Bear Pursuit Changes for 2010 approved

Salt Lake City -- Three areas that are popular places to pursue bears with dogs should be quieter this summer.

On Jan. 6, the Utah Wildlife Board approved the following bear pursuit changes on the Book Cliffs, San Juan and La Sal units in eastern Utah:

* The number of permits offered to pursue bears with dogs will be limited this summer. And the summer pursuit season has been split into an early season and a late season. The following number of permits will
be available:

Early season
Unit                     Season dates            Resident     Nonresident
Book Cliffs           July 8 - 22                  15               2
San Juan               July 8 - 22                  18               2
La Sal                   July 8 - 22                  12               1

Late season
Unit                     Season dates            Resident    Nonresident
Book Cliffs           July 29 - Aug. 12       15              2
San Juan               July 29 - Aug.12        18              2
La Sal                   July 29 - Aug. 12       12              1

The season dates have been set so no pursuit takes place during the July 24 weekend, which is a state holiday in Utah. (There’s a seven-day break between the two pursuit seasons.)

* The number of hounds houndsmen can use to pursue bears on ANY unit in the state during the summer pursuit season will also be limited. 

Houndsmen may not use more than eight hounds to pursue a single bear in the summer.
This change applies to the summer pursuit season only. The number of dogs houndsmen can use during the spring and fall pursuit and hunting seasons is not limited.

Those changes -- and more permits for bear hunts this spring and fall -- are among changes the board approved at their meeting in Salt Lake City.

All of the changes the board approved will be available in the 2010 Utah Black Bear Guidebook. The guidebook should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks by late January.

A quieter summer
The Book Cliffs, San Juan and La Sal units are three of the most popular places in Utah to pursue bears with trained hounds.  Unfortunately, that popularity has caused some problems. “Last summer, we received more than 150 complaints from campers, hikers and others who were recreating in the area,” says Justin Dolling, game mammals coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources.

“Some of the houndsmen were using as many as 20 hounds to pursue a single bear,” Dolling says. “When these hounds get on a bear’s track, they bark a lot, and they’re extremely noisy. The noise and the commotion they and the houndsmen caused bothered some of the people who were camping and hiking in the area.”

More hunting permits
The board also approved more hunting permits for this year’s bear hunts.

In 2009, a total of 319 permits were available. The board approved 368 permits for 2010. Based on an average success rate of just over 40 percent, the extra 49 permits should result in hunters taking about 21 additional bears in 2010. In 2009, hunters took 147 bears in Utah.


First spot and stalk only hunt
The board also approved Utah’s first spot and stalk only hunt. This hunt will be held in the Roadless area in the Book Cliffs. Hunters may not use hounds during the hunt. “Very few bear hunters hunt this area,” Dolling says. “As a result, the bear population is growing. Horseback riders and big game hunters are encountering more and more bears in the area.”

The area’s small size is among the challenges houndsmen face in taking bears in the area. The hounds can chase bears off the unit before the hunters take the bears.

“That’s why we decided to go with a spot and stalk hunt,” Dolling says. “There are plenty of bears in the area, so there’s a good chance that spot and stalk hunters will find success. And the chance that a spot and stalk hunter chases a bear off the unit before he or she takes it is much lower than those hunting with hounds.”

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

How are feathered friends surviving the season?

European Starling by Evelyne Samson © Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Ithaca, NY—How do birds withstand wicked winter weather and other daily threats to survival, even in warmer climates? A new environmental challenge from the Celebrate Urban Birds project at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology invites participants to show how birds are surviving in their neighborhoods this winter. It can be a photo, artwork, video, even a story or a poem describing how birds are finding the food, water, and shelter they need. People of all ages can participate as well as groups such as schools, libraries, clubs, and businesses. Celebrate Urban Birds is a free, year-round citizen-science project focused on birds in neighborhood settings.

“It’s unbelievable how even tiny birds can survive being outdoors 24/7 in places where winter is cold and snowy,” says project leader Karen Purcell. “We want to see how they’re getting along. It might be a crow huddling near a chimney to get warm, visits to bird feeders, a berry bush that birds raid for food, a fountain birds use for water, or maybe even one of the lucky birds soaking up the sun in a warm, southern state.”
Prizes include a pair of Eagle Optics binoculars, bird feeders, a birdsong calendar, books, posters, cards and more. The first 50 entrants will receive a copy of the "Little Green Places" poster and selected images and videos will be posted on the Celebrate Urban Birds website.


