NEW BOATING RULES FOR UTAH'S WATERWAYS

Salt Lake - Utah State Parks Boating Program Managers announced two new boating rules are now in effect on Utah's waters:

1) Boat operators may no longer tow a person within a developed marina or within a designated wakeless speed area surrounding a launch ramp. Marinas and launch ramps can get very congested and towing a person on a tube or other towable device adds to the congestion and creates a potentially unsafe situation, even at wakeless speed.

2) A boat may not be operated with a person sitting, hanging onto or standing on the swim platform of a motorboat, even when the engine is idling and the boat is not moving. It also restricts the activity of teak surfing or towing a person on a tube or similar device within 20 feet of the back of the vessel.

This restriction does not apply when a person is assisting with docking or departure of the motorboat from a dock, when a person is entering or exiting the motorboat from a dock, or when a motorboat is engaged in a law enforcement activity. Also, this rule does not restrict the activities of wake skating or wake surfing, and/or towed activities where the person being towed is standing and riding the wake of the vessel outside the areas of high carbon monoxide concentrations.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious issue with motorboats. Recent research and accident reports show that carbon monoxide gas can quickly build into high and deadly concentration levels in areas immediately behind the boat, including the swim platform.

For more information on boating safety and education, please visit http://www.stateparks.utah.gov or call (801) 538-2628 within the Salt Lake calling area or 1-800-743-3792 from outside the Salt Lake calling area.

Utah Friends of Paleontology Meetings Scheduled

The next two meetings of the Utah Friends of Paleontology, Great Basin Chapter will be held at Ogden's George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park in Ogden, Utah. This will be a great opportunity for our members to see all the new things happening at the Elizabeth Dee Shaw Stewart Museum and the Paleontology Prep Lab. For the September meeting, on Thursday September 14th at 7 PM, we will have a tour of the museum conducted by the museum staff. At our October meeting, on Thursday October 12th, UGS paleontologists Jennifer Cavin and Don DeBlieux will be there to talk
about our summer field discoveries and some of the new things coming out of the prep lab.

The Dinosaur Park is located at 1544 East Park Boulevard near the mouth of Ogden Canyon. To get there, take the I-15 Exit 344 (12th Street) and go east for about 5 miles. Just before the mouth of the canyon, take a right turn on Valley Drive (at Rainbow Gardens), then another immediate right turn under the dino park arch onto Park Boulevard. Follow the
road for about one-half mile until you see the dinosaurs. For a map, see the website at: http://www.dinosaurpark.org/

Here are a couple of other dates you'll want to put on your calendar:

Saturday, September 16th, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm is the Utah Museum of Natural History's annual What's in the Basement? where they open their collections areas to the public. Details can be found on their website at http://www.umnh.utah.edu

A UFOP Field Trip to the west desert, near Delta Utah, will be led by Kevin Bylund during the weekend of October 6-8. We also have the opportunity to work with Deb Mickelson documenting track sites in Diamond Fork Canyon during the weekend of September 15-17. If you are interested in these trips, please get in touch with me at
marthahayden@utah.gov or (801) 537-3311 for more details.

Layton, Wild Bird Center Nature/Bird Walk Schedule

The Wild Bird Center leads free nature/bird walks. The cost of the walk, as we like to say is "enthusiasm." We provide the rest. We leave the store at 8 a.m., (unless otherwise noted) and carpool to the destination. The walks are designed for birders at all levels, especially families. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars.

September 16 Blue Bird Trail (Clean and count Nest Boxes used this past season).

September 30 Francis Peak Raptor Migration

October 7 USU Botanical Gardens

October 28 Nature Conservancy Great Salt Lake Shorebird Preserve

Our Nature/Bird Walks begin winter hours starting in November, leaving the WBC at 10 a.m.

November 4^th Riverdale Weber River parkway

November 11th Beus Pond

November 18^th East Kaysville Foothills, Wilderness Park

December 2^nd Bear River Migratory Bird refuge (Bill will present a Nest Box Workshop;

registration required to adequately plan needed materials)

December 9^th Kayscreek

December 16^th Ogden Nature Center

December 23^rd Wasatch Audubon Christmas Bird Count

January 1^st Antelope Island Christmas Bird Count

UPCOMING UTAH STATE PARKS EVENTS
September 8 - 9 Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn State Park and Museum - Fairfield
Johnston's Army Adventure Camp: Travel back in time to 1861 and enter the world of a soldier at Camp Floyd. Participants experience authentic and unique hands-on adventures. This is an overnight experience in period tents. For more information, please call (801) 768-8932.

September 9 Iron Mission State Park Museum - Cedar City
Museum Preservation Day: Learn how to preserve family heirlooms and artifacts from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Utah Office of Museum Services. For more information, please call (435) 586-9290.

September 9 Sand Hollow State Park - Hurricane
Wakeboard competition on the south shore beginning at 9 a.m. For more information, please call (435) 680-0715.

September 9 and 16 Snow Canyon State Park - Ivins
Join park staff from 9 to 11 a.m., for a volunteer work party and experience how you can make a difference in the park by helping to stamp out non-native tamarisk. Work alongside other interested volunteers, learn to identify some of our area plants, and enjoy free drinks and snacks. For more information, please call (435) 628-2255.

