Western Wasatch January Edition

Western A Western

Lifestyle Magazine

Wasatch HADLEY HUNTING: ULTIMATE COWBOY

JANUARY 2020

STETSON WRIGHT

2019 All Around World Champion

ICE FISHING SEASON

How to prepare yourself

MISS RODEO AMERICA PAGEANT

4th runner up Miss Rodeo Utah

2 Standard-Examiner

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Table of Contents RODEO

AGRICULTURE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HUNTING & FISHING

Hadley Hunting - Ultimate Cowboy.................................. 5 Miss Rodeo Utah particpates in Miss Rodeo America ...... 7 National rodeo stage welcomes Stetson Wright............... 8 Bareback rigging and bucking chute celebrated.............10 Bison Roundup on Antelope Island................................ 11 Golden Spike & Fairgrounds..........................................13 Hairy Horses Shows.......................................................13

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

Icebreaker Rodeo jump starts season............................14 4H Member profile: Cheyenne Breeding.......................15 UHSRA schedule and news............................................16

ANIMAL CARE

2020 resolutions: Protect our wild friends..................... 17 UDAF hires new state veterinarian................................. 17 Equine dentist follows his nose......................................18 Tips to help avoid colic in horses...................................19

Preserving lemons for the winter months......................20 A love of animals passed on..........................................22 Farmers respond to growing issues...............................24 Water conservation goals finalized.................................25 Thank a local farmer or rancher.....................................28 Trophy Room .......................................................... 29-32 Local dad experiences hunting firsts with kids...............33 New mule deer management plan..................................34 DWR stocks 10M+ fish in 2019.....................................36 Gunlock Reservoir name Blue Ribbon Fishery................38 Preparing for Ice Fishing season....................................39 Fish stocking report ......................................................40 DWR 2020 calendar......................................................42

WESTERN FASHION REPORT............................. 43 ENTERTAINMENT

Cowboy Poetry: Old Ephraim ........................................45 Prepare for Winter Wonderland.....................................46

A LETTER FROM OUR PROJECT DIRECTOR Welcome to the January issue of Western Wasatch magazine. Our goal for this issue is to celebrate the individuals, events, organizations, hobbies and industries in our community that bring the winter season alive! In these pages you will find community spotlights on people that make a difference, have an impact on our youth and give us reason to celebrate their accomplishments. Among other things you will also find discussion on issues that face our agricultural community and Northern Utah's trophies from this hunting season in our Trophy Room.

Thank you for taking a look! If you like what you read please share with your friends, send them to our website standard.net/western-wastachmagazine and sign up for a free subscription.

Publisher Scott Blonde 332 Standard Way, Ogden, UT, 84404 Newsroom: 801-625-4425 Advertising: 801-625-4333

ON THE COVER

Hadley Hunting, Ultimate Cowboy Showdown participant, takes an evening ride on his horse Chucker BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner 4 Standard-Examiner

General Manager/ Advertising Director Jim Konig Project Director Kendal Parker

Editors Jessica Kokesh Jordan Carroll Art Seth Pace www.standard.net

To email story suggestions, inquire about writing a contributed column or submit local photos, email westernwasatch@standard.net for a chance to be published in the next issue of Western Wasatch lifestyle magazine.

RODEO

Participant in the Ultimate Cowboy Showdown reality TV series Hadley Hunting takes an evening ride on his horse Chucker on Nov. 18, 2019, on his property in West Point.

BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner

‘Ultimate Cowboy’ contestant from West Point defends disappearing Western lifestyle

BY MARK SHENEFELT Standard-Examiner

WEST POINT — Hadley Hunting is passionate about the Western way of life, so participating in the Ultimate Cowboy Showdown suited him just fine.

“It was a fun and great opportunity to showcase agriculture and the Western way of life,” Hunting said of

the reality TV competition, which aired in October on the INSP network and is available on Amazon Prime Video.

“Less than 2% of the population is feeding the people, but we are the first people demonized,” Hunting said. “I want to help educate individuals that your food does not come from the store. Without agriculture, nobody lives.”

Hunting, a 36-year-old native of West Point, was one of 12 cowboys — 10 men and 2 women — who competed in the TV event hosted by country music singer Trace Adkins.

The competitors needed to display teamwork and use their ranching skills over the six episodes. The deep-voiced singer and professional ranchers judged the competitors as the field was

whittled down.

“I didn’t win, but they portrayed me well,” Hunting said.

He said the winner, Zane Runyan of Roswell, New Mexico, “is a real good hand. I didn’t feel bad about him winning. He certainly did a good job.”

Hunting said some friends on social media had urged him to apply for the show.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 5

RODEO

PHOTOS by BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner Participant in the Ultimate Cowboy Showdown reality TV series Hadley Hunting takes an evening ride on his horse Chucker on Nov. 18, 2019, on his property in West Point.

Participant in the Ultimate Cowboy Showdown reality TV series Hadley Hunting brushes his horse Chucker on Nov. 18, 2019, before taking a ride on his property in West Point.

6 Standard-Examiner

“I didn’t give it much thought,” but then his wife, Leann, and other friends told him they thought he would do well.

The show filmed in May. Hunting said he’s glad that the competition showcased cowboy skills and the benefits of agriculture.

“It’s a sad state of affairs” in society today, Hunting said, as people who work in agriculture are criticized for everything from genetically modified organisms to allegedly mistreating animals and the land.

“They cuss farmers and ranchers and say GMOs are bad, but we are producing more food on less land than at any time in history,” he said.

Hunting’s cowboy career began in childhood.

“My dad started buying a few cows here and there,” he said, and he later gained experience working on the De-

seret Land and Livestock Ranch.

Today, he and his father run about 200 head of cattle, alternating between land in Hooper and in McKinnon, Wyoming.

“It’s too big to be a hobby but not big enough to make a living,” he said.

Hunting’s wife, Leann, also works in agriculture. She’s the animal industry director for the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food.

Hunting said he plans to continue working as a cowboy and to help dispel what he said are misconceptions about the industry.

“A lot of times people say farmers or ranchers are horrible to animals or horrible to the ground,” he said. “But when you take emotion out of it and look at it from the standpoint of logistics, you can’t be bad to the animals and the land and be successful.”

RODEO

Miss Rodeo Utah places 5th in Miss Rodeo America pageant

BY JESSICA KOKESH Standard Examiner

LAS VEGAS — Miss Rodeo Utah made it to the Top 5 final contestants in the annual Miss Rodeo America Pageant.

McKaylie Richins, 21, of Coalville was named fourth runner-up in the competition, held during the first week of December in Las Vegas in conjunction with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Reigning rodeo queens from across the country competed for the crown by participating in events based around horsemanship, personality, and appearance.

In addition to placing fifth, Richins was also named the winner of Photos supplied, Miss Rodeo Utah Committee the coveted Chaps Awards, which Miss Rodeo Utah McKaylie Richins comis a scholarship from Women’s peted in the Miss Rodeo America pageant during the first week of December.

Professional Rodeo Association that

is given to the contestant with unique chaps and story.

Jordan Tierney of Oral, South Dakota, was crowned Miss Rodeo America 2020. She is the 64th woman to win the crown.

Tierney is a competitive barrel racer and has been involved in rodeo for most of her life. She earned a degree in business administration from Chadron State College in Nebraska in 2017.

Jordan Tierney of South Dakota was crowned Miss Rodeo America 2020

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RODEO

Stetson Wright shines on the national rodeo stage

BY JACOB SCHOLL Standard-Examiner

their legacy in roughstock.

Heading into his first National Finals Rodeo, he LAS VEGAS — Stetson Wright witnessed a number sat atop the RAM World Standings in the All Around of family members in the spotlight throughout the category by a healthy margin. He already earned over years. $192,000 before making the trip to Vegas, with his Now, it’s his time to shine. nearest competitor, tie-down and team roper Clay In just his second year in the PRCA, Wright won the Smith, trailing by $30,000.

All Around competition at the National Finals Rodeo in Despite being in only his sophomore year in the just his first trip to the finals.

PRCA, Stetson Wright took home the top prize in Wright has clearly already made a name for himself, rodeos across the country, winning the bull riding finding a way to stand out in a family that’s known for category in rodeos across Utah, Texas and Nevada; not to mention winning bull riding at the Daddy of ‘Em All — the Cheyenne Frontier Days.

Wright picked up a few Saddle Bronc titles in 2019 in places like Ogden and Vernal. He won the all around titles at those rodeos as well, adding to his list of All Around wins for the year. That list includes titles in West Jordan, Spanish Fork and Eagle Mountain; as well as rodeos in Cody, Wyoming; Santa Fe, New Mexico; and St. Paul, Oregon.

His list of 2019 wins goes on and on.

Wright said he felt good going into the Finals, despite an injury or two in the past year. In July, he broke his

jaw in five places during a ride in Dodge City, Kansas, and was taken to a hospital in Wichita. Despite the injury, he was back riding a month later.

“It’s healed good,” Wright said of his jaw. “It probably wasn’t all the way healed when I came back, but it’s good now and the doctors say it’s good so I am not worried about that no more.”

A broken jaw didn’t do much to stop the 20-yearold going into the Finals.

“I feel good, honestly better than I did before I broke my jaw,” he said. “So maybe it was like a saving grace.”

In his roughstock family, Stetson Wright is the only bull rider. In total, five Wrights were in Las Vegas for the NFR, with Stetson’s brothers, Rusty and Ryder, and uncles, Jesse and Spencer, competing against each other for the Saddle Bronc title.

Jesse and Spencer Wright took home championships in years past, with each winning Saddle Bronc world titles in 2012 and 2014, respectively.

Rodeo is the Wright family business, and Stetson is ready to make his mark on his family’s legacy. After an all-around title at his first NFR, Stetson Wright did just that.

“It means everything to me,” Stetson Wright said.

“My family has built such a good name and it’s really cool that I have had the opportunities I’ve had. It’s just special.”

