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Show Volume XX Issue XXIV The Ogden Valley news Page 11 April 1, 2013 Want to Gather Shed Antlers in Utah? You Christina McDowell: Ogden Valley’s pet sitter Ogden Valley resident Christina McDowell furry friends, but often weather, schedules, or has opened up a new business in the valley. health troubles can keep us from providing Must Complete an Online Course First The business is called The Ogden Valley Pet our dogs with the exercise they need. That’s Late winter and early spring is the worst time of the year for elk, moose, and especially deer in Utah. In the winter, deep snow makes it hard for deer to move and find food. And cold temperatures sap the strength of deer. By the time winter ends, deer are usually the weakest they’ll be all year. Winter is also the time of year when male deer, elk, and moose shed their antlers. The animals will be without antlers until spring, when they’ll start to grow a new set. Gathering Shed Antlers - Gathering antlers that drop off of deer, elk, and moose is a popular activity across the country, including here in Utah. The downside to shed-antler gathering is that it happens during the worst time of the year for the animals. And it takes place in the habitat the animals rely on in the winter. “By the time winter ends, the animals are stressed,” says Mike Fowlks, deputy director of the Division of Wildlife Resources. “Also, the habitat is wet,” he says. “It’s easily damaged. Once the habitat is damaged, it can take years for it to recover.” Fortunately, Fowlks says you can have fun gathering shed antlers without stressing the animals and damaging their habitat. “You can access a free course on our website that will show you how,” he says. Fowlks says you must complete the DWR’s Antler Gathering Ethics course if you want to gather shed antlers in Utah between February 1 and April 15. If you wait until April 15 or later to gather antlers, you don’t need to complete the course. The free course is available at <www. wildlife.utah.gov/shedantler> After you finish the course, make sure you print your certificate of completion before heading outdoors to gather antlers. “And make sure you carry your certificate with you,” Fowlks says. “By law, you must have your certificate with you while you’re gathering shed antlers.” If you have children who are 17 years of age or younger, and you’ve completed the course, your children don’t need to complete it—your certificate will cover your kids too. Fowlks says that if you complete the course, you can gather antlers across Utah. “Please remember, though, that many of the state’s wildlife management areas are closed in the winter and spring to protect wildlife,” he says. For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR’s Salt Lake City office at 801-538-4700. Spring Fishing is Almost Here: Northern Utah anglers excited for “ice-off” Ice off is one of the best times of the year to catch fish from the shore! As the weather gets warmer, hungry fish in northern Utah—trapped under a layer of ice all winter long—are getting more active. And so are anglers. They’re getting their fishing gear ready to fish open water during that magical, early-spring period called “ice off.” Few people know the fishing waters in northern Utah better than Chris Penne. An aquatic biologist with the Division of Wildlife Resources, Penne manages fish populations in reservoirs across the northern part of the state. If you like to fish for trout, Penne says you should visit the following waters as soon as the ice starts to leave this spring: Lost Creek Reservoir, East Canyon Reservoir, Echo Reservoir, Mantua Reservoir, Birch Creek Reservoir, and/or Rockport Reservoir. While trout fishing can be red hot as the ice starts to leave, great walleye, catfish, and wiper fishing is also available. “I would definitely add Willard Bay and Cutler Reservoir to the list of waters to fish this spring,” Penne says. “Early-spring fishing at Willard can be hot for walleye. Data we collected last year suggests this year could be a particularly good one for walleye in Willard. The walleye population in the reservoir has increased in number.” Fishing for wipers (a cross between a striped bass and a white bass) should also be good at Willard Bay this spring. When the ice melts, fish that died during the winter are blown along the shoreline. Fish in the reservoir, including wipers, often go into a “feeding frenzy” as they feed on the dead fish. Penne says Cutler Reservoir is another water body in northern Utah that could provide good walleye fishing this spring. “Fishing could be hot for them this spring too,” he says. “I’ve also seen lots of reports of anglers doing well for catfish at Cutler in the early spring.” Stay Updated - Subscribing to the DWR’s Northern Region fishing report is a great way to stay updated on which reservoirs have open water and where fishing is the best. You can subscribe to the free report at <www.wildlife. utah.gov/e-lists/subscribe.php> “The DWR’s YouTube Channel also has great videos that highlight fishing opportunities in Utah,” says Phil Douglass, regional conservation outreach manager for the DWR. You can access the YouTube channel at <www. youtube.com/UDWR> For more information, call the DWR’s Northern Region office at 801-476-2740. COUNTY BOND cont. from page 1 the issue. The county is also working on the details of carrying a bond for the Weber County Library system for updates and renovations. For the library bond, the county has to go through the public hearing process. Weber County taxpayers can express their approval, or concerns and/or disapproval at the county’s action to carry the $17 million bond by contacting the Commissioners at 801399-8402. Chambers in Ogden. When Zogmaister was asked about