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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley News Volume XXX Issue VI January 1, 2023 Tips to Decrease Impacts to Fish WhenWinterCatch-&-Release Ice Fishing weather has descend- snow on top of the ice. ed on Utah, and if you are planning to go ice fishing this winter and want to release the fish you catch, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is offering some tips to help decrease stress and increase survival for the fish. Minimize Air Exposure Time for Fish - Just like hot temperatures and warm water impacts on certain fish species, freezing weather can also be tough on fish. Anglers have to remember that even though they are ice fishing, the fish they are catching are living in water that is not frozen, which means that the water temperature that the fish are experiencing is often warmer than the temperatures they are exposed to coming out of the water. “If an angler is fishing on a particularly cold day, pulling a fish up through a hole and exposing it to freezing conditions can be stressful to a fish,” DWR Sportfish Coordinator Randy Oplinger said. “The water that remains on sensitive areas—such as the gills or eyes—can begin to freeze and this can cause damage to a fish. So, it is best to minimize exposure time and to release the fish as quickly as possible after catching it.” One way to eliminate the air exposure time is to make sure you have quick access to all the tools you will need to easily and quickly release the fish. “A unique aspect of ice fishing is that anglers tend to dress in layers to keep warm, which is definitely recommended,” Oplinger said. “However, they often bury key equipment, such as pliers and cameras, under those layers. Another key aspect of ice fishing is that anglers often fish with two holes that are somewhat separated from each other. This makes it easy to forget key equipment for releasing the fish when you head to another hole in response to a strike. What you don’t want to do is increase air exposure time for the fish because you are scrambling to find equipment. Anglers should carry the equipment that they need to release their fish in an easily accessible location.” One idea for doing that is to keep your pliers on a lanyard around your neck to make them easy to find and access. Another idea is to keep all your equipment in a bucket or sled so that it’s easy to find and doesn’t get buried in the Eliminate contact with dry surfaces Wearing gloves while ice fishing is typically recommended to protect an angler’s hands from freezing conditions. Those gloves, however, are often made of absorptive fabric. Fish have a protective slime coat on their skin and wearing gloves while handling the fish can remove the slime coat. “That can leave fish more susceptible to various skin issues, such as fungal diseases,” Oplinger said. “I know that it is tough to take gloves off while ice fishing because it’s cold, but handling fish with your bare hands is best. Once the fish have been safely released, then you can put your gloves back on.” Safety Tips for Anglers - While it is important to decrease stress on the fish while ice fishing, it is also very important to keep yourself safe as well. It’s important to dress in layers and have all the needed equipment to stay warm. A general safety recommendation is to not step on the ice unless it is at least 4 inches thick. Keep in mind, though, that ice thickness can vary across a lake. If you see the ice is 4 inches thick in one spot, don’t assume it’s 4 inches thick across the entire lake. Be sure to drill test holes into the ice as you venture onto it. You should also avoid putting large groups of people and equipment in a small area; spread the weight out. “As an extra precaution, you can also purchase ice safety picks, which can help you get out of a lake if you fall through the ice,” Oplinger said. “I’d also recommend taking a rope with you. It’s always a good idea to have someone else with you when ice fishing.” Find more ice safety tips on the Utah State Parks website at stateparks.utah.gov/activities/ boating/ice-safety/. You can find more information about where to go ice fishing in Utah on the DWR Fish Utah map found at dwrapps.utah.gov/fishing/ fStart. Also, be sure to rate the waterbodies that you fish this winter on the website. The ratings allow DWR fisheries managers to gauge angler satisfaction at a specific waterbody. That information helps the DWR improve fishing across the state. Enjoy ice fishing while, remain safe, and help protect Utah’s precious resources. -Flatwork -Decorative Concrete -Concrete Prep Schedule a Quote Today! 801-857-1567 Danny Graves | @DJFencingLLC Had a Wildlife Sighting or Encounter? Here’s When to Report It Utah’s growing population and during the winter months when they follow foodrelated expansion have increased the number of wildlife encounters across the state in recent years. However, not every encounter or animal sighting needs to be reported to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Wildlife encounters during the summer often occur when people are hiking or camping in the mountains or canyons, which are natural wildlife habitat areas. However, these encounters are also common in cities and other urban areas during the winter. As snow falls in the mountains, deer, moose, and other big game species move to lower elevations looking for food. Cougars, which prey mostly on deer, often follow the deer into the valleys. While it may seem like these types of sightings are increasing, it is actually a combination of a few things: • Increased building in the foothill areas and