Calling all Shotgun Shooting Enthusiasts in Utah!

Sportsman's Warehouse Presents Second Annual Utah Shotgun Showdown

At this year's Utah Shotgun Showdown sponsored by Sportsman's Warehouse Utah's best shotgun shooters will face off in a grueling two-day, two-location, multi-discipline shotgun competition that will settle the matter of who really is the best shotgun shooter in the state of Utah.

This year's Shotgun Showdown begins at the Provo Gun Club on Saturday, May 6^th at 8:00 am for 25 skeet targets, 25 five-stand targets and 50 sporting clays targets. The competition moves to the Heber Valley Gun Club on Sunday morning for 25 singles, 25 long yardage and 50 doubles trap targets. The shooter with the highest score across the six different events and four different shotgun disciplines will be vindicated as the hottest shot in Utah. Large cash prizes will go to the highest overall score in the Men's, Women's and Junior's categories. High gun in each of the individual events will also win cash prizes.

"Very few shooters shoot all the different disciplines so this event challenges shooters to get out of their comfort zone," says event organizer, Wendy Mair of the Heber Valley Gun Club. "It's also a great opportunity to meet new shooters you wouldn't normally get to meet at your regular competitions."

"Some shooters get very serious when they are formally competing within their preferred discipline," explains Mair. "But this event is a lot more relaxed. Some shooters will only have a shot at winning their particular discipline and the rest of the competition is just good old fun. And who knows? Maybe a shooter will discover that they have more versatile shotgun skills than they realized?"

Last year's competition drew almost fifty shooters from all over the state. Everyone went home with exceptional door prizes from Sportsman's Warehouse and one lucky winner took home a combo shotgun with two sets of barrels that was raffled off courtesy of Sportsman's Warehouse. This year will also feature a shotgun raffle by Sportsman's Warehouse.

The reigning Utah Shotgun Showdown Champion, Kim Fisher of Highland, hit 161 out of 175 skeet, sporting clays and trap targets at last year's competition. Two ladies, Teresa Harward of Santaquin and Leslie West of Provo, tied for high women's with matching scores of 133/175.

For more information about the Sportsman's Warehouse Utah Shotgun Showdown please contact Wendy Mair at 801-377-3350 or send an email to hebervalleygunclub@earthlink.net .

Utah Grilling Invention Wins Coveted Top BBQ Award

The Turkey Cannon, an innovative barbecue grill accessory from Camp Chef, was awarded "Best Barbecue Accessory" at the 2006 Vesta Awards.

(Logan, Utah) - And the winner is... a unique toy for avid grill fans; a new tool for preparing juicy turkey and chicken in the grill that ensures juicy, tender results with great bbq flavor.

The brainchild of Camp Chef president Ty Measom, the Turkey Cannon won the hearts of fellow grilling-industry judges for its innovative form-meets-function style. Designed to allow bbq fans prepared "beer can turkey" on the grill, the Turkey Cannon has become a phenomenon expanding far beyond the niche of die-hard grillers.

"The Turkey Cannon is so easy to use," said Andrew Hansen, an avid home griller. "You just pour your liquid into the cylinder and place the bird onto the cannon. The results are so delicious."

The Turkey Cannon is also fast, according to Brett Bennett, Camp Chef's design engineer. "Because the beer creates steam inside the turkey or chicken's cavity, moisture raises into the meat," he said. "All the while, the grill is roasting the bird from the outside -- it's cooking from all over."

The turkey reclines back on the stainless-steel cylinder, enabling the lid of a standard bbq grill to shut. A 12-pound turkey cooks in about one and a half hours. Use a cookie sheet under the cannon for roasting juicy poultry in the kitchen oven.

Measom accepted the barbecue industry's highest honor during the industry's Vesta Awards ceremony in March. The product comes with a recipe booklet and how-to guide. Popular variations include white wine, cranberry juice or orange juice in the cylinder. Chicken, pheasant, goose and other poultry also cook fast and easily on the unit, according to Measom.

More information on the Turkey Cannon is available at http://www.TurkeyCannon.com or call 800-650-2433. Camp Chef is based in Logan, Utah. The Turkey Cannon sells nationwide at specialty barbecue retailers, sporting goods stores and elite hardware stores.

Up-to-Date Fishing Information

It's taken awhile, but Utah's spring fishing season has finally arrived.

As spring fishing gets underway, anglers across the state are wondering where the best places are to wet a line. The Division of Wildlife Resources provides a number of ways to find out:

Toll-Free Telephone Line

Fishing information supplied by DWR personnel, and anglers who supply information about their latest fishing adventures, is recorded onto the DWR's toll-free information hotline by Friday afternoon each week, says Sarah Heimbach, information technician for the DWR.

The DWR's information hotline number is (877) 592-5169.

Anglers in the Salt Lake Valley and most of Davis County may also access the hotline by calling 596-8660.

The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing

The weekly fishing report also is available every day of the week at
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing , which is one of the DWR's Web pages. Updates to the report are typically posted by Thursday afternoon each week.

