- 6 easy ways to help wildlife on Earth Day (and the rest of the year, too!)
- Record $4.8 million raised for habitat restoration, other wildlife projects through 2023 conservation permits
- DWR hosting first desert tortoise viewing event
- DWR confirms beavers killed by disease; urges public to report any dead beavers
- Come see great blue herons in the wild at upcoming DWR event
- Found a baby bird on the ground? Here's what to do
- DWR issues fishing emergency closure at Panguitch Lake due to public safety concerns
- DWR conservation officers seeking information after bald eagle shot near Cedar City
Upcoming events
Here's a list of all upcoming events that require registration. For a complete list of past and future DWR events, see the Utah wildlife calendar.
April
Great Blue Heron Viewing Day
Join the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and see Great Blue Herons nest at Eccles Wildlife Education Center! Date & timeSaturday, April 20 AddressGeorge S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center More...Every year from February to June, great blue herons nest in a rookery near the Eccles Wildlife Education Center parking lot. Join the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for a chance to see these striking birds rearing their young! What to expect:
Event contact: Hayley Pace | 385-515-6447 | This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Beginner Fly-Tying Clinic — Cedar City
Discover the art of tying flies! It's the perfect time of year to prepare for summer angling. Join us to learn the basics of tying flies! Date & timeSaturday, April 20 AddressSouthern Region Division of Wildlife Resources Office More...The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and local anglers are teaming up to offer an introductory fly tying clinic. Spring is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby and prepare for warmer weather angling. If you have ever been interested in learning the art of tying flies, this is your chance! We will discuss everything a beginner needs to know to get started tying flies. This clinic covers recommended equipment, materials, setup and hands-on instruction on tying two tried-and-true patterns that every angler should know. This event will be held at the DWR office building in Cedar City. Capacity is limited to 15 participants, and we will provide equipment — vices, thread, and materials — for tying two basic flies. Instructors will coach you step by step through the fly tying process. Participants are welcome to bring their personal fly tying equipment if they choose. Please note: This clinic will be recorded and uploaded on the DWR's YouTube channel for later viewing by the public. What to expect:
Event Contact: JC Ballard at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 435-868-8205 |
Catfish Fishing Seminar — Bear River Bird Refuge
New to catching channel catfish? You're in for some BIG fun! Come learn how to catch these great fighting, great tasting fish in Utah! Date & timeThursday, April 25 Address2155 W Forest St More...The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Blue Ribbon Fisheries invite you to come attend this free seminar and learn about catching catfish in Utah. We'll cover angling opportunities in Northern Utah, fishing technique and tackle selection tips to help you better target catfish. This seminar will take place on Thursday, Apr. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Education Center auditorium. What to expect:
Presentors:
See you there! Event Contact: Clint Brunson at 385-389-4624 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Desert Tortoise Viewing Event
Learn more about one of Utah's greatest reptiles from a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources biologist! Date & timeSaturday, April 27 AddressChuckwalla Trail Head More...Join expert biologists with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources for an up-close look at one of the state’s most fascinating reptiles — the desert tortoise! The event will be held at the Chuckwalla Trail Head in Snow Canyon State Park on April 27th, from 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. What to expect:
Keep in mind:
What to bring:
See you there! Event Contact: Johnny Neil t at 435-868-8756 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
Catfish Fishing Seminar — Sandy