September 9 - 10 Starvation State Park - Duchesne
Annual Walleye Classic Fishing Tournament: For more information, please call (435) 738-2326.

September 15 Utah Field House of Natural History State Park Museum - Vernal
Bedtime Stories: As part of Vernal's Indian Summer Storytelling Festival, join park staff at 6 p.m., for this family event. Local storytellers include Willy Claflin with Mainard Moose, Judith Huber, Mary Beth Bennis-Smith, and Kathy Farnsworth. Cost is $3 per person. For more information, please call (435) 789-3799.

September 15 to December 30 Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum - Blanding
Quilt Exhibit: Enjoy the wonderful quilting tradition of San Juan County. For more information, please call (435) 678-2238.

September 16 Palisade State Park - Sterling
Palisade Golf Course sponsors a two-person modified scramble tournament. Pre-registration is required for the 9 a.m. shotgun start. Course is open to the public as tee times are available. For registration or tee times, call (435) 835-4653.

September 16 Iron Mission State Park Museum - Cedar City
Gardening Workshop: Produce preservation and storage from 9 a.m. to noon. Space is limited and registration is required. Cost is $3 per person. For more information, please call (435) 586-9290.

Hunters More Willing than Anglers to Protest for Greater Outdoor Coverage in Newspapers

Also, Most Sportsmen Willing to Report Fish and Wildlife Violations

According to AnglerSurvey.com and HunterSurvey.com, a majority of hunters and target shooters are willing to unsubscribe or boycott newspapers that do not provide coverage of hunting. Of the 1,359 hunters and shooters responding to the poll, 55% reported they would participate in such a protest, 10% reported they would not, while 35% said "maybe." Anglers were less willing to participate in such a protest, with 35% saying they would participate, 25% reporting "no" and 40% with "maybe".

Each month, Southwick Associates conducts a panel survey of thousands of anglers, hunters and target shooters regarding their opinions on current issues, their fishing and hunting/shooting activities, and their buying habits. Their opinions regarding current issues are then shared with the media and conservation groups working on the behalf of the fishing, hunting, and shooting communities.

Last month, anglers and hunters/shooters were also asked "if you saw someone, or knew of someone, illegally harvesting a fish or animal out of season, under the size limit or over the bag limit, would you report that person to your state wildlife officers?" Nearly 78% of anglers reported yes, they would certainly/most likely report violations and 93% of hunters would do the same. Only 9% of anglers indicated they would not report violations while only 1% of hunters reported the same. The rest were unsure.

Anglers and firearm enthusiasts willing to participate in the monthly surveys should visit http://www.AnglerSurvey.com or http://www.HunterSurvey.com . First time visitors are asked to complete a short registration form. E-mail addresses collected will only be used to send monthly surveys to participants; they will never be sold, given away or used for any other purpose. Each month, ten $100 gift certificates are awarded through a random drawing from participants who take the survey. The survey was developed by Southwick Associates of Fernandina Beach, Florida (http://www.southwickassociates.com ). Southwick Associates tracks economic trends related to wildlife and the outdoors to help conservation agencies and trade groups protect and expand fishing, hunting and other outdoor opportunities. More information can be found at http://www.southwickassociates.com/surveys/ .

Peter Breinholt Releases First Album in 7 Years at Sundance Concert

Peter Breinholt is back (with a new album!) at the Sundance Amphitheater for Utah's most ambient prelude-to-autumn concert. So grab your blanket and a mug of steaming cocoa - cozy up next to someone special and enjoy a night of music under a starry Sundance sky.

Peter's latest offering, All the Color Green, is his first full album of original songs in seven years and proves to be well worth the wait. Pushing the creative boundaries and stretching himself as a songwriter, he has reached a new level of artistry with this album. And while there are surprising and exciting differences in production and sound from his previous recordings, All the Color Green is still Peter Breinholt at its core.

What: Peter Breinholt Album Release Concert

Where: Sundance Amphitheater

When: September 8 and 9

Time: 7:30 p.m., gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets: Grass seats $12, Bench seats $14. Call 1(800) 429-9920 or visit http://www.peterbreinholt.com

Lake Powell Fish Report

By: Wayne Gustaveson September 7, 2006 Lake Elevation: 3602 Water Temperature: 77-83 F

The busy Labor Day weekend is over and the lake is now much quieter. Weather gets better every day with warm days and cool nights. September is the best month in the fall to fish. Fish are hungry and more cooperative than they have been in the heat of the summer.

Adult striped bass are still holding in deep water in most of the lake. Where shad are scarce, stripers make periodic trips to rocky structure searching for hiding crayfish. Main channel rocky points are prime spots. Stripers swim along the steep cliff wall and probe rock outcroppings in search of food. After the search for forage, stripers drop back to the closest cold water to rest. These natural resting spots near feeding zones are striper hotspots for bait fishers. There are so many of these main channel spots holding schools of stripers that finding fish is not a concern. Try two different points and it's likely that stripers will be found on one, if not both spots.

