead shot may not be used. For more information about the pheasant hunts, visit the DWR website.
The pheasant season runs from Nov. 2 to Dec. 1.
Quail (California and Gambel’s)
Throughout the state, California quail are increasing, although populations declined last year, due to drought. Washington County has a decent population of Gambel’s quail this year.
Hunting quail differs in each area of the state. In northeastern Utah, quail populations reside mostly on private property, so be sure to obtain written permission prior to the hunt or hunt on Walk-In Access properties to increase success. In the West Desert part of central Utah, quail hunting is limited due to the majority of the population inhabiting urban areas, which are off limits to hunting. The highest numbers of quail in central Utah are found in and around Tooele City.
Quail are not widespread in the southeastern part of Utah, but there are localized populations near farmlands along the Colorado and Green rivers as well as in lower Huntington Canyon and along the Price River. The southern part of the state has California quail populations in the valleys near the town of Fillmore (there is a Walk-In Access property, GBeestonGolf, that offers hunting access outside of city limits.) To obtain an authorization number to use Walk-In Access properties, visit the DWR website. Additional hunting opportunities exist throughout Sevier County, as well as south and east of Kanab and along the Arizona border.
California and Gambel's quail are hunted using similar methods — just in different habitats. When hunting Gambel's quail, look for Joshua trees, dry washes, and draws with black brush or desert almond. California quail will occupy washes containing water and brushy cover, and will eat flowers from grasses, trees and shrubs, as well as seeds and leaves.
“It's best to hunt quail with a trained hunting dog, since quail would rather hunker down and hide than fly away,” Talley said. “Holding the quail in place with a dog will enable you to get close enough to flush the birds and get a shot. If you don't have a dog, you can still hunt quail successfully. If you get close enough to running quail before they fly, you can still get a good shot.”
The quail hunting season runs from Nov. 2 to Dec. 31.
Youth hunts
The statewide youth hunt for pheasant and quail is Oct. 12-14, and pheasants will be released just before the hunt. If you were 17 years of age or younger on July 31, and you’ve completed Hunter Education, you can participate in the hunt. If you haven’t yet finished Hunter Education— and you’re at least 12 years old — you still might be able to participate through Utah’s Trial Hunting program. You must also have a hunting license and follow all of the state’s upland game hunting rules.
DWR has partnered with conservation groups to offer young hunters some special guided pheasant hunts in southern Utah on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9, and in northern Utah on Nov. 9. These hunts are limited and are first come, first served. Sign up on the DWR Eventbrite to reserve your spot.
Upland Game Slam
To add an extra challenge to your hunts, consider participating in the Upland Game Slam. Similar to the Utah Cutthroat Slam, it encourages hunters to harvest a variety of upland game species, while generating money to help fund a variety of habitat and upland game-related projects.
There are currently six different slams, which you complete by harvesting the target species. Each slam is designed to give you an extra challenge while you're hunting, as well as the opportunity to earn a commemorative, collectable coin.
Hunters no longer need to pick up slam cards from retail partners to participate. Learn more about how to participate in the Upland Game Slam here.
See page 20 in the 2019-20 Upland Game and Turkey Guidebook for a complete list of legal weapons for each upland game species.
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Hey members of the media,
Illegal poaching typically spikes in the fall, during the hunting seasons. Our officers have already discovered 102 illegally killed big game animals since August. We'd like to remind the public to report any poaching or suspicious hunting activity using our hotline. Thanks for spreading the word!
For Immediate Release
Oct. 16, 2019
Here’s how you can help fight poaching in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY — Hunting season is in full swing, and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers are hard at work patrolling the state to protect wildlife and make sure hunters are obeying the laws.
From Aug. 1 to Oct. 13, conservation officers contacted 35,619 individuals and inspected the hunting licenses of 11,425 people. During those interactions, the officers detected 1,215 violations and discovered 102 illegally killed big game animals, including deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bison and black bear. So far, 918 citations have been issued, and other violations will continue to be investigated or handled in the court system.
“Hunters need to take the responsibility of knowing the law, having a current hunting or combination license and knowing what species and areas their permits allow them to hunt,” DWR Capt. J Shirley said.
Conservation officers have also received 283 calls to the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher (UTiP) hotline, which they say is incredibly valuable in helping them investigate poaching cases. DWR officers patrol huge swaths of land in Utah, and they can’t be everywhere.
“We need your help,” Shirley said. “Please keep your eyes and ears open and report suspicious activity to us. Working together, we can enforce wildlife laws and keep our recreating public safe.”
While wildlife violations can happen any time of the year, a spike typically occurs during the fall hunting seasons. If you’d like to help in the fight against illegal hunting in Utah, here’s what you should do:
Get a license plate number
Getting a license plate number is the most critical piece of information you can provide to conservation officers. If you’re not able to get a license plate number, provide the officer with as much information as you can.
“Having a license plate number will lead us to the individual so we can interview the person and start investigating,” Shirley said. “Other helpful details include the type and color of the vehicle the person was driving, how many people were involved and a description of what you saw. “And, if you can give us a GPS coordinate, that can guide us quickly to the area where the possible violation occurred.”
Don’t confront the individual
Don’t confront someone who might be committing a violation, just observe from a distance and take note of as many details as you can.
“We don’t want anyone to be put in harm’s way or to be in a situation that makes them uncomfortable,” Shirley said. “Report what you saw, and let us contact them.”
Call the UTiP hotline
Calling the UTiP hotline is the best way to get information to officers. The hotline — 1-800-662-DEER (3337) — is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you witness a possible violation, and you can’t remember the hotline number, do a quick internet search on your phone or look at your hunting or fishing license — the number is printed on it.
Another option is to call the nearest local police dispatch. Those numbers can also be found online. If you can’t find those phone numbers, you could also call 911. However, you shouldn’t call police unless you are absolutely sure you have witnessed a poaching violation, you can’t remember or find the UTiP number, and you feel the incident must be reported immediately.
“If you have a license plate number but you can’t get cell reception, it’s totally fine to wait and report the incident when you get home,” Shirley said. “A license plate number will lead us directly to the suspect.”
Don’t call UTiP for information
Please remember that the UTiP hotline is not an information line. Only call it to report possible poaching and other wildlife-related crimes.
“Every time our officers receive a UTiP call, even if it isn’t related to a wildlife crime, they have to file a follow-up report,” Shirley said. “Filing the report takes time away that could have been spent fighting wildlife crime in Utah. Please call the UTiP line only to report wildlife crimes. If you’re simply looking for information, call a DWR office.”
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