Author Archives: Chris
Words on Wildlife – May 2016
SFW’s mission works to benefit not just a single species but multiple big game species. Many of the projects SFW has funded and provided volunteers for in recent years are showing significant, measurable and important results for deer, elk, moose, bighorns, mountain goats, bison and other species.
SFW Saves Utah Mule Deer
SFW’s Davis-Weber and Salt Lake chapter volunteers lead the way on an important urban mule deer transplant project.
How do we fix Utah’s Mule deer herd? Big Dollars for Predator Control in Utah
By Ryan Benson Two bills before Utah’s legislature aim to use sportsmen and public/private partnerships to address challenges in mule deer fawn survival. Under these bills, sportsmen will once again be the key to fixing Utah’s Mule Deer herd. These bills would place over $1 million dollars in bounties and other incentives for private coyote removal. The bill S.B. 87 is entitled, “Predator Control Funding” and is sponsored by Senator Hinkins. S.B. 87 places a $5 dollar surcharge on big game tags to raise money for coyote removal by trappers and hunters. It is estimated that this S.B. 87 surcharge…
SFW Donates $7,275 in Archery Equipment to Utah Schools
SFW has donated $7,275 in archery equipment to 10 Utah schools. The archery equipment for each school included bows, target, arrows, arrow releases and other gear. The donation helps the schools meet objectives within each school’s curriculum. Schools that received archery equipment donation: Wayne Middle School Wellington Elementary Hurricane Intermediate Provo Freedom Academy Lakeview Academy Rocky Mountain Middle School Ogden Preparatory Academy Timpanogos Intermediate Bruin Point Elementary Canyon View Middle School
Davis/Weber Chapter Members Assist on Turkey Hunts for the Brave
SFW’s Davis/Weber chapter in northern Utah assisted some American heroes on their Utah turkey hunts. Staff Sergeants Powell, Abderson and Skaggs all were successful with help from SFW’s Justin Oliver, Jack Manning and Brandon Nelson.
SFW Works to Increase Pheasant Numbers
SFW¹s pheasant transplant project is in full swing. Troy Justensen of SFW spent some time last week checking monitoring progress on this project. The 3,000 hens and roosters are growing quickly. The pheasants will be released in Utah DWR Wildlife Management Areas including Redmond, Annabella, Pahvant Upland Area, Clear Lake, Glenwood, and Topaz Slough. The goal is to increase pheasant numbers in areas of existing suitable habitat where pheasant numbers are low. A first release will occur this fall of primarily male birds. A second release of primarily female pheasants will occur in late winter/early spring in the hopes that…
SFW Provides Emergency $12,500 and Installs Mule Deer Highway Crossing Signs
Blanding Road Signs to Address Excessive Mule Deer Highway Mortality For several years SFW has dove in to tackle the loss of mule deer on Utah’s highways. Our most recent project between Blanding and Monticello was completed this week. An emergency measure, SFW provided the full $12,500 to place flashing signs through one 25-mile stretch of highway where deer loss has totaled 1,100 dead in the last 2 years. These numbers were determined by the number of deer reportedly picked up by road workers on this stretch of two-lane highway. The actual loss numbers may be higher as no estimate…
SFW provide needed funding for Tiger Muskie transplant Project in Joe’s Valley Reservoir
SFW has partnered with Utah DWR to support the transplanting of Tiger Muskies in Joe’s Valley Reservoir. Good funding is typically available for projects related to Utah’s fisheries. In this case, SFW was proud to provide $5,000 of needed funding to finish this transplant project. The overall cost of the 2,000 fish placed in Joe’s valley was $12,000. This was part of a larger project that placed 7,000 tiger muskie in Joe’s Valley, Pineview and Johnson’s Reservoir. In 2006, Tiger Muskie populations in Utah and across the West “took a big hit.” Utah has been involved in some very interesting…
SFW Reports Results of Out-of-pocket Contributions to Wildlife
We are proud to report that Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife continues its record of contributions and generosity for wildlife in America: SFW is #1 in conservation dollars in the last reporting year; SFW is #1 in conservation dollars raised in last 10 years ($7.2 Million); SFW has invested $1,362,345 in wildlife, habitat and mission-related activities from 2008 to 2012; and, This $1.36 million of out-of-pocket contributions are not “conservation permit” dollars. SFW played a key role working with Utah Division of Wildlife Director Keven Conway in changing policies and establishing programs to start the Utah Watershed Initiative. SFW leveraged…
RMEF Critique of “Special Permits” Draws Response from Utah DWR
RMEF Calls for Transparency on State Special Big Game Permits (read more …) Utah Division of Wildlife letter to RMEF points out concerns about critical comments (read more…)