The most effective bait fishing technique is to use a circle hook (size 2-4) with no weight. Just let the hooked anchovy chunk descend on slack line at the same rate of speed as the chum. The set up is irresistible to hungry stripers. The only time extra weight is needed would be to quickly get the bait past the shallow little fish so the bigger ones could have a bite. Number of small stripers increase from south (Wahweap) to north (Hite). Adult stripers are more common in the south.

The best place to fish is where shad are still common. The upper San Juan (Neskahi) and Colorado inflow area at Trachyte and White Canyon still have striper boils and very healthy fish. It takes more effort to reach these spots, far from any marina, but the fishing is of the highest quality. The rating for the rest of the lake is a step down to excellent fishing. Cast topwater walking baits to boiling stripers. The most effective technique is to vertically jig a shad imitating spoon to get down to larger healthy fish holding under the smaller boiling fish.

Both large and smallmouth bass are keying on shallow flats where rooted aquatic weeds offer cover and protection to sunfish. Sunfish live in the weeds and game fish hover on the edges waiting for a bluegill to stray close enough to be eaten. Over the majority of the lake, fish weedy flats to find bass. In shad-rich areas bass are chasing shad and boiling just as they have done in the past 3 years. Bass will eat a crayfish when the opportunity arises so fishing rocky structure with green or brown plastic grubs consistently pays off.

Catfishing with smelly bait is good on sandy beaches each evening.

The fishing experience at Lake Powell is simply amazing.

Help needed for ATV Jamboree

USA-ALL is seeking volunteers to help man a booth at the 2006 Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree, in Richfield, UT Sept. 18^th -23^rd (Mon. - Sat.). We need people to help man our booth especially on Monday, Friday and Saturday. You don't need to be a land use expert, in fact sometimes it's better if you're not. We just need a few people who are passionate about keeping public land open.

You can volunteer a couple of hours if that's all you got, or half day, full day, we'll take what we can get. You can bring your friend, spouse, whoever. The Jamboree is a good one and a chance to spread our message and sign up some new members.

This is a great opportunity for you to help USA-ALL spread our important message and encourage more people to become involved. Please help us out if you can.

If this is something that you can help w/ please call, ask for JoAnne and let us know what you can do and we can coordinate the schedules and give you additional info.

Schedule:

September 18^th 8:00 a.m. till approximately 12:30 -1:00 p.m.

September 22^nd,2:00 till 8:00 p.m.

September 23^rd, 2:00 till 8:00 p.m.

Refuge Case Decision Brings Headaches for Fish & Wildlife Service

On Thursday, August 31st, a federal district court judge from the District of Columbia ruled that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was required to examine more fully the cumulative environmental impacts of hunting on 37 National Wildlife Refuges before issuing regulations that opened or expanded hunting opportunities on these refuges. The suit was brought back in 2003 by a number of animal rights groups who seek to thwart hunting on the refuges of the National Wildlife Refuge system. Safari Club International, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, California Waterfowl Association and the Isaak Walton League intervened to defend against this challenge to hunting on the refuges.

Although the Court's decision could result in costly and cumbersome environmental analysis for the FWS, the ruling, for the time being, has no direct impact on hunting on the 37 refuges at issue in the case or on any of the hundreds of refuges on which hunting takes place. In fact, the federal court judge expressly avoided the Plaintiffs' request that hunting be stopped on the 37 refuges at issue in the case. Instead, the Judge directed all the parties to participate in briefings to help decide the remedy to resolve the litigation. In essence, the judge invited the parties to comment on whether the environmental analysis could be completed without the need for an interruption of hunting at these refuges.

Safari Club International President Ralph Cunningham remarked: "This recent opinion is unfortunate, but we are pleased that the Court appears to be interested in hearing more about how hunting can continue while additional analysis is conducted. We intend to make the very most of the opportunity the judge has presented to explain how beneficial and necessary hunting is to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ability to administer the refuges and manage their wildlife."

SCI Executive Director Tom Riley explained: "We see this phase of the lawsuit as a golden opportunity for the hunting community to display the value of hunting and role of the hunting community in refuge wildlife management. We will continue to represent all hunters who value refuge hunting opportunities in our joint effort to continue and expand hunting within our National Wildlife Refuge system."

SCI-First For Hunters is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and in promoting wildlife conservation worldwide. SCI's 173 Chapters represent all 50 United States as well as 13 other countries. SCI's proactive leadership in a host of cooperative wildlife conservation, outdoor education and humanitarian programs, with the SCI Foundation and other conservation groups, research institutions and government agencies, empowers sportsmen to be contributing community members and participants in sound wildlife management and conservation. Visit http://www.safariclub.org or call 520-620-1220 for more information.

KIDS FISHING DAY AT THE GIGLIOTTI POND IN HELPER

PRICE--The Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) will once again sponsor a Kids' Fishing Day at the Gigliotti Pond in Helper. The day will be Saturday, September 16th. The event is free. A fishing license is not required for anglers under 14-years of age. Fishing opens at 9 a.m. and continues until 2 p.m.

Just prior to the event, the DWR will restock the pond with a truckload of rainbow trout.