canyons (where wildlife are naturally located). • An increase in the number of doorbell and security cameras on people’s homes (which capture more wildlife sightings that previously went undetected). If you do happen to see wildlife in your neighborhood or yard, you should always keep your distance for your own safety and for the safety of the animal. “Getting too close to a wild animal can cause the animal to feel threatened,” DWR Capt. Chad Bettridge said. “If it feels threatened, it will sometimes act aggressively to protect itself. Plus, because it’s harder for some wildlife to find food in the winter, they need to conserve energy in order to survive. Constantly harassing or chasing species such as moose and deer cause them to use up some of the essential fat reserves and energy they need to survive.” Another important way to avoid conflicts and to prevent harming wildlife is to make sure never to feed them. While it is not illegal to feed wildlife—except in cities that have ordinances against it—there are several reasons that it is highly discouraged, including: • Public safety concerns • The spread of chronic wasting disease among deer, elk, and moose • Potential harm to the wildlife from introducing foods not in their diets, particularly during winter months “Whenever someone feeds wildlife, those animals will frequently return to that area in search of food,” Bettridge said. “These areas are often near highways and towns. Concentrating deer and other wildlife near inhabited areas can sometimes result in increased traffic accidents and other human/wildlife conflicts. Attracting deer to your property through feeding can also attract predators, like cougars that follow deer herds. And while deer and moose are not predators, they are still wild animals and can be aggressive.” So, what kind of wildlife sightings or encounters should you report? Here is a simple breakdown of some scenarios that should be reported to the DWR: Cougars - Cougars can be found throughout Utah, usually in the foothill and canyon areas, but also sometimes down in the valleys—especially We’re Back for Three Nights NEW FILMS EACH NIGHT! RESERVED SEATING seeking deer to lower elevations. You should report a cougar sighting (801-476-2740) if: • It has killed something in a neighborhood or yard. • It exhibits aggressive behavior. • It appears several times on your security cameras. If you capture footage of a cougar on security cameras one time or see one from a distance in foothill areas, you do not need to report it. One-time sightings of cougars are typically when the animal is moving through an area, and it has often left by the time DWR biologists and conservation officers can respond. Learn more about preventing conflicts with cougars at wildawareutah.org/wildlife/cougars/. Bears - Black bears are the only species of bear currently found in Utah. They can also be found in the foothill areas, canyons, and other similar habitats throughout Utah. If bears are in these areas, they should only be reported if they are being aggressive or if they are getting into trash or fruit trees or causing damage. You should report a bear that has wandered into lower-elevation areas and is within city limits or in heavily populated areas. Bears typically go into hibernation, roughly, from November to March, so you likely won’t see one during the winter. Moose - Moose are also commonly found in the foothill areas since that is their natural habitat. You should report a moose that has wandered into lower-elevation areas and is within city limits or heavily populated areas, so the DWR can relocate the animal. If moose aren’t relocated, they can stay in an area for a long time and potentially injure someone or damage property. Urban environments, which include fences and vehicles, can be unsafe for moose. Avoid approaching moose or attempting to “herd” them out of yards or roads. Moose can be very aggressive, especially around dogs. Deer - You should only report a deer sighting in a neighborhood if the animal is acting aggressively. Buck deer can often be aggressive during their breeding season, which takes place in November. If a deer is hit and killed by a vehicle in a neighborhood or is found dead in a yard or park, call your nearest DWR office (801-476-2740) to report it, so crews can remove the dead animal. The DWR also launched the Urban Deer Program in 2014 as a way to give cities the ability to deal with ever-increasing deer/human conflicts in expanding urban areas. Learn more about the program on the DWR website at wildlife.utah.gov/ news/Utah-wildlife-news/623-dwr-discontinuestranslocation-in-urban-deer-program.html. Birds of Prey - During the winter, Utahns may often see hawks, eagles, and other birds of prey on the sides of the road. While it may seem like these animals have been injured, typically, they have gorged themselves on roadkill and are unable to fly for a period. These birds don’t need to be reported unless they are in the roadway (and at risk of being hit by a vehicle), they have been in the same spot for over 12 hours, or they have an obvious injury. For more wildlife-related safety tips and information, visit the Wild Aware Utah website at wildawareutah.orgwildawareutah.org. Presented by Snowbasin Sports Education Foundation (SSEF) snowbasinskiteam.org Sponsored in part by Atomic Skis Roosters Brewing Co. & B Street Brewing Co. Showings February 17, 2023 7 p.m. February 18, 2023 7 p.m. February 19, 2023 7 p.m. at Peery’s Egyptian Theater 2415 Washington Blvd. Ogden Tickets available now at the Box Office and online: 801-689-8700 ogdenpet.com Janifer Larson 801-540-8873 $20.00 Each $50.00 for Three |