At the Fishing Trips Report page, anglers may post fishing reports for other anglers to read and read the reports others have posted. The Fishing Trips Report page is also available at
http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/fishing .

Obtaining Fishing Information Before Thursday

Those wanting information about fishing conditions in specific DWR regions earlier than Thursday may call the Division of Wildlife Resources regional office in the region where the waters are located.

Regional offices typically have fishing updates, for waters in their region, by Wednesday each week.

DWR regional offices are located in Ogden, Springville, Vernal, Price and Cedar City, and are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays.

You can reach the offices at the following numbers:

Northern Region (Ogden office) (801) 476-2740

Central Region (Springville office) (801) 491-5678

Northeastern Region (Vernal office) (435) 781-WILD (9453)

Southeastern Region (Price office) (435) 636-0260

Southern Region (Cedar City office) (435) 865-6100

Fishing at Panguitch Lake Will Close May 1 as Treatment Project Begins

Panguitch -- A treatment to remove Utah chubs and improve fishing at Panguitch Lake will begin May 1.

Panguitch Lake and its tributaries will be treated with rotenone beginning that day.

Until then, the daily bag and possession limit remains at 8 trout of any species or size. The limits have been liberalized to allow anglers to harvest trout that will otherwise be lost when the treatment occurs.

Typically, fishing at Panguitch Lake is very good when the ice melts from the reservoir's surface. The ice is expected to melt during the week of April 17.

Once the treatment occurs on May 1, Panguitch Lake will be closed to fishing and the possession of fish until the lake is restocked, which is expected to happen during the first week of June 2006.

All of the lake's fish will be removed during the treatment, including trout. The lake will be restocked with trout as soon as possible after the treatment. The regulations listed in the 2006 Utah
Fishing Proclamation will be in effect after the lake reopens to fishing.

Utah Chubs Affect Fishery

Located southwest of Panguitch in the Dixie National Forest, Panguitch Lake is one of Utah's most popular fishing waters. Every year, thousands of anglers flock to its shores to try their luck at catching a limit of trout from its chilly, high mountain depths. Nearly 60 percent of the anglers that fish Panguitch Lake are from out of state, mostly from Nevada.

Utah chubs are native to the Great Basin area, but not to Panguitch Lake. Division of Wildlife Resources fisheries biologists believe chubs were illegally introduced to the lake in the late 1970s.

Utah chubs are very competitive fish and will displace trout in the lake over time. Today the trout population is less than 5 percent of the total fish in the lake. The remainder of the fish in the lake are
Utah chubs.

"This is not the first time that this has happened," said Mike Ottenbacher, Southern Region aquatic manager for the DWR. "We had the same problem in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which resulted in a rotenone treatment of the lake."

Rotenone is a natural plant product that completely biodegrades in the environment. Rotenone has been approved for aquatic use by the Environmental Protection Agency. At the concentrations used to kill fish, rotenone is not toxic to humans, other mammals or birds.

After the 1991 treatment, the lake was restocked, and it became a great fishery again. "Panguitch has always been a very productive lake when it comes to fish growth," Ottenbacher said. "Fish planted at 7 or 8 inches can grow to be nearly twice that size in a single growing season."

The restoration of Panguitch Lake will be conducted according to a plan developed by a citizen's committee. After the plan was developed, it was approved in a public meeting by the Southern Regional Advisory Council and was later endorsed by the Utah Wildlife Board.

Meeting the Challenge

"This is a big challenge for us," said Doug Messerly, Southern Region supervisor for the DWR. "There are so many considerations that have to be taken into account in the management of this lake.

"First of all, because of the size of the lake, it will be costly," he said. "Nearly $250,000 has been budgeted for the purchase and application of the rotenone. It's expensive, and as you might
imagine, requires special handling.

"Secondly, once the fish are gone, so is the fishing. The businesses around the lake are dependant on good fishing through the summer months. Without fish, they have a very difficult time financially. We feel like our plan addresses most of the concerns and, if all goes well, everyone will come out of this reaping the benefits of an excellent and sustainable fishery for some time to come."

Treating the Lake

The plan calls for the rotenone treatment to take place beginning May 1. It will take about three days to apply the rotenone. The lake will not be restocked until the rotenone naturally dissipates, which is expected to take about 30 days. Then the lake will be restocked with 8- to 10-inch trout and reopened to fishing as soon as possible. A few trout of larger size may also be put back in the lake to increase the excitement level among anglers.

"We have to treat all the springs and tributaries to the lake as well to assure that we get all of the chubs out," Messerly said. "Normally, we would close the lake to fishing for several months,
plant small fish and allow them to grow for the next season. In this case, we are confident that we can have a complete treatment and are going to plant catchable size (8- to 10-inch) trout in order to get great fishing back as quickly as possible."

For more information, call the DWR's Southern Region office at (435) 865-6100.

Along for the Ride: Fishing With Dad

The smile on young Kyler Hardman's face told the story-he was getting a "Daddy ride." Dads are famous for 'em!

