Four upland game hunts open Sept. 1

Photo courtesy Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Lots of doves in Utah
It's time to oil your shotgun and grab some shells—four upland game hunts are about to begin.

Lots of mourning doves are in Utah right now. This fall's dove hunt starts Sept. 1.

Sept. 1, 2011 is the first day you can hunt dove, forest grouse, cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare in Utah this fall. But it won't be the last day. Many of Utah's upland game seasons—which were already long—have been lengthened even more this year.

You can see the new season dates in the 2011–2012 Utah Upland Game & Turkey Guidebook. The free guidebook is available at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks .

Justin Dolling, upland game and waterfowl coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says DWR biologists are seeing lots of doves in Utah. And they're also seeing good numbers of cottontail rabbits in concentrated pockets across the state.

The number of forest grouse biologists are seeing is mixed—in some areas, grouse numbers appear to be up this year. In other areas, they appear to be down.

The number of snowshoe hares is similar to last year.



Mourning dove
Dolling says DWR biologists are seeing good numbers of doves in Utah right now.

That's not surprising, considering what they saw last spring. During late May surveys along dove survey routes, the number of mourning doves biologists saw was up a whopping 247 percent from what they saw in May 2010.

Dolling says dove habitat is plentiful in Utah this year. And the habitat is in excellent condition. "The moisture the state received this spring and summer led to excellent plant growth," he says. "Lots of sunflowers and weedy vegetation are available for the doves.

"I'm expecting a good dove hunt this year."



Forest grouse
Dusky and ruffed grouse reports Dolling has received are mixed. In some areas of the state, forest grouse numbers appear to be up. In other areas, the numbers appear to be down.

Dolling says gathering information about forest grouse is challenging for DWR biologists. "We have a limited number of biologists and a lot of surveys to conduct," he says. "Our biologists have to gather forest grouse information while they're in the field working on other projects or surveying other species."

The following is a summary of the forest grouse reports Dolling has received from each of the DWR's five regions:

Region Summary

Northern Grouse are doing better this year than in 2010. Both dusky and ruffed grouse numbers appear to be up.

Central Most of the forest grouse chicks that were born last spring survived, but a lot of water and habitat are available for the birds. Grouse will be spread out this fall.

Northeastern A cold spring may have affected grouse production in the region this year.

Southeastern The number of grouse in the northern part of the region appears to be down. Chick survival was much better in the southern part of the region, though. Good numbers of grouse await those who hunt in the southern part of the region.

Southern The number of grouse appears to be down from previous years. Vast areas of grouse habitat burned during the past few years. While the fires have affected grouse in the short term, the fires will improve the habitat and should result in more grouse in future years.



Cottontail Rabbit
Cottontail rabbit populations go through a cycle that lasts about 10 years.

At the start of the cycle, rabbit numbers are high. Then the number of rabbits decreases until it bottoms out about five years later. After bottoming out, the population starts to increase again until it reaches a high point about five years after bottoming out.

Then the cycle repeats itself.

Dolling says the number of rabbits in Utah is increasing after bottoming out about two years ago.

DWR biologists are conducting rabbit surveys right now, and early indications are encouraging—they're seeing good numbers of rabbits in concentrated pockets across the state.

Outside of those areas, though, rabbits are scarcer.

"Rabbit populations are rebounding," Dolling says, "but they haven't reached a point where enough rabbits are available to spread out and fill all of the available habitat.

"If you can find a group of rabbits," Dolling says, "you should be in for a good hunt."



Snowshoe hare
The only snowshoe hare surveys in Utah are conducted by the U.S. Forest Service in the northern part of the state.

Those surveys indicate the number of snowshoe hares in northern Utah is increasing slightly.

"Snowshoe hares are a fun animal to hunt," Dolling says, "but they aren't real abundant, even in areas that have good habitat.

"I'd encourage you to give snowshoe hare hunting a try," he says, "especially in the winter, when there isn't as much to do in the outdoors. Hunting snowshoes is a fun and unique opportunity. And it can provide you with a lot of solitude."

Before you hunt hares, Dolling encourages you to learn the difference between a snowshoe hare and a white-tailed jackrabbit. Illustrations and descriptions that show and explain the difference are available on pages 46 and 47 of the 2011–2012 Utah Upland Game & Turkey Guidebook.

The free guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks .

Partridge and grouse hunts open Sept. 25

Photo by Brent Stettler, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

More Chukars this Fall

You should find more chukar partridge in Utah this fall. With the exception of some areas in the west-central desert, chukar numbers appear to be up across most of the state.

