The Division of Wildlife Resources has been busily working on seasonal captures this month so Conservation Outreach Manager, Aaron Bott took time to speak over the telephone about the process, as well as about ice fishing and Christmas gift ideas.
“You know we’re getting ready for our seasonal captures. We’re getting out and putting radio collars on our deer, on our elk, on our big horns, and on our prong horns as well, so we can monitor those populations and look for disease, and also look for pregnancy rates, so right now is a busy time for us,” said Bott. Most of the big horn sheep were collared last year so there won’t be many that will need to be collared this year. The process requires a lot of work via helicopter observation, plus a lot of ground work too.
It’s about that time for ice fishing season and there are some area lakes that are ready but anglers are asked to be careful when going out. “Regional fisheries biologists they’ve given me a report just this morning, up at Scofield the ice is thickening, it’s thickest near the shore, so people are having some success out by the boat ramp. Be really careful though if you’re going out further on to the lake, I’m not sure how thick the ice is there yet, but I wouldn’t get too far from the shore. But people are having a lot of success there near the boat ramps,” said Bott. Both Cleveland and Huntington are both iced over about 6 to 8 inches but anglers are still urged to proceed with caution when heading out to the lakes.
Christmas is right around the corner and getting someone a fishing license is a great gift idea. “If you want to give a gift as a fishing license you can do that too. You can get on our website at https://wildlife.utah.gov/ and you can make a purchase by logging on for your kids. Again, a great opportunity, especially with this upcoming summer. Get on it now, make the purchase and go out and have some fun,” stated Bott. The cost for a resident one year license for ages 12 to 13 is $5.00, for ages 14 to 17 is $16.00 and for ages 18 to 64 is $34.00.
To stay informed on the latest news at the Division of Wildlife Resources visit their website or Facebook page.