Wheelbarrows and shoulders have been traditional methods for the "Dad ride." But Kyler's father, Kyle Hardman of Brigham City, has found another way to give his son a ride that gives both of them lots of reasons to laugh and smile.

Kyle has rigged his pontoon boat so he can pull his son Kyler along in Kyler's float tube. This method of fishing got both of them in the middle of a "bluegill bite" that put big smiles on both of their faces and a nice stringer of tasty bluegill on the table for a family fish fry.

But even if the fish hadn't bit that day, they would have had a great time tugging and being tugged around the lake.

How long has it been since you have given or received a "Dad ride"? If it's been a while, here are some ideas for fishing trips in northern Utah that include a "Dad ride":

Canoe Adventures

Even if you don't own a canoe, there are plenty of places where you can rent one for a half day or longer.

Two great fishing spots for canoeists in northern Utah are Causey Reservoir east of Huntsville and Little Dell Reservoir east of Salt Lake City.

Canyon Sports in Ogden and Wasatch Touring in Salt Lake City offer reasonable rates on canoe rentals.

Little Dell is closed to motorboats and Causey is open only to motorboats that have small motors. The motorboats on Causey must travel slowly, at wakeless speeds.

Day Trip To a River

Jesse and Tyler Logan of Cache Valley had just crested the hill from the river they had been fishing together down in the canyon. Despite the steepness of the trail, they were all smiles. They had also taken a "Dad ride" to their favorite fishing spot. Even though they're both adults, the smiles on their faces showed that unmistakable characteristic that comes from being on an excursion together.

The Logan and Blacksmith Fork rivers are both Blue Ribbon streams in Utah (streams that provide excellent fishing) and are perfect places for a drive and a fishing excursion together.

Float Tube/ATV Fishing

The North Slope of the Uinta Mountains is loaded with fishing waters and great all-terrain vehicle trails. Next time you go to the Uintas, try strapping a float tube and a fishing rod to your ATV.

For some tips on where to go, pick up the booklet series "The Lakes of the High Uintas" produced by the Division of Wildlife Resources. The booklets provide detailed information about fish populations and campsites in the Uintas. Booklets for some of the drainages are out of
print, but booklets for the most popular drainages are still available.

The booklets that are available can be ordered online at
http://www.mapstore.utah.gov/wildpubs.htm . You can also purchase them at DWR
offices and at the DNR Map & Bookstore at 1594 W. North Temple in Salt Lake City.

Over time, wheelbarrow and shoulder rides just don't work like they used to, but a fishing "ride" is truly a lifelong activity that you'll grow to savor. And remember, all "Dad rides" come with the promise of hearing an enthusiastic "Do it again Dad!"

April 18, 2006 Lake Powell Fishing Report By Wayne Gustaveson
Lake Elevation: 3589 Water Temp: 55-64 F

BASS SPAWN BEGINS!
The report is early so you can take advantage of ideal fishing conditions this week. A few bass began spawning April 14th before a cold front chased them off the nest. Most bass will spawn during calm weather from April 18-22. Expect bass fishing to be at its peak from April 18-28. Lake Powell is still very clear so nesting bass can be easily seen with polarized sun glasses. Find a bass nest and toss a slowly sinking plastic jerk bait (Senko or fluke) or small suspending crankbait over the nest. Aggressive male bass attack everything near the nest for the first two days after spawning. Catching male bass is easy. Please return nesting male bass so they can protect the eggs and young. Keep the females caught near the nest if a fish dinner is desired. Long casts are preferred since fish can see boaters just as clearly as they are seen.

Crappie fishing is peaking and will be better than it has been for a decade. Find a brushy cove with sunken tumbleweeds, tamarisk and cattails. Crappie will make their nests right in the middle of the thickest brush. Drop a small soft plastic grub straight down into openings between bushes. Jig it a few times to attract hiding crappie. Retrieve the lure slowly near brush to find females not on the nest. Use a bobber and suspend the jig about 3-4 feet below the surface. The jig then moves in a slow horizontal plane just above the brushy crappie lair. Return jet-black male crappie to protect the nest and young.

Walleye have started to bite again following a successful spawn. They will be caught while fishing for bass and crappie. If targeting walleye add a live worm to the bass lure or troll wallydivers or hot-n-tots across points at 8-15 feet. Walleye are light sensitive
and are most readily caught at dawn and dusk. Troll mudlines during daylight to find bonus walleye.

Striped bass are ever-present in the southern lake. The main channel from the dam to Navajo Canyon has a seemingly endless supply of 2-5 pound stripers. The best spot is the wall from Antelope Point marina upstream to the mouth of Navajo Canyon. The Power Plant intake
current keeps attracting more stripers daily. Drift along the wall chumming at each outcropping or point where stripers seem to stop. Catch as many fish as possible and then drift to the next
point and repeat as often as necessary. Harvest all stripers caught in the southern lake as there are many more than the forage base can support.

Stripers are feeding with bass in the shallow brushy pockets in the backs of coves and cuts. Find tumbleweeds and stickups dense enough to hide forage fish and stripers will be close by. Use suspending crankbaits with a stop and go retrieve for best results.