And three other upland game birds—Hungarian partridge, sharp-tailed grouse and sage-grouse—also appear to be doing well.

Hunts for all four of these birds start Sept. 25.


Rain last spring
Dave Olsen, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says rain that fell last spring and early summer provided the birds with better habitat. He says good spring and early summer moisture is critical to upland game birds. The moisture helps the vegetation grow and provides newly hatched birds with plenty of insects to eat.

“This year, Mother Nature delivered in the moisture department,” Olsen says. “Nesting temperatures were a little on the cold side, though.”

Olsen says the colder temperatures that accompany spring snow or sleet storms can sometimes create problems for birds that nest on the ground.

Olsen provides the following preview for each of the four hunts:


Chukar partridge
DWR biologists use helicopters to survey chukar populations in August each year.

The biologists conduct two surveys. One survey takes them over Tooele County. The other survey takes them over Box Elder County. Both counties have some of the best chukar habitat in Utah.

Biologists who flew the Tooele County survey route in August recorded the fewest number of chukars they’ve observed in the past decade.

The news from the Box Elder County survey, and reports from other areas in Utah, was more encouraging, though.

For example, a team from Brigham Young University is working on a multi-year water and wildlife research project in western Utah. Their research area stretches from the Dugway Proving Grounds south of Tooele to the Mohave Deseret west of St. George.

Olsen says members of the research team have seen more chukar partridge this year. And DWR biologists in southeastern Utah also report seeing a fair number of chukars in that part of the state.

“Overall, hunting for chukar partridge should be better than it was last fall,” Olsen says.

If you hunt chukars this fall, Olsen has a reminder: don’t drive your all-terrain vehicles or other vehicles near water sources.

“The vegetation around these water sources is important habitat,” Olsen says. “It provides security to wildlife in the area. And it protects chukars from predators when the birds come to the water sources for a drink.”

More information about hunting chukar partridge is available in an audio interview at the DWR’s website. You can hear the interview at www.wildlife.utah.gov/radio .


Hungarian partridge
Hungarian partridge are another upland game bird that appears to be doing well this year.

Huns are found from Cache County to as far south as northern Utah County. But dry farms in Box Elder County, and brushy areas near those farms, are the state’s Hungarian partridge hotspots.

Olsen reminds you that these hotspots are found almost entirely on private land. Before approaching landowners to ask for written permission to hunt, ask yourself this question: If you allowed someone to hunt on land you owned, how would you want that person to treat your property?

Olsen says that’s the same way you should treat private property that landowners give you written permission to hunt on.

“If you treat landowners and their land with respect, there’s a decent chance they’ll allow you on their property in the future,” Olsen says.


Special permit to hunt sharp-tailed grouse and sage-grouse
A small game or combination license is the only license you need to hunt chukars or Huns.

Hunting sharp-tailed grouse and sage-grouse is different—in addition to your license, you also need a special permit for the bird you’re hunting. And all of the sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse permits for this fall’s hunts have been taken.

If you obtained a permit, Olsen says you can expect a good hunt.


Sharp-tailed grouse
Utah has two sharp-tailed grouse hunting units, one in Cache County and one in eastern Box Elder County. Most of the sharp-tailed grouse hunting that happens on the units happens on private land.

“Please remember that you must obtain written permission to hunt on private land,” Olsen says. “And once you’ve obtained that permission, please treat the land and the landowners with respect.”


Sage-grouse
Overall, Olsen says Utah’s sage-grouse populations are doing well. Plenty of birds should be available to hunters who drew a permit.

“The wet spring did appear to have some effect on nesting sage-grouse,” he says. “Snow that fell late last spring reduced nesting success in some areas.”

On a positive note, the improved habitat conditions the storms created appeared to benefit the chicks that did hatch. Olsen says most of the sage-grouse chicks that hatched this past spring made it through the summer.

If you hunt upland game this fall or winter, Olsen asks for your help:


Keep a journal
After the hunting season is over, you might receive a telephone call or an e-mail from the DWR asking you about your hunting experience. To provide accurate information, Olsen asks you to keep a record of where and when you hunted, and how many birds you took each time you went.

An easy way to keep track is to use the agency’s Upland Game Hunter’s Harvest Record. The record is found on page 24 of the 2010 – 2011 Utah Upland Game Guidebook.

The free guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks .

Olsen says the information you provide is valuable in helping biologists monitor the condition of Utah’s upland game populations and trends in the populations.


