Wildlife blog
Wildlife blog Wildlife blog

Chronic wasting disease FAQs

Droopy-eyed buck deer, infected with chronic wasting disease, crouched in a green field Many people are concerned about CWD impacts on Utah's wildlife, if and how it can be transmitted to humans, and want to know more about what the DWR is doing to control CWD.

Learn to hunt: muzzleloaders

Female hunter with muzzleloader and gear walks in the forest Whether you have never hunted at all, or are an experienced rifle hunter looking for earlier season hunting opportunities, learning the unique skill set of muzzleloader hunting can be a fun and rewarding challenge.

The not-so-simple definition of species

Two green sucker fish swimming in a tank What is a species? It seems like a straightforward question, right? Unfortunately, defining what makes a group of animals a distinct species is actually far more complicated than it would appear on the outside. Sometimes, new information requires us to reconsider what we know about species.

Wildlife-friendly fences

Wildlife-friendly fence at the Coldwater Canyon WMA, with properly spaced barbed wire and metal posts As our cities and suburbs expand into previously undeveloped areas, our structures, roads and other barriers — including fences — can act as an unintentional but often fatal restriction for many wildlife species.

How to catch panfish

Two young girls, each holding a small, caught panfish in a fishing boat Summertime in Utah means warming waters and active panfish! Panfish are fun fishing for anglers of all ages and abilities.

How to clean and prepare catfish

Michael Packer holding a caught catfish Catfish are fun to catch and make for a delicious meal. But they need a few extra steps — and a couple of inexpensive specialized tools — to get them from the lake to your plate. Here's a step-by-step guide to getting the most out of your catch.

6 great spots for Utah fishing this spring

Angler kneeling in the water at Minersville Reservoir, holding a caught cutthroat trout Spring is the perfect time to organize your fishing gear, refill your tackle and fly boxes, and plan for a fun excursion on Utah's scenic waters. Fishing really amps up with the melting ice, but visitor usage usually doesn't pick up until Memorial Day weekend. So if you enjoy the opportunity to catch fish and need to get away from the ratrace, Utah definitely has fishing opportunities for you.

The Amazing Trace: tracking the 1,000-mile journey of a Utah cougar

A cougar wearing a GPS collar around its neck I enjoy my time studying each species I work with, but none have challenged me quite like cougars. Every time we learn something new about cougar behavior or ecology, it only generates more questions about this species.

Go deep! What anglers should know about panfish reeled up from the depths

Chris Penne kneeling on the ice at Echo Reservoir, teaching a participant at an ice fishing clinic As a fishery manager, I'm always thinking of ways that I can make fishing better for Utah's anglers. One of my areas of interest over the past few years has been what we as anglers can do to help the survival rates of panfish caught and then released in deep water.
Quick links
Report poachers — 1-800-662-3337
» Report poachers
Wildlife dates
» Important dates
Hunter, angler mobile app
Hunter Education: Sign up for classes
» Hunter education