2019 PRCA ALL AROUND WORLD CHAMPION YEAR END STANDINGS

Photo by K.M. CANNON 8 Standard-Examiner

RANK

NAME

CITY

STATE

EARNINGS

1

Stetson Wright

Milford

UT

$297,922.56

2

Clay Smith

Broken Bow

TX

$279,671.57

3

Tuf Cooper

Decatur

TX

$265,794.03

It was a true nail biter for the last few rounds of the National Finals Rodeo. Stetson beat out Team Roper Clay Smith and Tie-Down Roper Tuff Cooper, both past and present PRCA World Champions, by less than $33,000 in year end earnings. This was made possible by his stellar performance over 10 rounds of grueling bull riding competition winning 2 rounds and placing in 3 others.

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RODEO

Rodeo bareback rigging celebrates 95 years, rodeo bucking chute 100 years

BY JOHN BASCOM

The 95th year of rodeo’s one-hand bareback rigging and the 100th year of the modern rodeo bucking chute were celebrated during this year of 2019.

Rodeo pioneer and Utah cowboy, Earl W. Bascom, thought up, designed and made rodeo’s one-handed rigging in 1924 and the side-opening bucking chute in 1919.

Bascom’s rigging and his bucking chute have since become standard pieces of equipment at rodeos around the world.

Before Bascom’s inventions, rodeo contestants were riding bareback broncs using two hands holding the horse’s mane or using a two-hand

rigging. And the bucking chutes were variations of the “shotgun” chute.

Earl Bascom, who was born in Vernal, Utah, in 1906 but raised in Canada, gained fame as a rodeo champion in Canada and the United States, and received international recognition for his rodeo equipment designs.

After his rodeo career, Bascom became internationally acclaimed as an artist and sculptor known as the “Dean of Rodeo Cowboy Sculpture,” being the first professional rodeo cowboy to become a professional cowboy artist and sculptor. Bascom had an art studio in Provo when he attended Brigham Young University in the 1930s. In the 1970s, Bascom had a sculpture and art studio

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Bascom started rodeoing in 1916, competing in and winning championships in the three roughstock events of saddle bronc, bareback and steer or bull riding, plus the timed events of steer decorating and steer wrestling.

He made his first side-opening bucking chute in 1916 on the Bascom Ranch in Welling Station, Alberta. In 1919 on the family ranch in the Lethbridge area, he redesigned his bucking chute to a reverse-opening side-delivery bucking chute which became the standard of modern rodeo.

For bareback bronc riding, Bascom made and used a variety of riggings before designing and making his one-hand rigging in 1924 on the family ranch in Stirling, Alberta Canada Bascom took a section of rubber belting discarded from a threshing machine and cut out the entire rigging in one piece.

The handhold was folded back and riveted to the main body of the rigging with dee rings riveted to each side for the latigos.

This rigging became rodeo’s first one-hand bareback rigging when it was used at the Raymond Stampede in Alberta Canada in 1924.

That same year, Bascom refined his design making another rigging out of leather and rawhide.

With sole leather for the rigging body and strips of leather with rawhide sewn between for the handhold, it had sheepskin glued under the handhold to protect the knuckles.

In the late 1930s, when the Cowboy Turtle Association (forerunner of today’s ProRodeo Cowboys Association) was formed, “Bascom’s Rigging” was made the official pattern.

Variations of Bascom’s rigging of

Photo supplied, John Bascom Rodeo pioneer and Utah cowboy Earl Bascom designed one-handed rigging and the side-opening bucking chute, which are now used throughout the rodeo world.

1924 and his bucking chute of 1919 have since become world-wide rodeo standards, used at rodeos in North America, Central America, and South America, from Hawaii to Japan to New Zealand and Australia, as well as in Europe and South Africa.

Offsprings of Bascom’s bareback riggings and bucking chutes were part of the narrative and history of the recent Canadian Finals Rodeo, the Indian National Finals Rodeo, the European Finals Rodeo, the South African Rodeo Finals, the New Zealand Finals Rodeo, and the Australian Finals Rodeo, as well as the on-going National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The bareback riding event has been part of the National Finals Rodeo since the “Super Bowl of Rodeo” began in 1958.

Earl Bascom passed away in 1995 and has since been recognized by rodeo associations as far away as Australia and Europe, and honored by several international halls of fame including the Canadian ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the ProRodeo Cowboys Association.

RODEO

Antelope Island Bison Roundup

PHOTOS BY BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner Cowboys, cowgirls and throngs of spectators gather for the 33rd Annual Bison Roundup on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019, on Antelope Island.

The herd of nearly 700 is moved to the north end of the island into a corral to be sorted and vaccinated.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 11

RODEO

SCHEDULE

Golden Spike Events Center Wintertime “Hairy Horse & Fairgrounds 2020 schedule Shows” at the Golden Spike JANUARY 2020 Jan. 1 - The Countdown Jan. 7 - Rough Stock practice Jan. 8 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions Jan. 15 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions Jan. 17 - 34th annual Sneddon HOF Germanfest; RMPRA Winter Series Rodeo Jan. 18 - 34th annual Sneddon HOF Germanfest; Turn Pro Jackpots Barrel Race; RMPRA Winter Series Rodeo Jan. 21 - Rough Stock practice Jan. 22 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions Jan. 28 - Rough Stock practice Jan. 29 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions FEBRUARY 2020 Feb. 4 - Rough Stock practice Feb. 5 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions Feb. 8 - District 2 Barrel & Pole Bending Jackpot Feb. 12 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions Feb. 14 - RMPRA Winter Series Rodeo Feb. 15 - Turn Pro Jackpots Barrel Race; RMPRA Winter Series Rodeo Feb. 18 - Rough Stock practice Feb. 19 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions Feb. 25 - Rough Stock practice Feb. 26 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions

BY KARI BYINGTON

Seven years ago, my husband Kim and I were trying to come up with fun ideas to keep the 4-H kids riding during the wintertime. There are not very many indoor arenas around to use, but the Golden Spike facility is such a beautiful place to ride we thought maybe they might have some openings. We wanted to offer not only speed events, but judged events, too.

An outcry to have a “family” show evolved — not just for 4-H aged kids, but for children under the age of eight, clear up to a Grandmas and Grandpas group. I met with Amy King from the Golden Spike staff, and the Hairy Horse shows began.

The Hairy Horse shows are just that…. most horses have very long

hairy winter coats, and we do not ever require clipping or shampooing for these shows! These are non4-H schooling shows which even the “greenest” horses or riders can attend, and give horses experience, showing in a relaxing, fun atmosphere at a very affordable price. It’s nice getting to compete against your peers, with “All Around prizes” for each age group. We also offer pony, snaffle bit, and English classes.

We just had our first family show for this season on Oct. 12th , and it was a big hit with not only a costume contest, but prizes for everyone! I thought it would be fun to let our fellow riders know our schedule for this year.

Hope to see you there — no admission is required!

MARCH 2020 March 10 - Rough Stock practice March 11 - Time Only Barrel Racing exhibitions March 20 - RMPRA Winter Series Rodeo March 21 - Turn Pro Jackpots Barrel Race; RMPRA Winter Series Rodeo

Golden Spike’s “Hairy Horse Shows” Schedule Saturday, Jan 25: freestyle reining Monday, Feb 17: Fun games!

Saturday, March 14: trail added Saturday May 2: freestyle reining

* $29 all day fee or $10 per class, (always free Leadline) Halter, English, Pleasure, Speed, etc * Pre-registration day of show, 7:30-9 a.m. * No clipping/shampooing needed, PRIZES! * Age groups: 8 and under, Jr, Int, Seniors, Single/married Adults, Moms and Grandmas, Dads and Grandpas, Snaffle bit horses under 6 * Questions? Call Kari Byington 801-750-0999

Brylee Rhodes, 9, always competes in English and Western at the Hairy Horse Shows.

She brought home the winning blanket for her age group at the November 2019 Show.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 13

RODEO ORGANIZATIONS YOUTH

Icebreaker Rodeo jump starts the rodeo season for the younger crowd

Photos supplied, Wendy Dahl Junior and high school students participate in previous Icebreaker Rodeo competitions, held annually in the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden.

This year’s Icebreaker will offer $20,000 in added prize money. The $56,000 in prizes and awards will include

BY MARK SAAL 15 saddles and 288 buckles. Jackpot the high school and junior high school Standard-Examiner events will also be included, open to all kids slow down for the winter, so this is ages. a great opportunity for them to help get OGDEN — Here in a four-seasons Dahl said contestants will come from state like Utah, rodeo is generally thought their horses back in shape.” across the United States and Canada. of as a summertime affair — cowboys and The Icebreaker was the brainchild of Last year’s event — the first one to cowgirls, competing in an outdoor arena Ben German, owner of Broken Heart which junior high school contestants on a warm July night.

Rodeo Company in West Haven. Broken were invited — attracted close to 400 But each year for the past nine, upHeart has been a stock contractor for and-coming young rodeo contestants the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas as young cowboys and cowgirls from Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, have gotten an early jump on the season well as top rodeos throughout the state Washington, Texas, North Dakota and with the Intermountain Icebreaker Rodeo. of Utah. elsewhere.

The 9th annual Icebreaker, a junior The high school events at the rodeo “It’s a good mix of different kids from high and high school invitational rodeo, will include bareback, saddle bronc, bull riding, barrels, poles, breakaway roping, around the country,” Dahl said. “It’s fun will be held March 4-7 at the Golden to compete with other kids from across Spike Event Center, 1000 N. 1200 West, goat tying, tie down, and team roping.

Junior high school events will include ju- the nation,” she said. in Ogden. nior bareback, junior saddle bronc, junior Although participants compete as “There are a lot of rodeos in the bulls, junior barrels, junior poles, junior individuals, Dahl said they also act like summer, but not too many in the winter one big team, according to Dahl.