input from the community—Weber County tax payers—regarding the Commissioner’s decision to carry the public debt for a private developer, Zogmaister explained that there are many types of bonds, and, in this case, the county can take on the bond debt without a public hearing or public input on Your Neighborhood Tax and Accounting Practice Sitter. The Ogden Valley Pet Sitter is a profes- where I come in! Each walk includes gentle sional and local company serving the needs loose leash training and a five minute brush down when we return home,” said of residents in Eden, Liberty, and Christina. Huntsville. Services include pet “Pet Sitting is not only a great sitting, dog walking, and playtime option for pets, but it provides the visits. “This is not a side job for me to make a little extra cash; this home with added security. The is a full-time professional business. home appears “lived in” as lights I am a professional pet sitter offerare turned on and off and curtains ing high-quality professional servicclosed and opened. Mail and newses,” states Christina. The business paper is brought in, plants watered, is fully licensed and insured through garbage taken out, fences checked, Pet Sitters Associates, and Christina windows and doors checked, poop is an official member of both Pet scooped, and other services providSitters Associates and Professional ed as requested,” states Christina. United Pet Sitters. Christina says that The Ogden Pet sitting visits are offered in Christina McDowell Valley Pet Sitter’s goal is to prothe comfort of the pet’s home where vide pet owners and their adored he or she will feel safe in familiar surround- pets the best possible experience; professionalings. Often times, animals are fearful of going ism and integrity are always held to the highto boarding kennels and they do not receive est standards while caring for Ogden Valley’s the attention they deserve. Staying at home beloved pets. “My promise is to care for all allows pets to cuddle up in his or her bed and pets with professionalism, integrity, and plenty play with favorite toys. Pets receive excep- of TLC,” reports Christina. tional care, playtime, socialization, and walks, Christina states her experience if applicable. Pet parents have the comfort of includes, “working at animal shelters and proknowing that their pet is in excellent hands and viding foster pet parent services to dogs waiting being cared for well. “In fact, I send a daily for adoption.” She explains she is a devoted pet update and pictures of pets to their owner’s by parent and animal enthusiast, knowledgeable e-mail or phone each evening. Playtime visits in the care of horses, dogs, cats, birds, goats, are also offered throughout the day. This is a chickens, pigs, hamsters, guinea pigs, and great option for loving pet parents who will fish. The Ogden Valley Pet Sitter states, “She be gone for the day or who work long hours,” is committed to on-going pet education, with an Christina explained. emphasis on canines.” Dog walking services are offered to canines For more information call Christina of all sizes and breeds, rain or shine! “We all McDowell at 801-668-9117 or visit <www. know how important exercise is for our special theogdenvalleypetsitter.com> Call For Entries: Earth Day Art Contest at Ogden Nature Center Calling all kids! Children in grades kindergarten through sixth are invited to enter the Ogden Nature Center’s annual Earth Day Art Poster Contest. There is no entry fee. This year’s theme is “I Enjoy Nature By________.” This is a fun opportunity to show your love of nature through art. All entries will be exhibited in the L.S. Peery Education Building at the Ogden Nature Center starting on Earth Day, April 20, and will be displayed thru June 1. Prizes will be awarded. Guidelines: • Entries must be 9” x 12” with the theme, “I Enjoy Nature by____________.” • Please do not glue anything onto your project. • On the back, please include your name (first and last), school, grade (k-6), teacher, home- phone-number, and project title. • Entries must be received at the Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden, no later than 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 6. • Late entries may not be judged. • There is no fee to enter. Entries will not be returned but may be picked up June 3 thru June 7. After June 7, contest entries will become the property of the Ogden Nature Center. Prizes will be awarded to three winners in each grade, with one grand prize per grade. The winners will be invited to an awards program on Earth Day, April 20, at 11:00 a.m. Teachers who work on this project with their class and submit entries from their entire class will be entered in a drawing to win a free wildlife presentation in the classroom! This contest is sponsored by Ogden City Arts/ Ogden City Corporation, Westinghouse, Bloom Recyclers, Elliot Hall Company, and ATK. OPEN IN EDEN $29.95 Assisted Living in Ogden Valley t Residential ~ Commercial ~ Industrial Nutritional, Homemade Meals Prepared by our In-House Chef Luis t Loving, Personal Care from Staff t In-House Beauty Salon t 24-Hr. Medication Management and Help with Activities of Daily Living t Locally and family owned since 1978. Free estimates FOR ALL YOUR ELECTRICAL AND SOLAR NEEDS We do solar projects as small as a 30W panel to put on your RV, to a custom-designed system for your home or business. We have been installing solar and wind power systems since 2003. Level 2 Facility with CNAs on Staff t Make an Appointment for Lunch and a Tour Formerly The Red Moose Lodge in Eden. 2547 N. Valley Junction Drive We were the installers for the Utah Solar for Schools project where we installed solar energy systems on over 70 schools throughout Utah. Call 801-745-6667 or 801-541-3336 www.beehivehomes.com |