By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

“Utah’s wildlife belongs to everybody,” proclaimed Brandon Behling from the Utah Division of Natural Resources. To promote this mentality, the DNR is preparing to host a series of events in the Castle Country to get the community involved with the state’s wildlife population. 

Behling joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the DNR’s upcoming Nine Mile Bat Night on Saturday, Aug. 9, and a discussion on growing Utah’s mule deer population on Aug. 12.

Starting with the Bat Night, Behling explained the concept behind the event,” These Bat Nights are an opportunity for folks to come out and see what our biologists do. We’re going to hold a little presentation for everybody so they can learn a little bit about these unique creatures.” He continued,” we set these nets up over a creek or a pond, and as the bats swoop down to feed, they’ll get snared in these nets, and our biologists will go down and take them out. And then we can take measurements, weights, collect other data, and then release them back into the wild. And we want to invite everybody to come out and participate in this.”

Behling also shared the benefit of the public coming out and participating in the survey,” Utah is home to 18 confirmed different species of bat. And when we held this survey in this area a few weeks ago, we caught about a third of those different species. Most people might see a bat hanging on their porch or something like that, and we get those phone calls like, ‘Hey, there’s a bat here. What do I do?’ So here’s an opportunity to come and learn about them and have a greater understanding of these bats.”

Space is limited for the Nine Mile Bat Night, so those interested are encouraged to register as soon as possible on Eventbrite.

Switching focus, Behling shared information on the DNR’s public meeting on growing Utah’s mule deer population. “We’re holding these workshops where we want to invite folks to come out. It’s an informal setting. Like, we’re going to have some food. So grab a bite to eat with us, share your ideas, or share a different viewpoint on existing ideas and processes that we currently have. We’re looking just to sit down with folks that like mule deer, or dare I say, love mule deer, and want to see those herds grow.”

Behling added,” We want to work with you and partner on this, because Utah’s wildlife belongs to everybody. We are charged with being the stewards of it, but we want to invite you guys to come out and participate in wildlife with us.”

The mule deer discussion will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at the Price DWR office located at 319 North Carbonville Road, beginning at 6 p.m.

Closing out our conversation, Behling shared,” I just want to encourage everybody to be involved. Like I said earlier, Utah’s wildlife belongs to all of us. Look for these opportunities. Get involved and stay involved. We all love wildlife. Whether you’re hunting or just viewing, wildlife provides an opportunity for everybody. So come join us.”

More information on these and other upcoming DWR events can be found on the organization’s wildlife calendar.