— and nothing really geared toward high breakaway roping, junior goat tying, “They loan each other their horses chute dogging, junior tie down and junior school and junior high,” said Wendy or tack,” she said. “The best part is the team roping.

Dahl, secretary of the event. “A lot of 14 Standard-Examiner

camaraderie.”

Dahl said the cowboys and cowgirls are actually pulling for one another when they compete.

“We always told our kids, ‘You don’t wish that someone does bad, you just wish that you do better,’” she said. “You do your best, and hope that’s good enough.”

The rodeo is open to both junior high- and high school-age contestants, but they must be members of the National High School Rodeo Association to compete. Association memberships are available at the Icebreaker.

For spectators, single-day tickets are $6 per day for adults, $3 for children.

Saturday’s final “short go” — featuring the top point-getters from the first two days of competition, are $10 and $5.

Season passes are also available, for $22 and $10.

For tickets or more information, call 801-399-8798.

YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS RODEO

4H member profile: Cheyenne Breeding

BY THE UTAH STATE 4H EXTENSION

Cheyenne Breeding has been passionate about showing livestock since she began her 4H/FFA journey. Over the years she has spent countless hours in her barn nurturing, caring and grooming her project animals. She has served in many leadership positions throughout her livestock career. In 2018 she represented the state of Utah well as a 4-H State Ambassador and in 2019 she served as President of the Fremont FFA Chapter.

INVITATION TO BE

Over the years Cheyenne has won many buckles, ribbons research on animal reproduction. Due to her positive livestock and banners, but her greatest accomplishment is the example showing experiences, she is eager to be an active volunteer of integrity, hardwork and dedication that she exemplifies on a and supporter of 4-H and FFA in the future. daily basis. She has gained a stellar reputation over the years in the community as someone who is always willing to lend a helping hand.

Through her Supervised Agricultural Experience in FFA, she started her own club calf herd. Cheyenne has bred heifers and cows each year to produce show calves for her to sell to other 4-H and FFA members. She hopes to grow her herd and to continue producing quality show calves.

Cheyenne completed a two-year study on corn silage with her research partner, Jace Marriott. They tested how the fermentation process affects corn silage nutritional composition.

Cheyenne and Jace competed at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair two years in a row presenting their project and competing with young scientists across the world.

Cheyenne has earned several academic, agriculture, 4H and FFA scholarships and is attending Utah State University where she is majoring in Animal Biotechnology. She hopes to become an embryologist where she will complete scientific

A GUNFIGHTER

We are looking for potential members to join our Cowboy Fast Draw club in Northern Utah! Men & Women, Boys & Girls are welcome to try the fastest growing shooting sport in America!

Fun & Friendly Competition!

Find out just how fast you would have been with a gun in the Old West!

CFDA Motto: Safety First, Fun Second, and Competition Third!

Dedicated To: Honoring the Romance & Legend of the Old West & The Cowboy Way

“Back Country Horsemen groups... are a fundamental part of trail stewardship and maintainence that provide access to its wilderness sections.”

- Pacific Crest Trail Association

We welcome riders of all types, ages and interests into our chapters! For more information on how you can help keep trails open for equestrian use in Utah visit BCHU.com or our Facebook page ‘Back Country Horsemen Wasatch Front Chapter’.

Where East meets West

Call B.A. or Slowpoke at 540-314-7300 or send email to utahfastdraw@gmail.com for more information. Also visit cowboyfastdraw.com.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 15

RODEO ORGANIZATIONS YOUTH

Photo supplied, Utah High School Rodeo Association The 2019-2020 Utah High School Rodeo Association team.

Utah High School Rodeo Association spring 2020 schedule

News from the Utah High School Rodeo Association

The Utah High School Rodeo spring season will begin with the Junior High schedule. Here are the upcoming rodeo dates:

Junior High Schedule:

Feb. 21 — Southern Utah #1 in Hurricane Feb. 22 — Southern Utah #2 in Hurricane March 20 — South Summit Jr. #1 in Heber City March 21 — South Summit Jr. #2 in Heber City March 27 — Southern Utah #3 in Hurricane March 28 — Southern Utah #4 in Hurricane April 17 — Wasatch Front #1 in Tremonton April 18 — Wasatch Front #2 in Tremonton May 28-30 — State Finals in Heber City June 21-27 — NJHSFR in Des Moines, Iowa

High School Schedule: April 3 — Spikers #1, Ogden April 4 — Spikers #2, Ogden April 10 — Carbon, Price April 11 — Sanpete, Mt. Pleasant April 24-25 — SUC - PERF, Spanish Fork April 24-25 — Juab - PERF, Nephi May 1 — Morgan, Morgan May 2 — Bear River, Tremonton May 8 — Wasatch #1, Heber City May 9 — Wasatch #2, Heber City May 15 — W Millard #1, Delta May 16 — W Millard #2, Delta June 8-13 — State Finals in Heber City July 19-25 — NHSFR in Lincoln, Neb. 16 Standard-Examiner

Photo supplied Hunter Holcomb was awarded with a belt buckle for being a Dixie Rodeo Club chute boss.

Dixie Rodeo Club members honored Hunter Holcomb, the son of Jay and Kelly Holcomb, with a belt buckle to thank him for his years of service being the chute boss!

All three of Hunter’s brothers competed in Bareback Riding and have graduated and our competing in College Rodeo! This year, even with no brothers to help and cheer, for Hunter and his family were there all three weekends to help host the Dixie 6.

Dixie Rodeo club hosted the traditional Dixie 6 rodeo to conclude our fall season. As we take a break to enjoy

the holidays and Wrangler National Finals, our contestants will continue practicing and gearing up for the spring season.

New to the Dixie 6 and our association this year is a JV Rough stock. This will be available in the spring at all spring high school rodeos.

Beginners and newcomers to the UHSRA will be given a place to gain experience in the three events in rough-stock. The junior division cannot qualify for state finals, but points will be given for a year end high point buckle to be awarded for each JV Rough stock event.

ANIMAL CARE

UDAF hires new state veterinarian

Photo supplied, The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

BY THE UTAH DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD Photo supplied, Buz Marthaler with WRCNU A black-capped Chickadee perches on a tree branch.

Consider protecting our wild friends as one of your 2020 resolutions

BY ELIZABETH LA MADELEINE WRCNU Events Coordinator

Other animals survive by “sleeping” away the long winter. Animals that hibernate include The Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern species of marmots, bats, salamanders, turtles, Utah (WRCNU) primarily receives birds, but we also take in small mammals and even the occa- and even ants. Hibernation is all about conserving sional reptile or amphibian. These animals have energy, so an animal does more than simply sleep. developed a variety of ways to survive the cold Metabolism, body temperature, breathing, and temperatures and depleted food sources during heart rate decrease dramatically. In bats, the heart winter. rate may fall from 400 to 11 beats per minute!

Black-capped chickadees are tiny, but they Hibernation is not without risks, however. Animals have mighty survival abilities. As their summer diet that are unable to build up enough fat stores may die during hibernation. Animals that are disturbed of insects decreases, chickadees begin to and woken during hibernation may not be able to cache thousands of seeds within their territories, find enough food to survive. up to 10 square miles! In order to remember As you gather with friends and family this holiwhere these vital tidbits are located, the area of the chickadees’ brain that records spatial memory day season, please consider protecting our wild friends as one of your resolutions. There are increases capacity by up to 30% each fall, by many ways to be a wildlife warrior. Please view our packing on neurons, then shrinks back to normal website for tips on supporting your local wildlife size in spring. In addition, chickadees can drastically decrease their body temperature each night, and rehab.

Happy holidays from all of us at the Wildlife therefore using less energy and conserving preRehabilitation Center of Northern Utah! cious fat.

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Commissioner Kerry Gibson welcomes Dean Taylor as the agency’s new State Veterinarian.

“Dr. Taylor is a trusted and respected veterinarian in Utah’s agriculture and equine communities,” said Gibson.

“His extensive background in veterinary medicine is evident in his clinical work, but I have also been impressed with his engagement in higher education - ensuring the next generation of veterinarians are prepared to carry on the work he is passionate about.”

Taylor comes to UDAF after 25 years of running Aspen Grove Veterinary Clinic in West Haven. For many years his clinic cared for all large animals until the demand for his services led to specializing in horses alone.

“I’m excited to be joining UDAF in safeguarding the health of Utah’s animal industry,” said Taylor.

“I’ve worked many years in the industry and look forward to continuing that in a new capacity as the State Veterinarian.”

A 1991 graduate of Colorado State University, Taylor launched his career at a mixed practice in Evanston, Wyoming. Following that he married and moved to Utah to work for larger veterinarian practice before starting his own.

His work outside his clinic has also been noted, having served actively in several professional organizations.

One of which is a national student relations committee that awards the Winner’s Circle Scholarships to the top students in their final year of veterinary school.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 17

ANIMAL CARE

Dentistry and ‘following his nose’

As an equine dental professional, I spend a great deal of time with each of my patients making sure their jaw has a full range of motion while still allowing for proper tooth contact for mastication. Good dentistry is more than just “floating” the teeth. It involves taking the proper time to remove sharp points, reduce high teeth, and adjust each tooth to provide maximum performance AND chewing ability. Good dentistry ensures that all viable teeth in the mouth have equal pressure from opposing teeth Photos by KENDAL PARKER, Standard-Examiner and makes sure the mouth is properly (Above) Equine dentist Justin Stark examines a patient’s teeth. (Right) Dentistry patient wins rodeo after getting teeth fixed balanced. .

