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Show Page 8 The Ogden Valley News Volume XXX Issue VI June 1, 2023 Want The Chance to Harvest Local Elk or Deer Meat? The Application Period for Utah’s 2023 Antlerless Hunts Opens June 7 If putting locally sourced, nutritious meat on the table while enjoying Utah’s beautiful outdoors sounds good to you, take note that the application period for Utah’s 2023 antlerless hunts opens soon! Depending on the age, a cow elk can provide between 120 to nearly 200 pounds of boneless meat. That meat can then be eaten in a variety of ways, including hamburger, roasts, steaks, stews, stir-fry, or in fajitas. A doe deer will provide approximately 40 pounds of boneless meat. Beginning Wednesday, June 7 at 8:00 a.m., you can apply for a permit to hunt Utah’s antlerless big game animals, including: • Antlerless elk • Antlerless moose • Antlerless deer • Doe pronghorn • Ewe bighorn sheep (Although you cannot apply for both an antlerless moose permit and a ewe bighorn sheep permit in the same year — you must pick one or the other.) You must submit your application no later than 11:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22 to be included in the drawing for hunting permits. Before you can apply for a 2023 antlerless permit, bonus point or preference point, you must have a valid Utah hunting or combination license. You can buy a license on the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website, by calling 1-800221-0659 or by visiting a licensed agent. New this year, hunters can also apply for a big game bonus and preference point for antlered species during this antlerless application period if they missed the opportunity during the big game application period in March. To be included in the drawing for antlerless hunts, you can apply online or over the phone by calling the nearest DWR regional office. You can find details about the different units— including boundary descriptions, biologists’ notes, and population and harvest statistics—on the Utah Hunt Planner. The drawing results will be available on or before July 7. If any antlerless permits are available after the drawing, you can purchase them beginning at 8:00 a.m. on July 27. Check the online 2023 Utah Antlerless Application Guidebook for details. You can find all of the regulations for hunting both antlered and antlerless big game in the 2023 Utah Big Game Field Regulations Guidebook. “The antlerless big game hunts are a great opportunity to not only harvest meat and make some great memories outdoors, but also to help manage wildlife populations and maintain healthy herds and landscapes,” DWR Licensing Coordinator Lindy Varney said. “However, hunters should note that because the heavy snowfall last winter impacted deer populations in some areas of Utah, the number of antlerless permits were reduced in several areas.” A few changes were approved by the Utah Wildlife Board for this year’s antlerless hunts, including: Mandatory antlerless reporting: In response to hunters requesting more complete harvest data for the DWR to use when setting permit numbers, the board approved mandatory reporting of antlerless big game harvests beginning in 2023. Hunters will have 30 days after the hunting season ends to report their antlerless harvest online or over the phone. Failure to comply will result in a $50 fine and/or exclusion from next year’s antlerless hunt drawing. New antlerless elk permit rules: Antlerless elk permits may be used only during the season dates printed on the permit. In the past, if hunters obtained an antlerless elk permit — along with additional buck, bull or antlerless permits for the same area — they could use the antlerless elk permit during the season dates authorized for their other permit(s). This is no longer the case. New hunts: This year, the Utah Wildlife Board approved new archery-only hunts for doe deer and cow elk to address safety concerns and hunting pressure. These new hunts are on the following units: • Doe deer, archery-only: Fillmore City and South Slope, Ashley Valley • Cow elk, archery-only: Kamas; Nine Mile, Anthro; Ogden; Oquirrh-Stansbury, East; South Slope, Yellowstone; and Wasatch Mountains You can see all of the changes for this year’s hunts on the DWR website. If you have questions about applying for an antlerless permit, call 1-800-221-0659 or your nearest DWR office. Tips to Avoid Conflicts with Bears This Summer Black bears are the only species of bear in Utah, and they live and roam across much of the state. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) wants to remind Utahns of ways they can prevent conflicts with bears this summer and what to do if you encounter a bear. Bears typically come out of hibernation in March or April, depending on snow conditions. This year, bears left their dens a little later than usual, due to the deep snowpack in some parts of the state. During the spring, plants and insects make up 90% of a black bear’s diet, but bears have an amazing sense of smell and have no problem eating the same type of food that people eat. Many of the conflicts between people and bears happen because the bears start scavenging for the food that humans are eating and cooking while camping—which often takes place in the bear’s natural habitat. “Even though they’re incredibly strong and surprisingly fast, black bears will typically do everything they can to avoid people,” DWR Game Mammals Coordinator Darren DeBloois said. “When