How to enter:

1. Email entries to urbanbirds@cornell.edu . If you submit a video, post it on YouTube and send us the link.

2. Write “Survival_yourfirstname yourlastname yourstate” in the subject line.

3. Include your mailing address in your email

4. Explain why you submitted your entry—describe your winter conditions and what you observe the birds doing during winter.

5. One entry per person, please.


Deadline for entries is February 15, 2010

Visit the Celebrate Urban Birds website for more information, to see entries for past challenges, and to read the terms of agreement for all entries.

Utah's 2010 Big Game Guidebook now available

Everything you need to know to apply for a 2010 Utah big game hunting permit is available in the 2010 Utah Big Game Guidebook.

The guidebook is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks . You can also pick a copy up at Division of Wildlife Resources offices and sporting goods stores across Utah.

The DWR will accept applications for 2010 big game hunting permits starting Feb. 1.

For more information, call the nearest DWR office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

DWR Clarifies and Changes Record Fish Rules--Six fish removed from List

Have you ever wondered what you’d do if you caught a fish that was a new Utah state record? How would you get it certified?

In the past, the procedure to get a record fish certified was a little vague. But not anymore. To help anglers, biologists with the Division of Wildlife Resources have spelled out the requirements on new record fish application forms. The forms became available on Jan. 1.

You can see the forms and learn the requirements at www.wildlife.utah.gov/dwr/record-fish.html .

“In addition to explaining the rules better, we also dropped six fish from the list,” says Drew Cushing, warm water sport fisheries coordinator for the DWR.

Three nongame fish -- Utah chub, Utah sucker and white sucker -- are among the six fish that have been dropped from the list. Two hybrid trout species that the DWR hasn’t produced in its hatcheries for years
-- brownbow and brake -- have also been dropped. And albino rainbow trout, which now fall under the general rainbow trout category, have also been dropped from the list.

“Most states don’t keep records for nongame fish,” Cushing says. “We decided to drop nongame fish from Utah’s list too.”

Endangered June suckers were another reason to drop suckers from the list.

“Many anglers have a difficult time telling the different sucker species apart,” Cushing says. “Removing suckers from the list should reduce the chance that an angler catches an endangered June sucker and then keep the fish, not realizing he or she has a fish that’s listed on the federal Endangered Species list.”

For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

Celebrate National Winter Trails Saturday January 9 at Soldier Hollow

EXPERIENCE A FREE AND FUN DAY OF SNOWSHOEING DEMOS

WHAT: The 15th annual Winter Trails® event offers children and adults new to snow sports the chance to try snowshoeing and free at Soldier Hollow, UT. Through these easy-to-learn activities, participants can have fun and discover the health and fitness benefits of snow sports. Equipment is provided free by venue or product suppliers and will offer educational programs, clinics and guided tours.

WHO: Winter Trails is presented through a partnership between SnowSports Industries America, the not-for-profit member-owned trade association representing snow and winter sports companies, American Hiking Society, a recreation –based conservation organization that promotes and protects foot trails and the hiking experience, and Cross Country Ski Areas Association, a national organization representing Nordic Centers across North America.

WHERE: Soldier Hollow, 2002 Soldier Hollow Lane, Midway, UT  84049. Directions from Salt Lake City, take I-80 East to Silver Creek Junction (exit 146). Go east on U.S. 40 past Jordanelle Reservoir toward Heber City. Take right turn on State Road 113 (100 South) to Midway. Take a left on 113 in Midway, and travel two miles. Turn right just before the railroad tracks and follow signs to Soldier Hollow. Located in Wasatch Mountain State Park, Soldier Hollow is about 53 miles from downtown Salt Lake City.

WHEN: Saturday, January 9, 2010, 12:30pm – 4pm; Visit http://www.wintertrails.org/  for more information or contact 435-654-2002 e-mail:  info@soldierhollow.com .

WHY: Winter Trails is a great way to learn winter outdoor activities that are fun and easy to do with friends and family. Snowshoeing is similar to walking and has the shortest learning curve. Learning the sport can earn points towards a President’s Challenge for Active Lifestyle Award. In 2008, more than 11,000 people participated in Winter Trails and together burned 6 million calories per hour. The average person can burn 500 calories per hour by snowshoeing and/or cross country skiing.

2010 SPONSORS:

Atlas, Columbia, Cross Country Skier Magazine, Grabber, Kahtoola, Leki, MSR, OnTheSnow.com, Rossignol, SkiTrax, Snowshoe Magazine, Tubbs, Whitewoods and XCSkiresorts.com.

