During my undergraduate studies at the University of Mississippi, I had the opportunity to participate in a study-abroad program in Belize. It was a month-long study of the coral reef ecosystem and the fishes near an island off the coastline. Of all the wildlife experiences I have had in my life, none have been more thrilling or beautiful.

Wouldn’t it be nice to give your loved ones and friends something they really wanted this year — something that would make them happier and more successful? You could hear those magical words, “that is just what I wanted!”

I hadn’t been asleep for too long before I was awakened by a metallic grinding sound. It seemed pretty strange, considering my remote mountain location. The sound stopped after a minute, and I went back to sleep. Then, a few minutes later, I awoke to a clinking noise. I was stumped. I sat up in my sleeping bag and looked around.

Of all the activities I’ve participated in during my 20 years with the DWR, I would have to say that banding birds is my favorite. Banding often requires 24 hours of straight work, but it is such a rush, that you just don’t notice the lack of sleep or food!

Walleye fishing has become more popular in Utah, and it’s easy to see why. These large fish can be tricky to catch, and they’re really tasty! When I want to fish for walleye, I usually head to Starvation Reservoir. It’s often less crowded than some of the other walleye fisheries, and the fishing is great throughout the summer.

Remember your first fishing trip? Whether you were young or old, successful or skunked, that initial trip makes a lasting impression. And you never forget who took you. For me, it was my brother, Joe.

In December 2007, the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation conducted an online survey of 3,000 people who had fished or boated within the past three years. If you are not a boater or angler, these results will surprise you!

Topper actually stood still and sniffed the air while I saddled him up and loaded gear on the pack horse. It took a little time to get things ready for the four-mile trip to the cabin. Although Topper stood very still and assessed his new surroundings, he looked a little nervous. That should have been my first clue that this was not going to be an ordinary trip.

Whether it’s winter, summer or somewhere in between, there’s always something exciting to see in Utah. We hold a variety of Watchable Wildlife program events across the state throughout the year. Here’s a quick look at 10 of our most popular annual activities.

It happened again the other night: I fell asleep on the couch and woke up well after midnight. After turning off the TV, I wandered out to the frosty patio and looked around. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something large soar through the air across my backyard.