Show The 2002 IHImtt Cottontail rabbit hunting will be throughout moist of Utah with populations in the Northern Region increased over last year Hunters should focus their efforts on dry brushy draws with dense rank big sagebrush when hunting for cotton- tails No permit is required for jackrab- bits fur to good ' For a challenge and enjoyable sur-roundings hunters can try for the snowshoe hire Pine forests inter- spersed with aspen and alder are home to snowshoe hares When snow falls hares turn completely white except for their eyes which remain coal blade Look for movement at the base of trees and shrubs to locate hares when snow has covered die ground Hunter pressure is very light for snowshoe hares throughout the state Hunter success is predicted to be fair to good depending on the mountain range hunted with pellet counts in the north up significantly over last year Chukar partridge populations arc most closely tied to spring prccipita- tion received from January through April Below average precipitation fell statewide from January through April this year Statewide temperatures remained above normal in January and April and below normal from February through March Poor nesting and brood rearing habitat conditions were prevalent during spring and early sum- merThe DWR’s annual west desert helicopter survey conducted on Aug 28 indicated that bird numbers are down 47 percent from last year On die survey transect this year biologists counted a total of only 36 chukars In 2001 a total of 68 chukars were count- ed while in 2000 a total of 96 were counted In 1999 a total of approxi-mately 600 chukars were counted and in 1998 close to 900 chukars were observed Based on thjs survey chukar populations appear to be down notice-ably from 2001 and down excessively from 1998-9-9 However hunters should keep in mind that the helicopter survey is conducted Only in select areas of the west desert and may not represent localized conditions for" other chukar areas throughout Utah The best strategy for chukars is to begin at the top of a mountain range and hunt down on the birds Listening for die chukar’s call is an excellent way to locate coveys of birds If you take a dog along on a ' well-defin- ed UTILIZING THE LATEST INNOVATIONS ART OF TAXIDERMY COMPLETE SERVICES Hunters desiring a trip into the high- chukar hunt make sure the dog is in est of Utah’s alpine country can try for excellent physical condition and take the white-taile-d plenty of water ptarmigan In Box Elder County field biologists Ptarmigan hunting is expected to be' good this year for those willing to put report good cheatgrass production and forth the effort necessary to get in to expect slightly increased populations over last year In Cache County their habitats In 1976 ptarmigan were ' expect populations to be similar to last transplanted from Colorado to the year The DWR will again be releasing Gunsight PassPainter Basin area of chukars in some 4000 the Uinta Mountains Since being areas of the state where habitats have released in Utah ptarmigan have been improved increased their distribution to many drainages of the Uintas A free permit California quail populations are is required to hunt these birds ’ Id scattered throughout the state Main Permit request forms are available eta concentrations are found within urban on page 27 of the Upland Game areas along the Wasatch Front east Proclamation and on the DWR Upland H into die Uintah Basin and southeast Game Web page at: into the Carbon and Emery county wwwwildlifeutahgoyiiplandgame20 areas Hunters should contact local authorities to determine regulations An information packet can also be found on the DWR Upland Game Web governing die discharge of firearms if hunting adjacent to urban areas page at: wwwwildlifeutahgovwtp- California quail populations appear tarmhtm The Division is interested in to be the same as last year Recent and ptarmigan sightings in the Uinta Mountains Hikers hunters and anyone ongoing transplants of California quail from the Wasatch Front to suitable else who observes ptarmigan is habitats in oudying areds are responri- encouraged to notify Dean Mitchell at: ble for quail being seen by hunters in HeanmitpheiiOntah gtv new areas Duchesne Uintah Sevier and Emery counties are traditionally — By the Utah Division of WildUfe ' die best areas to hunt Resources Guide - - pen-rear- ed Trie a Page : IN THE BLUE RIBBON MOUNTS - WE BUY CAPES 245- 2278 W 5000 S FALL QUN SALE Frl ft Sal WELLS VlLLE (on kigkvfy 101 Iwtvccn VeOtviOe & Hynun) Jim Campbell ssa JiimB WKVX20MK U ©Q&QfiEtSliag) f"!PgSfl nUNTERSZ 0fea!ip©l Qsnm Free Teaton Within 10 UUeBaiflns KondaMrMMU-6P- y r Best Wsmuarta tbs Bustaess 0 m nftNU’Upa tacanifuMl&tmMl Sept 27 ft 28 New and Used Guns ' Mtvrttr Taxidermiit Here to serve Cache Valley Hunters NeaPs Gun Shop 752-19- 40 '"YF r 19 635 South Main SmRhfietd UT 435-563-58- 82 j |