Goose Festival starts Feb. 19, 2010

Photo by Lynn Chamberlain

Delta — It's a sight you have to see to believe: thousands of pure white snow and Ross' geese lifting off Gunnison Bend Reservoir amid honks and the beating of wings.


Thousands of snow geese at Gunnison Bend Reservoir.

You can see this spectacle yourself on Feb. 19, 20 and 21 at the annual Utah Snow Goose Festival. The festival will be held at and near Gunnison Bend Reservoir, just west of Delta. Admission is free.

As many as 10,000 snow geese have been at the reservoir during past festivals. Except for the black tips on their wings, snow geese are pure white.

"We'll provide spotting scopes so you can get a close look at the geese," says Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. "We'll also be available to answer any questions you have."

In addition to seeing the geese, you can learn more about wildlife at free seminars offered by the DWR. The seminars will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20.

The best times to see the geese
The areas where you'll see the geese vary according to the time of the day.
"If you arrive early in the morning, you can watch the geese feeding in fields that surround the reservoir. Then, at about 10:30 a.m., the geese take off and fly back to the reservoir. That's an exciting time to see and hear the geese," Walters says.

After landing on the reservoir, the geese usually spend the next few hours there. "Then, anywhere from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., they take off again and fly back to the fields," he says. "It's thrilling to be there when the geese do this."

DWR biologists will watch which fields the geese fly to. If you arrive after the geese have left the reservoir, the biologists will direct you to the fields where the geese are feeding.


Viewing tips
•Use binoculars or a spotting scope to view the geese. If you get too close to the geese, you could scare them away.

•If you pull off the road to view the geese, pull as far off the road as you can. And watch for cars.

•The weather could be cold and wet. Bring the proper clothes so you can stay warm and dry.

For more information about the 2010 Snow Goose Festival, call the Delta Area Chamber of Commerce at (435) 864-4316.

Upcoming Utah State Parks Events

Photo: Snowshoeing at Wasatch Mountain State Park

February 26 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Full Moon Snowshoe Hike- Join Friends of Wasatch Mountain at 7 p.m. for the annual snowshoe hike under the light of the full moon. Hikes are available for all ability levels. Cost is $5 per person. Snowshoe rentals are also available for $5/pair for non-members/free for members of Friends of Wasatch Mountain. Registration is required. (435) 654-6608


February 26 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Under a Desert Moon- Expand your lunar knowledge and enjoy an evening of moon gazing beginning at 6:30 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required. (435) 628-2255

February 27 Antelope Island State Park – Syracuse
Utah’s Raptors - Join staff from Utah’s Hogle Zoo at 2 p.m., and be introduced to a few high-flying friends that live on Antelope Island. (801) 725-9263

February 27 Wasatch Mountain State Park - Midway
Birds in Winter- Join park staff from 10 a.m. to noon for a snowshoe bird walk. Learn how area birds live during the winter months and some amazing adaptations to survive the cold. Bring your own snowshoes, or rent some from the park. (435) 654-1791.


February 27 Jordanelle State Park - Heber
Moonlight Snowshoe Hike- Join park staff at the Hailstone Event Center for a moonlight snowshoe hike beginning at 7 p.m. Space is limited and registration is required. (435) 649-9540 or (435) 782-3030

Snowmobile Safety and Education Encouraged

Salt Lake City – With recent snowmobile-triggered avalanches in Utah, Utah State Parks rangers remind riders to check avalanche conditions and be prepared before heading out in the backcountry.

According to the Utah Avalanche Forecast Center, snowmobilers lead the list with twice the number of fatalities as any other backcountry users.

Follow these safety tips to ensure your next outing is safe:

- Never ride alone. Always ride with a companion and let others know your plan.

- Check weather reports and avalanche advisories. Be prepared by wearing an avalanche beacon and carrying a shovel and probe.

- Dress for changing weather conditions. Wear layered clothing to adjust for changing conditions.

- Never drink and drive.

- Watch your fuel supply carefully.

- Always wear an approved helmet designed for motorized use. It’s the law for anyone under 18 to wear a helmet at all times. Utah State Parks encourages everyone to wear a helmet.

- Know basic maintenance procedures. Carry spark plugs, drive belts, tool kit and a survival kit which contains a map, compass, flashlight, extra food, extra clothing, sunglasses, first aid kit, pocket knife, waterproof matches, and candles or fire starters.

