Wildlife blog

Getting to know your garden looters

Details: Published: Friday, November 22, 2019, 9:30 am

Under the cover of darkness and a misty rain, the army emerges and begins its slow, steady march toward the garden oasis.

Channeling my inner Hobbit

Details: Published: Thursday, November 7, 2019, 3:30 pm

My favorite reason for hunting forest grouse (also called dusky and ruffed grouse) is because I absolutely love hiking through their majestic, forested home.

When wildlife wanders into your neighborhood

Details: Published: Wednesday, October 23, 2019, 1:58 pm

Over the past year, you've probably seen a news story or social media post that showed the DWR relocating bears, cougars or moose that wandered into neighborhoods. We live in Utah, which has a lot of wildlife — and a growing human population — so this happens from time to time.

A different kind of dream hunt

Details: Published: Monday, September 30, 2019, 2:14 pm

My hunting trip this fall was one I'd looked forward to for much of my adult life. But it took some unusual turns and involved a lot more water than expected — especially for a pronghorn hunt.

Better habitat, more birds

Details: Published: Monday, September 30, 2019, 1:26 pm

Over the years, I've developed a few rules to live by. One of those rules is that I won't ask someone to do something that I'm not willing to try myself. That's why I've completed each of the Upland Game Slams that's been offered. It's one of my fall traditions — and best of all, I know the money I put into the slam is going toward hands-on projects that benefit wildlife and other hunters!

Where to see Utah's spawning kokanee salmon

Details: Published: Thursday, August 29, 2019, 9:21 am

I try to get my family outdoors every weekend, and fall is one of our favorite times to go exploring. In recent years, we've made it a tradition to watch Utah's kokanee salmon as they run up the rivers to lay their eggs. In the past, we've enjoyed kokanee-watching at Strawberry and Sheep Creek, but I haven't quite decided where we'll go this year. Fortunately, there are a lot of great options!

Keep your hot fishing streak alive

Details: Published: Friday, August 23, 2019, 11:22 am

I'm an avid angler, but I'm also an old baseball player, and all baseball players are a little superstitious about keeping a hot streak going. Fishing is much the same. I have had success over the years and always kept track of what worked and what didn't. I've changed my fishing behavior to match those most successful times and have even convinced the folks who fish with me.

Rebuilding Pelican Lake for future generations

Details: Published: Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 3:59 pm

As a kid, Pelican Lake was the most fun place you could fish in the whole world. I vividly remember days of catching so many bluegill and bass that my thumb was raw from taking them off the hook. Now, as a regional fisheries biologist in my hometown, it's my job to restore this fishery to its past glory.

New officer, big case

Details: Published: Tuesday, August 13, 2019, 4:19 pm

I was ready to call it a day after hours of checking anglers on Strawberry Reservoir. I had officially been patrolling for three weeks, and I was learning my way around the reservoir. Just as we packed in all of our gear, a call came over the radio.

Monarch butterflies in Utah need your help

Details: Published: Thursday, May 23, 2019, 1:10 pm

More than beautiful, monarch butterflies contribute to the health of the planet. Butterflies — and other pollinators like birds, bats and bees — are vital to creating and maintaining the habitats that many animals rely on for food and shelter. We need pollinators.