Give a wing
If you obtained a sage-grouse or a sharp-tailed grouse permit, biologists would like you to supply a wing from each bird you take. Having the wings allows biologists to determine several things, including the gender of the birds taken, the nesting success of the hens, when the chicks were hatched and how old the birds are.

You can deposit the wings in wing-collection barrels. The barrels will be available at many of the state’s popular sage-grouse and sharp-tailed grouse hunting areas.

You can also drop the wings off at DWR offices from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays.

More information
More information about hunting upland game in Utah is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame .

Great Upland Game Hunts for kids begin Septermber 11

Photo by Phil Douglass

Two hunts that are great ones to take your children out on—Utah's cottontail rabbit and forest grouse hunts—start Sept. 11, 2010.

The snowshoe hare hunt also starts Sept. 11, 2010. But you don't have to wait until Sept. 11, 2010 to start upland game hunting. If you're really adventurous, you can head to the high country now to pursue white-tailed ptarmigan. The hunt for this bird that lives above the timberline started Aug. 21, 2010. It runs until Oct. 17, 2010.


Take your kids out
Dave Olsen, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says taking your kids on a cottontail rabbit or a forest grouse hunt is a perfect way to introduce them to hunting. Rabbits can be taken with small .22 caliber rifles, and grouse can be taken with shotguns as small as .410s. If you match the size of the firearm to the size of your child, your child should have fun and find some success.

Olsen says the two hunts are also a great way to introduce children to nature.

"Rabbits and grouse are small enough that your kids can help you dress the game they've taken and prepare it for the table," he says. "And forest grouse have beautiful and intricate feather patterns that help them blend into their surroundings. It's fun to watch your children marvel at the birds' feathers."

The following is a preview for each of the four hunts:

Forest grouse
Two forest grouse species live in Utah—ruffed grouse and dusky grouse. (Dusky grouse are commonly known as blue grouse).

Good numbers of forest grouse were born in Utah this past spring. And many of the grouse survived this past summer. About the same number of grouse that were available last fall—and maybe a few more—should be available to you this season.

Areas that have aspen trees are good places to find ruffed grouse. Aspen forests with streams and heavy understory vegetation and tangles are especially good places to try.

You'll often find dusky grouse on the edge of the forest where the mountain brush blends into the forest. Dusky grouse can also be found deeper in the forest. In the winter, try wind-swept ridges that have pine trees.


Cottontail rabbits
Cottontail rabbit populations go through a boom-and-bust cycle that lasts about 10 years. After reaching the top of the cycle, rabbits decline in number until they reach the bottom of the cycle about five years later. Then their numbers start to build back to the high levels again.

The last rabbit population peak across most of the state occurred around 2005. That means rabbit populations across most of Utah are at the bottom of their cycle and are just starting to build again. You can expect to find and harvest cottontails, but hunting will be a little slower than it is when populations are at the top of the cycle. Taking a full bag limit will likely require some time and effort.


Snowshoe hares
Snowshoe hare populations appear to be in fair condition again this year. You'll find most of Utah's snowshoe hares in higher elevation mountain ranges that have pine and fir trees and a brushy understory. You have to be willing to put some time and effort in to find their habitat. Early morning and evening are the best times to hunt hares. That's when they're the most active.


White-tailed ptarmigan
White-tailed ptarmigan live above the timberline in the Uinta Mountains. Once you've gotten above the timberline, look for ptarmigan on talus rock slopes and outcrops that have dwarf willow bushes that are located near springs, streams or other wet areas.

Hunter success this year should be similar to past years. Ptarmigan are limited in distribution, and they're highly prized because of their novelty.

Before hunting ptarmigan, you must obtain a free white-tailed ptarmigan permit. You can obtain one from hunting license agents across Utah and at any DWR office.

You can also obtain a free permit at wildlife.utah.gov. Once you arrive at the site, click on the Licenses choice, and then click on the "Buy fishing licenses, hunting licenses and hunting permits online" choice. Enter your date of birth and your Social Security or Customer ID number. Then proceed through the screens until you come to the list of available permits.

The free white-tailed ptarmigan permits are listed under the Small Game option.


Respect private landowners
All four of these species are found on public land, so finding a place to hunt shouldn't be a problem. But some cottontail, snowshoe hare and forest grouse hunting opportunities are also available on private land.

If you allowed someone to hunt on land you owned, how would you want that person to treat your property? Olsen says that's the same way you should treat private property that landowners give you written permission to hunt on.

"If you treat landowners and their land with respect, there's a decent chance they'll allow you on their property in the future," Olsen says.