a bear finds food, though, that all changes. A bear will often become aggressive toward anything it perceives as threatening the area where it found the food—that includes people.” Here are a few simple tips to keep both you and the bears safe while you are out recreating in bear country—which includes all of Utah except for the West Desert—or if you live in the foothills or canyons. Bear-proof Your Food & Supplies - Store your food, snacks, and scented items (such as deodorant and toothpaste) in an area where a bear can’t get to them. Do not leave them out on tables or keep them in your tent. Storing them in a locked trailer or locking them in the trunk of your car are both good options. Storing food and scented items in these areas will reduce the chance that a bear smells them. And, if a bear does make its way to the area where you’re staying, if it isn’t rewarded with food, it will likely move on. Keep Your Cooking Area Clean - After you’ve finished eating, thoroughly clean utensils and anything else that was used to prepare or eat the food. Don’t dump oil or grease from pots or pans onto the ground. Instead, put the oil or grease in a container, and take it home with you. By keeping your campsite’s cooking and eating areas clean, you reduce the chance that a bear will smell food and trash and be lured to your camp. Keep Your Campsite Clean - Don’t leave food scraps and other trash scattered around your campsite or cabin area. Instead, put it in trash bags, and take it home with you. Make sure to wipe down picnic tables and keep the area free of food and other debris. Always keep your campsite or cabin area clean because a dirty campsite can attract bears long after you’ve left. “If a bear visits the area after you leave and then someone comes into that area to camp, you’ve created a potentially dangerous situation,” DeBloois notes. Never Feed a Bear - This may seem like common sense, but it’s worth noting. Although bear cubs may seem cute, you should absolutely never feed one—or an adult bear for that matter. They are wild animals and natural predators. Once a bear loses its fear of people, wildlife biologists and conservation officers are left with something they dread: having to euthanize an animal to keep the public safe. By not providing a bear with food, you can help keep it safe too. “We got into the wildlife profession because we love wildlife,” DeBloois said. “We enjoy managing and protecting animals so Utahns can get outdoors and enjoy them. Having to euthanize an animal—because someone didn’t do something as simple as keeping their campsite clean and storing food in a secure area—is tough. Please don’t put us in that situation.” Bear-proof Your Outdoor Garbage Cans - Many bear reports that the DWR receives each year involve bears getting into trash cans or dumpsters in neighborhoods and at cabins. Make sure to store your trash in a secure location or bear-proof container. If you don’t have access to a bear-safe garbage can or dumpster, make sure to store your garbage can in your garage and put it out for pick up in the morning, rather than the night before. Also, make sure to clean your trash container regularly to eliminate some of the odors that attract bears. Remove Items That Will Attract a Bear to Your House - Utah is bear country, and especially so if you live in the foothills or other mountainous parts of the state. It is important to properly secure or clean anything in your yard that may attract a bear. Some of these include: • Birdfeeders (both seed & hummingbird) • Fruit trees • Compost piles • Beehives • Pet food & water bowls 1st Annual Ogden Valley Red, White, and Car Show July 4th, 2023 7am - 4pm - All cars welcome, new and old - Registration limited to 75 cars - $25 registration fee per car - Free T-shirt with each registration - Cars will have reserved parking in front of the Compass Rose at 7am and are required to remain parked until 4pm - $500 grand prize for best of show - prizes for other categories Registration information? Sponsorship information? Contact us info@goldrushartgallery.com Scan the QR Code to register for Red, White, and Vroom. • Unsupervised outdoor pets (especially at night) • Barbecue grills Know What to Do If You Encounter a Bear • Stand your ground: Never back up, lie down or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use your bear spray or another deterrent. • Don’t run away or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph—you cannot outclimb or outrun them. • Know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans, or makes other sounds, it’s not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest. • If a black bear attacks, always 昀椀ght back. And never give up! People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles, and even their hands and feet. When to Report a Bear Sighting - If you live in the foothills or canyon areas of Utah, there is a chance you may see or encounter a bear. Here is when you need to report a bear sighting to the DWR: • If you see a bear in the foothills or canyon areas, it should only be reported if it’s being aggressive or if it’s getting into trash or fruit trees or causing damage. • Report any bear that has wandered into lowerelevation areas and is within city limits or in heavily populated areas so DWR can relocate it. For more tips on staying safe around black bears, visit the Wild Aware Utah website. A video about bear safety is also available on the DWR YouTube channel. |