Whether you are an avid weekend

BY JUSTIN G. STARK trail rider, a professional trainer, or a inside his mouth as he learns to follow forming equine athletes belong to the Western Wasatch columnist novice showman, both you and your the soft cues given by the rider. latter group; very sensitive and highly horse will benefit from proper equine A horse trainer in almost every disFreedom of movement of the jaw is reactive, however, regardless of their dentistry. Athletic performance and the cipline will understand the importance what allows a horse to find comfort in tolerance for discomfort, every horse ability to properly chew feed are directly the horse learning to follow his nose. following his nose. Simply put, if the will perform better with proper denaffected by oral health. As you look for tistry. At minimum, every horse should Much of training a horse under saddle jaw can’t move to the right, your horse a dental professional, make sure they is actually spent on teaching the horse cannot maneuver his body to the right receive proper dentistry at least once to follow cues, given by the rider, to the without some level of discomfort. Some per year. Highly sensitive horses as well have proper training in dentistry. While lots of people may be willing to work on horse’s mouth with a bit or a bosal. A horses are very stoic and can toleras top performing athletes may require equine teeth, not all of them understand horse who pushes his nose in one diate a lot of pain and still function in an dentistry every 6 months, or more frequently. Young horses, under the age of the physics behind their work and how rection and runs the other is dangerous acceptable manner. Other horses are it directly affects the athletic perfor6, almost always benefit from dentistry and has no control. Proper dentistry very sensitive and can’t tolerate even mance of your horse. allows for the horse to be comfortable minor discomfort. Many of our top per- every 6-8 months.

18 Standard-Examiner

ANIMAL CARE

8 tips to help avoid colic in horses

Last issue we talked about equine colic and how it is the number one cause of death in horses, with the take home message being there is no such thing as a non-serious colic.

Horses are predisposed to colic due to the function and anatomy of their digestive tracts. Even though we can’t prevent every colic case, there are some things we can do to decrease the likelihood of colic: 1) Establish a daily routine. Try to feed and exercise at the same time every day — this reduces stress.

2) Feed a high quality diet comprised mostly of roughage. Feeding too much grain can change the ph in the digestive system which can cause ulcers, increased gas production and other digestive problems.

A VET’S ADVICE Dr. David Moss Large Animal Vet

3) Divide daily rations into several smaller portions as opposed to one large portion. Horses are made to eat small amounts all day long. This is sometimes difficult to do because we have lives, jobs and other things outside our horses.

4) Make changes to rations gradually. Changes to the intensity and duration of exercise should also be made gradually.

5) Provide fresh clean water at all

times. During winter months, horses need to be encouraged to drink more.

This might mean putting water heaters in tanks or giving them more salt or electrolytes to encourage water intake.

6) Provide good dental care. If a horse is unable to chew his food properly, he is more likely to become impacted.

7) Provide a good worming program. In vet school, they taught that 90% of all colics can be directly or

indirectly related to worms.

8) Reduce stress. Changes in environment and workloads can increase the risk for intestinal problems. Pay special attention to horses when transporting them.

These are just a few of the things we can do to maximize our horses health and reduce the risk of colic. Benjamin Franklin’s axiom “ an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” is wise advice when it comes to colic.

Northside Animal Clinic

4715 W. Haven Road West Haven, Utah 84401

801-732-8387 Providing All Your Surgical/Medical Needs For Both Large & Small Animals

Dr. David L. Moss, DVM Dr. Andrea Russell, DVM

www.Northside-Veterinary-Clinic.com Western Wasatch - January 2020 19

AGRICULTURE

Healthy Home • Food & Recipes • Gardening • Health & Wellness

F

OF

NATURAL HOME, HEALTHY LIFE

HE PUBLISHE MT R RO

MOTHER EARTH NEWS

Preserving your own lemons for use in winter months

BY JAKE LASORSA

Preserved lemons, also known as “lemon pickles,” are lemons fermented in a mixture of their own juices and salt to help preserve them well past their peak season. In an age where fresh fruits are available year-round, you may wonder why it’s worth going through the trouble. The answer is simple: Preserved lemons are

easy to make, remain shelf-stable for up to a year, and introduce a novel, exotic flavor profile that you can add to almost any dish.

It was during my years as a personal chef that I came across these multifaceted gems while scouring cookbooks in search of unique flavors. Years later, preserved lemons continue to be a staple in my home.

The great thing about the exhilarating flavor of lemons is that they’re almost universal in their

application possibilities. Don’t limit yourself to the few recipes that I’ve provided. Rather, try sprinkling preserved lemons into a few of your favorite dishes; you may be surprised at how well the bright taste accompanies a number of diverse flavors.

A few other ways I enjoy using preserved lemons include mixing them into chicken and tuna salads, using them as a topping on Cobb and Caesar salads, and using delicate slices as garnishes on cocktails. More adventurous palates may even enjoy preserved lemons on ice cream drizzled with honey.

The possibilities are endless!

Yield: 1 quart.

8 Meyer lemons ¼ to ½ cup salt, divided Optional Spice Mixture 1 cinnamon stick 3 cloves 5 to 6 coriander seeds 3 to 4 black peppercorns

How to Make Preserved Lemons Artisanal preserved lemons can be pricey, so follow the instructions below to make your own simple

20 Standard-Examiner

lemon pickles for year-round enjoyment. Take note that preserving lemons does mellow the citrus bite ever so slightly.

1 bay leaf 1. Sterilize a quart-sized canning jar by giving it a quick bath in boiling water. When finished, set it aside.

2. Slice off the ends of each lemon, and then cut an “X” into each lemon’s body, leaving about ½ inch of lemon still connected at the bottom.

3. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the bottom of the canning jar, and

AGRICULTURE then add one teaspoon of salt into the center “X” of 1 of the lemons. Place the salted lemon in the jar.

per to taste, and then pour it over the cooked chops.

Roasted Asparagus

4. Repeat this process with each lemon until the jar is half-full.

Serve roasted asparagus as a side dish that guests are sure to remember. This recipe combines the comforting flavor of roasted asparagus with the refreshing flavor of preserved lemons and the tiniest kick of chili.

5. If you’re going to use the optional spices, add them to the jar at this point.

6. Finish salting and adding the rest of the lemons to the jar.

7. When the jar is full, add another teaspoon of salt on top of the lemons, and then push the lemons down with a wooden spoon, squeezing out as much juice as possible. Make sure the jar is completely full of submerged lemons; it’s important that the lemons are completely covered in lemon juice, so squeeze in the juice of more lemons if need be (never use water).

Yield: 1 pound asparagus.

1 pound asparagus, rinsed and trimmed 2 tablespoons coconut oil 1 tablespoon coconut oil 4 lamb chops 1\8 teaspoon dried chili powder 3 tablespoons butter ½ teaspoon salt 2 shallots, chopped 1 tablespoon preserved lemon, minced

8. Cap with a lid to keep air out, and give the jar a good shake to distribute the spices. You’ll want to shake the jar every few days to distribute the salt and spices.

¼ cup dry white wine 1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

1 cup chicken stock 2 to 4 sprigs oregano

9. Let ferment in a cool, dark location, such as a root cellar or basement, for 4 to 6 weeks.

Store preserved lemons in the refrigerator or in a cool, dry location for up to a year. To use, simply grab one and rinse off the salt. Some people prefer to remove the peel, but I see no need; I chop them up and use them in their entirety. Even after you rinse them, preserved lemons will bring some salty flavor to the table, so be careful about adding additional salt to your meal.

Lamb Chops with White Wine Sauce This is a great dish to share with unexpected guests because it requires a relatively short cooking time and few ingredients. Serve with rice or couscous.

Yield: 4 servings.

1 tablespoon preserved lemons, minced Salt and pepper, to taste 1. Add coconut oil to a medium-sized frying pan over high heat. Sauté the lamb chops, about 3 minutes per side. Set aside.

2. Coat the asparagus with the coconut oil, chili powder, and salt.

3. Bake for 12 minutes.

4. Add the preserved lemon, and serve warm.

For more deliciously zesty recipes, visit us at www.motherearthliving.com.

2. Add the butter and shallots to the same pan. Sauté just until shallots give off a light aroma.

3. Pour in the wine, and boil until reduced by three-quarters.

4. Add the chicken stock. Simmer the mixture until slightly syrupy, approximately 5 minutes.

5. Remove the pan from the heat, and mix in oregano and preserved lemons.

6. Season the wine mixture with salt and pep-

Excerpted from Mother Earth Living, the authority on green lifestyle and design. To read more articles from MOTHER EARTH LIVING, please visit www.MotherEarthLiving. com or call (800) 234-3368 to subscribe. Copyright 2017 by Ogden Publications Inc.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 21

AGRICULTURE

Ginger Brown keeps on riding, passing her love of animals on to family and the community

Photos supplied, GINGER BROWN (Left) Ginger Brown and her husband, Ron, are pictured in period costume on the set of a film production. The Browns consulted on multiple projects involving livestock. (Right) Ron and Ginger Brown riding horses at the Fielding Garr Ranch on Antelope Island.

BY ANNA BURLESON Special to the Standard-Examiner

living. She and her husband Ron Brown worked with youth programs and OGDEN — Ginger Brown traced her schools throughout Northern Utah for long life back to when she entered a decades. radio contest as a child in Plain City. She “There’s something about the wanted a horse, but her father wouldn’t animals,” Ginger said. “They’re magibuy her one. cal. They don’t prejudge you. They “I entered and I won a horse,” she have unconditional love. A lot of times said, laughing. “I was disappointed if people are just around an animal it because when the horse came it was ac- moves them.” tually a pony, but I took care of the pony Ron died in 2015 after battling cancer and my dad could see I really did have a at age 68, but Ginger continues worklove for horses.” ing and likes to stay busy. She has 11 Ginger, now 68, went on to use her horses, sheep and a donkey. love of animals to make the people “She’s a really strong individual for around her happy, as well as make a the things she’s been able to accomplish 22 Standard-Examiner

in the absence of my father,” Ginger’s son Mike said. “It shows when things get hard, my father taught us to persevere, to get up, move forward and work through the pain, have your eye on the goal and make sure you achieve it.”

Ginger met Ron in 1969 while participating in Miss Rodeo Ogden and the two married a few short years later. Due to the recession, Ron had difficulty finding a job and after coming into possession of several horses, created a Roman riding routine.

Roman riding is where the rider stands atop two horses and rides them with one foot on either horse.

