Northeastern Region Dedicated Hunter work projects

Project availability

ASAP

Sign installation (Sportsmen's Access Program)

• Description: Dig holes, plant posts and install signs as new properties join the Sportsmen's Access Program.
• Dates: To be determined by the coordinator
• Location: Northeastern Region—exact sites to be determined by the coordinator
• Volunteers needed: Usually one or two at a time
• Contact: Amy, (435) 781-9453
• Note: Amy is developing a list of volunteers she can call as more properties join the program and as sign-installation opportunities become available.

Taxidermy

• Description: Create a taxidermy mount from an osprey carcass.
• Date: ASAP
• Skills/tools needed: Experienced taxidermist
• Volunteers needed: One
• Contact: Ron Stewart, (435) 781-9453
• Note: The osprey is frozen and being held in the northern region. It looks like it is in good condition; however, the taxidermist must make the final call as to if it can be mounted. Like most hawks, the skin is thin and fragile, so it will take someone with a delicate touch to work on the bird. Credit hours can be given for supplies and materials to mount it as well as the work time to drive to collect the bird (if necessary) and do the mounting.

Tagging razorback suckers

• Description: Assist U.S. Fish and Wildlife fisheries biologists as they catch and tag the endangered razorback sucker in wetlands connected to the Green River.
• Dates: Possible dates include Sept. 29–Oct. 2, Oct. 5–9, and Oct. 13–16
• Location: Green River near Vernal, Utah
• Skills needed: No special skills are required, but it will be a long day and volunteers will be climbing in and out of boats and walking in mud.
• Tools needed: Volunteers should bring waders, water/lunch/snacks, personal gear and safety equipment, and a dry bag to protect personal gear such as a coat or dry clothes.
• Volunteers needed: 1–2 per day
• Contact: Aaron Webber, (435) 789-0366
• Additional notes: Volunteers will go out on boats with biologists and use electrofishing techniques and nets to capture the fish.

Plant survey

• Description: The Utah Natural Heritage Program, part of the DWR, keeps track of rare plants and animals in Utah. We will be looking for Graham's penstemon, a plant that grows in oil shale areas. Good observers who like to hike will enjoy this project.
• Location: The survey area is south of the White River, near the Colorado border.
• Dates: Mid May through mid June, some Saturdays available
• Volunteers needed: Two
• Hours available per person: 40
• Special requirements: Plant identification skills
• Contact: Robert Fitts, (801) 538-4742 or robertfitts@utah.gov

LAKE CANYON LAKE PROJECTS

Fishing access trail and parking area construction

• Description: We need volunteers to clear brush, and construct parking areas and fishing-access trails along the shore of the lake and stream.
• Additional details: 1) This is a labor-intensive project at a high elevation that involves hiking a steep and uneven hill loaded with tools and materials, digging in rocky soil, heavy lifting and maneuvering through brush and weeds. It may involve crossing a stream. 2) This project will enhance access for anglers, wildlife watchers and other wildlife-related recreational users.
• Date: June 15–18, 22, 23, 25, 29 and 30
• Location: Lake Canyon Lake area, Duchesne County
• Skills needed: good physical shape likely more important than skills, Experience building trails, removing greasewood and other brush or certified for weed control, please let us know.
• Tools needed: Shovels, picks, rakes and other digging and excavating tools; hand saws; eye protection, gloves and other personal safety equipment.
• Volunteers needed: Individuals, or small or large groups.
• Contact: Ron Stewart or Garn Birchell, both at (435) 781-9453.

ANYTIME PROJECTS

Pinyon/juniper thinning at Tabby Mountain WMA

• Description: Cut down pinyon/juniper trees to enhance deer and elk winter range on the Tabby Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
• Dates: April 15 – October 31
• Location: Tabby Mountain WMA — Two Bar area
• Skills needed: Tree cutting
• Tools needed: Personal safety equipment, eye wear, gloves, boots, and any other essential items.
• Volunteers needed: No limit
• Contact: Download the packet containing a map, information and instructions. — (PDF format, 693 KB)
• Additional notes: This is a self-supervised project.

Hide, skull donations

• Description: Project WILD, a DWR education program, needs donated hides and skulls of various Utah species for wildlife education trunks. The program needs hides and skulls of a variety of large and small mammals. Specifically, we would like to have a black bear hide, the skull of an antlerless moose and pelts from mountain cottontail rabbits, striped skunks, raccoons, muskrats, red squirrels and yellow-bellied marmots. The program also needs taxidermy services for the green hides and skulls received.
• Special requirements: Prefer pelts with all feet, claws and head (ears turned is best)
• Hours: The value in service hours will based upon fair market value of the product or service rendered at a rate of $20 per service hour.
• Contact: Diana Vos, (801) 538-4719 or dianavos@utah.gov