The DWR will have rods, reels and bait for those children who don't have their own equipment or tackle. All kids under 14 should register when they arrive at the pond, so they become eligible for prizes from the drawing, which will be held at noon.

To get to the Gigliotti Pond, drive to Helper and exit U.S. Highway 6 at Martin Street. Follow Martin Street to the end, where the pond is located. The limit is 4 fish. These may consist of rainbow trout, largemouth bass and bluegill. For more information, contact Brent Stettler at the Division of Wildlife Resources office in Price at: 636-0266.

INPUT SOUGHT IN REVIEW OF SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA CONDOR PROGRAM

-Open Houses Scheduled in Flagstaff and Kanab-

Phoenix, Ariz. - Land managers and condor biologists will hold open houses in Arizona and Utah to seek public input on an ongoing program to reintroduce California condors to the canyon lands and high plateaus of northern Arizona and southern Utah.

The evaluation team will host two public open houses in:
* Kanab, Utah, on Tuesday, October 3, 2006, 7-9 p.m. (Utah time) at the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument - Kanab Visitor Center, 745 East Highway 89
* Flagstaff, Arizona, on Thursday, October 4, 2006, 7-9 p.m. (Arizona time) at the Arizona Game and Fish Department Office, 3500 South Lake Mary Road.

The open houses will include presentations reviewing the reintroduction program and group discussions on various aspects of the program. Comments from the public, local governments, and agencies are requested. Comments will be accepted through October 31, 2006. Written comments may be mailed to Field Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, Arizona 85021-4951, faxed to (602) 242-2513, or brought to an open house.

"Local community support is a large part of the success of the Southwest condor recovery project," said Steve Spangle, Fish and Wildlife Service's Arizona Field Supervisor. "We look forward to updating local community members on the project and identifying any concerns or ideas that may improve the program."

The open houses and call for comments are part of a federal rule establishing the experimental release program. The rule requires a review of the program every five years to gauge public acceptance of the program and its overall success and to solicit recommendations.

Condors are scavenger birds that soared over many parts of the United States since prehistoric times. Their numbers plummeted in the 20th century and in 1967 the condor was listed as an endangered species under a law predating the existing Endangered Species Act. Since initiation of the Arizona project in December 1996, 90 condors have been released into the wild in northern Arizona. The reintroduction program has also produced five young hatched in the wild. Currently, 56 free-flying condors are in the northern Arizona/southern Utah population, including four young that have hatched in the wild. However, reintroduction efforts have been complicated by lead poisonings, bird-human interactions, and shootings. Thirty-three released birds have died and three have been returned to indefinite captivity.

The condors have been observed to fly long distances, but they generally have remained within the greater Grand Canyon ecosystem. Recently, some members of the population have been making regular flights to the vicinity of Zion National Park and spending a portion of their year there.

The release of California condors in northern Arizona is a joint public/private partnership between The Peregrine Fund, the Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Coalition of Resources and Economies, The Phoenix Zoo, U.S. Forest Service, and other partners. The Peregrine Fund, a non-profit organization, is funding and conducting the releases and monitoring the condors.

The goal of the California Condor Recovery Plan is to establish two geographically separate, self-sustaining populations -- a primary population in California and the other outside of California, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs. For information about the California condor program in Arizona, go to: http://www.peregrinefund.org or http://www.fws.gov/arizonaes/ or http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/california_condor.shtml .

Upland Game Seasons Almost Here

Cottontail rabbit hunting should be excellent across Utah, and chukar partridge hunting should be great in areas that have lots of cheatgrass.

Those two hunts are among 13 upland game hunts that hunters in Utah can participate in over the next few months.

And this season, there's no age limit on who can participate -- as long as a young person has passed the state's Hunter Education course, he or she can buy a license to hunt small game in Utah, regardless of the person's age.

Many of Utah's upland game hunts begin Sept. 16. Dean Mitchell, upland game coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, provides the following preview for most of the hunts (a preview for the pheasant, quail and sharp-tailed grouse hunts will be available in mid-October):

Cottontail rabbit hunting will be excellent across most of Utah this year. Cottontail populations are entering the upswing in their 10-year population cycle in Utah. To find success, cottontail hunters should focus their efforts on dry, brushy draws with dense, rank big sagebrush.

No license is required for jackrabbits.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: In Box Elder County, rabbit populations are still in their up-cycle and plenty of opportunity for rabbit hunters should be available countywide. In Morgan County, cottontail numbers are up and improved from last year. In Cache and Rich counties, populations are low and appear to be down from last year.

Central Region: Hunters shouldn't have to put much effort in to find good numbers of cottontails.

Northeastern Region: Excellent hunting is expected for cottontail rabbits in both Duchesne and Uintah counties.

Southeastern Region: The number of rabbits in the region is way up. Hunting will be excellent.

Southern Region: Rabbit populations throughout the region are high, and hunters should expect a good to excellent season.

Cottontail rabbit hunters are reminded that it's illegal to harvest pygmy rabbits in Utah. The pygmy rabbit has been petitioned for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. Pygmy rabbits closely resemble cottontail rabbits and are easily confused as juvenile cottontail rabbits. Pygmy rabbits can be found in the same habitats as cottontail rabbits. Information to help hunters tell the difference between cottontail rabbits and pygmy rabbits is available at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/habitat/pdf/pygmy_rabbit.pdf .

