Archives: Featured
High Elevation Habitat Restoration
The state of Utah with SFW’s help has restored more than 1 million acres of pinion and juniper habitat, primarily critical winter range areas that deer and elk rely on for survival. Deer herds in particular are responding well.
At the higher elevation, those above 8,500 feet, conifer trees, like pinion juniper, have reduced the best deer and elk habitat stands. Deer and elk rely on these stands to fatten up during the summer months prior to migrating to lower wintering elevations. This reduction in high elevation habitat has two negative impacts: 1) Deer go into the winter with much lower percentages of body fat, 2) Some in the Forest Service, and a study at Utah State co-opted by anti-hunters, are recommending dramatic reductions in elk populations in order to allow regeneration, after conifer removal.
Avid SFW member Mike Siaperas and the DWR have treated approximately 400 acres by removing dense conifer stands. The resulting regeneration is nothing short of amazing. These on-the-ground projects are proving that habitat can be successfully restored with proper removal of former stands of old, dense conifer stands. Even in the presence of high concentrations of elk and deer, these projects are proving successful. SFW and the DWR are working on ground breaking, on-the-ground regeneration—ground breaking in terms of the financial investment and in the application.
Large-scale regeneration projects on our great public lands over the next 10 years will allow for increased elk and deer populations across Utah. But it will take money and hard work to overcome the many oppositions, mostly created by anti-wildlife interests, to restore populations that will protect our elk and deer herds. SFW was the catalyst that sparked Utah’s winter range habitat restoration effort some 10 years ago. SFW is once again leading the effort to enhance a million acres of high elevation habitat. These projects will allow for abundant herds for generations to come.
SFW Names Melissa Kemp Administrative Assistant
Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) has hired Melissa Kemp as Administrative Assistant in its corporate headquarters. She will immediately begin overseeing all office administration functions for our non-profit wildlife conservation organization located at 215 North Redwood Road #1 in North Salt Lake, Utah. Most recently office manager at SN Custom Railing in Ogden, Melissa brings 10 years’ of experience to SFW. She is also a skilled bookkeeper and project coordinator.
“Melissa comes to us with the perfect skill set that will compliment SFW’s growing needs,” said Jon Larson, SFW CEO. “Our chapters and members will soon become very familiar with Melissa. She will be the first line of contact at the office, and as we move into our busy habitat projects and planning seasons.”
When she’s not in the office, Melissa can often be found hunting elk with her father and brother near her Kemmerer, WY, home or touring the West with her family.
Melissa Kemp is SFW’s new Administrative Assistant. She can be reached at [email protected].
SFW Board Member Byron Bateman Appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to Utah Wildlife Board
Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) announces the resignation of Byron Bateman from the SFW Executive Board. Mr. Bateman has accepted a recent appointment by Utah Governor Gary Herbert to serve on the Utah Wildlife Board.
Mr. Bateman immediately tenured his SFW resignation from the SFW board upon learning of his appointment by the governor. He has served SFW for nearly 20 years as its former President and CEO, Chief Financial Officer, and most recently as a member of the SFW Executive Board. He will officially take his seat on the Utah Wildlife Board at the August 2015 board meeting.
“I am very gratified by this appointment by the governor,” Mr. Bateman said. “There are few things in this world more important to me than Utah’s wildlife. I am committed to representing the people of Utah, and I look forward to serving in this capacity for the next several years.”
The Utah Wildlife Board consists of seven citizens from different parts of the state. In August, Wildlife Board members Jake Albrecht and Bill Fenimore will leave the board after six years of service. Mr. Bateman lives in Weber County and replaces Mr. Fenimore in the Northern Utah region. The board meets regularly to review and modify the wildlife administrative rules in order to meet the changing needs of Utah’s wildlife. Before board members make changes to wildlife rules, they listen to recommendations from Utah Division of Wildlife biologists. They also receive input from the public and various interest groups via the regional advisory council (RAC) process.
“I can’t think of anyone more passionate or more qualified to influence Utah’s wildlife management policies than Byron is,” said SFW Founder and Board Member Don Peay. “It is reassuring to know his expertise will lead to recommendations the board makes to the Utah Division of Wildlife and the Utah Legislature. Our wildlife is in great hands.”
Commenting on the developments, Mr. Bateman added, “I’ve served on SFW’s executive team and with its state and chapter leaders for nearly two decades. This is a wonderful, growing organization that knows how to get tough things done. I hate to give that up. But the Wildlife Board position opens a big door and a new phase in my life. And I am excited to participate and give this my all.”
Mr. Bateman, along with the six other board members, will attend up to seven wildlife board meetings each year. The meetings are typically held in Salt Lake City at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources offices on North Temple. Representatives from SFW attend all Utah Wildlife Board meetings and RAC meetings as they work to achieve the SFW mission.
