Upcoming events

Learn some cool facts about the bats of Utah and observe them up-close!

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologists want to give you an up-close look at some of the state’s most peculiar nighttime creatures: bats. The DWR is hosting a bat night near the Colorado River in Moab. The biologists will catch bats using a fine mesh net suspended above a creek. As the bats leave their daytime caves and crevices searching for bugs to eat, some will get caught in the net. Biologists will identify the bats, measure them and release them unharmed. During that process, you’ll be able to see, learn about and photograph the bats before they’re released.

What to expect

• Participants will be required to wear an N95 mask when near the bats to help prevent health concerns to the bats. Masks will be provided or participants can bring their own.
• Bring warm clothes, snacks, water and some camp chairs or blankets to sit on. We also recommend bringing a small flashlight or headlamp; it will be very dark outside!
• This event is limited to the first 30 people who register.

Event contact:

Ashley Kennedy at (435) 630-2484 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, is hosting a free Waterfowl Hunting Clinic on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8 a.m. to 11:00 am at the Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area in Elmo, Utah

What to expect:

• The seminar will be held outdoors at Desert Lake Waterfowl Management Area so dress appropriately for the weather.

• This seminar will include multiple educational stations including: decoys, game calls, species identification, firearms, shooting from a blind, gear and more.

• Do not bring any personal firearms. We will provide everything for you.

• All youth must be accompanied by an adult.

• Please plan on arriving 10-15 minutes early to check in and have a chance at winning exciting prizes.

For questions about this event, please contact:

Ashley Kennedy | 435-630-2484 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Join us for an exciting waterfowl workshop!

Are you new to waterfowl hunting or just looking for a refresher? This event is for you! Dive into the world of waterfowl hunting with our comprehensive workshop, designed to equip you with essential skills and knowledge.

What you'll learn:

• General waterfowl hunting tips: Discover key strategies and techniques to enhance your hunting experience.
• Hunting regulations: Get up-to-date with the latest rules and regulations to ensure you're hunting legally and ethically.
• Duck identification: Learn how to identify different duck species.
• Field dressing demonstration: learn how to clean and dress your bird.

Event Highlights:

• Interactive booths: Visit booths featuring duck identification to information about Waterfowl Management Areas.

Event Partners:

• Ducks Unlimited
• Delta Waterfowl
• Wasatch Wigeons
• Bear River Bird Refuge

Schedule:

• 10:00 a.m. Duck ID Presentation
• 11:15 a.m. Hunting Regulations
• 12:00 Hunting Tips
• 1:00 p.m. Field Dressing Demo

Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills in waterfowl hunting! Whether you're just starting out or looking to brush up on your technique, this workshop is the perfect place to begin.

Event Contact:

Hayley Pace | 385-515-6447 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Get an up-close view of the vibrant colors and interesting behaviors of spawning kokanee salmon as they swim upstream. Hundreds of salmon migrate up the Strawberry River and other Strawberry Reservoir tributaries each year during September and October.

This free wildlife viewing event will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20, at the Strawberry Reservoir Visitor Center and the DWR egg-taking facility. This is a great family-friendly activity. DWR biologists will be on hand to answer your questions and give you an up-close look at these unique sportfish.

W hat to expect:

• Parking is limited at the visitor center.
• Overflow parking is located 1,500 feet west of the Strawberry Visitor Center where you can walk down a gravel road to the DWR fish trap and egg-taking facility to view the salmon. We will have signs posted to better direct you.
• During the event, please remember that this is a pivotal time for these salmon to spawn, so please do not harass the fish and stay out of the water.

Event Contact:

Nicole Passeri | 385-277-2966 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Michael Packer | 385-225-4322 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ready to turn your wild game harvest into an incredible meal? In partnership with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, local culinary expert Chris Damico (aka The Drunken Butcher) will teach you how. Join us for this free wild game cooking clinic on Sept. 20 from 5 to 9 p.m., where you will learn how to prepare a variety of delicious dishes using your big game harvest.

What to expect:

• Several big game cooking demonstrations.
• A variety of dishes for you to taste test.
• Meats include elk, deer and bear, oh my!

Please sign up online as space is limited, and you must be registered to attend. If your plans change after registration and you can no longer attend, please reach out to the DWR contact below so your spot can be given to another participant.

Event Contact:

JC Ballard | 435-868-8205 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day by getting the kids outdoors for a youth pheasant hunt! This free hunt — offered by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and its partners — is a great opportunity for any young hunter. Please take note of the details below as they contain important information about hunt requirements, preparation and expectations.