“I was petrified, totally petrified, so I just made up my mind I was going to be able to do this,” Ginger said. “If Ron could do this, then I could be able to do this. So I would fall off and keep trying.”

Ron and Ginger went on to work as trick horse performers in New Jersey before moving back to Utah to start a family. Ginger had the first of her three children in 1976, but she and Ron had already built up a reputation for working well with horses and were tapped to help out on movie sets.

The Browns procured, transported and took care of livestock for numerous productions including “Return to Lone-

AGRICULTURE

Ginger Brown participates in the annual bison roundup on Antelope Island.

some Dove,” “Maverick,” and numerous biblical movies for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Viewers who have seen LDS films have most likely seen Ginger’s donkey named Maui.

But Ginger said the best part of those jobs was being able to bring the whole family along.

Mike said he remembers those opportunities with his family fondly.

“What we had with our horse busi-

ness was very special but what we had as a family was even more special and both of them together made us into a pretty powerful family,” he said.

Ron and Ginger both also worked as teachers in Northern Utah; Ginger taught at North Ogden and Bates elementary schools and Ron taught second grade in Plain City for 28 years.

The two of them would often bring their animals into the classroom, or take the classroom outside.

Ginger remembers showing students how a team of horses pulls a buggy and giving them rides. She even incorporated a horse into a school performance and taught it to bow and do other tricks.

The couple also hosted an event called Summer Science. They would take groups of students camping and horseback riding while teaching them about nature.

“He loved the kids but he made it fun for himself and the kids,” Ginger said of Ron. “He was spontaneous.”

The first C-A-L Ranch opened its doors in 1959 in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

60 years later we are still known for the same integrity, hard work, and legendary customer service that we were then, and we are committed to maintain this reputation for decades to come.

As if they weren’t already busy playing a major role in Ogden Pioneer Days, the two also started a horse-riding business on Antelope Island called R&G Horse and Wagon. Ginger still runs the business but said her sons and grandchildren help out a lot.

“The hay has to be put up, horses have to be shoed and we try to keep them healthy,” she said. “There’s so much that goes into it it’s impossible for me to do all of it.”

The Browns love for animals has been passed on to their children. Their son Lonnie runs Rockin Reindeer Ranch in Ogden, where visitors can learn about the large mammals.

Mike also has about 15 horses, sheep, dogs, and even parrots. He said his two sons, ages 9 and 6, are in the barn every day with their mom taking care of the horses.

“We still kind of continue to do what mom and dad have always done,” he said.

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Western Wasatch - January 2020 23 2/13/19 8:51 AM

AGRICULTURE

Mental health, rapid development are issues Utah’s agricultural community faces, farmers say

BY CONNOR RICHARDS Special to the Standard-Examiner

At the 2019 Utah Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, Utah farmers and agricultural workers talked about issues their farms, businesses and communities face, including shrinking farmland caused by development and mental health issues in rural areas.

The convention, which was held at the Davis Conference Center in Layton and ran from Wednesday to Friday, featured breakout sessions on topics ranging from agritourism in the state to water policy to tips for how agriculturalists can engage with their legislators.

Richard Behling, a livestock farmer who serves as president of the Utah County Farm Bureau, said rapid expansion and development poses a problem for farmers.

“We’re taking some of the most productive ground in the state of Utah (for farming) and planning houses,” Behling said. He added that he doesn’t have a problem with development and growth, “but we need to consider growing in before we always grow out.”

Another huge concern among farmers, and rural communities in general, is suicide and depression, according to Behling.

“Suicide is a major issue in agriculture right now,” he said. “Sometimes when you’re having a hard time paying the bills, you’ve got issues at home … and you can’t see a way out, you’ve got to have the tools to be able to figure out … how do I solve these problems without going to such extreme measures?”

Depression is particularly an issue for farmers because they prefer to not discuss their struggles, Behling said.

“Farmers don’t like to talk about their weaknesses very much,” the livestock farmer said. “We just work through our problems.”

It is also a concern in agriculture since many farms are passed down and farmers don’t want to let down their parents or grandparents, said Dave Robbins, a grower with Olson’s Greenhouse Gardens.

“Nobody wants to have a loss of life,” Robbins said. “Especially when they’re trying to provide for their family.”

Josh McMullin, a fourth-generation fruit farmer at McMullin Orchards in Payson, said it is difficult to find 24 Standard-Examiner

Connor Richards, Special to the Standard-Examiner On Nov. 20-22, 2019, the Utah Farm Bureau Federation held its annual conference at the Davis Conference Center in Layton.

temporary, seasonal laborers to help harvest the tart cherries, sweet cherries, apples, peaches and pears grown at the orchard between June and October.

“We simply can’t find the guys to do the work,” McMullin said, adding that the orchard relies heavily on the United States Department of Labor’s temporary non-immigrant worker H-2A program to find employees.

McMullin said competition caused by trade and over-saturation of the market have negatively impacted fruit farmers in Utah, which is the second biggest tart cherry producer in the country.

Other countries that grow tart cherries, such as Turkey, subsidize their farmers and pay shipping costs, which means cherries can be shipped from overseas for cheaper than they can be grown in the U.S., said McMullin.

“We don’t want subsidies,” McMullin said. “We just want a level playing field we can compete on.”

Positive developments in agriculture were discussed at the conference as well, such as the production of hemp that was legalized at the federal level this year.

David Politis, a marketing executive who works

with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, said the federal legalization of hemp production serves as a tremendous economic opportunity for Utah farmers.

Industrial hemp, a strain of cannabis that doesn’t contain psychoactive components, has a variety of agricultural uses, including to produce rope, insulation and non energy-intensive alternatives to concrete.

Hemp can also be used to produce cannabidiol (CBD), which has recently been shown to treat pain, anxiety and neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

Politis said hemp production is a “huge opportunity” for the state and county, calling the plant a potential “new cash crop.”

He added that Utah’s climate is ideally suited for growing hemp, which grows best in low-humidity, high-elevation environments.

Reflecting on development and growth in areas like Utah Valley, Robbins said it is important to remember the significance of agriculture, which he described as being one of the most diverse counties in the state in terms of what can be grown.

“It needs to be respected and treated as the treasure that it is,” said Robbins.

AGRICULTURE

BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner The Weber River near the 24th Street bridge flows past the old Swift building on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. Ogden city has plans to restore and beautify this section of the river.

Regional water conservation goals finalized with no changes after public input

BY MEGAN OLSEN Standard-Examiner

has been clarified and updated, including the addition of all 334 comments and the division’s responses to them, Utah has a new set of water conserthe press release said. vation goals.

The goals are for municipal and The Utah Division of Water resources industrial use, the release said. They finalized the regional water conservaexclude agriculture, mining and power tion goals at the end of November, generation. incorporating more than 330 comWhile this is far from the first time ments from the public comment period from Aug. 27 to Sept. 25. Surveys were that that state has made plans to conserve water, it is the first time water also conducted in fall 2018, garnering conservation goals have been made at responses from 1,650 people. a regional level, according to the press “We appreciate all those who took release. the time to review the goals and share The regional goals take into contheir opinions,” said Eric Millis, Division of Water Resources director, in a press sideration “climate, elevation and each region’s characteristics,” according to a release. “There were some insightful map of the regions on the water goals comments, which were incorporated into the report. There is always value in web page.

Tailored goals were determined for soliciting public input.”

No changes were made to the goals nine regions in the state.

Northern Utah is comprised of two after the public comment period, but of the nine regions. The Weber River Utah’s water conservation goals report

region includes Weber, Davis, Morgan and Summit counties. The Bear River region includes Box Elder, Cache and Rich counties.

Under these new regional goals, the Weber River region will aim to reduce its per capita water use by 20% over a period of 15 years, from 250 gallons per capita per day (gpcd) in 2015 to 200 gpcd by 2030.

The goals go up as time goes on — by 2040, the Weber River region will aim for a 26% reduction, to 184 gpcd.

By 2065, the region will aim to limit per capita water use to 175 gallons per day, a reduction of 30%.

The Weber River region has some of the highest goals in the state. It shares its 2030 goal of a 20% reduction in per capita water use with three other regions: Provo River, Sevier River and Upper Colorado River.

The region’s 2065 goal is surpassed

by only one region, Provo River, which will try for a 32% reduction in water usage by that year. No other region’s goal matches Weber River’s goal of reducing water use 30% by 2065.

The Bear River region’s goals are slightly less aggressive than the Weber River region, and its baseline use is higher. This region will aim to reduce its water use by 18% over 15 years, from 304 gpcd in 2015 to 249 gpcd in 2030.

By 2040, the region will aim to reduce water use by 24% from 2015 levels, from 304 to 232 gpcd. By 2065, the Bear River goal goes up to 28% from 2015, from 304 to 219 gpcd.

These regional goals replace Gov. Gary Herbert’s statewide goal of reducing water use 25% by 2025, a modification of former Gov. Mike Leavitt’s 2000 goal to reduce statewide water use 25% by 2050, the release said.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 25

AGRICULTURE

Joel Ferry poses for a portrait on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, on his property. Ferry partners with his dad and uncle, John and Ben Ferry, to run JY Ferry & Son Inc., a farm and ranch in Box Elder County. The farm is the winner of the 2019 Utah Leopold Conservation Award.

Photos by BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner

Box Elder family farm and ranch honored for cutting edge conservation practices

BY MEGAN OLSEN Standard-Examiner staff

BOX ELDER COUNTY — Joel Ferry didn’t always want to become a farmer and rancher.

In his former life, he worked as a banker for a decade at Zions Bank in Salt Lake City. He and his family lived in Fruit Heights, and he commuted to work.

But now, about eight years later, 26 Standard-Examiner

Ferry and his family work on a sprawling farm and ranch in Corinne, called JY Ferry & Son, Inc., on the same land where he grew up.

Ferry works with his dad and his uncle to run the enterprise — it’s a good partnership, he says. His family’s home is in Brigham City.