Learn more
More information about upland game hunting in Utah is available in the 2010–2011 Utah Upland Game Guidebook. The guidebook is available at wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks.

You can also learn more by visiting the upland game portion of the DWR's website at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/ .

National Archery in the Schools Program Improves students’ confidence, focus, motivation and behavior

National Archery in the Schools Program

The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) teaches international-style target archery in physical education classes for grades four through twelve.

The program fits easily into the school day, usually as a two-week PE course. The course covers archery history, safety, technique, equipment, concentration, core strengthening, physical fitness and self-improvement. Before presenting the archery course to students, teachers undergo a rigorous eight-hour NASP training program.


Widespread academic and interpersonal benefits
The results of a recent study* showed that NASP participation helped students, even outside of their physical education (PE) classes:

*84 percent of instructors agreed that archery improved students’ self-confidence.
*78 percent of instructors agreed that archery improved students’ motivation.
*74 percent of instructors agreed that archery improved students’ behavior.
*64 percent of students stated that the program has helped them to pay more attention and improve their   focus in a variety of learning situations.

Overall, 83 percent of students enjoyed the opportunity to learn archery in their schools, and 78 percent rated their archery skills as either good or very good after completing the course.


Program growth and success in Utah
Utah recently became the thirty-second state to participate in NASP, and the program is gaining momentum. As of May 2010, Utah has seven schools trained and participating in NASP. The Utah Bowhunter’s Association has several members trained in the program. They are willing to assist the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) in training teachers.

This program offers students lifelong skills and provides many additional benefits. The DWR is working to introduce NASP in other schools across the state. By partnering with sportsmen’s groups and other conservation organizations, the DWR hopes to minimize or eliminate the cost of equipment and instruction.


Helpful information
Contact the Utah NASP representative
----RaLynne Takeda Email: ralynnetakeda@utah.gov Phone: 801-538-4753

Download course curriculum
--Grades four and five PDF 1.0 MB

--Grades six through eight PDF 1.0 MB
--Grades nine through twelve PDF 1.0 MB
Archery in the Schools—National Website

* Responsive Management conducted the study in consultation with Hilarie Davis, Ed.D., of the Technology for Learning Consortium.

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.

Dove Hunt opens September 1

Photo courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

If you’re a dove hunter, you know how agonizing it can be to watch rain fall in August. No matter how many birds you’ve seen and coos you’ve heard, a single storm can move doves out of Utah in a hurry.

So why doesn’t Utah start its dove hunt sooner than Sept. 1? “We can’t,” says Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “International law won’t allow us to.”

Aldrich is referring to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The act prohibits migratory bird sport hunts from occurring in the United States between March 11 and Aug. 31. Sport hunts can resume on Sept. 1. “So we’re tied to the Sept. 1 opening date,” Aldrich says. “But if the weather stays warm and dry, plenty of doves should be in Utah on opening day.”


Dove numbers
The number of mourning doves that bred in Utah this year was similar to the number of doves that bred in the state last year. In fact, if you average out the survey data, the number of mourning doves in Utah and the six other states that make up the Western Dove Unit hasn’t changed much in the past 10 years.

Aldrich says the number of doves that are produced isn’t the critical factor in determining how many doves you’ll see each season.“The critical factor is whether the doves that were produced are still here once the season starts,” he says.


Eurasian Collared-Doves
The Eurasian collared-dove is one dove that’s showing up in Utah in greater numbers every year.

There’s no bag limit on Eurasian collared-doves, so you can take as many as you like. But if you don’t want the birds to count as part of your 10-dove limit, wait until you get home before you pluck or breast the birds.

Aldrich says once a dove is plucked, it’s difficult to tell whether the bird is an Eurasian collared-dove, a mourning dove or a white-winged dove. “If you pluck the birds before you get them home, you’ll have to count them as part of your 10-dove limit,” he says.

Aldrich also reminds you that mourning and Eurasian collared-doves are often found together. “Make sure you can identify the two doves so you’ll know which ones have to be counted as part of your 10-dove limit,” he says.

Drawings that show the three dove species found in Utah are available on page 39 of the 2010 – 2011 Utah Upland Game Guidebook.

The guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks .


Take your kids hunting
If you want to get your children involved in hunting, the dove hunt is a good one to try. “You don’t need a lot of equipment,” Aldrich says, “and it’s usually warm during the hunt. “It’s also a fairly easy hunt. You don’t have to hike to the top of a mountain to find doves.”


Seeds, Seeds, Seeds
To find doves, Aldrich says you should look for two things: a water source that has cover and shade near it, and lots of wild seed.