Utah law requires youth eight to 15 to complete the Utah State Parks Know Before You Go! online snowmobile education course before operating on public lands, roads or trails. Anyone 16 or older must have a valid Utah driver’s license or a safety certificate to operate snowmobiles on public land. It is illegal for any child under age eight to operate an OHV on public land. The course is $30 and is accessible through http://stateparks.utah.gov/ / .

Avalanche information is available by calling 1-800-OHV-RIDE or visiting utahavalanchecenter.org. Avalanche classes are also available through the Utah Avalanche Center. For more information, visit http://stateparks.utah.gov/

Learn 2009 Big Game Drawing Odds

The odds of drawing a Utah big game hunting permit in 2009 are now available in a Division of Wildlife Resources report.

“The drawing odds usually don’t change much from year to year,”says Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR. “If you’re going to apply for a 2010 permit, you’ll probably be interested in knowing what the odds were that you’d draw that permit in 2009.

“And the best part is, you can view the report for free.” If you have access to the Internet, you can view and download the 2009 Bucks, Bulls & Once-in-a-Lifetime Bonus Point and Drawing Statistics report for free.

To find the report, visit the big game information page at www.wildlife.utah.gov/hunting/biggame . Once you’re there, scroll down to the big game statistics & drawing odds portion of the page.

Then click on 2009 bucks, bulls & once-in-a-lifetime bonus point and drawing statistics.

The report is also available at DWR offices. You can read the report for free or buy a copy for $28.

Must apply by March 1

Feb. 1 is the first day you can apply for a 2010 Utah big game permit.  Your application must be received through http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/  no later than 11 p.m. on March 1 to be included in the draw for permits.

You can also apply over the phone at (801) 538-4700. Phone-in applications will be must be received no later than 6 p.m. on March 1.

For more information, call the Utah Wildlife Administrative Services office at 1-800-221-0659, the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.

Boat Slips available at Utah Lake State Park

Provo – Boat slips for the 2010 season are available beginning Saturday, February 13 at 8 a.m. All slips are on a first-come, first-served basis and must be applied for in person. Faxed and phoned-in requests are not accepted.
The contract for slip and trailer storage must be completed at the time the reservation is made and accompanied with a copy of boat and trailer registration. For more information, please contact Utah Lake State Park at (801) 375-0731.

Apply now for a Bear Hunting or Pursuit Permit

If you enjoy pursuing bears with dogs, a big change awaits you this year: if you want to pursue on the Book Cliffs, San Juan or La Sal units this summer, you’ll have to obtain a permit through a drawing.
The number of pursuit permits available for the three eastern Utah units this summer is limited. And the summer season has been split into an early season and a late season.

You can apply for a pursuit permit for the units starting Feb. 2 at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/ . Starting Feb. 2, you can also apply for a black bear hunting permit for any bear unit in the state.

To be included in the draw for permits, your application must be received through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on Feb. 25.

Results of the 2010 Utah Black Bear Draw will be available by March 11.

Applying for a bonus point

If you’re not going to hunt bears in 2010, you can still apply for a bonus point. Bonus points increase the chance that you’ll draw a bear permit in the future.

Applications for bonus points will also be accepted at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/  from Feb. 2 until 11 p.m. on Feb. 25.

2010 Black Bear Guidebook

Before you apply, you’ll need a copy of the 2010 Utah Black Bear Guidebook. The guidebook should be available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/guidebooks  by late January.


Reason for pursuit change

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.”

In addition to a limited number of permits, 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.

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

February Classes, Workshops and Lectures at the Ogden Nature Center

House Finch, Courtesy Judy Howle, Great Backyard Bird Count

Beginning Kundalini Yoga
Mondays through March 8 from 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
$10 for drop-ins
Ages: adults

Invigorate your body and mind with a beginning course in Kundalini Yoga. Taught by certified yoga instructor, Bruce Fisk. Meet in the east classroom of the LS Peery Education Center at ONC. Wear loose comfortable clothing, bring a yoga mat and blanket. It’s best not to eat for two hours before class. If you must, eat lightly.


Wild Wednesdays – Winter Sleepers
Wednesday, February 3 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Ages: all

During the cold, snowy days of winter some animals choose to deal with the weather by sleeping. Meet a few animals that spend their winter days and nights in the dark. Find out how they hibernate and then take a trip to (and into) the Nature Center’s bear den. Please meet in the Visitor Center.



