In 2007 we (USU Extension) piloted a program to get dedicated hunters and volunteers to count and search for new leks (sage- and sharp-tailed grouse). We found that the counting of leks was not as successful as expected, however searching for new leks was a success. During the Spring 2008 we will be soliciting volunteers to search for new leks throughout sage- and sharp-tailed grouse range here in Utah. A "new" lek is defined as being one that has 1) not been detected in the past, 2) has recently began due to increased population, or 3) has moved from a previous location.
Volunteers will need to have the following requirements:
- a GPS unit and working knowledge of it
- an ability to follow directions based on maps (usually 1:100k)
- good optics (binos required and spotting scope)
- a good 4WD vehicle
- birddogs are not a must, but may be helpful for searching efforts
We will be conducting training sessions (see below) in Cache County, Ogden, SLC, the Basin, and Toole in upcoming weeks.
Volunteer hours will be used as in kind donation to the UDWR, and those volunteers who would like to use their hours towards dedicated hunter hours is acceptable.
Please distribute this information to all possible volunteers in your circles.
TRAINING DATES
All,
We (USU Extension and UDWR) will be holding training sessions for grouse lek searches on the following dates, places, and times. We need all volunteers to be part of these trainings. Coordination of activities and search areas will take place during these meetings. For those interested in helping out in the Uintah Basin area, we will post that date and time as soon as we can.
March 10: SITLA offices, 6pm, Richfield (130 N Main St., Richfield)
March 20: Lee Kay Center 5-6pm, SLC area (approximately 5600 W and 2100 S, take hwy 201[2100 S] to 5600 W exit, head north for a couple hundred yards and go West, there's a big sign for the Lee Kay Center)
March 20: Ogden UDWR offices, 6pm, (515 E 5300 S, Ogden)
March 26: Cache Valley Hunter Education Center, 7pm (2851 W 200 N, Logan)
March 27: Little Bear River Alliance, Avon (contact Todd Black [435-770-9302] for more specific info)
March 21 & 28: Tooele County USU Extension Office (151 N Main St., Tooele) 7:00PM on both dates if needed.
Last week of March: Uintah Basin meeting (Likely Duchesne or Vernal)...please look for more info in the future
Please RSVP Dave Dahlgren (
[email protected]) so we can prepare for each meeting.
Thank you for your interest in this endeavor. Please forward this to all interested parties.
Dave Dahlgren and Todd Black
David Dahlgren
Graduate Research Assistant
Dept. of Wildland Resources
Utah State University
(435) 881-1910 mobile and office "when your office is the outdoors"
[email protected]
Todd A. Black
CBC EXT Specialists
Jack H. Berryman Institute
Dept. WILD
5230 Old Main Hill
Logan, Utah 84322-5230
cell 435-770-9302
fax 435-797-3796
www.cnr.usu.edu/cbcp
