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Show WILDLIFE REPORT " By Jon Leathern rJ PA Conservation Officer kdx During 1976, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources wants to continue programs that will improve and preserve wildlife habitat. According to Donald A. Smith, assistant director of the Division, "The goals for 1976 also include the overall objective of perpetuating perpetua-ting and, if possible, increasing increas-ing the comprehensive utilization utiliza-tion of all the state's wildlife resources." The Division will emphasize land acquisition and habitat improvement as well as prevention of habitat destruction destruc-tion from careless development. develop-ment. Wildlife habitat is limited, and once it is destroyed, it is usually irreplaceable. irre-placeable. A major goal for 1976 will be the initiation of a study on the impact of the coyote on Utah's deer herds. This subject has been building in controversy over the past several years, and deserves some serious study. Investigation has been started start-ed into the means by which the state's pheasant population can be increased. It is hoped that knowledge gained from the studies will lead to increased hunting opportunities opportuni-ties for the upland game hunters. Law enforcement personnel will seek ways to continue to improve the efficiency of their enforcement program, focusing focus-ing on the kinds of activities that are most detremental to the wildlife resources of Utah. Fisheries personnel hope to complete both the Glenwood and the Mantua hatcheries while operating the other hatcheries at optimum levels during the coming year. Increased participation in purchasing pur-chasing conservation pools in lakes and reservoirs will help guarantee uninterrupted water supplies for Utah fishing waters. The Information and Education Educa-tion section will also seek to educate hunters and the public of current programs and needs of wildlife management, and hunter safety. The challenges of 1976 are great, but with a united effort, they will be met by the Division. |