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Show 'Gil Page 10 jc '(UtmeBNefoB Nephi, Utah Wednesday, August 19, 1993 Llssrclnn Czso end lJDO(ppC)DDL0Bmg C3(GDgJ SpqqCs DCx CdcddqO Formerly a limited entry elk unit, the Range Creek unit in southeastern Utah will be a great disappointment to most general season elk hunters. For months, Division of Wildlife Resources offices have been deluged by calls about this new general season elk hunting opportunity. Most callers share the expectation of hunting and possibly harvesting a trophy-size- d bull elk, since the unit went from limited entry management to general season this year. The fact is, many hunters may not even see elk. Only a small percentage will have an opportunity for a shot, and the chances for harvesting a large bull are extremely low. The Range Creek elk herd occupies fenced and gated private land areas, as well as chunks of land encompassed by the Nutter and Pagano Ranch cooperative wildlife management units during September and October. Except for a few stragglers, the herd will be largely inaccessible to the public land hunter. Even with binoculars and spotting scope, the herd will be virtually undetectable to a public land hunter. Sportsmen who opt to hunt public land on the unit will be in for a frustrating challenge. For example, the latest 1995 edition of the BLM 1:100,000 scale surface management stas tus map incorrectly several thousand acres on the unit as state (public) land, when color-code- If in fact, those land areas are privately owned. Anyone possessing this faulty 1995 map edition should find an earlier edition (such as 1989), or visit the Carbon County court house in order to correctly identify private land on the unit. Besides map error frustra J ppggOdgDggO tions, the public land hunter will face large numbers ofothers who will be forced to compete for the same limited camping and hunting areas. This will not be a quality hunting experience by any stretch of the imagination. Division conservation officers are gearing up for trespass hunter-landown- problems, and er conflicts. Hunt somewhere else, is the advice offered by Alan Green, Division conservation officer. For more information contact the Divisions Southeastern Rehunter-hunt- er gion office at (435) 636-026-0. 0 aazGttfa good 0(l(nflDra 0 yocwgatfcOGn 'Berries are a little tricky to Goodspeed explains. Golden d grow, but raspberries, blackber- currants have a soft blossom that eventually ries, strawberries, grapes, gooseberries and currants all grow changes to a rose color. The edihere in Northern Utah. The re- ble, sweet fruit varies in color ally dedicated gardener can even from yellow to red or black. It is golden-colore- grow a blueberry or two. One plant that is often left out of berry patches is the currant, says Jerry Goodspeed, Utah State University Extension Currants are one of those rare plants that is not only productive, but an attractive addition to the landscape throughout the year. Currants and gooseberries both belong to the genus Ribes, he says. There are more than 100 different species of Ribes grown throughout the world and three native currants are found in our mountains. Golden, gooseberry and western black currants grow in our canyons and mountain areas, you love the of Mormon. Book LrnJ-Crllc- d commonly found around streams and wet areas. The other two currant varieties have fruit, but they lack much flavor, he says. Gooseberry currants have spines that make an intimate encounter very memorable. The fruit even has small bristles. The Western black currant is a taller shrub with white flowers and black fruit. A number of different varieties of red currants can be grown for home use, he adds. Red Lake, Perfection and Wilder are the most popular. There are even a couple of white varieties grown locally. Currants are versatile and can adapt to most soil types, Goodspeed explains. Like most plants they prefer a . . send you a free sample edition of our newspaper the Book of Mormon Archeological Digest, published by Dr Joseph Allen, author of the Exploring the Lands of the Book of Mormon In each newspaper, you will learn about the geography, language, archeology and culture Your knowledge, understanding and desire to learn more will increase There is no obligation to subscribe ext. For your free copy, call 24 hours 300. .. let us best-sell- well-draine- d, ticide. A small worm may also occasionally be found in the fruit. Just ignore it; there is not a lot that can be done. Most plants need to be pruned annually to maintain their shape, size and fruit production, Goodspeed says. Each spring prune back the oldest one or two canes to the trunk or the ground. These cuts stimulate new growth, keep the shrubs size in check, and allow the two- - and d wood to bear before it becomes old and ugly. After the wood reaches the ripe old age of four or five, the fruit production declines, and the plant starts to outgrow its own beauthree-year-ol- ty. Currants have the added bonus of