For a challenge and enjoyable surroundings, hunters can try for the snowshoe hare. Pine forests interspersed with aspen and alder are home to snowshoe hares in Utah. When the snow falls, hares turn completely white except for their eyes, which remain coal black. Look for movement at the base of trees and shrubs to locate hares when snow has covered the ground.

Throughout Utah, hunter pressure is very light for snowshoe hares. Hunter success is predicted to be fair to good depending on the mountain range hunted.

Snowshoe hares are confined mostly to north-central and northern Utah. In southern Utah, snowshoe hares are found in the high country in Garfield and Wayne counties. With some scouting effort, snowshoe hare hunting should be good in areas where snowshoe hares are traditionally found.

The DWR's annual west desert helicopter survey, conducted on Aug. 24, indicated a noticeable increase in chukar partridge per square mile over what biologists saw last year. Biologists counted 779 chukars on the survey transect this year. That's up more than 200 birds from the 566 chukars counted in 2005.

Hunters should keep in mind that the helicopter survey is conducted only in select areas of the west desert and may not represent chukar populations throughout Utah. For example, researchers and volunteers working on a chukar/guzzler assessment study, in an area from Box Elder County south to Juab County in the west desert, report very mixed chukar reproductive success this year.

"Few chicks survived in areas where the cheatgrass grew only two to three inches," says Brigham Young University graduate student Randy Larsen. "Average numbers of chicks are being seen in areas where the cheatgrass grew six to eight inches, and excellent numbers of chicks have been observed in areas where the cheatgrass grew higher than 14 inches."

Because of sporadic spring rainfall, cheatgrass and resulting chukar numbers vary from mountain range to mountain range. Overall, chukar numbers are fair to excellent across most of Utah this year, but are down from the number observed last year.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: Chukar populations in east Box Elder County are similar to last year, but in west Box Elder County numbers are down. In Morgan County, chukar populations have improved and should be above last year's numbers, which were considered good to excellent. In Cache and Rich counties, chukar numbers are similar to last year, and hunting should be good in traditional areas.

Central Region: The DWR's helicopter chukar survey occurs in the Central Region. See the survey results listed above for more information.

Northeastern Region: Hunters can expect generally fair hunting in the Duchesne and Uintah county area this fall; precipitation last year and this year should have had a very positive impact on broods. The cover available to chukar partridge is somewhat better this year.

Southeastern Region: Production the past several years has been excellent, and the number of birds region-wide has increased. Hunters are encouraged to hunt wild birds in remote areas for excellent shooting opportunities.

Southern Region: Populations seem to be doing well this year, and good success is expected. West desert populations seem to have decreased from last year. Incidental sightings and brood counts in the northeastern portion of Millard County, and the southeastern portions of Juab County along the Sevier River, have increased from 2005. Excellent chukar hunting is expected in Washington County. Fires on the Beaver Dam Slope helped chukars. Birds can be found within the Black Canyon area in Garfield County and the Smoky Mountain area in Kane County. Populations also seem to be increasing in the Sevier Valley.

The best strategy for chukars is to begin at the top of a mountain range and hunt down on the birds. Listening for the chukar's well-defined call is an excellent way to locate coveys of birds. If you take a dog along, make sure the dog is in excellent physical condition and take plenty of water along for both you and your dog. Because chukar habitat in Utah is comprised of much shale and lava rock, it may be wise to purchase leather or rubber booties to protect the pads on your dog's feet.

Blue and ruffed grouse (forest grouse) reports are mixed throughout Utah this year. Biologists are reporting slightly improved forest grouse populations across most of the state, but numbers are down in some areas.

To find forest grouse, look for birds in areas with mixed mountain brush that offers berries. Berry production is good to excellent across Utah this year. Ruffed grouse prefer areas along streams and watercourses. Blue grouse are usually found higher on the mountain, in the Douglas fir/aspen zone above 8,000 feet in elevation.

Keep in mind that forest grouse populations can vary greatly between mountain ranges. If you don't find birds on a particular mountain range, move to a different range that may have received more rainfall. Areas that received good rainfall should have better habitat and more grouse.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: Forest grouse numbers are down in Morgan County, but hunters should find improved numbers of forest grouse in Rich and Cache counties. The DWR biologist in Summit County reports seeing increased numbers of forest grouse, especially ruffed grouse, this year.

Central Region: Biologists report seeing many forest grouse broods during elk surveys conducted earlier this year.

Northeastern Region: Good hunting is expected in Duchesne and Uintah counties.

Southeastern Region: The number of grouse seen during April and May seemed to be up. However, production seems to be below average. Hunting should be fair to good.

Southern Region: Brood numbers appear to be lower than last year on the Tushar Mountains and Pahvant area, although hunting is still expected to be fairly good. Hunting should also be good in Kane and Garfield counties, and grouse are abundant in Wayne and Sevier counties.