The same patterns will work lakewide. Use fishing techniques that have worked successfully for you in the past. Fishing with confidence will work anywhere on the lake this week. If fish are not
caught just keep moving until they are found.

REPRESENTATIVES SOUGHT FOR OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE ADVISORY COUNCIL

Salt Lake -- Utah State Parks and Recreation is currently seeking two representatives to serve on the Utah Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Advisory Council. Currently, volunteer representatives are needed to represent the interests of Utah's off-highway vehicle dealers and youth riders.

Candidates for the dealer representative position should be a principal or employee of an OHV dealership, and should have a history of working with both public land managing agencies and organized all-terrain vehicle clubs and organizations. Applicants for the youth representative should be between the ages of 12 and 18, and should be active in riding ATVs, motorcycles, or snowmobiles. Applications for these positions will be accepted through Friday, May 19.

Council members meet on a monthly or bimonthly basis to discuss current issues and make recommendations. The number and timing of meetings is dependant on the demands of current OHV issues. Meetings generally last two hours.

The 11-member council consists of individuals representing the interests of OHV safety, four-wheel drive vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, dealers, state and federal agencies, and OHV users at-large. All non-agency members volunteer their services for the betterment of OHV use in the state.

For more information or to apply for an OHV Advisory Council position, please contact OHV Program Coordinator Fred Hayes at (801) 538-7435 or fredhayes@utah.gov .

FOR A GOOD TIME, CALL 877-UTPARKS

Salt Lake - Just in time for summer, Utah State Parks and Recreation now offers a toll-free information line: 877-UTPARKS.

The catchy new number connects customers with all Utah State Park services, including camping, current conditions, golf, special events, off-highway vehicle and boating information, and more. Customer may also access information at http://www.stateparks.utah.gov .

UPCOMING UTAH STATE PARKS EVENTS

April 28 - 29 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Desert Reptile Awareness: Are you aware southern Utah has the greatest number of reptiles anywhere in the state because of its diverse plant communities? Join Wildlife Biologist Ann McLuckie Friday evening at 8 p.m. for a discussion on reptiles you might see in Snow Canyon, as well as their unique desert adaptations. At 9 a.m. Saturday, take a guided hike in desert tortoise habitat and look for reptiles. Space is limited and separate registration for each program is required. For more information, please call (435) 628-2255.

April 29 Goblin Valley State Park - Green River
Stargazing with the Goblins. Meet at 9 p.m. at the Observation Point shelter to learn the constellations of spring. For more information, please call (435) 564-3633.

April 30 Goblin Valley State Park - Green River
Junior Ranger Program: Who lives here? Learn about the wildlife that calls Goblin Valley home. Find out what it might be like to live in the desert. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Observation Point shelter. This program is geared to children six to 12, but everyone is invited. Become a Junior Ranger and earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate. For more information, please call (435) 564-3633.

April 30 Goblin Valley State Park - Green River
Discover Goblin Valley: Join the park naturalist for an evening walk through the goblins beginning at 8 p.m. at the Observation Point shelter. Find out how the goblins came to be, and who lurks around in the night! For more information, please call (435) 564-3633.

May 1 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Snow Canyon Family Adventure Night Series (F.A.N.S.) - Make Your Own Rock Art:
Rock art, such as petroglyphs, was used to convey messages and ideas. At 6:30 p.m., explore a rock art site and learn who created it, discuss what it might mean, then create your own rock art. This program is free with payment of $5 park entrance fee. Space is limited and registration is required. This program is recommended for families with children between the ages of six and 12; please call to discuss program suitability for younger children. For more information, please call (435) 628-2255,

REI COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY

DATE: April 19th, 2006

PHONE: (801) 486-2100 ext. 210

SANDY CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Sandy City REI store. REI is located at 10600 South & 230 West in the northwest corner of the South Towne Mall property. For more information, please call (801) 501-0850 or visit our website at http://www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link.

ROCK CLIMBING 101

Thursday, May 11th, 7pm

If you are ready to learn the ropes in one of this country's fastest growing sports, then this is the evening for you! REI climbing guru Kenn Kirschmann offers this primer on rock climbing. Topics will include an overview of climbing, equipment, safety, and training.

GPS 101

Thursday, May 18th, 7pm

A Global Positioning System is a fun and accurate tool that can help you navigate through backcountry terrain or even down city streets. Join REI navigation experts as they unveil the mysteries of this fun and fascinating piece of technology. This presentation will cover basic GPS functions such as determining latitude and longitude, programming routes, and recording travel.

RIVER OF TIME

Thursday, May 25^th, 7pm

A great vacation on a world famous river. That seems to sum up taking a river trip through Grand Canyon--or does it? In reality, there is so much more to traveling down this river than simply a holiday; it is truly a journey instead. Join veteran Grand Canyon river guide and geologist Christa Sadler on a photographic expedition from Lees Ferry to Lake Mead: 277 miles through the Grand Canyon by raft, dory, motor rig and paddleboat. Along the way, we will watch a canyon be born and deepen as it winds through its landscape of red rocks and black gorges. We will see some of the ancient creatures that lived in the region hundreds of millions of years ago. We'll run some of the world's most famous whitewater, and explore ancient ruins, trickling waterfalls and one of the finest earth science classrooms in the world. Christa will read from her new collection of river tales, There's This River� Grand Canyon Boatman Stories, written by professional guides in the Grand Canyon, and share the stories of a community, a landscape and an extraordinary experience.

