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Show The Park Record C-10 Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, April 1-4, 2017 Sage grouse ritual open to public Submitted by Utah Wildlife News when onLy The besT wILL Do “I chose Dr. DIngman!” - TeD LIgeTy Two-TIme oLympIc goLD meDaLIsT Call For an appointment today! B. John Dingman DMD 4343 N. Hwy 224 Suite 201 Park City www.canyondentistry.com • 435.658.4746 PRICE, Utah — One of the iconic native species of the West is the greater sage grouse. Every spring, these birds gather at sites adjacent to nesting grounds called leks, where the males put on elaborate displays of courtship characterized by strutting and unique vocalizations. The public can witness this ritual at a free wildlife viewing event near Price on Saturday, April 8. The event will be held at Emma Park, about 13 miles north of Price. Because sage grouse are sensitive to human disturbances, the event will be limited to 15 vehicles, and pre-registration is required. Viewing the birds is best before and right after sunrise, so attendees will need to be at the site early. Sage grouse usually leave their strutting ground within an hour after sun-up. Division of Wildlife Resources biologists will be there to help you find the birds and answer questions about sage grouse biology and management. “Watching sage grouse perform their impressive rituals, on traditional strutting Phil Douglass, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources The public can attend a free wildlife viewing of male sages grouses’ elaborate displays of courtship on April 8 at Emma Park, which is located about 13 miles north of Price. grounds, is an extraordinary experience,” said Morgan Jacobsen, regional conservation outreach manager for the division. “This is a chance to escape the busyness of life and watch a quiet, yet remarkable, natural event in Utah.” Photographers will likely be challenged by their distance from the leks, as well as obstructions posed by brush and rolling terrain. Binoculars and spotting scopes will be available for attendees who don’t have their own. Before making the trip, please be aware that other limiting factors may cause the grouse to leave the viewing site early or to not visit the site at all. Eagles, coyotes and other predators can scare them away. Wind, rain or snow can also cause them to seek cover and stay out of sight. “As with any wildlife viewing event, there’s no guarantee the elements will be perfect,” Jacobsen said. “Part of the joy that comes from witnessing these birds in such a special setting is knowing it doesn’t happen every day.” For more information or to register for the event, contact Jacobsen at 435-613-3707 or morganjacobsen@utah.gov. Hall of Fame ceremony scheduled Provided by Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame STOWE, VT — The ski community of Stowe will be the 2017 site of the induction ceremony for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. Wednesday through Sunday, April 5-9, will feature skiing and boarding, presentations, parties, award ceremonies, a film festival and fast tracks with Hall alumni and incoming class members. All events are open to the public. Culminating the week will be the induction ceremony honoring the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame’s class of 2016. The sold out event will be held on The Stowe Mountain Resort Campus in the Great Room of The Spruce Lodge on Saturday, April 8. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame announced on Nov. 11, 2016, the names of 10 people elected to the Hall of Fame, Class of 2016. Among the inductees are President of the National Ski Areas Association Michael Berry; Dan and John Egan, the brothers who have starred in countless Warren Miller films; ski jumping Olympian and coach Jeff Hastings; Copper Mountain conceiver Chuck Lewis; and professional snowboarder Shaun Palmer. Joining the class are also athlete and author Ellen Post Foster; freestyle icon and ambassador Marion Post Caldwell; National Ski Patrol visionary Gretchen Rous Besser; and ski marketing and trade-show impresario Bernie Weichsel, a global ambassador for skiing. “Each member of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 was a remarkable leader as an athlete or sport builder,” U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Chairman Tom Kelly said. “So much of what all of us enjoy in our sport today has emanated from these outstanding honored members of the Hall of Fame.” |