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Show CgimUj September 10, 2004 The Summit County Bee Page A4 Drought Conditions May Lead To Bear Problems Salt Lake City Utah wildlife officials are urging people to keep a clean campsite and to not intentionally feed black bears in the state's backcountry this summer A bear attacked two campers in Desolation Canyon recently and they received minor injuries. Other than those attacks, we haven't had many problems with bears this spring, said Craig McLaughlin, mammals coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. Six years of drought has reduced the vegetation insect populations and berries that black bears eat in the summer he said so there's a good chance more bears will be attracted to campgrounds in search of food. Because black bears are wild ani- West mals McLaughlin says they're typically afraid of people. That changes as soon as they begin to associate people with a place to get food he said. They start losing their fear of people and can become aggressive and dangerous. McLaughlin says food is what attracts bears to people and that by following a few simple rules people can virtually eliminate problems with bears. He encourages people to do the following: • Keep your campsite clean Don't leave garbage food scraps and fat drippings in your fire pit or scattered around your campsite Instead place them in an air tight container and take them home with you. • Keep the cooking grills and utensils in your camping area clean. • Don't leave food out Instead store food and coolers in the trunk of your car, in your camping trailer in a bear proof container or suspended at least 12 feet high between iwo trees so bears can't reach them Plasticgarbage cans and plastic food storage containers arc not bear proof. • Never intentionally feed bears by leaving food out for them. • Bears have an incredible sense of smell, so make sure you cook away from your tent or sleeping area. Also, don't sleep in the clothes you cooked in or wore while cleaning fish. Leave those clothes, along with utensils, rags and anything else used in food preparation, cooking, eating and clean up, at the cooking area or sealed inside a vehicle. McLaughlin says when these rules aren't followed, there aren't many alternatives left. "The first thing we'll do with a bear that's just gotten into trouble is haze it with rubber bullets or hounds or capture it in hopes that the experience will scare it enough that it won't want to visit the campground again," he said. "This only works with bears that are brand new to the campground, however. Bears that have already associated the camp- ground with food will come back as soon as we move them." McLaughlin says bears have an incredible homing ability and can find their way back to an area that's as far as 100 miles away. "It's difficult for our regional wildlife managers to find remote sites to move problem bears to. As a result, often all we've done is shift the problem to a new area of the state," he said. 'The bear is used to looking to campgrounds for food, and it will roam and find a campground in the new area. "It's very simple to avoid putting a bear in a situation where ii has to be killed to protect public safety, and we hope people will follow our advice this summer," he said. People who have questions can call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700. Virus Bird Testing Underway Wild bird surveillance began May identification page and the online two to three days) in birdbaths, out15,, and will continue until Oct. 15, submission form, can be found at: door pet dishes, etc. • Aerate ornamental ponds or www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv as needed. The Division of Wildlife Resour- contact your local mosquito abateWild birds are important indicators of West Nile viral activity in a ces is working closely with other ment district regarding treatment given area and viral activity in birds state and local agencies involved in options. For more information on personal is often detected before human ill- West Nile virus surveillance and protection and minimizing mosquiprevention, including the Utah ness. This early detection provides Department of Health, the Utah toes around your home, please visit: health officials another opportunity Mosquito Abatement Association www.health.utah.gov Division of Wildlife Resources to inform people in newly-infected and the Utah Department of Regional Offices and WNV areas of preventative measures they Agriculture and Food. Contacts: can take to protect themselves and Since people may become infectSalt Lake Office: 1594 W. North horses. ed with WNV through the bite of an The winners of the cook-off were: Back Row: Emory, Brenda George/Eric, Margie Christenson/Steve Temple, Suite 2110, P.O. Box infected mosquito, personal protecThe division encourages the pubCarlson and Mark Marsh. Front Row: Karin, Rod Brimhall/Rob Brimhall and Jaime Horrocks. Not lic to participate in this program. If tion is key. West Nile virus can 146301, Salt Lake City, UT 84114pictured: Wayne and Jolene Christensen. you see an ill or dead bird in your result in serious disease or death. It 6301. Phone: (801) 538-4700. kris area, please contact the Division of is important to follow these recom- Contact: Kris Fehlberg fehlberg@utah.gov Wildlife Resources office nearest mended guidelines: Northern Region (Cache, Rich, you. • Protect from dusk tc dawn. Target species for testing in 2004 Mosquitoes that carry West Nile Box Elder, Weber, Morgan, Davis, include birds of the Corvid family virus are most active during this Summit): 515 East 5300 South. Ogden, UT 84405. Phone: (801) (ravens, crows, jays, etc.), raptors time. This year, there were 11 teams in the Summit County