Gray (Hungarian) partridge hunters in northern Utah will probably see fewer Huns this year. The DWR biologist in Box Elder County reports that a drier than normal spring was not favorable for upland game production. Hungarian partridge populations are down from last year with small brood sizes reported.

Huns can often be found on hillsides near grain fields, so access to private property is usually necessary. Be sure to secure proper permission before hunting private property areas.

Hunters should have better access to Huns on private lands in northern Utah through the DWR's new Walk-in Access program. For a list and maps of properties enrolled in the program, please visit http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/walkinaccess/

Huns are also found in some of the same areas as chukars. This provides hunters with an opportunity for a mixed bag.

Sage-grouse populations throughout Utah and western North America are at all-time lows. Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are the major reasons for the population decline. As a result, hunting has been closed on fragmented and isolated populations of sage-grouse throughout Utah. Sage-grouse are hunted only in areas of the state where there are minimum breeding populations of at least 500 birds. In 2006, hunting will again remain confined to "core" sage-grouse areas: western Box Elder County and Rich County in northern Utah, Blue and Diamond mountains in the Uintah Basin in northeastern Utah and Parker Mountain in south-central Utah.

Sage-grouse hunting is limited to hunters who obtained a sage-grouse permit earlier this summer.

Here's a preview for each of the DWR's five regions:

Northern Region: In Box Elder County, the number of males counted on strutting grounds decreased 15 percent from 2005. In Rich County, the number of males counted on strutting grounds decreased 8 percent. Hunting in both counties will be a bit slower than last year.

Central Region: The entire region is closed to sage-grouse hunting. The DWR will increase law enforcement efforts in the Strawberry Valley area of Wasatch County, and the Vernon area of Tooele County, where reports have been received of people taking sage-grouse illegally. The Strawberry Valley and Tooele County are closed to sage-grouse hunting.

Northeastern Region: Hunting is expected to be good in both Duchesne and Uintah counties.

Southeastern Region: The entire region is closed to sage-grouse hunting.

Southern Region: Most of the region is closed to sage-grouse hunting. The Parker Mountain population increased again this year, however. Hunters should be very successful in harvesting their two-bird limit.

Sage-grouse hunters are asked to drop wings from harvested birds in DWR wing barrels that will be placed in some of the areas open to hunting. Biological data collected from sage-grouse wings is critical to the management of local populations.

Hunters desiring a trip into the highest of Utah's alpine country can try for the white-tailed ptarmigan. In 1976, ptarmigan were transplanted from Colorado to the Gunsight Pass/Painter Basin area of the eastern Uinta Mountains. Since being released in Utah, ptarmigan have increased their distribution to various drainages in the Uintas.

A free permit is required to hunt white-tailed ptarmigan. Permits are available online at https://secure.utah.gov/hflo/hflo or may be obtained at any DWR office, either in-person or through the mail. The permit allows biologists to contact hunters to determine harvest rates and other important biological information used to manage ptarmigan.

Ptarmigan hunters who have been afield this year say they haven't seen many birds and habitat conditions are very dry.

Chukar Partridge Will Be Released Across Utah

About 3,300 chukar partridge will be released across Utah during the week of Sept. 11. The Division of Wildlife Resources is releasing the adult, pen-reared birds to provide better hunting for Utah's upland game sportsmen.

Utah's 2006 chukar partridge hunting season begins Sept. 16.

The DWR will release the chukars into areas where biologists have constructed game bird water guzzlers and into areas where chukar populations have been affected by severe drought or winter conditions.

Since the mid-1990s, the DWR has constructed hundreds of 350-gallon game bird and small mammal guzzlers in the best chukar habitat in Utah's desert country. Guzzlers have been installed on many west desert mountain ranges, from the Utah-Idaho border to the Mohave Desert in the southwestern corner of the state. The new guzzler design allows the watering devices to be placed in the roughest and rockiest habitats Utah has to offer-ideal habitat for the chukar partridge.

The guzzlers are placed in long, narrow canyons with steep, rocky slopes. These areas provide good escape cover to chukars. Complexes of four to six guzzlers are built about one mile apart in an area. Biologists then move down the mountain range a couple of miles and build another guzzler complex. The idea behind the guzzler construction scheme is to place water where birds would normally look for water and to provide enough water in an area so birds can move to forage and still be close to drinking water.

Pen-reared chukars will be released in the following areas of Utah in mid-September:

COUNTY RELEASE AREA

Box Elder

-Bovine Mountains (south end)
-Foothills above Brigham City
-Foothills above Deweyville and Honeyville
-Goose Creek Mountains (south end)
-Grouse Creek Mountains (south end)
-Hogup Mountains (north end)
-Pilot Mountains (north end)
-Wildcat Mountains

Cache

-East side of Cache Valley

Summit

-Echo Junction

-Henefer-Echo Wildlife Management Area

Juab

-Long Ridge West of Mona

Tooele

-Dugway Mountains

Utah

-Wasatch Front, from Springville to Pleasant Grove
-West Mountain

Iron

-Lund
-Parowan Gap

Millard

-Black Hills
-Black Rock
-Corn Creek
-Kings Canyon
-Marjum Pass
-Notch Peak
-Pahvant Butte

Sevier

-Annabella
-Black Knoll
-Cedar Ridge
-Cedar Mountain

Duchesne

-Four Mile Canyon
-Sandwash

Uintah

-Willow Creek

Carbon

-Farhnum
-Pinnacle Peak

Emery

-Ferron Canyon
-Moore

A portion of the chukars will be banded with aluminum leg bands. Hunters who harvest banded birds should phone information into the DWR at the telephone number printed on the band, or they can submit band information online at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame/index.html#bird_band . Biologists will use information collected from the band returns to assess how many birds hunters took and how many birds survived and dispersed into preferred habitats.