Requirements:

• Hunters must be 17 years of age or younger to participate.
• To participate, you will need to verify completed hunter education as well as a valid hunting or combination license.
• All participants must complete the waiver form provided prior to the event. This includes adults attending to supervise youth or observers/helpers staying at the event to provide transportation and youth who will be hunting. You will only be permitted at the event if you have signed the online waiver.
• Anyone going afield is required to wear a hunter orange hat and vest. Please bring your own hats and vests for everyone in your party.
• A maximum of two observers per participant will be permitted in the field with their youth.
• Please leave your dog home for this event as we will have volunteer guides for the event. The only dogs allowed at the event will be those provided by the volunteer guides. This ensures there are no conflicts or issues with any of the volunteer's dogs.

Be prepared:

• The hunt is limited to 40 participants (no more than 10 youth hunters per hour session), so please register early. If the event is filled and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email the staff below and include the following: name of the participant, phone number, age, and what hunt time(s) they would like. Staff will be in contact with you shortly.
• Some shotguns will be available to borrow, but we recommend bringing your own guns, ammunition, safety glasses/goggles and hearing protection. Please make sure all firearms are unloaded upon arrival.
• Please arrive at least 45 minutes before your scheduled hunt so you can check in, attend the safety briefing, practice on the trap range and disperse before shooting begins. The hunter(s) must participate in these steps in order to hunt.
• Please research the shotgun choke preference prior to arrival. Either a modified or full choke is recommended, depending on shooting preference of the hunter, but it is not required.

What to expect:

• Before hunters go afield, they will have an opportunity to practice on the trap range.
• You will choose your hunt time when you register.
• The hunt leaders and guides will lead you to the hunting locations.
• Stewart’s Marketplace will provide light snacks and refreshments.
• Wildlife Conservation Foundation will sponsor this event by purchasing the birds for the day.
• The hunt location and detailed driving directions will be sent to you by email after registration and prior to the hunt. Please look for the 'Event Ahead' signs along the way. The following link shows the approximate location of the hunting property: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cyiLuhY1B5mcxegF9

Your feedback is appreciated! The supervising adult will be emailed a survey within the week after your hunt occurs; please check your emails the week following the hunt to provide your much-appreciated feedback. See you there!

Event Contacts:

Anthony Christianson | 435-828-0008 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Tonya Kieffer-Selby | 801-995-2972 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For questions or directions on the day of the hunt and if you cannot get ahold of Anthony or Tonya, please contact Pleasant Valley at 435-646-3194.

Join the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for a close-up view of the vibrant colors and interesting behaviors of spawning kokanee salmon as they swim upstream. Come witness this natural wonder!

What to expect:

• Hundreds of colorful salmon migrating and spawning.
• DWR staff on hand to answer questions and give you an up-close look at the fish.
• A beautiful walk along the Twin Creeks boardwalk.

This free, family-friendly event will be held on Friday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Twin Creeks picnic area at Fish Lake.

See you there!

Event Contact:

JC Ballard | 435-868-8205 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Note: This event is free, but participation is limited to the first 20 people ages 18 or older who register here.

This advanced Sporting Clays Clinic is a challenging clay target shoot designed to simulate field shooting scenarios on a sporting clays course. Shooters will attend an advanced instruction training session before being presented with a wide variety of targets that duplicate the flight path of game birds, such as flushing, crossing, incoming and other angling shots.

What to expect

• The course is arranged in natural surroundings, and typically includes 5–10 shooting stations with shooters moving from one station to the next to complete the course. Each station presents shooters with a different type of shot.
• At any station, targets may be thrown as singles, simultaneous pairs, following pairs (one target right after the other) or report pairs (the second target launched at the sound of the gun being fired at the first target).
• To further challenge shooters, target size may vary from the standard trap/skeet clay bird to the smaller “midi” and “mini” targets, or a flat disc shaped “battue” target. There are even special “rabbit” targets that are thrown on end that skitter across the ground.

What to bring with you

• Participants will need to provide their own eye and ear protection as well as a shotgun.
• If you do not have the above equipment, you may pay a fee to rent those items at the facility.
• Ammunition and entrance to the park are provided.
• Dress prepared for the weather, including footwear appropriate for the field.

Event location

Purgatory Clay Sports is located at Southern Utah Shooting Sports Park, which is just west of the Regional Fair Grounds in Hurricane, Washington County. The park address is 1374 S. Nelson Whitmire Say in Hurrance which is about15 minutes from St. George, Utah.

Contact

Johnny Neil | 435-868-8756 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..