OUR MISSION
The mission of the Utah Waterfowl Association (UWA) is to preserve Utah’s waterfowl, waterfowl habitat, and rich waterfowling heritage. To that end, the UWA will work towards providing a voice in the political and regulatory arena to Utah’s more than 24,000 waterfowlers.
Fellow Utah Waterfowl Association members:
Utah Wildlife News Mark Hadley, Editor
April 6, 2012 (801) 538-4737
In this issue:
See mountain goats
See sage grouse at two viewing events
It’s time to decide
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See Mountain Goats on April 21
Fun activities for kids also part of the event
Sandy — Colorful flowers and warmer weather aren’t the only signs spring is here: So are mountain goats at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon!
You can see and learn more about the goats at a free wildlife-viewing event. The event will be held Saturday, April 21.
Free activities for your children are also part of the event.
Bob Walters, Watchable Wildlife coordinator for the Division of Wildlife Resources, says April is one of the best months to see the goats. “This event will be a great opportunity to get out and watch their sure-footed antics,” he says.
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The April 21 event will be held at the Park-and-Ride lot at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon in Salt Lake County. DWR biologists will be at the lot from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To reach the canyon, travel east out of Sandy on 9400 South.
“You’ll be able to get a front-row look at these agile rock climbers using spotting scopes and binoculars we’ll have on hand,” Walters says. “You can also pick up a poster and a card that will teach you more about mountain goats.”
Your children can also participate in activities from 9 a.m. to noon. “Your kids can use ink stamps and paper we’ll provide to stamp their own goat tracks,” Walters says. “Mountain goat horns and fur will also be available for you and your kids to pick up and handle.”
For more information, call Walters at (801) 209-5326.
Viewing goats on your own
If you’d like to see the goats before April 21, swing by the parking lot any time during the day. Fixed-point telescopes are available at the lot. The telescopes allow you to zoom in on the goats for a close look. And an interpretive panel at the parking lot will teach you more about the goats.
Walters says goats are usually visible at the mouth of the canyon from November through mid April.
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Contact: Bob Walters, DWR Watchable Wildlife Coordinator (801) 209-5326
page 2
See Gunnison Sage Grouse
Free trip limited to 15 people
Monticello — If watching the colorful strutting display of Gunnison sage grouse sounds interesting, state wildlife biologists have an offer that might be hard for you to refuse.
During the weekend of April 13 – 14, they’ll take a small group of people to see Gunnison sage grouse strut on leks (breeding grounds) east of Monticello.
Utah is home to two sage grouse subspecies—the greater sage grouse and the Gunnison sage grouse.
Gunnison sage grouse are the rarest of the two.
To avoid disturbing the grouse, the trip is limited to no more than 15 people. There’s no cost to see the grouse, but you will have to pay for lodging, food and gasoline to and from Monticello.
Monticello is about a five-hour drive southeast of Salt Lake City.
If you’d like to attend the trip, call Brent Stettler at (435) 613-3707.
Details
On Friday evening—April 13—an orientation will be held in the commission chambers at the San Juan County Building, 117 S. Main in Monticello.
The orientation and discussion, provided by a wildlife biologist from the Division of Wildlife Resources, begins at 7 p.m. You’ll learn about the ecology, life history, geographic distribution and legal status of Gunnison sage grouse. You’ll also receive information about where and when to meet the following morning.
The best viewing always occurs before dawn or right at dawn. Within an hour after sunrise, grouse are usually done strutting for the day.
Please prepare for winter-like conditions. You’ll want to bring a camera and a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope. (The DWR biologist will also have extra binoculars and spotting scopes you can use.)
To lessen the chance of disturbing the birds, you’ll be encouraged to carpool to the strutting ground with other participants. The trip from Monticello to the strutting ground will take about an hour.
For more information, call Stettler at (435) 613-3707.
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Contact: Brent Stettler, DWR Southeastern Region Conservation Outreach Manager (435) 613-3707 or (435) 613-3700
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