“Doves eat mostly seeds,” Aldrich says. “If you can find the seeds they like, you should find the doves.”

Wild sunflower seeds and seeds from a variety of weeds and grasses are among the seeds doves eat. Aldrich says some of the best weed-producing areas are places where road building has disturbed the area.

Doves also eat seeds from agricultural crops, such as waste grain that’s left in fields after the grain is harvested. Safflower, wheat and sorghum seeds are especially important to doves.


Reminders
Make sure you’re registered in the Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) for the 2010 season. You can register at http://www.uthip.com/ .

It’s a good idea to wear hunter orange during the dove hunt, especially on opening day. “Doves don’t seem to notice the hunter orange,” Aldrich says, “and wearing it makes you stand out to other hunters.”

Much of Utah’s dove hunting happens on private land. Make sure you get written permission from the landowner before hunting on his or her land.

It’s usually hot during the dove hunt. Make sure you clean your doves quickly (unless they’re Eurasian collared-doves you don’t want to include as part of your bag limit), and keep them cool in an ice chest.

Take good care of your dog. Bring water for it. And be careful about taking your dog into an area that might have rattlesnakes.

Special Upland Game Hunts

Photo by Alan Peterson

Hunters who are 15 years of age and younger can participate in special chukar and pheasant hunts this fall.

These special youth hunts have been held in Utah for years. They’re a great way to introduce young people to upland game hunting.

“Kids really enjoy these hunts,” says Dave Olsen, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. “They usually have plenty of birds to shoot at, and they don’t have to compete with older hunters for a bird.”

Participating in one of the hunts is easy. If you’re 15 years of age or younger, and you’ve completed Utah’s Hunter Education course, just go online at www.wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame  and complete an application.


Application and hunt dates
To be considered for one of the youth chukar hunts, the DWR must receive your application no later than Aug. 23. Applications for the youth pheasant hunts are due by Sept. 6.

The youth chukar hunts will be held Sept. 4 on four state wildlife management areas (WMAs) and one Walk-In Access area. The youth pheasant hunts will be held Nov. 14 on four state WMAs and one Walk-In Access area. “We’re holding these hunts across Utah,” Olsen says. “No matter where you live, you should be able to find a hunt within two hours of your home.”

The WMAs and the Walk-In Access areas will be closed to all other hunters on the day the youth hunts are held.

Getting youth excited about upland game hunting
“The number of young people who hunt in Utah has declined through the years,” Olsen says. “We’re hoping these youth hunts will help reverse that trend by getting young people into the field and letting them experience what it’s like to take an upland game bird.

“The hunts also give us a chance to teach young people how to be responsible and ethical hunters.”

For more information about the hunts, call the nearest DWR office or see page 22 of the 2010 – 2011 Utah Upland Game Guidebook.

The guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks .

Upland Game Guidebook Available

It’s hot in Utah right now. But if you visit your local sporting goods store or the Division of Wildlife Resources’ website, you’ll find a sure sign that fall is on its way.

Utah’s Upland Game Guidebook for the 2010 – 2011 hunting season is now available.

In addition to sporting goods stores and the DWR’s website (www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks), you can pick the free guide up at your nearest DWR office.

Utah’s upland game seasons begin on Aug. 21. That’s when the white-tailed ptarmigan hunt starts. The upland game seasons won’t end until the cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare hunts end on Feb. 28.

That’s six full months of hunting.

In addition to providing hunters with lots of opportunity, Utah’s upland game also provide a lot of diversity.

“If you want, you can hunt white-tailed ptarmigan high in the Uinta Mountains one day and chukar partridge on the rocky slopes of the West Desert the next,” says Dave Olsen, upland game coordinator for the DWR. “Utah provides a wide variety of upland game experiences.”


Great hunt for kids
Upland game hunting is also a great way to introduce young people to hunting. Many of the state’s upland game species can be taken with small firearms. And most of the hunts aren’t strenuous.

“If you want to have fun with your kids and introduce them to the sport of hunting, upland game hunting is the perfect way,” Olsen says.

There’s no minimum age at which a person can start hunting upland game in Utah. But children must pass the state’s Hunter Education course before they can hunt.

The Hunter Education classes usually meet two nights a week for four weeks. Because the hunts are getting closer, it’s important to enroll your child in a class as soon as you can.

After passing the course, your child will receive a free hunting license. He or she can use that license to hunt upland game and waterfowl in Utah this season.

You can find a list of Hunter Education classes at www.wildlife.utah.gov/huntereducation .