The Ferrys wanted their kids to have the chance to grow up on a farm, spending time on the land and raising

animals.

“I’m the fifth-generation farmer. My family has been here for 120 years,” Ferry said. “And I want my family to be here in 120 years. I want them to have the opportunity — my kids, grandkids ... future generations — to have the same opportunities or even better opportunities than I had.”

His kids raise their own calves to save money for college, he said. They

bottle feed the calves every morning.

“I didn’t know that this farm life was going to be for me,” Ferry said. “...

For me, there’s something wholesome about the rural lifestyle. It’s good. I just wanted my kids to share that experience. It brought me closer to my longterm vision.”

The analytical skills he once directed toward banking, he now uses on the farm, which is a complex and challeng-

AGRICULTURE ing venture, he said.

“When I told folks ... that I was going back to be a farmer, they were like ‘whaaat?’” Ferry said. “... They thought I was going to be out ... wearing overalls every day, you know, chewing on a piece of grass. And while I do chew on the occasional blade of grass ... it’s a very sophisticated industry.”

Ferry’s tractors run on GPS. They record exactly what’s been planted and where.

Ferry has apps that connect with his tractors and share information with him, including detailed information about crop yields, so he can analyze parts of the field that are performing better and worse and determine the reasons for the differences.

He sends samples of plants grown on the farm, like wheat, to a lab in Idaho to analyze their nutrient content, like looking for levels of zinc and magnesium. If plants from certain fields are deficient, he can calculate exactly how much of those nutrients to apply to those fields.

But the productivity of the farm and ranch are not Ferry’s only priorities.

He, his dad and his uncle prioritize sustainability and conservation practices that Ferry says are mutually beneficial to their business and to the environment.

There’s not just one practice that makes a difference, Ferry said. What’s key is how all of the pieces work to-

gether.

And there are a lot of pieces.

The Ferrys’ land lines miles of the Bear River and it’s a freshwater delta of the Great Salt Lake, so wetlands dot the property. These are prime habitat for migrating birds — so Ferry maintains those habitats.

“It’s like a gas station on the freeway,” Ferry said, “as (the birds are) coming from Canada, Alaska, Montana, even the Dakotas. They need fuel on their way to California or Mexico.”

The Ferrys leave some of their harvest for birds to eat, and they plant grasses that make good nesting habitat for them. During nesting season, the Ferrys don’t graze his cattle in areas that are occupied by the birds.

The Ferrys also till the land sparingly, leaving plant matter from previous harvests to cover the ground after harvesting. This is different from the traditional practice of wholesale tilling, Ferry said.

The plant matter retains water, which keeps more moisture in the soil. Not tilling also reduces the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere and leaves microbes under the surface of the dirt undisturbed, rather than killing them with oxygen. This increases the health of the soil.

After growing wheat, for example, the Ferrys plant cover crops of legumes, like alfafa, clover, collard greens and

A combine harvests corn on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, on JY Ferry & Son Inc., a farm and ranch in Box Elder County. The farm is the winner of the 2019 Utah Leopold Conservation Award.

radishes. These plants pull nitrogen from the air and infuse the soil with nitrogen compounds plants can use. After the crops have served this purpose, the Ferrys graze the cattle on the cover crops.

And this is doubly beneficial. Ferry worked with Utah State University and found that the soil where cows have grazed on the cover crops is healthier, due to the microbes cows leave behind in their residual saliva.

Cover crops aren’t the only way the cattle are strategically grazed.

Ferry has also trained them to eat an invasive grass called phragmites, which grows in wetlands. There’s almost no phragmites on the Ferry property.

Phragmites can grow as thick as bamboo, according to earlier reporting from the Standard-Examiner. The thick growth is nearly impossible to get through for wildlife and for hunters.

Birds, which are an important component of the wetland ecosystem, also

find it difficult to nest in phragmites because the stalks are so stiff.

For all of these efforts, including more than one collaboration with entities at the state and federal levels, the Ferrys were recognized Friday with the prestigious Utah Leopold Conservation Award for $10,000.

This award goes to “farmers, ranchers and foresters who inspire others with their dedication to land, water and wildlife habitat management on private, working land,” according to a press release from the Sand County Foundation, which presents the Utah award in cooperation with the Utah Farm Bureau Federation, Western AgCredit and Utah Cattlemen’s Association.

“As we work together, we all see the benefits of what we’re doing,” Ferry said about his partnership with his dad and uncle, “through improved yields, through healthier soils, so we’re all together on this.”

Cattle is seen on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, on JY Ferry & Son Inc., a farm and ranch in Box Elder County. The farm is the winner of the 2019 Utah Leopold Conservation Award.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 27

AGRICULTURE

Did you enjoy some delicious food this holiday season? Thank a Utah farmer or rancher In a recent article published in The Washington Post, reporter Annie Gowen detailed the struggles and challenges faced by farmers and ranchers as they battle to make a living for their families.

Sadly, for some, the challenges are more than one can take, and they see an alternative solution as the only way out. Utah tant livestock products are hogs, chicken is not exempt from these pressures and eggs, and sheep and lambs. Wool, honey, on occasion tragedy has struck close to our homes. aquaculture, and turkeys also contribute But as a general rule these rugged significantly to the economy. agronomists pull themselves up, lift Hay is Utah’s largest crop, grown to their chins towards heaven and keep on feed beef and dairy cattle. Greenhouse Photo supplied, Ken Adams and nursery products (potted plants and keeping on with what they have done all Aaron Rose and his two young sons carry ornamental shrubs) are also very valuable their lives… feed the citizens of Utah and on the family farming tradition. Dairy cattle to the state. The wheat, barley, and corn beyond. have been part of the family income since For most, living off the land brings to crops are also important. Leading fruits the 1860s. them and their families inherent benefits are apples, cherries, and peaches. Aprithat go well beyond a financial profit or cots and pears are also grown in Utah.

BY KEN ADAMS Leading vegetables are onions, potatoes, loss. Looking out your pickup window, and dry beans. Mushrooms and safflower watching a herd of cattle graze across the The holiday season is a great time to horizon or rising in the morning to the enjoy a cornucopia of amazing meals and are also grown in Utah. greeting of wheat blades as they break The United States Department of Agdesserts. Melt-in-your-mouth items such out of the soil’s surface just does somericulture statistics show that Utah boasts as tender beef roast, plump and juicy thing for the heart and soul. Working 18,200 farms and ranches, covering turkey, a refreshing cup of eggnog or a hard from sun-up to sun-down, brushflavorful cherry pie. It makes you hungry 11 million acres of land, with the average farm size totaling 677 acres. In 2018 ing off the dust from your boots, and just thinking about it! sitting down to a homemade meal can be there were 2,327,000,000 pounds of Every one of these items and hunmore satisfying than 10 day cruise in the milk produced, 10,712,000 bushels of dreds more are raised and produced in Bahamas!

Utah by some of the nations most skilled wheat grown, 5,200,000 turkeys proThe Rose family of Richville, Utah has cessed and 45,000,000 pounds of tart and industrious farmers, ranchers and been milking cows for six generations. cherries harvested. entrepreneurs. They didn’t just come Initially, their pioneer stalk produced milk Farm and ranch life can be a hardfrom a grocery store or magically appear for the family and a few neighbors. Once scrabble existence. These men and on grandma’s table. Each came as a settled and with land cleared, irrigation women devote their lives and income to result of the labors and ingenuity of our ditches excavated, and crops planted an industry that requires copious hours own people. of labor, little or no medical or retirement they were able to expand the operation.

Here are some interesting facts that may surprise you and will certainly attract benefits, few, if any vacations, and never For five generations, they have sold milk commercially. a guarantee of a profit. A single hard your attention: Unfortunately, the last three generafrost can wipe out a budding orchard of The Utah Department of Agriculture reports three-fourths of Utah’s agricultur- peaches. Drought can whither up a once tions have had to find other employment to keep their dairy afloat. Rodney Rose promising wheat crop. An infestation of al income is generated by livestock and pesky coyotes can devour the profit mar- and his son Aaron both work full time. livestock products. Beef cattle and milk Rodney is an educator and Aaron spends gin of a healthy lamb herd in just days. lead the way in this sector. Other impor-

ALL THINGS OUTDOORS

Ken Adams

28 Standard-Examiner

his time as an engineer. They share their dairy responsibilities with assistance from Aaron’s uncle Wendell and Aaron’s two young sons, ages nine and eleven. Milking begins before 6 a.m. and then again at 6 p.m. All of them enjoy this rural life and working together.

If you know a farmer, rancher or other agricultural producer who is struggling to keep their operation afloat, there are things you can do to lift their spirits and help ease their burdens. Fences always need repairing. Corals need cleaning.

Windows need washing. Fruit trees are wanting for a trimming. Fields could use a good tilling. Cattle could be gathered up from the range.

Just imagine the look of surprise and the smile of joy on the homegiver’s face if you were to bring her over a delicious dessert or an entire meal for the family, allowing her take a small break for the many hours logged in a day that began well before the sun broke in the east! The old rancher out repairing a coral fence would think he had just won the lottery if you showed up with a crew of men and boys to assist him get the job done before the herd was brought off the fall range for winter confinement.

This is a season of thanks and giving.

All of us can take the time to shake the hand, pat the back, or share a warm and sincere smile with our devoted neighbors in the agricultural industry. Without them our own holiday season would be grim and bleak with little food and insufficient clothing to keep us warm on a cold December day.

Three cheers to all the men and women and their families who manage the good earth to produce the products we all need to add quality to our lives.

Thank you for your hard work and devotion. Happy Holidays!

HUNTING & FISHING

Jesica Linford Cornia took a 4 point deer with her daughter Rangely in Woodruff, Utah.

Western Wasatch

TROPHY ROOM

Wyatt and Ben German shot eight geese during a recent hunt.