January and February Winter Programs hosted by Timpanogos Cave

Photo courtesy Utah Avalanche Forecast Center

The National Park Service and the Uinta National Forest invite you to join us for a free winter ranger program series. These free programs will be presented by National Park Service rangers and/or guest speakers. The programs start at 10:30 a.m. at the Highland City Hall multipurpose room next to the library. For further information call 801-756-5239 or visit www.nps.gov/tica .

JANUARY

Location: Highland City Hall Multipurpose Room

Time: 10:30 a.m.-noon

Date: Saturday, January 23, 2010

Program: Avalanche Awareness

Whether you appreciate the power of nature exhibited by avalanches, want to know how they happen and what you can do to stay safe, or just pursue winter sports this program is for you. Learn about avalanche forecasting, safety and mechanics. Try out your new skills during an avalanche beacon exercise. The hour and a half program will be presented by guest speaker Bruce Tremper, Director of the Utah Avalanche Center. The program starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Highland City Hall multipurpose room next to the library . For further information call 801-756-5239 or visit www.nps.gov/tica .

FEBRUARY (Kids in Nature)

Location: Highland City Hall Multipurpose Room

Time: 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Date: Saturday, February 20, 2010

Program: Senses of the Season (Winter)

Let's bring the outdoors inside with a special sensory program geared toward children ages eight and under. Discover the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of the winter season. All ages are welcome to attend and challenge all of their senses. The hour long program will be presented by rangers Roberta Jacobsmeyer and Karissa DeCarlo. The program starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Highland City Hall multipurpose room next to the library . For further information call 801-756-5239 or visit www.nps.gov/tica .

Cougar Country -- Ten Tips to Stay Safe

Dave Swenson has patrolled Utah’s backcountry for almost 30 years.  During that time, the veteran wildlife officer has seen a cougar only five times.

And each time, the cougar was running away from him.

“It’s very, very rare to see or come in contact with a cougar,” the Division of Wildlife Resources officer says. “Cougars usually go out of their way to avoid people.” Swenson says cougars are also secretive animals. And they usually come out only at night. While it’s very rare to see a cougar, if you do see one, it will probably be in the winter.

“Deer are the main animal that cougars prey on this time of the year,” Swenson says. “In the winter, the snow covers the vegetation at higher elevations. That forces the deer to travel to lower elevations to find food. And the cougars come right down with them.”

Tips
If you live in cougar country, Swenson provides the following tips to lessen the chance that you come in contact with a cougar:

- Do not feed wildlife. Feeding wildlife attracts deer and other animals to your yard that cougars prey on.

- Do not feed pets outside. The food could attract cougars to your yard. And keep your pets indoors at night. Pets are easy prey for cougars.

- Outdoor lighting and motion-sensitive lighting are a deterrent for the secretive cougar. Lights also make cougars that are approaching your home visible.

- Keep a close eye on your children when they’re playing outside. And bring them in before dusk. That’s when cougars begin to hunt.

- Make your yard deer-proof. If your landscaping is attractive to deer, cougars will follow the deer and stay close to your property.

Here are three things you can do if you encounter a cougar:

- Do not run from a cougar. Running can provoke a prey response in the cougar, and the cougar may pursue you.

- Make yourself look intimidating. Make yourself look big by opening your jacket, and raising your arms and waving them. Speak loudly and firmly.

- If you have children, pick them up. Try to pick children up before the children panic and run. When you’re picking your children up, keep an eye on the cougar but avoid making direct eye contact with the animal. Try not to bend over too far or turn your back to the cougar.

Here are two things you can do to avoid encountering a cougar in the first place:

- Hike with other people and make noise. Cougars will not usually bother groups of people.

- If you’re hiking with pets, keep them on a leash and close to your group. Roaming pets are open to cougar attacks, or they could irritate a cougar that’s trying to avoid your group. A dog on a leash is also a good warning system that will let you know if a cougar is nearby.

Free brochure
More tips about how to stay safe in cougar country are available in the DWR’s “Living in Cougar Country” brochure. The free brochure is available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/cougar/pdf/cougar_brochure.pdf .

“As Utah’s population grows, more and more people are moving into areas where wildlife live,” Swenson says. “If we’re going to move into their homes, then it’s important that we learn how to live with them. If we do that, both wildlife and people can have a good experience.”