Apply for swan permits by Sept. 9

Two thousand hunters will have a chance to hunt tundra swans in Utah this fall.

Photo by Phil Douglass

If you want to hunt tundra swans in Utah this fall, you need to apply for a permit no later than 11 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2010. You can apply for a 2010 Utah swan hunting permit at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/ .  If you need help applying, call 801-538-4700 no later than 6 p.m. on Sept. 9, 2010.


Complete the swan course first
If you haven't completed Utah's one-time Swan Hunter Orientation course, you must complete the course before you apply for a permit.

The course is available in the waterfowl portion of the Division of Wildlife Resource's website (www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/hunting ). The course takes about 30 minutes to complete. You only have to complete the course once, so if you've already completed it, you don't need to take the course again.


A thrilling experience
Just like last year, a total of 2,000 permits will be available for this fall's hunt. Last year, 4,406 hunters applied. Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the DWR, says Utah is one of four states in the Pacific Flyway where hunters can hunt tundra swans. "If you want an experience that'll get your heart pounding," Aldrich says, "try hunting tundra swans. These birds are huge. Waiting for one to fly in close enough for a good shot is a thrill.

"And just hearing and seeing swans in the marsh in the fall—whether you have a swan permit or not—is quite a thrill too," he says.


Learn more
More information about applying for a swan permit is available on pages 11 and 12 of the 2010–2011 Utah Waterfowl Guidebook. A draft copy of the guidebook is available online at http://wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/hunting/guidebooks/358-20102011-waterfowl-guidebook.html   .

Sept. 18, 2010 is Youth Hunting Day

Photo courtesy of Ducks Unlimited

Hunters 15 years of age and younger will have Utah's marshes—and the ducks and geese that go with it—all to themselves on Sept. 18, 2010.
 
Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says Youth Hunting Day is a perfect way to get your children involved in duck and goose hunting.

"The marshes are usually filled with ducks in mid-September," Aldrich says, "so your kids should see plenty of birds and get plenty of shots.

"And because adults can't hunt that day, your kids get all of your attention," he says. "Youth day might be one of the best days you have in the marsh all season." Shooting on Youth Hunting Day starts at 6:41 a.m. Hunting is open to those who are 15 years of age or younger.

To qualify, you must be a Hunter Education course graduate, have a current hunting license and Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, and be accompanied by an adult.


Learn more
More information about Youth Hunting Day, including the number of ducks and geese your kids can take, is available on page 30 of the 2010–2011 Utah Waterfowl Guidebook.

The guidebook should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks  by Sept. 9, 2010.

Duck Hunt Starts at 7:30 a.m. October 2

Photo by Phil Douglass, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Salt Lake City -- Hunters in five counties will get a 30-minute head start when Utah’s duck and goose hunt opens Oct. 2. On Aug. 19, members of the Utah Wildlife Board approved a 7:30 a.m. start time in Box Elder, Cache, Davis, Salt Lake and Weber counties. Over the past 16 years, the hunt in the counties has started at 8 a.m.

Across the rest of the state, the Oct. 2 opener will start even sooner—at 6:55 a.m. Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says starting the hunt sooner should make opening day better for those in the marsh.

“You should have more chances to take ducks coming into your decoys,” Aldrich says. “By the time 8 a.m. arrives, some of your best chances have past.” For years, the hunt opened at noon. Then, the start time was moved to 8 a.m. “Now the board has approved our recommendation to move it to 7:30 a.m.,” Aldrich says.

Aldrich says the DWR is comfortable starting the hunt 30 minutes earlier. “There’s plenty of daylight at 7:30 a.m.,” he says. “And, after 16 years of opening the hunt at 8 a.m., we’re comfortable allowing hunters to start 30 minutes earlier.”


Same season, same bag limits
Except for a slightly shorter light goose hunt next spring, Utah’s seasons and bag limits will be identical to last season—the season will run for 107 days, and the duck, goose and swan limits will be the same.

Except for the North Goose Zone, the light goose hunt will be slightly shorter this season, however. Outside of the North Goose Zone, the spring hunt will run March 5 – 10.

