Safe Boating Tip Shared

In a boating environment, the heat of the sun, glare off the water, vibration and noise of a boat's motor, and motion caused by waves and wind have a greater impact on your body than you may be aware. These natural stressors, called marine stressors, make you tire and fatigue more rapidly, regardless of age or level of fitness. Many boaters underestimate the effect of these stressors on their bodies.

While marine stressors are not fatal themselves, they may weaken your body and mind enough to make the risk of an accident much more likely. After nearly four hours of being on the water, these stressors will produce a reaction time similar to having a blood alcohol level of .10 grams. Rest frequently on land to reduce the impacts of stressors on your body. Consuming alcohol while boating will magnify the effects of marine stressors

Free Trout Available at Springville Fish Hatchery

Anglers, looking for a great meal are encouraged to visit the Division of Wildlife Resources Springville office, located at 1115 N. Main St. in Springville from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Beginning this week, the Division of Wildlife Resources is giving bags of pre-cleaned 7- to 8-inch rainbow trout to anglers who possess a valid fishing license and to young people under age 14 (youth are not required to possess a fishing license until they're 14 years old). One bag of fish will be given to each eligible person.

Volunteers processed a limited number of trout for the public, and these fish will be available as long as supplies last. Depending on demand, the fish could be given out within days. These rainbow trout were raised at the DWR's Springville fish hatchery, which was recently closed after some trout tested positive for whirling disease. Once whirling disease is found in a hatchery, fish from the hatchery that tested positive cannot be stocked into Utah waters. Removing fish from the hatchery is necessary so the hatchery can be disinfected. Rather than waste the fish, they will be provided to the public.

Eating fish infected with whirling disease poses no known health risks to humans. Tim Miles, fish culture coordinator for the DWR, commented, "To put the public at ease, I want them to know that I recently had a fish meal from a private fish hatchery that was infected with whirling disease, and those were some of the best trout I've ever eaten."

Volunteers from the DWR's Dedicated Hunter program cleaned and processed the fish and placed them in a freezer at the site. DWR Director Jim Karpowitz signed an executive order allowing the donation of 8 trout per person (double the regular possession limit) for this project. For law enforcement purposes, a receipt will be given with each bag of fish that explains the emergency donation program.

Although more than 600,000 rainbow trout are too small to be cleaned (known as fingerling trout) and will be destroyed for compost, 215,000 fingerling trout raised in Springville's indoor hatchery facilities have tested negative for the disease and will be stocked into Otter Creek and Piute reservoirs in southern Utah. The DWR recently received a stocking variance from the Utah Fish Health Policy Board to stock these fish into Otter Creek and Piute, both of which have tested positive for whirling disease.

For more information, call the Division of Wildlife Resources' Central Region Office in Springville at (801) 491-5678.

History Camp offered for Kids

Camp Floyd State Park and Museum's staff will offer a History Camp Tue., Aug. 4 through Thurs., Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for children ages eight through 11. The cost is $65 for the three-day session and is limited to 24 participants. This year's theme is Exploring Life with Johnston's Army.

This three-day camp is a fun-filled educational experience on how soldiers lived during the Utah and Civil wars at home, in camp and on the battlefield, and how the wars changed peoples' lives. Activities include marching, drilling and firearm exercises, and games including chuck-a-luck, graces, and horseshoes. Students will also construct rifle cartridges, corps badges, and learn to set up a Civil War camp. The highlight of the event will be a battle re-enactment with members of the Utah Civil War Association, using the skills participants learned during the previous days.

Participants receive a history camp t-shirt. Union or Confederate kepi cap, replica rifle, canteen, haversack, harmonica, and more. Registration deadline is June 24. For more information, call (801) 768-8932.
Off-Highway Vehicle Trailhead Dedicated

The Cascade Springs Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Trail has recently been dedicated at the trailhead. This is the third and last trail in the Wasatch Mountain State Park master plan. For more information and directions to the trailhead, call (435) 654-1791.
.

Fremont Indian State Park offers Pottery Workshop

Join potters Ruth Ann Bradfield of Lemington and Scott Turner of Richfield June 24-26 and Sept. 23-25, to learn how to make pottery in the Fremont Indian style using a pit-firing process. Participants in the pottery workshop receive a 50 percent discount in the Castle Rock Campground. Reservations can be made by calling (800) 322-3770. Registration for the workshop is $40 per participant. Clay and tool kits are available in the museum gift shop. Please call in advance to register.

In addition, archers Jeff and Megan Sorenson of Richfield will offer archery instruction every Wednesday in July. Sharpen your skill in preparation for the bow season that begins August 20. Registration fees for the month are $40. Bow rental is an additional $5 per session and arrows may be purchased for $3 each. Classes are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Class size is limited, so please call in advance to register.

"These events are designed to provide fun and unique opportunities without having to travel far," commented Park Manager Bob Hanover. "We want people to know that they can have a fun, memorable experience this summer in central Utah."

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum offers camping, fishing, hiking, biking, off-highway vehicle riding, and an award-winning museum. It is located 21 miles south of Richfield on I-70. For more information, call (435) 527-4631.
Activities scheduled at State Parks June 25

Several activities await June 25 at Wasatch Mountain State Park and the Rock Cliff Nature Center at Jordanelle State Park.