Because of safety concerns for potentially overcrowding areas with hunters, and because of the sensitivity of the location of guzzler sites being used by wildlife, the DWR will not provide maps of specific guzzler site locations or more specific release information than the information listed above.

A map showing guzzler distribution and densities throughout Utah is available at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/pdf/guzzlermap.pdf

Chukar hunters may also encounter wild birds that have been banded. Many of these wild birds have been banded with colored, plastic bandettes and are part of a statewide research study that's assessing chukar populations and their use of guzzlers in Utah. To learn more about the research study, visit http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/uplandgame/chukar/chukar_study.php on the Web.

Hunting Fee Changes Proposed

It might cost more or less to hunt and fish in Utah in the future, depending on which licenses you buy.

The changes would result from some fee changes the Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing. The fee changes would allow the agency to continue managing Utah's wildlife effectively and provide hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers with some additional services.

You can learn more about the DWR's proposals at a series of upcoming public meetings. Fishing rules for Utah's 2007 season, and a proposal to increase the number of wild turkey hunting permits in Utah, also will be discussed.

Citizens representing Utah's five Regional Advisory Councils will take the public input received at the meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board when it meets Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City to approve fee changes, and fishing and turkey hunting rules, for 2007.

Meeting dates, times and locations are as follows:

Southern Region
Sept. 12
7 p.m.
Kanab High School
59 E. Red Shadow Lane
Kanab

Southeastern Region
Sept. 13
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
885 E. Main St.
Green River

Northeastern Region
Sept. 14
6:30 p.m.
Western Park, Rm. # 2
302 E. 200 S.
Vernal

Central Region
Sept. 19
6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High
165 S. 700 E.
Springville

Northern Region
Sept. 20
6 p.m.
Brigham City Community Center
24 N. 300 W.
Brigham City

Fee Changes

The fee changes the DWR is recommending would be phased in beginning July 1, 2007.

"Those who pay a $5 fee to apply in the big game draw each year, but then do not buy any other licenses or permits, would be the ones most affected by the changes," says Jim Karpowitz, director of the DWR. "Those who already buy Utah hunting and fishing licenses would not be affected as much. In fact, in some cases, they may actually pay less."

The DWR is recommending that the price of the following be reduced:

Fee Decreases

Current New

Resident combination license $34 $30
(allows the holder to hunt and fish)

Resident deer permit $40 $35

Resident elk permit $65 $45
(any bull/spike/anterless)

Resident turkey permit $40 $35

The DWR is also recommending that the price of the following be increased:

Fee Increases

Current New

Resident small game $17 $26
(renamed a hunting license)

Nonresident small game $45 $65
(renamed a hunting license)

Drawing application fee $5 $10

In addition to the fee changes, the DWR is recommending a major change in how people apply in Utah's hunting draws:

- Before applying for or buying any hunting permit, all hunters, including big game hunters, would be required to buy a hunting license (this license is currently called a small game license).

In addition to allowing the holder to apply for or buy a permit, a hunting license would allow the holder to hunt small game.

A hunting license would cost $26. Instead of buying a hunting license, hunters could choose to buy a $30 combination license that would also allow them to fish.

- The fee to apply in Utah's hunting draws, including the big game draw, would be increased to $10. The application fee is currently $5.

In addition to the big game changes, the DWR is proposing the following:

- Those who don't have a hunting or fishing license would be required to pay a fee to visit the state's wildlife and waterfowl management areas (WMAs). A Watchable Wildlife pass would be available for $10 and would allow the purchaser access to the state's WMAs for 365 days from the day the pass was purchased. The pass would also provide the holder access to all of the Watchable Wildlife events and festivals in Utah for which a fee is charged to attend.

- Twelve- and 13-year-old anglers would be required to buy a $5 fishing license. "For every license sold to these young anglers, the division would collect $12 in federal aid. That money would then be invested in fish hatcheries and other programs that would make fishing better in the state," Karpowitz said.

Meadow Muffins Low On Ignition Fluid
©2006 Ken Overcast

Here I was twenty miles from home in the middle of our summer pasture, and the dad-blamed pickup wouldn't
start. Now what in the dickens do I do? We'd been out tyin' up a little fence when it quit. (Some of my neighbors will
probably be surprised to find out that I actually do that on occasion).

I very rarely go out there without draggin' along a trailer and a horse, but this time the object was fencing not ridin',
so I was a-foot. I think everyone in the country has a cell phone but me.... I've been trying real hard not to get pushed
and shoved into the twentieth century, much less the twenty-first, but I'll have to admit that one of those gadgets
would have looked pretty good about then.

