OCR Text |
Show A19 Castle Valley Review, February 2009 SPORTSMEN Flying Bighorns! DWR gives 40 bighorn ship the ride of their lives In mid-January, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources net-gunned 40 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in east-central Utah and took them for the ride of their lives. Hobbled and bagged, each animal was clipped one-by-one onto a long cable, dangling from a helicopter. After a maximum of five had been safely attached, the chopper pitched and swung into the air with a bunch of wide-eyed sheep swinging from its underside. In all, three rams, 33 ewes, and 4 lambs flew about 30 miles up the Green River, before touching ground in Desolation Canyon. As its name implies, the canyon is rugged and remote—a perfect place for a seed population of bighorn sheep. The transplant’s objective of improving the distribution of bighorn sheep throughout the Green River corridor is a step closer to realization. According to Acting Wildlife Manager Brad Crompton, there are sustainable bighorn sheep populations in the upper Green River below Flaming Gorge and in Gray Canyon just north of Green River. Before the transplant, the middle portions of Desolation Canyon supported only small, isolated groups of bighorn sheep. The transplant of 40 new animals will bolster sheep distribution in the canyon as well as connectivity between isolated populations along the Green River corridor. About three years ago, a wild fire in Desolation Canyon burned approximately 5,000 acres. Several years of new vegetative growth has created some ideal bighorn sheep habitat, assuring plenty of feed for the new transplants. The combined life requirements of food, water, cover and space are expected to result in successful reproduction and population growth. This project was made possible in large part by funding and support from the Utah Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. Events planned to celebrate Bald Eagle Day If you’ve ever seen a bald eagle in the wild, you know it’s an experience that can take your breath away. In February, you’ll have two chances to not only see bald eagles, but to learn more about them. The Division of Wildlife Resources is holding its annual Utah Bald Eagle Day. The event will be held on two different Saturdays. On Feb. 7, eagle viewing will take place at sites in central, northeastern and southwestern Utah. On the following Saturday, Feb. 14, Utah Bald Eagle Day will be celebrated at two sites in northern Utah. There is no cost to attend Bald Eagle Day. Viewing times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except at the Salt Creek Waterfowl Management Area site, where viewing will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Feb. 7, you can view eagles at the following locations: Fountain Green State Fish Hatchery, located east Ward’s 4X4 of Nephi. If coming from the north, take I-15 and exit the freeway at the second Nephi exit (Exit 225). After exiting the freeway, turn east on SR-132 and travel about 10 miles. About 1 mile before the city of Fountain Green, a Bald Eagle Day sign will point you to an access road that leads to the hatchery. Once you reach the hatchery, you’ll be given a driving map of the Sanpete Valley that highlights the best areas in the valley to view eagles. Literature, displays and bathroom facilities will also be available at the hatchery. If eagles are near the hatchery, Division of Wildlife Resources staff will set up spotting scopes so you can view them. Spotting scopes will also be set-up at a viewing location about one mile from the hatchery. Split Mountain/Green River, located north of Jensen and below the Dinosaur Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument (DNM). To reach the site, drive north from Highway 40 in Jensen on the road Fair & Balanced Wrecker Service Available Call Clayton at 749-1699 AUTO PARTS Western Pawn 179 S. Main Huntington 687-9060 Guns, Guns, & More Guns Marlin 22’s, Savage 22’s, Ruger 10/22’s, Henry Lever 22’s and Much, Much, More... (435) 687-9876 163 S. Main, Huntington Jones Hardware (SR‑149) to the Dinosaur Quarry. Your first stop should be at the staging area located just inside the DNM boundary where displays, spotting scopes and possibly bald eagles and other raptors await. From the staging area, biologists will direct you to other sites where you may have better views of eagles and other wildlife of interest. In past years, visitors have seen bald and golden eagles hunting and feeding, as well as prairie falcons, hawks, mule deer, river otters, pheasants, turkeys, sandhill cranes, porcupines, mergansers, Canada geese and other wildlife. During your trip, you may also want to stop and visit the Dinosaur National Monument. The monument’s dinosaur quarry is closed, but you can see a few dinosaur bones at a temporary visitor center near the quarry. The visitor center also includes a small bookstore. Rush Lake Ranch, located on the Minersville highway (SR-130) about 12 miles north of Cedar City. On Feb. 14, viewing will take place at the fol- Continued on Next Page. lowing locations: It’s that time of year again, so come on in and get your gear for ice fishing. We have it all! t 5BDLMF t 'JTIJOH 3PET t *DF +JHT t *DF "VHFSTt *DF 4IBOUJFT t *DF $MFBUT t *DF 4LJNNFST t 8PSNTt *DF 4BGFUZ 1JDLT "OE .VDI .PSF 185 E. Main Castle Dale Big horn sheep air airlifted to their new home in Desolation Canyon. (435)381-2421 •Full Line Auto Repair •24 Hr. Lockout Service •Roadside Service 90 S. Main, Orangeville Phone: (435)749-7005 Shop: (435) 748-AUTO (2886) Jason & Jennifer Mills/Owners |