Get a firsthand 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. 19th, 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 | npasseri@utah.gov

Michael Packer | 385-225-4322 | michaelpacker@utah.gov

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 | achristianson@utah.gov.

Tonya Kieffer-Selby | 801-995-2972 | tonyakieffer@utah.gov.

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.

Ever wondered how researchers track the movements of birds, bats and even insects? Come learn about Motus, an international research partnership using advanced tracking technology to better understand animal migration and movement.

Wildlife Tracking Coordinator Trischa Thorne will showcase how the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is currently using Motus technology and how advancements in tracking help researchers learn more about where wildlife travel.

What to expect:

• Learn what Motus is and how it works
• Discover how Utah is collaborating on this international effort
• Learn how researchers tag and track birds, bats and insects
• See how new technology is advancing wildlife research

Come learn how tiny tags and powerful technology are helping us follow wildlife on the move!

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 Saturday, September 26, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Twin Creek picnic area at Fish Lake.

See you there!

Event Contact:

JC Ballard | 435-590-6729 | jcballard@utah.gov

Learn some cool facts about the Great Basin rattlesnake during a presentation and research event at Camp Williams!

Join us for this fun and informative seminar to learn all about rattlesnake species found in Utah. You will be able to view the rattlesnakes up close as biologists collect data for ongoing monitoring of populations.

What to expect

• The seminar portion of the event will take place indoors at Camp Williams Officer's Club Building. Department of Defense biologist Chris Frauenhofer will be the featured presenter, talking about Utah rattlesnakes.
• After the seminar, participants can visit our processing stations and observe Great Basin rattlesnakes.
• Participants over 18 MUST be individually registered so that the Camp Williams front gate can add you to the approved entry list.
• Participants over 18 MUST present a valid ID to enter the military base.
• This event is dependent on biologists being able to collect rattlesnakes prior to the event and subject to cancellation if rattlesnakes den early.

Disclaimer: This is a limited-entry event. Once the event registration is full, we will not be able to admit additional participants due to Department of Defense limitations.

Event Contact

Nicole Passeri | 385-277-2966 | npasseri@utah.gov

Michael Packer | 385-225-4322 | michaelpacker@utah.gov

Backcountry Survival Skills

Ready to tackle the great outdoors? Join us for this FREE in person event. We will provide some hands-on fun essential survival skills that’ll keep you safe and confident in the backcountry. From building shelters to finding food and water, this event is packed with practical tips and real-world experience. Whether you’re a newbie or just want to brush up, come hang out and get prepared for your next wild adventure!

This event is open to all participants who are age 16 and older. (Youth 16–17 years old must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.)

What to expect

• A full day of practical hands-on learning, in the outdoors.
• Advanced instruction to help you survive in any compremised situtation.
• Group work.
• Shelter building, fire starting, and more!

What to bring

• Lunch, snacks, water.
• Proper clothing for weather (close toed shoes a must).
• Ten essentials (bring what you have from home, no need to purhcase anything)
• Headlamp or flashflight.
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses). There will be a covered pavillion.
• Optional: Personal outdoor knife (or knives).

Space and materials are limited, so please only register if you plan to attend. If your plans change, cancel promptly to free up a spot for someone else. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Note: The site does not have cell service, so be sure to double-check directions and/or download a map in advance.

Contact

JC Ballard | 435-590-6729 | jcballard@utah.gov

Dress up in your spookiest costume and join the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for OWL-o-ween at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center! This is a free, family-friendly event that you and your little ones won’t want to miss this fall season.

What to expect:

• See live owls up close!
• Learn more about creatures of the night.
• Take a spooky walk on our nature trail.
• Play games.
• New: trunk-or-treat activity!

Owl Presentations

10:00 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

Owl meet and greet

10:30 - 11:30 a.m. & 12:00- 1:00 p.m.

Event Contact:

Hayley Pace | 385-515-6447 | hayleypace@utah.gov.