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Show Thursday, March 18, 2004 THE PYRAMID Emery Co. elk shooting results in large fines Hatchery provides eggs for state fish hatcheries across Utah J. Perry Egan Hatchery Provides Eggs for State Fish Hatcheries Across Utah (Editor's note: This is the first in a series of articles about Utah's state fish hatcheries) BICKNELL The next time you're fishing for trout and get that big tug on your line, you may want to consider how that fish got there in the first place! It was probably raised from an egg in one of the 10 fish hatcheries managed by the Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Many hours of work and an extensive amount of expertise would have been spent by DWR workers to get the fish to the stage in its life where you could reap the joy of catching it. The egg the trout hatched from probably came from a brood hatchery in Bicknell called the J. Perry Egan Hatchery, named after a former DWR director. This hatchery provides most of the eggs for the other nine state hatcheries in Utah. Surplus eggs from the hatchery are also shipped to other states, federal and Indian tribal hatcheries across the U.S. In exchange for these eggs, Utah's sportsmen receive other kinds of wildlife, such as turkeys, mountain goats and other species of fish. This is done through a barter system established with the other wildlife agencies. The process for taking eggs is a complex one carried out by highly trained personnel. The e Egan hatchery has six employees: Don Bone, Richard Jensen, Dennis Hiskey, George Coombs, Dave Behunin and Dwight Brinkerhoff. No other hatchery crew in Utah has more years of experience than the crew at Egan. Their combined years of service total more than 120 years. From September to April, the hatchery crew will take approximately 20 million eggs to bolster fisheries throughout Utah. Eggs provided by the hatchery include lake trout, splake, tiger trout, albino rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and three different strains of rainbow trout. As an additional fisheries full-tim- management tool, the hatchery is involved with a process to induce rainbow trout to become triploid, three sets of chromosomes instead of the normal, which is two, which makes the fish sterile. DWR aquatics managers have requested this so rainbows can be stocked in waters where natural reproduction is not wanted or where the threat of rainbow trout crossing with cutthroat trout is a possibility. The Egan crew assists in this effort by taking cutthroat trout eggs at two wild trout traps in Daughtery Basin and Manning Meadow in the spring to help with the propagation of that species. The Egan Hatchery also houses one of the two four-tankstatewide fish trucks. Dave Behunin drives this truck from April through October. He travels more than 30,000 miles yearly, delivering fish raised at all of the state hatcheries and the Jones Hole Federal I latchery near Vernal. In 2003, the Egan crew also stocked more than 206,000 sev er PRICE The killing of two elk in Emery County in late November 2003 led to significant fines and restitution for two hunters. It's also a good example of the importance of reporting acto the Divicidental over-limision of Wildlife Resources (DWR). On Nov. 29, 2003, two Emery County men were participating in the Poison Springs antlerless elk hunt when they shot and killed four elk, three cows and a calf. The men possessed only two permits. Rather than contacting the DWR to notify an officer of their situation, they chose to abandon the elk. h rainbow trout in Fish rainLake, 495,000 three-inc- h bow trout in Scofield Reservoir and more than 7,750 broodstock throughout the state. All of these fish were raised at Egan. During the four months that the crew is not spawning fish, they are busy maintaining the facility and getting equipment ready for the next spawning season. Tucked away in southern Utah, the Egan Hatchery plays an important role in providing anglers the thrill of hooking a fish. The hatchery staff wishes they could invite visitors to see the facility and meet the crew, but it's closed to tours because of the threat of introducing whirling disease to the hatchery. They won't be able to meet you at the hatchery, but when you pass one of Egan's fish trucks, give the person inside a friendly wave. They enjoy what they're doing and are doing their best to make the outdoors a better experience for you. en-inc- ts Another hunter discovered the dead elk and an investigation by DWR Conservation Officer Stacey Jones ensued. She located the suspects, who confessed to having unintentionally shot too many elk. After shooting the elk, they claimed they