Photo supplied, Lacy Sappington Kannon Sappington and Tristen Roper catch a bunch of fish at Logan 2nd Dam in June.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 29

HUNTING & FISHING

Photo supplied, Rick Bingham Rick Bingham took down a 3x4 buck at 260 yards near Middle Fork this October during the first weekend of deer season.

Kendal Parker harvests a 2x1 Mule Deer at Scare Canyon.

30 Standard-Examiner

Photo supplied, Rick Bingham Hunter Bingham, 13, shot his first 2 point buck this fall near Middle Fork.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 31

HUNTING & FISHING

Chase Heiner, Dan Fowers, Wyatt German, Ben German, Cody Isaacson, Matt Weyland and Shane Namanny captured a whole host of pheasants during a hunt at Horseshoe K Ranch in South Dakota.

Spent some time outdoors recently?

Submit your photo of your hunting or fishing excursion for the chance to be featured in Western Wasatch's Trophy Room section.

To submit a photo, email westernwasatch@ standard.net and be sure to include your full name, location where the picture was taken as well as date. Happy hunting!

32 Standard-Examiner

Western Wasatch

TROPHY ROOM

Bodee Dalton and Kannon Sappington each killed a duck during duck hunting season st Willard Bay.

HUNTING & FISHING

Introducing his kids to hunting creates a whole new experience for South Ogden man

BY JESSICA KOKESH Standard Examiner

a while… and here comes this deer. It was a buck. It ran into the trees.”

SOUTH OGDEN — Though he’s a Rick sighted the deer at 260 yards, longtime hunter, Rick Bingham got to stepped out of the trees and shot the experience a lot of firsts during this 3x4 buck within 100 yards of where his year’s season — all through his children son had captured his own game. and their introduction to the sport. “(Baylee) was great. She took picSon Champ, 5, went on his first tures, watched me field dress it… she’s grouse hunting trip. always staying up with us,” Rick said.

His daughter Baylee, 8, went hunt“It was cool. All the kids experience the ing in the spring for the first time and whole process… we say a quick prayer, tagged along with Rick when he snagged clean team, and tag them.” a buck this fall.

Rick generally hunts mule deer and And his oldest, 13-year-old Hunter antelope, though he also goes after Bingham, took his first buck from 170 grouse and coyotes from time-to-time. yards away on the second day of deer He drew a bear tag up in Montana, season. bringing home a black bear trophy to “It’s a different experience,” Rick be turned into a bearskin rug. He hopes said of watching Hunter take down the one day to draw a tag for moose or elk. buck. “It’s a lot better than shooting one “I like getting into the outdoors. yourself.”

That’s always fun. Seeing the animals Hunting has always been a part of the is really cool,” Rick said. “As far as the South Ogden family’s lives, from seeing hunting aspect goes… if you get somedad’s trophies around the house to thing, you’ve outsmarted them on their eating meat brought in to shooting and own turf, although I think there’s some safety lessons. luck that goes into.”

“They’ve been pretty interested in He’s excited that his kids are now since they were all young,” Rick said, old enough to hunt alongside him and adding that he, too, has been hunting spend time out in nature. “ever since I can remember.”

“A lot of great memories are made Hunter’s deer was a two-point buck, even when you do not get anything,” which the two of them spotted up in he said. “I enjoy being with them and the Middle Fork area in Weber County. spending time with them. It’s kind of a Hunter got a “good shot on it,” Rick family tradition, it’s really nice this year. said, and was pretty excited once he It’s something new, something different realized he’d shot the buck. for me.”

The day after Hunter took his buck, For fellow parents who hope to get Rick and daughter Baylee packed a their children into hunting, Rick recomlunch and went up in the same area mends not pushing them too hard on so Rick could have an opportunity to their first trips. shoot.

“It’s the same for adults. If you push “We hiked in, got snowed on, and them too hard and it’s not fun, they will saw some deer, and no bucks,” Rick not go back,” he said. “I think as long said. “So I said ‘Let me show you where as you try to make it fun and don’t push Hunter shot his buck.’ We sat there for them, I think they’ll enjoy it.”

Photos supplied, Rick Bingham

(Left) Champ Bingham, 5, looks through binoculars on his first grouse hunt with dad Rick Bingham. (Right above) Rick and Baylee Bingham pose with the 3x4 buck Rick shot during this fall’s deer season. Baylee accompanied her dad on the hunt. (Right bottom) Rick and Hunter Bingham pose with the 2 point buck Hunter shot during deer season this year. This was the first time 13-year-old Hunter had shot a buck.

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HUNTING & FISHING

Utah Wildlife Board approves new mule deer management plan, amendments to hunt drawing process

BY THE UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Wildlife Board approved a new five-year statewide mule deer management plan, along with some other amendments to the hunt drawing process during a public meeting held Thursday.

34 Standard-Examiner

MULE DEER MANAGEMENT PLAN The statewide mule deer management plan is compiled by the Mule Deer Committee using research and input from various organizations including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, the Utah Farm

Bureau, Brigham Young University, various sportsmen’s groups, and 17 members of the public representing different user groups. The statewide plan provides a history of deer and deer management in Utah. It also provides a life history for the species and contains a brief history of the research

about deer in Utah, as well as providing consistency for hunting deer in Utah, setting expectations and giving guidance.

BUCK DEER IN THE WILD In addition to the state management plan, there are also unit plans to ad-

HUNTING & FISHING dress population needs in a specific area of the state.

The unit plans set target herd objectives, identify and attempt to address limiting factors for an area and provide direction for specific habitat projects.

The unit plans are passed one region per year on a five-year rotation after a habitat analysis has been conducted on each unit.

The previous statewide management plan for mule deer was approved in 2014 and expired in December. This new management plan will guide the management of mule deer in Utah from December 2019 to December 2024. Some of the main changes to the plan that were approved include: • Allowing DWR biologists to make recommendations each year that work toward the target objectives of deer population throughout the state. This will allow for more fluctuation of buck deer permits from year to year.

• Updating specific unit plans that set realistic and attainable population objectives for each unit across Utah. Biologists will consider herd health and range conditions when setting these objectives.

• Evaluating areas for new extended archery hunt units and new handgun-archery-muzzleloadershotgun to offer additional hunting opportunities throughout the state.

• Continuing to manage general season hunting with a ratio of 15–17 bucks per 100 does on some units and 18–20 bucks per 100 does on other units, and keeping the management of limited-entry units the same with a ratio of 25–35 bucks per 100 does on seven of the units.

The new management plan also includes a portion about slowing the spread of chronic wasting disease in Utah. Chronic wasting disease is a highly contagious, neurodegenerative disease found in deer, elk and moose which is caused by protein particles.

Infected animals develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless and have droopy ears, may salivate excessively and will eventually die.

Research has shown that male deer are more likely to be infected with chronic wasting disease than females, with male bucks between 4–6 years old as the most likely to be infected. As such, the new management plan looks at some possible strategies such as requiring a skull to be free of brain matter for any deer/elk harvested in a CWD-positive state before it can be imported to Utah, targeting prime age bucks, and holding hunts later to help target these male deer and slow the spread of CWD. The wildlife board also approved similar hunting seasons to past years:

Photos supplied, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

quired bonus/preference points will be reinstated and the waiting period will be waived, if applicable.

However, if they surrender the permit(s) less than 30 days before the season opens, they will lose their bonus/preference points. Previously, it was difficult to reallocate those permits when there was less than 30 days notice, so this change will help prevent lost hunting opportunities.

• Hunters who do accept a reallocated permit for the same species they had a permit for will receive a full refund for their general‐season permit and will have all preference points reinstated — including one for the current year.

• The waiting period for a limited‐entry buck deer RULE AMENDMENTS TO THE HUNT DRAWING hunt will increase from two years to five years.

PROCESS • Hunters will forfeit their preference points for The Wildlife Board also approved several amendalmost any over-the-counter permit purchase, with ments to the hunt drawing process. The demand for a few exceptions. hunting in Utah continues to grow, and hunters have Because of recent changes to management buck voiced concerns about fairness and lost opportunities deer hunts, there will no longer be permit quotas in the hunt drawing process. As a result, the Wildlife allocated to youth and to individuals who are 65 and Board approved several DWR proposals to allow for older. less forfeited permits and more opportunities.

“We believe these small changes to the hunt drawing process will give all hunters more equal opportuHere are some of those changes: nity to make memories hunting some of Utah’s most • If a hunter surrenders their permit(s) at least 30 valued wildlife,” DWR wildlife licensing coordinator days before the season opens, their previously ac- Lindy Varney said.

• • • • •

28-day archery season 9-day muzzleloader season 5-day early any weapon season (on select units) 9-day any weapon season 9-day late muzzleloader season “Mule deer are the most popular species to hunt in Utah. This entire management plan was developed using extensive research and was designed to maintain healthy deer populations throughout Utah and to provide expanded opportunities for hunting and wildlife viewing across the state,” DWR big game coordinator Covy Jones said.

To view the entire plan, visit the DWR website.

Western Wasatch - January 2020 35

HUNTING & FISHING

DWR stocks over 10 million fish throughout Utah in 2019 to increase fishing opportunities

BY THE UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

SALT LAKE CITY — In an effort to enhance fishing throughout the state, as well as boost native fish populations, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stocks a variety of fish species throughout Utah each year. In 2019, the division stocked more than 10 million fish into 603 local waterbodies, a total of more than 1.1 million pounds of fish.

The practice of stocking fish in the Beehive State goes back more than a century, as fish were first formally stocked in Utah in 1871. At that time, fish were transported from other states by train and were stocked into lakes along the train route. In 1898, Utah opened its first hatcheries for raising trout locally.

“These original hatcheries were really impounded streams where we put fry that we got from the federal government,” DWR sportfish coordinator Randy Oplinger said. “We opened our first traditional fish hatchery — with raceways like we have today — where we produced our own eggs, in 1899 in Murray.”

Over time, the DWR expanded its fish hatchery operations, and there are now 13 facilities across Utah. The bulk of the fish stocked in 2019 came from these hatcheries, which produced 9.4 million of the total 10,081,077 fish stocked throughout the state.