At 11 a.m., Wasatch Mountain is offering a Junior Ranger Program covering Rabbits, Squirrels and Chipmunks. Children age six to 12 are invited to learn what it means to be a Junior Ranger, as well as other cool stuff about nature. Participants earn a Junior Ranger badge and certificate. Meet at the campground office.

Later that evening, visitors can meet Smokey Bear and learn about the importance of fires and fire safety. Program begins at 7 p.m. at the campground amphitheater. This program isn't just for kids. For more information, call (435) 654-1791.

The Rock Cliff Nature Center/ Jordanelle State Park is also offering a Junior Ranger program, where participants can join park staff from 11 a.m. to noon to participate in hands-on
activities and lessons on wetlands. For more information, call (435) 782-3030.
Northeastern Region Deer Permits Gone Within Three Hours

More than 2,000 buck deer hunt permits sold out within three hours for the Division of Wildlife Resources' Northeastern Region rifle and muzzleloader seasons this fall.

Plenty of statewide general archery buck deer and Northern Region rifle and muzzleloader buck deer permits are still available. Hunters may purchase these permits at the DWR's Web site ( http://www.wildlife.utah.gov ), from more than 190 license agents across the state and from DWR offices.

Utah's 2005 general archery buck deer hunt begins Aug. 20, the general muzzleloader buck deer hunt starts Sept. 28 and the general rifle buck deer hunt begins Oct. 22. For more information, call the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.
Governor's Outdoor Recreation Task Force Seeks Input

The Governor's Outdoor Recreation Task Force wants to know what makes Utah a world-class adventure destination. The Task Force is requesting public input about their favorite well-known and not-so-well-known recreation destinations.

"Utah is fortunate to have five spectacular national parks; the most of any state in the nation," said Utah Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. "We want input on those parks, and also the lesser known areas of the state which could include exhilarating hiking and biking trails and breathtaking vistas."

These destinations include a wide range of lands managed by federal, state and local authorities. Some areas have significant infrastructure and amenities, while other areas have no services for miles. The task force will analyze the potential of each outdoor destination and then work to promote and protect Utah's impressive outdoor recreation economy and lifestyle.

"Outdoor recreation is an increasingly important component of Utah's economy," said Governor Huntsman. "Appropriate management and preservation of Utah's outstanding natural areas is essential to the continued vitality of the state's outdoor recreation economy for residents and visitors alike."

The task force wants to know if the current infrastructure on the areas are adequate to meet future needs, if there are economic opportunities associated with the areas, and if the areas are threatened by potential development, over-visitation or neglect. The public can provide input to the Outdoor Recreation Economic Ecosystem Task Force by logging onto: http://www.outdoortaskforce.utah.gov and clicking on the "Survey" link.
Sandhill Crane Applications Available by June 28

Applications will be available June 28 to hunt sandhill cranes in three northern Utah counties and Uintah County this fall. Hunters who applied for a sandhill crane permit during any of the past five years should receive an application in the mail. Beginning June 28, applications also will be available from hunting and fishing license agents statewide, the Division of Wildlife Resources' Web site ( http://www.wildlife.utah.gov ) and DWR offices and hunter education centers.

Mail-in applications must be received no later than 5 p.m. on July 12 to be entered in the draw for permits. Applications submitted through the DWR's Web site must be received no later than 11 p.m. on July 12.

Hunters who have a major credit card are encouraged to apply for a permit at the Web site. Hunters who don't have a major credit card must mail their application in. It will take a few days for their application to arrive in the mail, and they're encouraged to mail it as far in advance of the July 12 deadline as possible, said Judi Tutorow, wildlife licensing coordinator for the DWR.

"To ensure their application is received on time, those who wait until a few days before the deadline should consider using an overnight mailing service," said Tutorow. Draw results will be posted by Aug. 3.

Hunts will be held in Uintah County, Cache County, Rich County and the eastern portion of Box Elder County. A total of 24 permits will be available for the Cache County hunt, 11 for Rich County, 18 for eastern Box Elder County and 39 for Uintah County. The hunts in Cache, Rich and eastern Box Elder counties will run Sept. 3 - 11. The hunt in Uintah County will run Sept. 24 - Oct. 2.

Those who draw a permit can expect a good hunt, said Tom Aldrich, waterfowl coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources. The success rate among those who draw a permit, and go afield to hunt sandhill cranes, is about 60 percent.

Aldrich suggests the key to a successful sandhill crane hunt is advanced scouting. "If you can spend a day watching sandhill cranes in the mornings and evenings, when they fly between their roosting and feeding areas, and can then acquire permission from a landowner to set-up in a field where they're feeding, you'll usually be successful."

Hunters also may find success pass shooting birds as they fly between roosting and feeding areas. "Hunting success is pretty consistent from year-to-year and is not really effected by weather or other factors," noted Aldrich. Aldrich reminds hunters that some areas in Box Elder and Cache counties are closed to sandhill crane hunting. In Box Elder County, the western half of the county is closed, as are the Harold Crane, Public Shooting Grounds and Salt Creek waterfowl management areas, and the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

In Cache County, a 1½-mile by 11-mile area in and around Mendon is closed. Those with questions may call the Utah Wildlife Administrative Services office at 1-800-221-0659, the nearest Division of Wildlife Resources office or the DWR's Salt Lake City office at (801) 538-4700.