Dutch Oven Cook-off. Four in the advance category 476-2740. Contact: Adam • Use DEET mosquito repellent and other discretionary species that and seven in the beginning category. Kozlowski may be exhibiting neurologic symp- according to label instructions. Grand Champion: Rod and Karin Brimhall. First Place Advance: Mark Marsh. Second Place Advance: adamkoziowskiqputah.gov • Make sure window screens toms (examples include birds that Emory and Brenda George. Third Place Advance: Eric and Margie Christenson. First Place General: Rob Central Region (Utah, Wasatch, can't fly or that appear disoriented and screened doors are in good Brimhall and Jamie Horrocks. Second Place General: Wayne and Jolene Christensen, and Third Place repair. Small holes will allow mos- Tooele, Juab, Sanpete, Salt Lake): and lethargic). General: "Spicy": Steve Carlson. Contact Kcllie Robinson, at the County Office, if you want the recipes. 1115 N. Main St.. Springville, UT Please visit the division's Internet quitoes to enter. • Eliminate standing water 84663. Phone: (801) 491-5678. Web site Steve Gray (www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv) for around your home, such as old tires, Contact: photos of the birds that will be test- cans, poorly kept swimming pools stevegray@utah.gov or any other source where stagnant Contact: Kris Fehlberg, DWR ed this year. West Nile Virus Coordinator (801) It is important to note that not all water accumulates. • Change water regularly (every 538-4767. birds may be suitable for testing. To determine if a bird is suitable for AUGUST 2 8 - 2 9 testing, please follow these guideTHE LAW OFFICES OF JOHN GOTHARD, CPA, ESQ. SEPTEMBER 4 - 6 lines: Competent Local Representation Is the bird a target species (raven, SEPTEMBER 1 1 - 1 2 crow, jay or bird of prey. Also, does PARK CITY AREA Divorce & Family LawAsset Protection & Bankruptcy the bird appear to be ill or dying)? SHOWCASE of HOMES Estate & Tax Planning HOMES OPEN 10 AM - 8 PM Business Organization & Reorganization Has the bird been dead less than Tax Matters - Federal. State & Local Contracts & Civil Dispute Resolution 24 hours (evidence of decay would Wills, Trusts & Probate Criminal Defense indicate the bird has been dead W e i n v i t e y o u to experience the finest longer than 24 hours.and is, therehome craftsmanship and design our area has to fore, not suitable for testing)? offer during the 2004 Park City Area Showcase Is there no other obvious cause of Free Consultation with this advertisement of Homes. This year, we will showcase over death (window strike, cat-kill or col$31-miilion in home and property value with 20 stunning mountain homes. Our showcase lision with a vehicle)? includes homes in the communities of Park City, For those with access to the Heber Cily, Charleston and Midway — truly Internet, the Division of Wildlife displaying the best in the area. Come feel the Resources has provided an online clean alpine air, marvel at the luxury, meet the submission form to make reporting I, builders and get inspired! dead birds more .convenient. More information regarding wild W i n p r i z e s ! While at the Showcase bird surveillance, including a bird of Homes, turn in your vote for the People's Summit County Dutch Oven Cook-off Winners Announced 435-657-0777 c HUNDREDS OF ATKINS-FRIENDLY EXHIBITS- Choice Award and enter the drawing for one Of the following prizes: • Two 3-day family getaways at Daniels Summit Lodge Daniels t i Summit *^JL°dge • Sweetwater Sundance Spa courtesy of Majestic Waters NEW Pool table courtesy of Majestic Waters • One-night stay including dinner for 2 at the Blue Boar Inn • Round of golf at Wasatch Mountain State Park or Soldier Hollow The latest craze in Fair admission prices: slimming down: That way you can carbo-load on cotton candy, snow cones and Fair fare. And still go home with money in your pocket. Summit County Bee Drop Spot UINTA AUTO PARTS THURSDAY. SEPT. 9 $l.OO Opening Day Special Anyone over age five gets in for just $1.OO.' 235 S. Main Kamas MONDAY,SEPT, 13 Family Value Day Kids 12 and under get in free- Buy an All-You-Can-Ride and a second person rides free with a hand stamp.* Effective Immediately!!! TUESDAY, SEPT. 14 Treats For Troops Day 2-for-l gate admission with each packaged, non-perishable treat donation (packaged candy, packaged beef jerky, etc.) that will be shipped to our troops overseas.' Courtesy ofBonneville Radio Group. TICKET PRICES ---..•.... 2 0 0 4 UTAH STATE Yktk PROMOTIONS AND DISCOUNT ADMISSION $10 adults, $5 children (ages 12 and under) EVERYDAY DISCOUNT TICKETS FROM SMITH'S $§.00 admission tickets available at any Smiths Food & Drug Store Aug. 2-Sept. and $12.00 All-You-Can-Ride Carnival wristband vouchers Aug. 2-Sept, 8.' TICKETS & MAPS AVAILABLE AT: Showcase tyfebslte Receive $1 off each ticket price when purchased at: www.pcshowcaseofhomes.com All SmlthsTix locations MKM Carnival wristband (800.888.TIXX or www.smithstix.com) •-: ' * : - . ^ W At the door of each Showcase entry home 2003 People's Choice Award Winner, The Summit at Glcnwild, Carver Homes/American First Builders (during open hours only) For more Information visit www.pcshowcaseofhomes.com WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15 Newspaper Day Subscribe c Ihz Summit County Get $3.00 off the regular gate price whenjou clip and presentjour discount coupon from The Salt Lake Tribune or Deseret Morning News.* SUNDAY, SEPT. 19 Pepsi Day $2.00 per person gate admission for up to four people ivilh sticker from specially marked Pebsi 12-packs.' UTAH STATE SEPTEMBER 7- AIR 9-18,2004 Visit www.utahstatefair.com for details. *Nol valid wilh iry other p|romolionl ' , . SPONSORED BY: PRESENTED BY: MUD HOWC 6UILDCRS ASSOCIATION Newspaper Agency Corporation m |