UPDATE – Utah Moose Study
Here are some recent updates from the Utah Moose Study, Provided by Joel Ruprecht, USU Graduate Student. This is an important project funded and supported by SFW members.
We’ve been conducting calf searches the last two weeks to see how many radio-collared cow moose produced calves this year. Of the three years we’ve been collecting this information, this has been the best year for calving rates. In the Wasatch Unit as a whole, more than 60% of the cows we surveyed had a calf with them, although calving rates were much higher in the western portion of the unit. In the North Slope of the Uintas, more than 70% of cows had calves. This is great news for the population, although calving rates only tell part of the story. We will follow up throughout the next year to see how many calves survive their first year. Moose calf survival tends to be lower and more variable than adult survival, so until the calves mature to breeding age, they are not overly important to the population.
Interestingly, we did not document any twin calves this year. However, several of our study moose have produced calves three years in a row, although we are finding it is more typical that they calve only every other year. With a little more data we hope to be able to determine what factors influence calving rates. The peak calving period for moose in Utah is late May, but we’ve documented births as early as May 17th until as late as June 10th.
One of our study moose died in the North Slope of the Uintas last month. It appeared to be a very old cow, but the carcass was mostly consumed by scavengers at the time of inspection so the cause of death is unknown.
Finally, an article on our project and this year’s calf searches was published recently in the Daily Herald. Follow this link to take a look.
Thank you.
— Joel Ruprecht
SFW Saves Utah Mule Deer
Bountiful, Utah — SFW’s Davis-Weber and Salt Lake chapter volunteers led the way early this winter in an important urban mule deer transplant project. SFW volunteers and Board members joined forces with DWR before sunrise on the second mule deer transplant of its kind targeting urban deer in neighborhoods along Bountiful’s east bench.
Under the direction of UDWR Biologist Channing Howard, SFW wis providing critical hand-on assistance in baiting, trapping, blindfolding, hobbling and translocating between 100 and 200 deer living among homes in this part of southern Davis County. The project efforts began in November 2014 and will continue throughout the month of January 2015.
A few dozen SFW members provide the muscle as they work alongside Utah DWR biologists and other employees. SFW Board member Kurt Wood and chapter leaders John Taylor and Brandon Plant coordinated much of the activity.
SFW is funding this important project, and others like it in various parts of the state, with Conservation Permit funds. Together with hundred of volunteer hours and additional personal funds, SFW is investing significanty to help restore Utah’s mule deer herds where remaining winter habitat can sustain them.
View the drop net capture video and share it with your friends.
SFW Names Jon Larson Chief Executive Officer
North Salt Lake, UT – Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife (SFW) has named Jon W. Larson Chief Executive Officer. He will begin immediately overseeing day-to-day operations and management functions for the non-profit wildlife conservation organization.
Larson comes to SFW as a 18-year veteran of the outdoor retail industry. Most recently Cabela’s General Manager at the store in Lehi, Utah, he also spent time in the northwest states as Regional Director for Canada-based Wholesale Sports. Previous to that, Larson was District Manager and Store Manager with Sportsman’s Warehouse. He will be responsible for ensuring the success and growth of SFW and it’s various programs, subsidiaries and ventures.
“This move truly represents one of the most exciting opportunities for me in my career in the outdoors,” Larson said. “SFW has been the premier wildlife conservation organization in the Intermountain states, and I am really looking forward to pursuing every avenue of growth in the coming months and years.”
Larson has maintained a close working relationship with all of the relevant wildlife conservation groups throughout his years in the retail sector.
“Jon’s experience with wildlife conservation coupled with his proven success in business is what we are most excited about,” said Dave Woodhouse, Chairman of the SFW Board. “Many of us have known and worked with him for many years, and we are confident in his abilities and the passion he brings to the position.”
One thing Jon is most passionate about is fly fishing. Few exude a love and understanding of the science, techniques and nuances of the sport better than he does. As a boy Jon grew up on the Wasatch Front fishing with his grandfather and dad. He learned some of life’s greatest lessons in the outdoors; patience, persistence, knowledge and technique. Jon sees many parallels with fly fishing and leading a successful business.
“A successful fly fisherman has to be knowledgeable, patient and persistent,” he said. “Like in any successful organization, your knowledge of the industry, the team you lead, the details and strategies you hold within the organization all help fine tune and create a better operating structure, a better team of people, and a better organization.”
Jon believes that the future of the outdoors is in the hands of SFW and the many dedicated sportsmen willing to give what is necessary for the benefit of wildlife. He is committed to doing what is right and what is best for future generations.