SALT LAKE CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Salt Lake City REI store. REI is located at 3285 East & 3300 South. For more information, please call 486-2100 or visit our website at http://www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link and select Salt Lake City.

SEASONS AND SALINITY: ADVENTURES IN A KAYAK ON THE GREAT SALT LAKE

Tuesday, May 16^th, 7pm

Join Scott Baxter for a slideshow preview of the wonders to be seen at the Great Salt Lake Birdfest and along the Great Salt Lake. Scott has traveled over 15,000 miles by paddle. It was while watching the birds along the Snake River in the mid-1970's that he gained an interest in birding. For the last several years he has enjoyed exploring the Great Salt Lake. He will present images of kayaking and birding locations on the Great Salt Lake and surrounding areas and share his experiences exploring this unique area. He will talk about the various habitats from the red extreme saline waters surrounding the Spiral Jetty to the fresh water in the Bear River drainage, and the conservation concerns in these areas. He will also talk about the changing seasons and the birds that accompany each season from the mating rituals of the Western Grebe and the migration of Sanderlings in the spring, to the staging of the Eared Grebe. He will share some images of the wintering grounds of many of the birds that call Utah home each spring and fall. He will talk about technique and equipment for birding from a kayak or canoe and how to minimize our impact on the birds we love to watch.

RIVER OF TIME

Tuesday, May 23^rd, 7pm

27 MONTHS IN ANTARCTICA

Tuesday, May 30^th, 7pm

Adventurer, climber, photographer Cary Marger will present a slide show on the harsh and bizarre aspects of living in Antarctica. Cary spent 3 summers and 1 winter working for the National Science Foundation at McMurdo Station, during which time he documented the unique landscape, wildlife, and social isolation of the 7th continent. From 24 hours of light & dark to -100 degree temperatures, this will be an up-close and personal look into everyday life on the coldest, highest, driest, and windiest place on earth. Cary will also share a diverse collection of photographs taken on subsequent adventures from the "other" 6 continents.

CLASSES:

REI GPS NAVIGATION DAY

Saturday, May 20^th, 9am

Spend a day outdoors and an hour indoors with REI GPS experts to learn how to use your GPS unit in conjunction with mapping software. Participants should have some familiarity with GPS and/or have attended REI's GPS 101 evening clinic. You'll practice finding your way from point A to point B, first establishing where you are, and then where you want to go. Learn route-finding skills, such as, how to transfer waypoints from your PC to your GPS unit, How to use the U.T.M. grid system vs. latitude and longitude coordinates, how to create your own custom maps. Classroom session at REI Salt Lake, field session at Tanner/Parley's Park. Register in person or by phone at (801) 486-2100. Tuition is $15.00 REI members, $30.00 for non-members.

BIKE MAINTENANCE

Saturday, May 27^th, 9am

REI Salt Lake is offering our popular four-hour hands-on bicycle repair class. One of REI's certified shop techs will lead the class through a comprehensive tune-up and teach you to perform the basic adjustments on your own bike! We provide the tools and stand. Cost is $85.00 for REI members, $100.00 for nonmembers. Register in person or by phone at (801) 486-2100. Limit of five participants per class.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

SHOWDOWN AT 5-MILE PASS

Saturday, May 6th

The Intermountain Cup Mountain Biking Race Series brings its third event of the season to Lehi. Cruise over rolling hills and winding double track loops, and experience the famous Yellow Page Hill descent! Select from pro, citizen, and youth categories. Please see http://www.intermountain.com for registration.

OUTDOOR COMMUNITY DAY AT REI

Saturday, May 6^th, 11am-3pm

Interested in getting more involved with clubs and organizations from the outdoor community? Looking for resources and friends that can help get you hiking mountain paths, climbing granite slabs, and into other forms of muscle powered recreation? Want to meet the leaders behind Utah's environmental movement? Today REI Sandy will be hosting the clubs and organizations that help build community spirit among outdoor enthusiasts and work to conserve nature's treasures for future generations.

SALT LAKE UTA RIDESHARE BIKE BONANZA

Friday, May 19^th, 4pm-8pm

Enjoy music, prizes, food and fun at the Gallivan Center. Representatives from the cycling community will have booths, free tune ups, demonstrations and giveaways located on the Plaza for your enjoyment. See you there to celebrate Cycle Salt Lake Week, the UTA Rideshare Bike Bonanza and ready yourself for Saturday's Cycle Salt Lake Century! See http://www.utarideshare.com .

