Upcoming events

Learn some cool facts about the bats of Utah during an outdoor presentation and capture event at Tracy Aviary's Pia Okwai Nature Center!

As part of this fun and informative seminar, you will also be able to observe our biologists conducting bat surveys and capturing bats with fine mist nets. You will be able to examine the bats up close as biologists collect data for ongoing monitoring of populations. You may even get to see some of Utah's rarely seen bat species!

What to expect

• The seminar portion of the event will take place outdoors at Tracy Aviary's Nature Center at Pia Okwai. DWR biologist Shawn Pladas will be the featured presenter, talking about Utah bats on our outdoor screen and projector set-up!
• After the seminar, participants can walk over to our processing stations to hopefully observe different species of bats. As this is a new site for captures, there is no guarantee that we will be able to catch bats.
• 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 appropriate clothes, snacks, water and some camp chairs or blankets to sit on. We also recommend bringing a small flashlight or headlamp; it will be dark outside!
• This event is weather dependent and subject to cancellation.

Disclaimer: As with any wildlife event, captures cannot be guaranteed

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.

Pheasant and chukar hunting seasons are right around the corner, and it’s never too early to train your pointing dog. Bret Wonnacott, avid bird dog trainer and enthusiast, will teach you how to lay a foundation with your dog, and demonstrate ways to help you and your dog with:

• Hand signals
• Running to the front
• Bird introduction
• Gun breaking
• Accountability
• Preseason conditioning
• The bird means whoa
• Steadiness training
• Stop to flush
• Backing/honoring

Puppies — Laying a foundation with your new puppy, teaching hand signals and running to the front, bird introduction, gun breaking and more.

Dogs — Adjust training for the individual dog, hold them accountable, the importance of timing in your corrections, preseason conditioning, stopping to flush, the bird means whoa and steadiness training.

What you need to know:

• Please do not bring your dog to the event.
• Experienced adult dogs and trained puppies will demonstrate skills.
• Please sign up online; space is limited and you must be registered to attend.
• This is an amazing opportunity to improve you and your dog's hunting skills for free!

Event Contact:

Jodie Anderson at 801-791-8589 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and the National Shooting Sports Foundation are hosting a free First Shots Clay Targets Trapshooting Clinic! This event is a hands-on class for beginners who have little or no experience shooting clay targets and will take place on August 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m..

What to expect:

• Learn from Ed Wehking, the former president of the Amateur Trapshooting Association and a certified shooting instructor with many years of experience.
• An introduction to safe shotgun handling and the fundamentals of trapshooting.
• Practice what you learn on the shooting range!
• Improve your shotgun skills in a supportive, encouraging, and comfortable environment.

Things to remember:

• Participants must be 12 years of age or older.
• Dress comfortably. The majority of the clinic will be held outdoors.
• Bring eye and ear protection. You may purchase some at the event if you would like, but there will not be any available for free use.
• You are welcome to bring your personal shotgun and ammunition, but it is not required to participate. We will have shotguns and ammunition available for attendees to use.
• This clinic is for beginners with little or no previous trapshooting experience, and the number of participants is limited. If you are a proficient shooter looking to hone your skills, please stay connected with us for information about more advanced classes in the future.

Please register in advance for this event. Space is limited!

Event Contact:

Daniel Gutierrez at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Join the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for a free Upland Game Hunting Seminar on Aug. 28th from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. in our Springville office auditorium. If you have ever wanted to learn about upland game hunting — or if you'd like to improve the skills you already have — this event is perfect for you. DWR wildlife biologist, Jason Robinson, will present helpful tips on the following:

• Forest grouse hunting
• Chukar hunting
• Pheasant hunting
• Hunting spots (habitat, etc.)
• Basic hunting gear

Participants are encouraged to ask questions. We hope to see you there!

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.

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.

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.