More About Jon Larson
Jon has volunteered his time and services over the years for a variety of programs, including Wounded Warrior, Salem kids fishing day, Utah Foster Care, kids on the move and many more organizations and conservation groups. Jon is head-over-heels in love with, and married for over 20 years to, his best friend, Heather. They have an amazing daughter, “Kate the great”, who is 11. Jon is eager to take on this next level of his career. He has been an asset in the community and looks forward to getting deeply involved in making a difference in many aspects for SFW and the sportsmen this organization serves. Jon is dedicated to preserving our great outdoor heritage for future generations, because he feels ‘if we don’t, who will?’
A New Herd of Mountain Goats on Utah’s La Sal Mountain Range
SFW staff and volunteers joined Utah Division of Wildlife biologists and US Forest Service personnel in the capture and release of 15 mountain goats onto the La Sal Mountains southeast of Moab.
The goats – 5 billies and 10 nannies – were captured off of the Beaver Mountains, approximately 250 miles from the release site. Each goat was processed, measured and fitted with a GPS collar.
“All hands were helping as we loaded the goats into transport boxes for the ride to the La Sals,” said Bryce Pilling, SFW staff member. “These transplant projects are a unique opportunity for us to handle big game animals while working closely with DWR biologists.”
Brayden and Paula Richmond, Chairs of SFW’s Beaver Chapter, participated and also provided food for the crew of 35 people on site. SFW, Utah DWR and the US Forest Service were all represented on the mountain.
Riley Peck, DWR Southern Region Wildlife Biologist led the group effort. He said, “These goats should succeed and integrate well with 20 existing goats that were released with SFW’s help at the same location in 2013. Ultimately, we are confident these animals will establish a new, permanent herd of mountain goats here on the La Sal range.”
Big Game Management at 9,979 Feet
The SFW Cache Team just returned from a high country ride to evaluate big game summer range conditions in remote parts of the Cache National Forest. SFW rode with Utah Division of Wildlife (DWR) big game personnel to an elevation of 9,979 feet to get a first-hand, up close look at range conditions.
The purpose of the ride was to assess range conditions for existing Mule Deer and Elk in this high country region of northern Utah. Jason Lundahl and Steve Sorensen requested the assessment on behalf of SFW and arranged details and logistics of the ride.
“There’s a real benefit to having SFW members on the ground with DWR personnel on projects like this,” Lundahl said. “Some of the most important wildlife and habitat projects in Utah’s history have started in ways like this, on horseback and in the backcountry. This remote wilderness area is high quality big game summer habitat. We are very encouraged about the possibilities it holds for greater numbers of trophy deer, goats and elk in the near future.”
In the group photo standing on top of the mountain from left to right is DWR Big Game Coordinator Justin Shannon, SFW Cache Member Steve Sorensen, DWR Northern Region Big Game Biologist and Assistant Wildlife Manager Darren Debloois, and SFW Cache Committee Chair Jason Lundahl. Photo courtesy of Jeff Lundahl.
SFW Secures Water Resources for East Paunsaugunt Mule Deer
Mule deer on the Eastern Paunsaugunt will have more water, cleaner water, and a safer, more secure resource to drink from because of a recent $34,000 commitment from SFW.
“SFW has committed this money to fund the completion of two winter watering tanks that will prevent mule deer drownings and provide consistent and cleaner water resources for wintering mule deer,” according to Rusty Aiken, SFW’s Iron County Chapter Chairman. “This important project will cap two existing water storage tanks where wildlife have been drowning for many years.”
The project is being managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is classified by SFW as “critical” for mule deer in the area. It includes building lids to cap the two large water storage tanks, which are constructed at ground level, and constructing safe watering access in the form of drinkers at the bottoms of each tank. When finished, the watering sites will provide safe access for all wildlife species, including a small band of 5 Desert Bighorn Sheep.
First of the two sites is the Eightmile project located approximately 35 miles east of Kanab, Utah. The second is the West Clark Bench project located approximately 45 miles east of Kanab. Both projects are on BLM lands administered by Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
“Both of these watering sites lie in the heart of trophy mule deer country,” Aiken added. “This is exactly why SFW exists; to help Utah mule deer thrive by securing the health and habitat of specific wintering herds.”
According to Cameron McQuivey with the BLM, “These water storage sites have become death traps for wildlife entering the tanks to obtain water. Within the last year, BLM employees have removed six dead mule deer, numerous raptors and countless small rodents and birds.”
SFW funds will be used to construct two lids on top of a metal framework of beams inside the lip of each tank. The beams will then be covered by tin roofing sheets. The money will also provide new drinkers at each site using a pipeline below each tank to pull water to feed into a new enclosed 5,000 gallon storage tank constructed below ground level. These new tanks will preserve 5,000 gallons at each location, specifically for wildlife use. The new drinker would be surrounded by a 60′ by 60′ lodgepole fence to exclude livestock. The area will be re-contoured and seeded with a native seed mix appropriate for the area.