being ornamental with flowers in the spring, fruit in the summer and beautiful foliage colors in the fall, he says. Incorporated into a landscape, they can act as a focal point, an informal hedge or as a background loamy soil, but tolerate planting. Native currants are heavier soils. They require little part of the spectacular color in fertilizer and only have a couple our canyons in the fall. of pests. There are larva that love to All mourning dove band-taile- d munch on currant leaves throughout the summer, he must warns. If the leaves appear to be pigeon Bt a in (Bacillus bird eaten, apply product for biological control, or use a registered insec- - harvest survey Those planning on going afield for the opening of UtdHa 1998 d mourning dove and pigeon hunts September 1 are reminded that they must register in the Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP) before doing so. This new, federally mandated program is being implemented to improve knowledge about the harvest of migratory game birds, and thur-ingiensi- s) hunters participate band-taile- including mourning doves, band-taile- d pigeons, sandhill cranes, swans, geese, ducks, coots and snipe. In Utah the pro- gram is being implemented by the Division of Wildlife Resources, in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The programs purpose is to improve management of the nations migratory game bird populations by collecting better information on hunter participation and harvest. Many other states are already participating in the program, with all states to be phased in this year. There is no charge to register and hunters may register now. 0SE&D0 (CB 0EE8HP (HD QD Tb become registered, all migratory game bird hunters must call and provide their 1998 hunting license number and license code key, name, address, date ofbirth and the approximate number of doves, ducks and geese they harvested in (J3B 1997. Hunters will then be given a HIP registration number they must Write in the space provided on their 3 license. lifetime license holders will be 'provided a sticker to attach to the back of their license card for entry of the current seasons HIP number. While afield, migratory game bird hunters will be required to prove that they have registered in the HIP program by presenting their hunting license with their HIP number See your local DIRECTV 3 dealer or call: PEGASUS SATEUfTC TELEVISION Q2 DIRECTV. MaaaaM Ml If to Mh ifcTS. SitoVbtoU to lum written cm it Some hunters will receive a follow-u- p diary in the mail to keep track of their effort and harvest during the year and will be asked to return it to the US. Fish and Wildlife Service after the season. This information will be used to estimate hunter activity and success. Improved harvest information win allow Utah and the US. Fish and Wildlife Service to make better management decisions. Far more information call your nearest Division regional office, or the Division's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-470- 0. cetera wtnMV ' ; ' s Late afternoon thunder- lamation. ' storms and cooler morning Tb be most effective during temperatures hint that Utahs the season, hunters should upland game seasons are keep in mind the daily activ' ' ' about to begin. Many Utah ity routine of doves. birds fall The their normally feed wingshooters begin seasons hunting two migrato- early in the morning and again late in the day. Typical ry upland game bird species and doves feeding areas are small grain mourning d crop fields and weedy patchpigeons. Spring weather during Utah es. .Doves are almost extlu-siveseed eaters. They pregame bird nesting seasons has been unpredictable this year. fer areas with wheatstubble, Early spring rains stimulated corn, oats, sunflower and all ' . a vigorous growth of grasses kinds of weeds. After feeding, doves pick up and forbs, important to many game birds during their repro- grit along gravel roadways ductive period. Lush herba- and then fly to water.! The ceous cover provides ideal middle part of the day is nesting conditions, plenty of spent loafing and roosting in hiding cover for broods and an trees. Look for doves to be abundance of insects neces- roosting in dead trees. Although not required by sary for food. temcolder its a good idea to wear law, However, rain, peratures and even five inch- hunter orange during the es of snow in some areas dur- first week of the mourning-dovhunt. Ball caps and ing the first two weeks of June may have had a negative ef- vests in hunter orange help fect on chick survival. tremendously in reducing the Mourning Dove Forecast and chance of a firearms accident while afield with many other Hunting Tips On Tuesday, September 1, hunters. d Pigeon Forecast mourning dove hunters will kick-of- f Utahs fall 1998 up- and Hunting Tips d Utahs 1998 piland game hunting seasons. Because of the weekday, geon season also begins Tuesstart, fewer hunt- day, September 1. Hunters should plan on ers are expected afield for the 1998 opener than were afield spending time