SALT LAKE CENTURY RIDE

Saturday, May 20th

The Cycle Salt Lake Century, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, is proud to sponsor this twentieth annual recreational bicycle event that features your choice of 31, 67 or 100 mile routes. Your entry fee will assist the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee to build and maintain bicycle routes and trails and promote bicycle advocacy in Utah. Visit http://www.cyclesaltlakecentury.com for registration and information.

SANDY PARKS & RECREATION/REI HIKING SERIES

Wednesday, May 24th

May's scheduled hike features an introductory trail walk geared towards beginners and families at Rocky Mouth in Sandy. This � of a mile hike ends at a spectacular waterfall. A full schedule of hiking events and their descriptions can be obtained at Sandy Parks & Recreation. Please call (801) 568-2900 for more information and to register.

VOLUNTEER! NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

Saturday, June 3^rd, 8am-Noon

Calling all volunteers! Team up with REI and a host of volunteers from the community to give back to our trails system. Work begins at 8:00 a.m. and will continue until 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served for all volunteers at 12:30 p.m. and tools will be provided. Please register at REI in SLC or Sandy by May 31^st, all participants must sign a release form at time of registration. Two exciting projects to choose from! Work with REI Sandy, The Forest Service and Sandy City Parks & Recreation to fix up Bells Canyon Trail along the Wasatch Front in Sandy. Call Kristen at (801) 501-0850 for more information. Or�help repair the Spiro Trail in Park City with REI SLC, The Mountain Trails Foundation, and IMBA (Intermountain Biking Association). Please call Eric at (801) 486-2100 to learn more! A full description of the event is available at http://www.rei.com under the stores & events tab.

We're Still Skiing Fresh Powder in Utah- Ski Areas Remain Open with Fantastic Conditions

SALT LAKE CITY - Spring may have officially started nearly a month ago, but today Utah's slopes more closely resemble mid-winter conditions. On April 18, skiers and snowboarders awoke to more than a foot of the Greatest Snow on Earth®. Blue skies and deep powder lured late spring skiers to uncrowded slopes.

Four of Utah's ski areas are still in operation with base depths well into the triple digits. Snowbasin and Brighton remain open through April 23, and Alta closed yesterday but will re-open for a final weekend of spring skiing April 21-23. Thanks to snowfall that has surpassed 600-inches for the second consecutive year, Snowbird is open daily until May 14 and then will operate weekends only through May 29, conditions permitting.

Not only do these resorts continue to have most of their terrain open, but they are also offering reduced late season lift ticket rates. A full day at Snowbasin can now be enjoyed for $35. Snowbird will offer $45 full day lift tickets May 1 to 7 and $35 tickets May 8 to close.

The following highlights snow statistics from Utah's remaining open resorts:

Resort Storm Total Base Depth YTD Snowfall (annual avg.)

Alta 18" 174" 638" (500")

Brighton 11" 142" 623" (500")

Snowbasin 8" 140" 432" (350")

Snowbird 15" 159" 577" (500")

Utah Anglers Coalition Agenda and Meeting Notes

Brett Prettyman of the Salt Lake Tribune is looking for more local anglers to contribute photos to his "Hook Shot" feature in the Trib's Outdoors section. "Many people use it as a bragging board, but the vast majority are proud parents or grandparents," says Brett. "While they create a little keepsake for their families with having a picture in the newspaper, they are also promoting both angling in Utah and recruitment of new anglers."

Please pass this information along to members of your organizations and encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity.

Awards for Conservation
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and its staff have been recognized with two recent awards for conservation. On March 18, Living Bird editor-in-chief Tim Gallagher, along with Gene Sparling and Bobby Harrison, received the President's Award for Conservation from the Explorers Club at a gala reception in New York City. Their sightings of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in 2004 led to a welcome infusion of interest and funding for conservation of the bottomland hardwood forests needed by the ivory-bill and so many other species. You can read more about the curious cuisine and the eclectic crowd on our ivory-bill web site.

On April 1, no joke, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology was named Detroit Audubon's "Conservation Organization of the Year" during the group's annual conference. Researcher Martjan Lammertink was there to pick up the award and give an update on the search for the Ivory-billed Woodpecker in Arkansas. The award is given for all the work done by the Lab over the past 91 years in citizen science, conservation, and education.

My Yard Counts!
My Yard Counts! is a new citizen-science project that collects information about birds around residences in rural, suburban, and urban settings. Researchers are hoping to identify the features in yards that are most important to birds. Participants spend 20 minutes watching birds near their homes once a week from April to August. Data will be collected through the online eBird program. To learn more and to sign up for this free project, go to http://www.birds.cornell.edu/MyYardCounts .

Funding for New NestWatch Study
The National Science Foundation has approved a $1.7 million dollar grant to fund a new program from the Lab called Project NestWatch. The goal is to introduce birding and simple scientific inquiry methods to hundreds of thousands of people, especially those new to the concept of citizen science. Data collection will occur three ways. Participants may independently record and report observations from their own yards or neighborhoods. They may do the same guided by an ornithologist. Or they may opt for "virtual birding," reporting what they see in nests monitored by cameras on the Web. The project is expected to begin in spring 2007.