The board shortened the hunt by six days so it wouldn’t conflict with the popular Snow Goose Festival viewing event that’s held in Delta each spring.

All of the rules the board approved will be available in the 2010 – 2011 Utah Waterfowl Guidebook.

The guidebook should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks  starting the week of Sept. 6.

Whitewater Outdoors® Nails It With NEW Ducks Unlimited® Hammer Fleece

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The Hammer Fleece jacket is constructed of soft, quiet, anti-pilling fleece for increased comfort and warmth. A NEW feature added to Whitewater’s waterfowl repertoire is S3® antimicrobial technology to aid in odor control. Utilizing S3® enables this garment to stay fresh for a longer period of time. Two side-slash zippered pockets and a full front zipper with increased collar length adds value to this garment for better control against the elements and keeping additional gear dry. Elasticized wrist cuffs and an adjustable draw cord waist round this jacket out for overall enhanced control giving you a proper fit for superior functionality.

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For more information on Whitewater’s DU Waterfowl Line, or other strategic hunting apparel, contact Whitewater Strategic Hunting Apparel, W. 4228 Church Street, Hingham, WI 53031; (920) 564-2674 phone; http://www.whitewateroutdoors.com/ .

Whitewater produces official licensed products of Mossy Oak/ Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (http://www.mossyoak.com/ ). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions, MOOSE Media, Nativ Nurseries, and Mossy Oak Properties.

Ogden and Farmington Bays scheduled for Burns during Fall Months

This fall, as weather conditions permit, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will burn phragmites at both the Ogden Bay and Farmington Bay waterfowl management areas (WMAs). To ensure hunters' safety, the DWR will temporarily close these areas during a burn. Hunters have asked many questions about the burns and closures:

What is phragmites?

Phragmites (pronounced frag-mite-ees) is an invasive plant that can reach heights of 13–15 feet. It spreads rapidly, forming dense thickets that outcompete native plants and wildlife in Utah's marshes. Areas with phragmites are inhospitable to water birds and practically inaccessible to hunters. The DWR has used a combination of herbicides and follow-up burns to remove thousands of acres of phragmites over the past few years.

Photo Courtesy Wikipedia

Why is the DWR planning to burn phragmites during the waterfowl hunt?

Weather conditions — including temperature, wind speed/direction, air quality and other factors — have to be exactly right before the DWR can burn phragmites. Those conditions did not occur in the spring or summer of 2009. There are now approximately 4,000 acres of herbicide-treated phragmites that have not yet been burned. If the weather cooperates this fall, the DWR needs to burn these treated areas.

Where and when will the burns occur?

Burns may occur in parts of two WMAs: Farmington Bay and Ogden Bay. Because burns are weather-dependent, the DWR cannot schedule them months or weeks in advance. DWR habitat crews usually have only 12 hours' notice before a burn is authorized. The DWR hopes to complete a total of three or four burns between early October and early December. Burns will only occur on weekdays.

How long will the WMAs be closed?

DWR personnel will lock the WMA gates the night before a burn occurs. The WMA will likely remain closed throughout the following day. Fire safety officials will monitor the area and let the DWR know when it is safe to reopen.

How will hunters know about WMA closures?

To notify hunters about an impending burn, DWR personnel will:

*Hang informative banners on the locked WMA gates

*Send e-mails to hunters

*Post a notice at the top of this Web page http://wildlife.utah.gov/burn/

*Post notices on Twitter (at www.twitter.com/DWRburn  )
*Alert the media
*Closures will be temporary — probably a day or two at most — and may not affect the entire WMA.

How will these burns affect hunting on the WMAs?

Hunting will improve significantly. Within two or three weeks, waterfowl will flock to the burned areas in large numbers. Hunters will need to be careful, however, because newly burned phragmites remnants are very sharp. Within a year or so, these remnants will disappear and be replaced by pockets of open water and native marsh plants. DWR employees have seen vast improvements in areas that were burned a few years ago.

In-depth information
Invasive and noxious weed control: How the Utah DWR is working to control noxious weeds on Utah's Waterfowl Management Areas. http://wildlife.utah.gov/waterfowl/pdf/Invasive_weed_control.pdf