in the coniferous forests of southern Utah for the opener last year. Utah averages more than for this native migrant. A22.000 dove hunters, who har- lthough most common in vest slightly more than woodlands from the Pine Val200.000 mourning doves each ley Mountains in the west to the LaSal and Blue Mounyear. Based on data collected by tains in the east, scattered the Division of Wildlife Re- sightings of these birds hint sources from 15 dove call that they may be pioneering count survey routes conduct- into preferred habitats in the ed statewide this past May, central part of Utah. In 1998, bag and possession mourning dove breeding popwill be ulations in Utah were down limits for band-taifive The 10 to and this respectively. notably year compared 1997. season closes September 30. d The number of doves heard pigeons are the along routes was down 52 per- only pigeons in Utah with cent from 1997 and the num- yellow legs and feet. Feral ber of doves observed along pigeons have red legs and routes was down 51 percent. feet. Hunters are encouraged to Colder and wetter than normal spring weather may have conduct scouting Locate areas slowed the migration of for band-tailmourning doves this year and that birds are feeding in and note their movements from delayed breeding efforts. . band-taile- ly Band-Taile- band-taile- non-holid- ay ls Band-taile- pre-seas- s: Persistent hot weather feeding areas to midday across northern Utah between now and September 1 would keep doves in the state. However, as seems to be the case every year, if low pressure weather patterns that drop temperatures arrive, mourn- ing doves will begin moving south before the September 1 opener. Division biologists also have learned that regardless of what the weather does, some roosting areas. Pigeons prefer foods such as pine buds, acorns, berries, seeds and some pine needles. Flight paths can be intercepted- , In addition to the HIP registration, pigeon hunters are required to visit any Division office and pick up a free permit prior to hunting band-tailThe permit allows Division biologists to contact pigeon hunters, in an effort to - s. mourning doves begin to leave collect more information d Utah about the first week in about Utahs piband-taile- August. Doves begin their annual southward migration based on the photo period, or length of the day. As daylight wanes in the fall, doves are stimulated to move to their wintering areas in Mexico and Central America. The Division is prohibited by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918), and international treaties with Canada and Mexico, from opening doves seasons earlier than September 1 each year. Dove hunters who generally hunt in northern Utah, but become frustrated when there are few birds around, should give Utahs southern counties a try. Millard, Beaver, Iron and Washington counties in southwestern Utah, and Emery and San Juan counties in the southeast, generally har- bor birds until later in the year. Some of Utahs most prosperous dove hunting occurs in the southern part of the state. The 1998 mourning dove season will remain open through September 30. Bag and possession limits will be 10 and 20 respectively. dove and pigeon hunters are reminded that they must register under the federal Migratory Game Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP), prior to going afield for these two migratory species. Dove and pigeonhunters should pay. dose attention to the 1923-9- 9 Utah Upland Game Proclamation. Registration requirements and the process for ob- fining a HIP number are de scribed on page 9 of the proc - Mourning band-taile- d geon population. Pigeon hunters who take birds are encouraged to clip and save a wing from each bird. Wings may be placed in a bag and stored in the freezer. Band-ta- il hunters will be contacted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and provided with envelopes in zip-lo- ck which to mail the wings. Wings from pigeons help biologists determine sex and age structures, as well as reproductive successes in the population of d pigeons. Hunters will notice that the possession limit listed in the 1998-9- 9 proclamation is 2. What the number 2 means is that hunters may possess 2 bag limits after the first day of the season. It does not mean that a hunter may possess only 2 birds. The term possession limit has been defined by the Utah Legislature in code as, the number ofbag limits one individual may 1 gaily possess. Please refer to page 8 of the 1998-9- 9 Utah Upland Game Proclamation for definitions. " ' Upland game hunters are encouraged to record their harvest and days afield, using the harvest record provided on page 22 of the 1993-9- 9 Upland Game Proclamation. A random sample of hunters will be surveyed at the end of upland game seasons to deFour-Corne- rs band-taile- termine statewide harvest levels for each upland game species. Accurate harve& information is essential to the survey and the harvest record provides a convenient way to track and report this e |