didn't know what to do. Because of their decision, the elk were left at the scene to waste. Their choice proved to be a costly one. The shooter was charged with two felony counts of Wanton Destruction of Proof tected Wildlife, an over-lim- it elk, and was allowed to plead guilty to two Class A Misdemeanor wanton destruction Utahs urged to attend wolf meetings SALT LAKE CITY week kicks off state-wid- e Next pub-lif- c meetings on the future of wolves in Utah. Organized jointly by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Utah Wolf Working Group, the outcome of these sessions will have a huge influence on future wolf management in Utah. The Utah Wolf Working Group is a group of citizens called together by the DWR and consisting of members that represent wolf advocates, sportsmen, scientists, native Americans, local governments, including native American, the livestock industry and conservationists. Kirk Robinson, member of the Utah Wolf Forum, remarked, "If people want to see wolves return to our state, it is essential that they come to the meetings and participate. It's no exaggeration to say that these may be the most important wildlife hearings ever held in Utah." "It's about wolves, but it's also about much more. This is a watershed moment in the history of wildlife and wildlands management in Utah. Far more than a few packs of wolves are at stake, for if we fail to seize this opportunity to make some wild places in Utah safe for wolves, then we also will fail to adequately protect the habitat and the ecosystems that they would occupy. On the other hand, if we succeed, we will help pioneer a new and better future course for the management of Utah wildlife and wildlands generally." The Utah Gray Wolf Working Group has been appointed by the state to draft a wolf management plan for Utah. The plan will take effect when wolves have been removed from the federal Endangered Species List, delisted, which transfers management authority from the federal government to the state. The Utah Wolf Forum, a participant in the Wolf Working Group, is encouraged by the state's commitment to draft a wolf management plan, a commitment that involves significant public input. The Utah Wolf Forum is keenly interested that the resulting plan provide adequate protections for wolves and wolf habitat and results in ecologically meaningful and natural recovery of wolves in Utah. At the public meetings, participants will be generating lists of important "issues" with respect to wolves and wolf management, as well as "recommendations" to the Gray Wolf Working Group. These issues and recommendations will form the basis from which the Wolf Working Group develops Utah's wolf recovery and management plan. Participants at the public meetings will not be asked to testify. Meetings scheduled Wednesday, March 10 at 7 p.m., Salt Lake City, DNR Auditorium, 1594 West North Temple. Monday, March 15 at 7 p.m., 'Cedar City, Cross Hollows Intermedi- ate School, 2215 West itoyal Hunter Dr., up the hill behind the Wal-Mar- t. Tuesday, March 16 at 7 p.m., Richfield, Sevier County Administration Building, old courthouse, 250 N. Main St. Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m., Price, Castle Valley Center, 755 N. Cedar Hills Dr. Friday, March 19 at 7 p.m., Spanish Fork, Spanish Fork Veterans Center, 400 North Main St. Mission of the Utah Wolf Forum is in assisting Utahns in the assimilation of naturally recolonizing wolves into Utah, planning through science-base- d and education. Goals of the Utah Wolf Forum include: 1) Establish a strong partnership with the Division of Wildlife Resources, hunters, ranchers, the Ute tribe, and other concerned Utahns, as we address the wolf issue together. y 2) Use ecology and conservation biology as the basis for decisionmaking, management and planning regarding wolves in the state. 3) Educate Utah citizens on the biological, social, economic, ethical and legal issues regarding natural wolf recolonization in the state. 4) Work to protect suitable habitat for wolves and their chief prey (deer and elk) in Utah. science-particularl- -- charges. He was fined $2,000 and or dered to pay $1,500 in restitu' tion. His accomplice was of akb With two counts charged 7 ing and assisting in allowing to or wildlife waste protected spoil. He was fined $1,100. This case illustrates a com1 mon situation of an accidental over-lim- it of elk while hunting. It could have resulted in simple Class B Misdemeanor charges ff the incident had been reported ; and the hunters had salvaged the elk. Leaving the elk in the field and allowing them to go to waste elevated the incident to felony level charges and result ed in significant fines and