Every spring from early March until late April, male sage-grouse engage in a fascinating blend of dancing, vocalization and fighting. The fiercest males move toward the center of a clearing in the sagebrush, signaling upward climb in rank.

To put together our deer-objective recommendations for the Wildlife Board, we will be holding open houses at different locations across the state during the month of February. We hope to gather your input on two important topics…

Not a single detail could be overlooked, due to the remote location and limited access of the site. One forgotten fitting could have meant a day of lost time and a forgotten heavy object could have stopped the project for months—or even years—waiting for a helicopter to deliver the item.

I took my first pack trip with horses three years ago, and since then, I have been hooked on this great way to see remote areas. Last summer, I went on 12 trips in three states.

The Sunnyside bighorn herd consists almost entirely of rams, which number around 25, depending on the day and year. This particular group of bighorns is accustomed to both vehicle traffic and humans, and can often be observed and photographed at close range.

Scofield Reservoir is one of the most popular and heavily used fisheries in Utah. Recently, however, the reservoir has experienced some challenges that have reduced the number of anglers who fish there. The biggest challenge was the discovery of Utah chubs in the reservoir in 2005.

The DWR has been working to identify a pure population of Colorado River cutthroat trout and to develop a broodstock that can be used to repopulate areas in southeastern Utah. Those obstacles have finally been overcome, and we are ready to begin restoration efforts.

A polite young man in his 20s opened the trailer door. We asked to speak with the person who had taken the deer. He answered that we sure could. “Grandma,” he called out, “some game wardens want to see your permit.”

Last week, we held an open house at the College of Eastern Utah to discuss deer management. We had a good turnout. Eighty-one people registered, and we had some additional visitors who just wandered in to share their ideas. From the comments we got, attendees were pleasantly surprised.

The Southeastern RAC hopes to fill two vacancies this spring. Applications will be accepted between now and March 31, 2011.

Dozens of samples have been taken from Electric Lake and Red Fleet since the initial finding of invasive mussel larvae in 2008. All of the samples from both reservoirs have been negative for both the microscopic examination and follow-up DNA testing.

Have you ever wondered why there are fewer deer than years ago? Do you have good ideas on how to reverse this trend in order to increase the herds? Southeastern regional personnel are very concerned with recovering deer herds and want your help.