I was desperately trying to remember the smoke signals that Leon Limpin' Elk had showed me, but then I got to
thinkin' about the results I'd gotten from the rain dance he taught me, and I kinda gave up on that idea. I've been
dancin' that durn thing all summer, and it dang sure hasn't rained so much you'd notice. I think my first mistake was
paying him for the lessons in advance. That knucklehead musta took off to a Pow-wow someplace without botherin'
to teach me the last couple of steps.

But..... because I'm convinced that the Lord looks out for children and idiots, it all worked out in the end. It
was only a couple of miles over to the neighbor's and I'll be doggoned.... they were home. The Brinkman boys
are pretty good mechanics, and they had me jury-rigged and the motor running in no time. Thank God for good
neighbors.

When I got back home and the cook found out about my little difficulty, I was met with what seemed to her,
to be the obvious solution to the problem.

"Lance (our son-in-law) told me he was afraid that old pickup was going to quit you," she asserted rather
indignantly. "He said it was low on ignition fluid..... you SHOULD'VE checked it before you left! You didn't even
check it, did you?"

The laugh I got from that one was worth the walk to the neighbors. I'm not too sure what Lance had told her, but
I'm convinced it didn't have anything to do with ignition fluid.

Sooooo..... I went right in to the parts store, and told them that our old pickup wouldn't start and that my little
wifey had sent me in for some ignition fluid.

"Sure," Dan the parts man grinned. "How much do you need?" "I don't know. I've never bought any before."

"Well, that depends on how long it's been since it started," he added helpfully. "If it only failed to start once, you can
probably get by with maybe a quart, but if it hasn't started for a long time it could take up to five gallons."

We've gotten more than a few laughs from that one. My little sweetie isn't what you'd call "mechanically gifted".
But then she's not the only gal that's a little short in that area, and I don't think I'm the only fella that's "cookin'
challenged". If she croaks I'm liable to starve to death.

Billy and Veda live down the valley a ways, and because Veda's mechanical ability leaves a little to be desired too,
she dang near killed her better half a few years ago. It all began when the car wouldn't start. Billy backed the
pickup around and hooked up the chain, and then talked his little darlin' into a giving him a pull.

Being the cautious type, Veda putted around the farmyard as nice as you please. Now, this might come as a surprise
to some folks, but pulling stalled vehicles has been the source of considerable marital discord on more than one
outfit through the years. The old car had an automatic transmission and this little putt-putt routine of Veda's
just wasn't going to cut it.

"For cryin' out loud, Veda," Billy yelled out the window, "take 'er down the road. You gotta get her goin' at least
thirty five miles and hour 'fore she's gonna start!"

"OoooooK......."

Out on to the county road she sped with her foot stuck firmly in the carburetor. Everything went according to
the plan; the car started, the windshield didn't get busted and all was well in Paradise Valley.

Scene two of this little episode opened about a month later when the battery in Billy's little Farmall Model A
tractor died. He had hay to rake and it was deader 'n a door nail. Veda's feelings were almost back to normal
from the last towing job, so he braved his way back into the house to ask his little honey again.

This time he had the ton and a half truck all backed up to the little tractor and a short six foot chunk of chain
already hooked up. After all, it should only take a short little pull. Veda was game..... again. Now, she's no
dummy, and with the car startin' incident fresh in her memory, she already KNEW how fast you needed to
pull something to start it.

Billy's rear end had barely hit the seat of that old tractor when Veda hit the end of the log chain. The resulting
jerk is hard to explain to someone that hasn't been there. The death grip that the tow-ee had on the steering wheel was the only thing that saved him from landing flat on his back in the yard. Out on to the county road they tore, with gravel flying in all directions. Billy's screamin' at the top of his lungs and "Oblivious Veda" is catching another gear.

"We're only doing thirty," she whispered to herself as she glanced down at the speedometer and tromped on the gas, encouraging the old truck a little more.

The tractor started in the first three feet or so, but with no rear view mirror and no muffler.... how in the world
was Veda supposed to know that? I must admit I've never had the opportunity to do 35 mph on a Farmall Model A that's hooked to the back of a truck with a six foot log chain, but between dodging the flying gravel and the floppy steering linkage, the visions this brings to mind will probably live on in Billy's nightmares for the rest of his life. The tractor started, Billy lived through it, and their marriage survived.... in spite of being severely tested..... again.

Just think of all the trauma poor old Billy could have saved.... if only he'd had a quart or two of ignition fluid.

Keep Smilin'....
but don't forget to check yer cinch.

Ken Overcast is a recording cowboy singer that ranches on Lodge Creek in North Central Montana where he
raises and dispenses B.S. http://www.kenovercast.com

Peter Breinholt at Sundance September 8, 9 AND 15

What: Peter Breinholt Album Release Concert

Where: Sundance Amphitheater

When: September 8, 9, AND 15

Time: 7:30 p.m., gates open at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets: Grass seats $12, Bench seats $14. Call 1(800) 429-9920 or visit http://www.peterbreinholt.com