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Show I Fowl numbers down, biologist gives reason I SALT LAKE Waterfowl hunters have not had a lot to cheer about this season. (About 600,000 ducks usually reside on Utah marshes this time of ; year, but recent surveys their guns away yet. There is a potential for better hunting, depending on the weather. Colder conditions and winter storms will cause birds to congregate on open water areas of developed marshes. Fair numbers of ducks and swans have been counted on Ogden Bay, Harold Crane and Bear River Refuge, and may offer waterfowl hunters good prospects. '.is SUSC guard Steve Hoagland goes up for 2 of his 21 points against the Antelopes of Grand Canyon. Hoagland was 10 for 12 from the field and led the Thunderbirds to a 66-59 victory Monday night. . show only about half that number. -Wildlife Resources Waterfowl Biologist Tim Provan says many ducks migrating from the north left Utah at the beginning of the season due to dry conditions. Areas such as Bear River Bay, a popular rendezvous point for more than a 100,000 ducks during a normal year, was completely dry at the height of the migration. Provan does not expect large flights of ducks from the north, although some late migrants will continue to arrive. "What we've got, we're trying to hold as long as we can. Ducks are now beginning to migrate out," says Provan. Provan noted that more diving ducks such as goldeneye, scaup and canvasbacks have moved into the area, replacing migrating mallards, pintails and widgeons. Diving ducks are generally more elusive and stay farther out on the water. The number of swan on northern Utah marshes peaked at about 40,000 the second weekend in November, and has declined to almost half that number. However, waterfowl hunters should not put |