Images of Madagascar
Tuesday, February 9 at 7 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Ages: 8+

Madagascar is home to the world’s lemurs, an eclectic group of beautiful and unusual primates. Dr. Sam Zeveloff visited this island nation in the fall of 2008 with the Lemur Conservation Foundation. The group traveled extensively, exploring national parks and other nature reserves. In this presentation he will discuss the island’s history, its unique fauna and flora, and the hopes for survival of its biota. Please RSVP by Monday, February 8.



Wild Wednesdays – Wild Romance: Valentines Day
Wednesday, February 10 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Ages: all

Have you ever wondered if animals flirt with one another? Come find out during a special Valentine’s Day program. Meet some of the Nature Center’s resident birds and reptiles and discover the unique ways these animals attract partners. Then make your very own nature-themed Valentine. Meet in the Visitor Center.



Growing Up Wild Training for Teachers and Educators
Friday, February 12, 4 pm – 8:30 pm and Saturday, February 13, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Cost: $24 registration fee and an optional $30 for graduate credit through USU

Growing up Wild is an early childhood education program that builds on young children’s sense of wonder and nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up Wild provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about nature and lifelong social and academic skills. This workshop includes a Growing Up Wild Activity Guide and other supplemental materials. Participants should wear comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes and be prepared for some activities outside. Refreshments will be provided, but please bring your own lunch on Saturday. Registration is required. Please contact the Ogden Nature Center at 801-621-7595 for a registration form. For more information visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/projectwild .


Great Backyard Bird Count
Saturday, February 13 anytime between 9 am – 3 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Ages: 8+

Join us at the Ogden Nature Center for a national birding event. A sheet with tips on how to identify birds and a bird list will be provided for all who intend to count for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s annual tally. Any count lasting at least 15 minutes is acceptable. A few sets of binoculars are available to borrow. All lists must be submitted to the Ogden Nature Center’s front desk by 3 pm that day to be included in the Center’s Cornell tally. No RSVP required. Upon arrival, please check in at the Visitor Center front desk.



Wild Wednesdays – Owl Tales
Wednesday, February 17 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Ages: all

Are owls really wise? Get the answer to that question and many others as we meet three different owls and decode the mysteries that surround these amazing birds. Meet in the Visitor Center.



Frozen Landscapes – Crystals, Scapes & Snowflakes
Preschool Discovery Days
Choose a time: Friday, February 19: 9:30 am, 11 am, or 1 pm
Cost: $4 per child / adult chaperones are free
Ages: 3-5

Preschoolers will discover the complicated patterns of crystals and snowflakes as they sip hot cocoa. Songs and stories will teach how plants and animals adapt to the Ogden Nature Center’s frozen landscapes. Dress for the weather. Space is limited Please call 801-621-7595 to pre-register.



Wild Wednesdays – Whooo Eats Whooom?
Wednesday, February 24 at 3:30 pm
Free for ONC members
$2 children / $3 seniors / $4 adults
Ages: all

Learn about predator prey relationships with Chitters the Great-horned Owl. Meet Chitters in person and get an up-close look at skulls, pelts, teeth, eyes and more. Discover the adaptations that help animals survive in the wild. Meet in the Visitor Center.



Snowshoe Owl Prowl
Friday, February 26 from 7 pm – 8 pm
Cost: $3 for members / $6 for non-members
Ages: 8+

What could be more fun than a night filled with hot chocolate and hooting owls? Join Ogden Nature Center education director, Stefanie Miller for nighttime snowshoe hike in search of the sights and sounds of the Great-horned Owl. February is nesting time for the Great-horned Owl and searching for nests is possible because of the bare, snow-covered trees. We’ll end the evening with a hot cup of cocoa and an up-close look at one of our smaller owl friends. Ogden Nature Center has snowshoes available by RSVP only or bring your own snowshoes and gear. Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 24 at 5 pm.

To register for classes and workshops, please call 801-621-7595. Some class sizes are limited to ensure a quality experience for participants and instructors. Call in your reservation and pay with VISA or Mastercard, or come in person to pay with cash or check. We cannot accept reservations through the mail or without payment. We reserve the right to change instructors or cancel classes due to circumstances beyond our control, including illness, inclement weather or low attendance.

The Ogden Nature Center is located at 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden, Utah. For more information, please call 801-621-7595 or visit http://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/ .