restitution. The defendants will also' be subject to hunting license re1 vocation. DWR encourages sportsmen and women to report suspicious activities in the field and to re- member that someone is proba- bly watching their actions in the field as well. Poor judgment and unindoes occur. tended The best course of action is to v salvage the game and call the DWR to report the situation. Allowing wildlife to go to waste is one of the worst wildlife violations a sportsman can commit. Remember to do your part in being a responsible over-harve- st sportsperson. Dedicated hunter deadline approaches SALT LAKE CITY The deadline for deer hunters to join Utah's Dedicated Hunter program is approaching fast. Hunters must complete a wildlife conservation course, April 1. The fee includes a partici- pant's deer hunting permits during the three years they're in and pay their program registration fee, no later than April 1. The wildlife conservation course can be taken online at the Dedicated Hunter Web site .' the program. In addition to completing the conservation course and paying the program fee by April 1, ' enroll-- ' during their three-yea- r ment participants must also attend a Regional Advisory Council meeting and provide a total of 24 hours of service on approved conservation projects that benefit wildlife. (wildlife.utah.govdh). Under the current program, hunters who join receive a Participants are allowed to guaranteed buck deer permit take a total of two deer during,' for three years in the region of the three-yetheir choice and may hunt all period and may three general seasons (archery, not take two deer in the same muzzleloader and rifle) each year. More information about the year. To join the three-yea- r proprogram is available on pages . 30 - 33 of the 2004 Utah Big gram, hunters must complete the wildlife conservation course Game Proclamation or by call- and pay their program fee ing the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office. ($180 for most residents and $867 for most nonresidents) by ar r Statewide safety awareness campaign kicking off community effort to keep children safe - SALT LAKE CITY On Friday, March 12, Girl Scouts of iLjtah will be celebrating the mira-jcl-e j of Elizabeth Smart's return to ter family, the strengths she has ja$ a teenage girl, and the Girl Scouts 92nd birthday, by organizing a statewide safety aware-ps- s campaign - Partners in Safe- Across the state, organizations (that are committed to children's safety like Girl Scouts of Utah, )a.d. KIDS, and Kindervision jafejoining with law enforcement afid local governments to Wellcome community members of all p&es as they, too, commit to safe- - March 12, kicks off an focus on safety rather than event. Ed and Lois just a one-da- y Smart are the honorary chairs of this campaign. i J According to Ed Smart, For us, it's not about starting a separate foundation or organizatioa We believe that by joining forces together utilizing all resources available to our youth, we have a much greater opportunity to spread the message. It truly tdkes a partnership among all. Girl Scouts are committed to Safety and this campaign brings tl)e message home to all Utah communities. We could have Sponsored our own Girl Scout pfogram highlighting safety but this campaign does much more than that. By partnering with law en-i . forcement in every Utah city, we provide a link between public safety, law enforcement, children and adults in their own backyard," said Elaine Gause, Girl Scouts of Utah CEO. The latest study by Girl Scouts of the USAs national research team, Feeling Safe: What Girls Say examines the feelings and perceptions about safety of girls both Girl Scouts and non-GiScouts. The research shows that threats to feelings of safety diminish the quality of a girl's life, girls who don't feel safe have trouble paying attention in school, experience trouble making, and often don't form healthy relationships. If we can help prevent a family from experiencing the emotional wreck our family endured, h this is every moment of our time and energy," said Smart. "It's not about the words we use in the message, it's the message itself - repeatedly. Our children need to hear it at home, school, from their leaders, coaches, mentors, law enforcement, from every corner, every day." During February, when more than 5,000 Utah Girl Scouts were taking cookie orders, they also spread the message of safety. 