All About Birds Gets a Makeover
If you haven't been to the Lab's All About Birds web site recently, it's time to pay another visit. The site has undergone an extensive makeover, making it fresh, topical, interactive, and fun. Discover the latest birding news and events, take weekly quizzes, read articles on topics of special interest, and consult the Online Bird Guide for range maps, photos, and sound files for hundreds of species. Explore the complexities of migration. Hear examples of song types and learn how to improve your skill at identification by ear.

ACR Electronics Onboard as Major Equipment Sponsor for Arctic Expedition
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL--APRIL 21, 2006-- For the second consecutive year, polarexplorers Lonnie Dupre and Eric Larsen will test the Arctic Ocean during its most treacherous and volatile time of the year by attempting a 1,100 mile (100 miles a day) journey to the North Pole and back in specially modified canoes capable of being paddled or pulled. The expedition is being undertaken to bring attention to global warming and the resulting plight of the polar bear.

As they begin their world-record attempt May 1, the team has a guardian angel along for the journey. ACR Electronics, Inc. ( http://www.acrelectronics.com ), the world leader in safety and survival technologies, has again joined the One World Expedition as a major equipment sponsor and the official safety equipment supplier.

Along with other ACR-manufactured safety gear, Dupre and Larsen each will carry the new TerraFix� 406 GPS I/O Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Gear weight is a critical issue and both men are limited to 300 pounds each including their specially-designed amphibious canoes, but there was no question that the small, portable 13-ounce (368 grams) emergency signaling
device would be included.

A satellite-detectable beacon capable of broadcasting critical GPS coordinates, the TerraFix� 406 will, when activated, provide search and rescue crews with exact latitude and longitude, thereby increasing emergency response speed by pinpointing positioning within 100 meters or 110 yards in
the least amount of time.

Dupre and Larsen provided their precise logistical plan as part of their beacon registration, so that in the event of an emergency search and rescue agencies will be able to quickly determine the authenticity of the signal, and put assets into action more effectively. ACR highly recommends that all PLB owners follow this example.

ACR also provided the duo with the new Firefly®3 rescue strobe light and the Hot Shot� Signal Mirror.

Last year their planned four-month journey ended due to unexpected weather conditions. The goal was to cross the frozen ice cap from Cape Arctichesky, Siberia, to the geographic North Pole, and then on to Ellesmere Island, Canada. While such expeditions have been completed during other times of the year, extreme temperature swings, freeze-thaw conditions, heavy fog and dangerous shifting ice flows have prevented a summer crossing. In 2006, the pair intends to make history by being the first to journey to the North Pole and back in summer, starting at Ellesmere Island, Canada and finishing in Greenland.

Along the way, Dupre and Larsen will sample ice for depth and contaminants and record their observations to create awareness of global climate change and the resultant plight of the polar bear. Through satellite phones, they will post daily updates and images of their trip to
http://www.oneworldexpedition.com and http://www.greenpeaceusa.org .

PLBs have become highly visible to the public since a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) waiver ruling went into effect in July 2003 approving the sale and use of PLBs for land use in the continental United States. (PLBs were permitted in Alaska for several years prior as a system test and resulted in dozens of lives saved.)

A PLB is a satellite-signaling device of last resort, for use when all other means of self-rescue have been exhausted and where the situation is grave and imminent and the loss of life, limb, eyesight or valuable property will occur without assistance. All beacons must be registered following purchase, a simple and quick process which now has a web-based Internet filing option
at http://www.beaconregistration.noaa.gov/ . The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) manages the PLB registration database in the U.S. for all PLBs, EPIRBs and related beacons.

ACR Electronics, Inc. ( http://www.acrelectronics.com ), a Cobham plc Company, designs and manufactures a complete line of safety and survival products, including EPIRBs, P-ELTs/P-EPIRBs/PLBs, Bridge-based Information Systems, SARTs and safety accessories. The quality systems of this facility have been registered by UL to the ISO 9001:2000 Series Standards. Recognized as the world leader in safety and survival technologies, ACR has provided safety
equipment to the aviation and marine industries, as well as to the military, since 1956.

Powder Mountain replaces Lift

Powder Mountain is announcing the replacement of the Hidden Lake Lift this summer, 2006. It will be replaced by a Doppelmayr CTEC, four person detachable high speed lift.

The lift is manufactured in Salt Lake City and construction will start on July 1^st. The mountain will be removing the old lift between now and June 30^th.

The present Hidden Lake lift has a capacity of 1,200 persons per hour and is 30 years old. The new lift will have a capacity of 2,400 per hour.

"Everyone at Powder Mountain is excited about the lift and what it will do for our customers. This will provide our skiing and snowboarding guests better access to our 5,500 acres of real snow." remarked Marc Paulsen, spokesperson for Powder Mountain Resort.

The new Hidden Lake Express will be installed by Doppelmayr CTEC.

"For the Birds" an exhibit of handcrafted birdhouses and birdhouse renderings at Ogden Nature Center

The Ogden Nature Center is proud to announce its 13th Annual Birdhouse Exhibit, opening on April 22 and showing through August 31, 2006. The public is invited to stroll down Birdhouse Lane to view this year's clever and well crafted entries along with the Nature Center's permanent collection.

