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Shed gather in Utah Requirements

 

For Immediate Release

Jan. 29, 2024

 

Want to gather shed antlers from Feb. 1 through April 15? Take the DWR’s free, mandatory ethics course

 

SALT LAKE CITY — Collecting shed antlers from many big game species, including deer, elk and moose, is a popular pastime in Utah. But before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers during the next few months, you are required to complete the 2024 Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Antler Gathering Ethics course. 

 

After dropping their antlers each winter, male deer, elk and moose will grow a new set of antlers starting in spring. Looking for the shed antlers is a fun activity that many Utah families enjoy. However, late winter and early spring are a tough time of year for deer, elk and moose, which is why the educational ethics course is required if you want to go “shed hunting” between Feb. 1 and April 15.

 

“During winter, big game animals, especially deer, often have a difficult time finding food,” DWR Once-In-A-Lifetime Species Coordinator Rusty Robinson said. “As a result, they often survive on fat reserves they have built up prior to winter. If the animals receive constant pressure from people and repeatedly have to run or move, they use up the fat reserves and energy they need to make it through the winter. Being disturbed briefly once or twice isn’t too significant, but we have over 20,000 people who routinely shed hunt in Utah each year, so ongoing, repeated disturbances can be detrimental to deer.”

 

From late winter through early spring, the habitat that big game animals rely on is usually wet, which means it’s more at risk for damage. The free antler gathering ethics course can help you learn how to minimize stress to wildlife and also how to avoid damaging their habitats during this critical time of year.

 

Completing the course is mandatory if you want to gather shed antlers from Feb. 1 through April 15, and the course must be completed each year. However, if you wait until after April 15 to gather antlers, you don’t need to complete the course. You can find the free 2024 course on the DWR website. About 20,000 people take the mandatory course each year in order to go look for shed antlers in Utah.

 

After you finish the course, you must either:

 

  • Store the certificate of completion in the DWR Hunting and Fishing app

  • Print your certificate of completion and carry it with you in the field while “shed hunting”

 

Completing the course and having the certificate of completion with you allows you to gather antlers in many locations across Utah. However, some notable exceptions include:

 

  • Wildlife management areas: Many of the state’s wildlife management areas are closed in the winter and spring to protect animals and their habitat. Make sure to double check for any closures before entering a WMA to gather shed antlers. You can find a list of Utah’s wildlife management areas and any seasonal closures on the DWR website.

  • Private property: You must have written permission from the landowner before gathering antlers on private land.

  • Native American lands, national parks and many national monuments are also closed to antler and horn gathering.

 

Reporting “deadheads”

 

If you find a skull with the antlers or horns still attached (often referred to as a “deadhead”),  it’s possible the animal was poached. Do not pick up or move the skull or disturb footprints or other evidence at the scene. Instead, you should report it through the Utah Deadhead Reporter app, which was released last year to increase the efficiency of those reports.

 

You will need to download the app when you have cellphone service, but once it is downloaded, a report can be submitted from the field even without cellphone service. To submit a report on the app, you will need to include:

 

  • Your DWR customer ID

  • A GPS location of the skull

  • Photos of the animal and surrounding scene

  • Other important details

 

In many instances if it’s determined that the animal died of natural causes or other non-suspicious circumstances, conservation officers will often let the person who reported the find keep the antlers.

 

In 2023, 665 reports were submitted through the Utah Deadhead Reporter app.

 

The DWR recently formed a committee to examine shed antler gathering in Utah. The DWR’s official proposals for the shed antler gathering rules will be presented at future public meetings later this year to gather public comments. Any potential changes that may be approved by the Utah Wildlife Board wouldn’t be implemented until 2025. Some of the proposed changes require legislative approval and were recently introduced in a legislative bill. If passed, those changes wouldn’t be in effect until July 1, 2024.

 

For more information about gathering shed antlers in Utah, call the nearest DWR office.

Post expires at 5:29am on Tuesday April 16th, 2024

U.S.U Garden Help and Tips

Now is the perfect time to lay out your garden plans. You might even begin to start planting cool-season crops! At USU Extension, we’re here to help you pick the right garden type for your space and lifestyle. Here’s a brief overview:

Raised-bed gardens are ideal for overcoming poor soil conditions like high salts, heavy metals, or clay. They’re also perfect for small spaces, allowing for denser planting and easier maintenance. They enable crops to grow vertically or spill over the sides for efficient space use, make weeding easy, and reduce soil compaction. You can also build them up high enough that you don’t have to bend over extensively, saving your back from strain.