400,000 fliers were printed inviting the general public to support Partners In Safety. Parents, grandparents, teachers, mentors, coaches, troop lead rl well-wort- ers, church leaders, anyone and everyone dedicated to safety, are being asked to visit a participating public safetylaw enforcement agency on March 12, for their community open house from 7 p.m. Girl Scouts of Utah updates the list of agencies committed to this partnership on the GSU website daily, www.gsutah.org. Currently there are more than 30 open house locations; however law enforcement participation is growing rapidly as more hear about this campaign. They are joined this year by community sponsors including Albertsons, KinderVision, Meadow Gold, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Radio Disney AM910, r.a.d. KIDS, and the Utah Council for Crime Preventioa There will be various activities at each site. Each participating agency will have a large pledge poster so everyone in the community can sign and pledge safety on behalf of those they love. Safety information, resource materials, and special programs are being organized by each agency. Girl Scouts of Utah hopes that Partners In Safety will be beneficial for Utah's children, as well as a blueprint for community partnerships across the country. Events like this raise awareness of safety and bring hope to all of us who care about kids. 5-- NSHS boys' tennis drop season opener. by Jeff Ericksen Richfield- - The Richfield Wildcats defeated the North Sanpete Hawks March 11, 54). Varsity action was very close in all matches but the Wildcats showed their tenacity with a clean sweep on the varsity matches. Stephen Larsen, a senior from Fairview, jumped out to a fast start winning the first set 3 in first singles. Larsen's huge forehand and consistent serve then left him and he lost the next two sets Tyson Jarrett, a senior from North Sanpete lost a tight match to a talented newcomer for Richfield. The score was 6-- 2-- 3-- 6. 4-- 4-- Larsen and Jarrett played first doubles for the Hawks last year and are making the transition to singles for their last year of tennis. Chad DeMill, a sophomore from Moroni, continued his third singles varsity play from last year. Chad won the first set with a combination of frustrating lobs and wicked forehands. Then the Wildcat player found his rhythm and turned the tables on DeMill. DeMill lost the second set in a nailbiter of a ). Then he lost tiebreaker 7 the last set In doubles action, Devin Perry and Jordan Seely, both seniors from Fairview, teamed up for the third consecutive season as a team, this time as first dou 6-- 1, 6-- 4-- (4-7- bles. Perry and Seely played tough and almost won the first set but succumbed in the tiebreaker The Wildcats then rode the momentum and finished off the Hawks in the second set 6--7, 3-- 7. 2-- 6. Hansen and Rodney Brown teamed to win their match 84. Spencer Poulson and Bobby Johnson teamed to win their match Also in the winning column in doubles were Ryan White and Tyson Jarrett, 1 and Bob- -' by Johnson and Rodney Brown 8-- 1. ; 6-- Jordan Blackham, a sophomore from Moroni and Zach Morin, a sophomore from Fairview, teamed up in second doubles for their very first var- 7-- 5. sity experience. They lost to a pair of juniors from Richfield Seeley served well and Morin was tenacious at the net but it wasn't enough to defeat the Wildcats. The only Hawk success came in extra or JV matches. Jeremy 4-- 3-- 6. In extra singles victories, Zach Morin won 84, and Jor- - J dan Blackham won 8-The Hawks took on Payson on Tuesday and Gunnison on Wednesday (results not avail- - i able at press time). The boys' tennis team will ; ' travel to St. George this weekend to compete in the Blooming- ton Country Club Tournament against 16 other teams. POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT NORTH SANPETE SCHOOL DISTRICT 2004-0- 5 SCHOOL YEAR The North Sanpete School District is accepting e positions; applications for the following full-tim- Applied Technology Education (ATE) Teacher at North Sanpete High School Mt. Pleasant, Utah TEACHING REQUIREMENTS: A Secondary Professional Educator License with appro- priate ATE license(s) or endorsement(s) through the Utah State Office of Educaiton in the Following Subject area: Cabinet Making and Millwork DraftingCAD CLOSING DATE: Monday, March 22, 2004 Interested persons may fill out a written application at the North Sanpete School District Office, 220 East 700 South, Mt. Pleasant, Ut, 84647. Persons with applications already on firle at the school district office or current employees may call to have their this for activated Persons application position. may also call to have an application form mailed. North Sanpete School District is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered on the basis of employment qualifications without regard to race, color, political affiliation, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, or disability. 435-462-24- |