New to catching channel catfish? You're in for some BIG fun! Come learn how to catch these great fighting, great tasting fish in Utah! Date & timeMonday, April 29 AddressScheels More...The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Scheels invite you to come attend this free seminar and learn about catfishing in Utah. We'll cover angling opportunities for Utah and Salt Lake County residents, fishing technique and tackle selection tips to help you better target catfish - particularly channel catfish in Utah Lake. This family friendly seminar will take place on Monday, April 29 from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. inside the Sandy Scheels training rooms — located on the 2nd floor — which are easily accessible using the elevator. NOTE — this seminar will be recorded for future upload on our DWR YouTube channel. What to expect:
Presentors:
See you there! Event Contact: Michael Packer at 385-225-4322 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
May
Women's Shotgun Shooting Clinic - Spanish Fork
Come work on your shooting skills in this friendly and informative free hands-on shotgun shooting clinic for women! Date & timeTuesday, May 7 AddressSpanish Fork Gun Club More...Come work on your shooting skills in this friendly and informative free hands-on shotgun shooting clinic for women! Instruction includes shotgun shooting safety and practical experience handling and firing shotguns at clay targets, also known as trap shooting. Open to female participants ages 12 and older of all skill levels! What to expect
What to bring with you
This event is designed to give women a supportive, encouraging and comfortable atmosphere where they can learn more about handling firearms and improve their shooting skills. Participation is limited to the first 50 women, ages 12 and older, who register online. For questions about this event, please contact: Derek Murdock at 801-400-4909 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Michael Packer at 385-225-4322 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
May–August
2024 Fishing with the Fox Contest
Join us for the 14th annual Fishing with the Fox tagged fishing contest in partnership with Vernal's The Fox 98.5 FM radio station. Date & timeMonday, May 20 AddressUtah Division of Wildlife Resources More...The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, in partnership with Vernal's The Fox 98.5 FM radio station, holds this annual family-friendly fishing contest to encourage anglers — local and far — to fish at designated Uintah Basin waterbodies. Grab your fishing tackle, make sure to bring along your valid Utah fishing or combination license (for anglers aged 12 and older) and get outside for a fun day on the water. You could catch one of the hundreds of tagged rainbow trout stocked in the Uintah Basin! Where to catch tagged contest fishFish at these three lakes socked in 2024 with tagged fish:
What to do if you catch a tagged fishThis year, the trout are tagged with a yellow tag that says '2024 DWR WIN' with a corresponding number from 001-550.
*If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 (or visit during office hours), and staff will assist you with getting your tag(s) registered. Once tags and registration tickets are received, a confirmation email will be sent from the DWR to the registered party's email address confirming your entry for the grand prize finale. How to register your tagAll tags registered by midnight on Aug. 6 are automatically entered for the 'Alive After Five' grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal). You must be present to win OR register an alternative person to represent you at the grand prize drawing.
The deadline to register your tag is August 6, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.*If you do not have a printer, call the Vernal DWR office at 435-781-9453 (or visit during office hours), and staff will assist you with getting your tag(s) registered. Once tags and registration tickets are received, a confirmation email will be sent from the DWR to the registered party's email address confirming your entry for the grand prize finale. Prizes and awardsJoin us Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024 from 6–8 p.m. for the prize drawing! All tags registered are automatically entered for the 'Alive After Five' grand finale prize drawing! The prize drawing will occur on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at the Uintah County Library park (204 E. 100 North, Vernal). You must be present to win OR register an alternative person to represent you at the grand prize drawing. Even if you don't catch a tagged fish, going fishing at one of the two designated locations will get you a stamp in the 2024 Uintah County Dinosaurland Passport to Summer! All state fishing rules and regulations applyReminder: Utah fishing rules and regulations apply throughout the contest.