In-ground gardening is the classic gardening method, best suited for larger areas. It has the advantage of deep soil for plants to spread their roots. In-ground gardens are also more moisture-retentive and generally require less watering. If you have the space and enjoy traditional gardening, this might be your best choice. Learn how to best prepare the soil in your garden here.

Container gardens are incredibly versatile, allowing you to grow plants in places where traditional gardens aren’t an option, like apartments, patios, or areas with poor soil. Containers can be moved to optimize sunlight exposure, and they allow for precise soil and moisture control for each plant. This type is perfect if you’re looking for a low-commitment garden that still offers the joy of growing some of your own plants. We have an online course that can teach you about container gardening in our online library. Use promo code “Grow5” for $5 off!

For further details and specific tips tailored to your gardening interests, be sure to check out our gardening resources online at garden.usu.edu.

Post expires at 3:24am on Tuesday April 30th, 2024

Ogden Community Job Fair

OGDEN COMMUNITY JOB FAIR – A Multi-Employer Event!

DATE:  Tuesday, April 30, 2024     1pm – 4pm

LOCATION:  The Monarch – 455 25th St. Ogden, UT 84401

EVENT INFO:

  • 60+ Local Employers in attendance
  • Free for all job seekers & everyone is welcome
  • On the spot interviews and job offers
  • Awesome Prize Giveaways (Meta Oculus Quest & more)
  • It’s a job networking event you can’t afford to miss!

 

JOB SEEKERS & RECRUITERS can find more info @ http://www.compasscareerfairs.com

Post expires at 10:05pm on Tuesday April 30th, 2024

BLM, USDA Forest Service announce public meetings for Bears Ears National Monument draft plan

Attend virtual or in-person public meetings to learn more about the draft plan

 

MONTICELLO, Utah — The Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service have announced five in-person and two virtual public meetings, which will provide forums for the public to learn more about the Bear Ears National Monument Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

 

On March 8, 2024, the agencies initiated a public comment period for the Draft Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement, proposed recreational shooting closures, and proposed Areas of Critical Environmental Concern. Comments will be accepted through June 11, 2024.

 

The BLM and Forest Service will host seven public meetings. During the open houses, the agencies will provide a brief presentation twice (once at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.). Dates, times, and locations of the meetings are:

 

  • Virtual Meeting on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. MDT

Register to attend on Zoom.

 

  • Salt Lake City, UT open house on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT

Marriot – University Park, 480 S Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108

 

  • Blanding, UT open house on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT

Utah State University Blanding, 576 West 200 South, Blanding, UT, 84511

 

  • Virtual Meeting on Thursday, May 2, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MDT

Register to attend on Zoom.

 

  • Twin Arrows, AZ open house on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT

Twin Arrows Casino Resort, 22181 Resort Boulevard, Twin Arrows, AZ, 86004

 

  • Albuquerque, NM open house on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT

ABQ Marriott Courtyard, 5151 Journal Center Boulevard., Albuquerque, NM, 87109

 

  • Monument Valley, UT open house on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. MDT Monument Valley High School, US State Highway #163, Monument Valley, UT, 84536

 

The BLM and Forest Service have incorporated considerable input from the Bears Ears Commission, the State of Utah, other cooperating agencies, and the public into the draft plan. The plan, associated documents and instructions for submitting comments electronically (preferred) are available on the BLM National NEPA Register. Comments may be submitted through the “Participate Now” function on the BLM National NEPA Register or mail input to ATTN: Monument Planning, BLM Monticello Field Office, 365 North Main, Monticello, UT 84535.

 

Images of Bears Ears National Monument are available on BLM’s Flickr and Forest Service’s Flickr.

Post expires at 6:02am on Friday May 17th, 2024

A MULTI-SPORT SUMMER DAY CAMP JUST 4 GIRLS

A MULTI-SPORT SUMMER DAY CAMP JUST 4 GIRLS Learn & play multiple sports daily! Camp is open to girls 5-14.

SPORTS PLAY! CONFIDENCE-BUILDING! TEAMWORK! GIRLSTRONG! ROLE MODELS! CAMP GAMES! Southfield Park, Heber City June 3-7 June 10-14

To see the flyer click on the link below.

girls summer camp

Post expires at 10:26pm on Monday June 3rd, 2024

Heber Valley Chamber Member Opportunity

Heber Valley Chamber Member Opportunity

Calling all Chamber members! 🤝✨ Interested in boosting your community presence through social media giveaways? Contact Desirae at 435-654-3666 or desirae@gohebervalley.com, and let’s explore exciting collaboration opportunities!
🌟 Let us help you share your positive message, cover boosted ad spend, and gather valuable feedback tailored to your needs. 🚀 Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with the community in a meaningful way. Reach out now to learn more! 📧📞

Post expires at 9:47am on Thursday October 31st, 2024