Of this year's 33 entries, seven are two dimensional including watercolor, ink and mixed water media. The 26 three dimensional entries vary from a whimsical rubics cube to practical and functional birdhouses that even include a rock waterfall. 14 of the entries were created by children.

The competition was designed to demonstrate various ways to attract wildlife to backyards by creating unique, aesthetically pleasing habitats. Entrants are encouraged to use environmentally sensitive materials in their construction.

This competition is sponsored by the Utah Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts along with partners: Jack and Jodi Livingood, Shepherd's Bush, Pat & Glen Richter, Salt Lake Wild Bird Center, Wasatch Audubon Society, Ogden Blue the Wild Bird Center of Layton and Jeremiah's Restaurant.

Exhibition Display -April 22 through August 31, 2006

-Open Monday through Friday 9-5 and Saturday 9-4

Pick Up Entries -September 1 through September 8

Please see the attached list of categories and winners.

Ogden Nature Center is located at 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden. For more information call 801-621-7595.

2006 Birdhouse Judging Results

April 12, 2006

Judges: Kristin Purdy, Richard Johnson, Steve Johnson

Richard Johnson, retired pattern maker from Hill Air Force Base, is the owner of Gepetto's Workshop. His latest artistic creations include intricate wood and eggshell carvings. Richard specializes in replicating antique wooden decoys.

Kristin Purdy, author of the monthly birding column for the Standard Examiner, is an avid birder and board member of the Wasatch Audubon Society. She is also a member of the Salt Lake Birders and has judged the Federal Jr. Duck Stamp Contest.

Steve Johnson, often referred to as a modern day Norman Rockwell, is a fifth generation Huntsville native who earned his BFA from Weber State University. Steve paints rural West scenes that are quietly disappearing, scenes he feels are keys to America's heritage.

Birdhouse Categories

Imaginative/Artistic:

1st place - Chad Hancey, Layton "Toaster Reclamation" (toaster, fence, electrical parts)

2^nd place - Delbert Stagge, Ogden "Crooked House" (red & white paint, wood)

Best Use of Recycled Materials:

1^st place - Chad Hancey, Layton "Toaster Reclamation" (toaster, fence, electrical parts)

2^nd place - Darrell Stokes, Brigham City "Bird Health Store" (barnwood, rocks, pill bottles)

Unique Use of Materials:

1^st place - Pauline & Wes Groesbeck, Ogden "Japanese Translation" (gourds, wood, bamboo)

2^nd place - Jay Hudson, Ogden "Rubics Cubicle Living" (wood, fiberboard, paint)

Form/Function:

1^st place - Hanna Lea & Ed Hymas, North Ogden "Grapey Birdhouse" (stone, sticks, grapevine)

2^nd place - Robert Alexander, Farr West "Lazered Birdhouse" (cedar fencing)

Two dimensional Art -

1^st place - Beverly Child, Ogden "Selfmade Birdshade" (ink)

2^nd place - Debra Marin, Ogden "Leafy Haven" (mixed water media)

Children's Awards -

Form/Function:

1^st place - Lily Bosworth, Ogden "Home in the Forest" (wood, paint)

2^nd place - Jessica Fay Weaver, Morgan "Flutter Budget" (cedar, oak, pine)

Imaginative/Artistic:

1^st place - Jenna Tanner, Brigham City "Rock and Roll" (funnel, record, chair)

2^nd place - Brandon Sharp, Layton "Thing-a-ma-bob" (barnwood,muffler)

Honorable Mention:

Chelsea Sharp, Layton "Wacky Birdhouse" (wood, metal, railing)

Carter Campbell, Ogden "Ogden Tigers Birdhouse" (wood, paint)

Jackson Tanner, Brigham City "Thing-a-ma-jig" (colander, lamp)

Judge's Choice -

Vern Bergstrom, Ogden "Low Income Bird Housing" (Tree stump, bark)

Commission Award -

Darrell Stokes, Brigham City "Mountain Retweet" (vinyl siding, barnwood, pipe, rock)

Solar Panel Demonstration Project at Utah Department of Natural Resources

What: Solar panels will be installed by approximately 25 students of the solar energy design and installation course (see attached)

Who: The students are a diverse group of contractors and others interested in developing solar energy systems for residential and commercial use

When: Friday, April 21, 2006
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(best photo opportunity between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.)

Where: Utah Department of Natural Resources
1594 West North Temple
Main Entrance, ground level

Why: The goal of the demonstration project is to show the value of solar energy in a commercial building setting. The panels will provide electricity to the DNR building.

"We are excited to be a part of this demonstration project," said Philip Powlick, state energy program manager with DNR. "DNR is setting an example of how to make use of Utah's abundant renewable energy sources. Solar technology continues to evolve and improve. As result, solar panels are becoming more economical and accessible to the general public."

Later this summer, there will be an educational display in the lobby showing the output of the system.