Thank you to participating sponsors
Please watch your email and follow the DWR on social media for the latest updates. Directions to participating waterbodies: Moon Lake Reservoir: From Duchesne, take State Hwy 87 north for 19 miles. Turn north onto to 20780 W towards Mountain Home, then continue north 13 miles to the Forest Boundary and Forest Road 131. Follow road 131 for 5 miles to the lake. The lake is about 37 miles from Duchesne on paved roads - although some spots have potholes. Long Park Reservoir: From Manila, at the intersection UT 43 and UT 44; turn south on UT 44. Drive 13 miles to the upper (second) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn right onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 221 and drive to FS 014. Turn north for .6 miles to boat launch area. From Vernal, turn north on US 191. Drive 34.8 miles to Greendale Junction. Continue onto UT 44. Drive 14.7 miles to the upper (first) road to Sheep Creek Geological Loop. Turn left onto the Loop, drive 2 miles to FS 221 and drive to FS014. Turn north for .6 miles to boat launch area. Paradise Park Reservoir: From Vernal, travel 16.5 miles west on UT 121. Go 15.25 miles north on county road, then 8.75 miles north on Forest Road 104. Contact usFor more information about this event, please contact the DWR event organizers: Anthony Christianson at 435-828-0008 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tonya Kieffer-Selby at 801-995-2972 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. |
June
2024 YHEC — Youth Hunter Education Challenge
Youth and adults: Put your firearm, archery and overall hunting skills and knowledge to the test in this fun, hands-on outdoor challenge! Date & timeFriday, June 14 AddressCache Valley Public Shooting Range More...It's that time of year again! The annual Youth Hunter Education Challenge will take place June 14 and 15, with events at the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range in Logan, Utah. This fun, hands-on challenge is a great event for beginner to advanced shooters of all ages. If you've completed a hunter education course, you're eligible to participate! Please register by May 30, so we can plan accordingly. ParticipationDue to the amount of equipment and staffing required to put on the event, we will require a minimum of 35 participants. The number of participants will determine how many events are set up. An email will be sent out the week before the event to inform those registered what (if any) changes will take place. Cost$35 per participant Note: Please pay at event check in; cash only, bring exact change. As a special incentive, if an adult/alumnus also registers a first-time youth competitor, they can get $10 off their registration! Please contact Ralynne Takeda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information and to receive your $10 off. Schedule of EventsFriday, June 14: Cache Valley Public Shooting Range (2851 W 200 North in Logan)
Saturday, June 15: Cache Valley Public Shooting Range
Note: Dinner will be provided for participants on Friday night. Lunch will be provided for participants on Saturday. Family members may purchase additional meal tickets for $10 per person. Rules and RegulationsThere will be six events set up, depending on participation numbers. At each event, participants will bring their specific equipment for that event. If a participant does not have their own equipment, some will be provided for them to use. Find the official rules for specific events and equipment limitations on the YHEC Regional Rules page. For more information and practice help, visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Hunter Ed YHEC page. The following events will take place: .22 Long Rifle This event will consist of six stations where five shots will be taken at each station (for a total of 30 shots). Shots will range from 0-75 yards. Each station may use a different shooting position (standing, kneeling, sitting and prone). Stations may use props or shooting scenarios (standing using a post, tripods, shooting from a ground blind, prone using a log, etc.). Targets will be standard rimfire silhouette targets (chicken, turkey, pig and ram). Shotgun This will be a sporting clays-style competition. Expect clay targets to be thrown from all directions. Most targets will be true doubles but some report pairs (second bird is launched at the sound of the first shot) may be thrown. A total of 30 shots will be taken. The best practice for this would be 5-stand or a walk-through sporting clays course. Archery The archery event will be a walk through a 3D-style course. Targets will range from 0-40 yards. A total of 30 shots will be scored. Scoring will use the traditional 3D rings and will be scored 10-8-5. Targets will be standard Delta or Reinhart targets. Rangefinders are not allowed. Written Exam The written exam will consist of 60 questions. All questions will be taken from Utah Hunter Education Student Manual and Utah Hunting Guidebooks. The questions will go over everything from ethics to information on wildlife species. This will not be an open book test so be sure to study. Contact Ralynne Takeda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your free copy of The Utah Hunter Education Student Manual. Safety Trail The safety trail is designed to test the young hunter’s ability to make safe and ethical decisions. It will go over basic safety scenarios and have you react to each of them. You will find anything from crossing a fence or ditch properly to encountering animals in the wild. You may even be tested on judging an animal's distance in yards. Wildlife Identification Wildlife identification is the ability to identify the game animals of North America. You could encounter all sorts of things from scat and tracks to a small piece of fur, skulls or bones. The best way to study is to study The Hunter's Guide, and visit different areas that have taxidermy mounts. Divisions
PrizesOverall prize eligibility is limited to registrants who observe all safety rules and event regulations. Prizes will be awarded in each of the following categories: Junior Division
Senior Division
Adult/Alumni Division
This event will be held regardless of the weather, please dress accordingly. Event contact:Ralynne Takeda at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 801-556-0655 |