The other almost 680,000 were transported from various states across the U.S., including Arkansas and Wyoming, as well as from two federal fish hatcheries in Utah.

“Our hatcheries are important because they provide the majority of the fish that we stock in Utah,” Oplinger said. “Stocking is a crucial management tool that we use to provide Utahns with the numbers and species of fish that they desire — it helps ensure that the public has a great fishing experience.”

There were 20 different fish species stocked in 2019. The DWR produces multiple strains of some species, and some of the fish are sterile (meaning they can’t reproduce) — a management tool to help control various populations in different waterbodies. This includes eight different cutthroat trout groups and five separate strains of rainbow trout, as well as channel catfish, largemouth bass and bluegill from Arkansas, and Arctic grayling eggs from Wyoming that are then raised in our local hatcheries. Several native species 36 Standard-Examiner

Photos by BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner (above) David Buckmiller of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources releases tiger muskies in Pineview Reservoir on Thursday, May 2, 2019. The DWR stocked about 28,000 fish. (Right) The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources stock about 28,000 tiger muskies on Thursday, May 2, 2019, in Pineview Reservoir.

were also stocked this year, including over 28,000 bonytail chub, almost 4,700 Virgin River chub, and more than 30,000 June suckers, a species only found in Utah Lake. In recent years, June suckers have made an impressive recovery due to conservation efforts and were recently proposed for a downlisting — from endangered to threatened — under the Endangered Species Act. In 2018, the DWR stocked more than 12 million fish, a total of 1.1 million pounds. The division

decided to stock fewer, but larger fish this year. The DWR increased its stocking of 12-inch rainbow trout in 2019 because research has shown that these 12inch fish are more readily caught by anglers than the 8- to 10-inch rainbow trout the division has traditionally stocked.

HUNTING & FISHING

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HUNTING & FISHING

Photos supplied, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Gunlock Reservoir named Utah’s newest Blue Ribbon Fishery

BY THE UTAH DIVISON OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES

SALT LAKE CITY — Blue Ribbon Fishery: It’s a term some Utahns may not be familiar with, but one that every angler should pay close attention to, given that these waterbodies offer some of the best fishing experiences Utah has to offer.

Angler with fish at Gunlock Reservoir 38 Standard-Examiner

The Blue Ribbon Fisheries program was created in 2001 by then-Gov. Mike Leavitt, and was formally established in 2005 through an executive order by then-Gov. Jon Huntsman.

“The program was created because Utah’s leaders recognized that fishing is one of the state’s most popular recreational activities,” Randy Oplinger, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources sportfish coordinator, said. “There was a need to improve fisheries in Utah and to recognize the best angling opportunities in the state. This program helps fulfill both of those needs.”

In order to be named a Blue Ribbon Fishery, a waterbody has to meet several requirements and provide highly-satisfying fishing and recreational experiences for diverse groups of anglers and outdoor enthusiasts. The waterbodies are selected and reviewed by the Blue Ribbon Fisheries Advisory Council, which is made up of a representative committee of 13 anglers appointed by the governor.

Gunlock Reservoir was selected as the newest Blue Ribbon Fishery during the council’s meeting on Thursday, Nov. 21, making it the 39th waterbody in Utah to currently hold this elite status.

The reservoir had previously been named to the prestigious list, but was removed after undergoing a rotenone treatment to remove illegally introduced smallmouth bass.

“These waters are among the best fishing spots in Utah and have been proven to provide not only great fishing, but also ideal habitat for the fish, economic benefits to the local communities, and an overall high-quality experience in the outdoors,” Oplinger said. “They offer high fishing success rates and usually have great amenities like boat ramps and fishing piers.”

High-quality fishing waterbodies are only one important part of the Blue Ribbon Fisheries program. The program also allocates funds for improvements to help maintain that quality experience and to allow other waterbodies to reach

Blue Ribbon status. The Advisory Council selects improvement projects for various waterbodies each year, and those projects are then funded by a portion of Utah’s annual fishing license sales.

In 2019, $450,000 went toward 13 Blue Ribbon Fisheries projects and initiatives. The majority of the overall funding was allocated for major upgrades, improvements and enhanced facilities at Pelican Lake, Fish Lake and Lost Creek Reservoir. Details about the Pelican Lake work can be found on the DWR website.

Since the program began, $3.2 million has been allocated to 125 projects that have been completed at various waterbodies across the state. Nearly $850,000 of this money was used to restore 236 acres of riparian habitat and more than 2,000 acres of reservoir habitat at Blue Ribbon or potential Blue Ribbon waters. Around $1.1 million has been used to secure angler access to more than 7 miles of stream corridors and nearly 6,000 acres of reservoir fishing.

HUNTING & FISHING

How to prepare for ice fishing season spend more if you’d like additional equipment, but you don’t need to spend a lot of money to be successful and have a good time.”

TIPS TO HELP YOU BE SUCCESSFUL WHILE ICE FISHING During the winter when a waterbody has frozen over, fish often stay near the bottom of the lake.

Because of that, a good recommendation is to start with your lure about a foot off the bottom. However, fish don’t always stay along the bottom of the lake, so if you aren’t getting any strikes, then try setting your lure at different depths. Fish finders can be helpful in determining where the fish are, or you can also ask other anglers who are having success at the same waterbody.

Fish don’t strike hard under the ice, so you have to carefully watch the tip of your line to know if you are getting any bites. One thing that can help with that is adding a spring bobber to the end of your fishing rod to help you notice those gentle strikes.

You can catch any fish species through the ice, and any time of day can be good when ice fishing.

“The best way to prepare for ice fishing is to make sure you are dressed warmly for the colder weather BEN DORGER, Standard-Examiner and to make sure all your equipment is ready,” Cacey Zinsky ice fishes on Causey Reservoir with his dog Scully on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019.

Oplinger said. “If you are new to the sport, you can get additional tips and recommendations from fellow anBY THE UTAH DIVISION OF WILDLIFE RESOURCES glers, employees at tackle stores or online. It’s always ice fishing: a good idea to check local fishing reports as well.”

SALT LAKE CITY — With most of Utah getting pelted EQUIPMENT YOU NEED by freezing temperatures, going fishing may not be SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS at the top of your to-do list. However, don’t put away An auger to drill a hole in the ice. You can use that tackle box just yet — ice fishing season is just either a hand-powered auger or a motorized auger. If The general safety recommendation is to not step around the corner, and December is the perfect time you are new to the sport, hand augers work well and on the ice unless it is at least 4 inches thick. However, to prepare. typically cost around $50. keep in mind that ice thickness can vary across a lake, Ice fishing is a great way to get outdoors during the Something to scoop the slush out of the hole after so if you see that it is 4 inches in one spot, don’t aswinter and is a great activity for the whole family. it is drilled. You can buy ice fishing scoops for only a sume it is 4 inches across the entire lake. Be sure to “Fishing during the winter can be spectacular,” Utah few dollars or you could use a slotted spoon from your drill test holes into the ice as you venture onto it. You Division of Wildlife Resources sportfish coordinator kitchen. should also avoid having large groups of people and Randy Oplinger said. “You can access an entire lake Ice fishing rod and line (costs typically start around equipment in a small area — spread the weight out. by walking across the ice; ice fishing gives those who $20) “As an extra precaution, you can also purchase don’t own a boat a great opportunity to fish wherever Ice fishing lures (these are normally $3–4 each) ice safety picks, which can help you get out of a lake they would like on a lake.”

Some bait, like mealworms or wax worms (these are if you fall through the ice,” Oplinger said. “I’d also While the ice may not be quite thick enough yet $3 a cup, which will last a few fishing trips) recommend having a rope just in case. And it’s always for safe fishing in many parts of the state, you can Warm winter clothing a good idea to have someone else with you when ice begin to prepare now by making sure you have the A camping chair or bucket to sit on fishing.” right gear. Here’s a look at some of the equipment you “You can get into the sport of ice fishing for under Find more ice safety tips on the Utah State Parks $100,” Oplinger said. “Just like with any sport, you can website. should have and tips to help you be successful when Western Wasatch - January 2020 39

HUNTING & FISHING

WATER NAME BEAR L BOUNTIFUL POND HYRUM RES JENSEN NATURE PARK POND ROCKPORT RES BOUNTIFUL POND JENSEN NATURE PARK POND SMITH FAMILY PARK POND WILLOW PARK PND DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES RAZOR RIDGE P STRATTON P VIRGINR RIVER PARK POND DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES FISH L FISH L DEER CR RES DEER CR RES HOBBS RESERVOIR JENSEN NATURE PARK POND SETTLEMENT CYN RES SMITH FAMILY PARK POND VERNON CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES DEER CR RES MARY ELLEN GULCH CREEK BATTLE CR BELL CR DRY CREEK HIGHLAND EMIGRATION CR LAMBS CR MILL CR MT DELL CR MT DELL CR OTTER CR RES PARLEYS CR PARLEYS CR RED BUTTE CR JORDANELLE RES JORDANELLE RES JORDANELLE RES OTTER CR RES OTTER CR RES RED FLEET RES 40 Standard-Examiner

FISH STOCKING REPORT COUNTY RICH DAVIS CACHE DAVIS SUMMIT DAVIS DAVIS WEBER SALT LAKE WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH WASHINGTON WASHINGTON WASHINGTON WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH SEVIER SEVIER WASATCH WASATCH DAVIS DAVIS TOOELE WEBER TOOELE WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH UTAH UTAH SALT LAKE UTAH SALT LAKE SALT LAKE SALT LAKE SALT LAKE SALT LAKE PIUTE SALT LAKE SALT LAKE SALT LAKE WASATCH WASATCH WASATCH PIUTE PIUTE UINTAH

SPECIES LAKE TROUT RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW TIGER TROUT RAINBOW TIGER TROUT RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT RAINBOW CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT CUTTHROAT RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW RAINBOW

QUANTITY 12159 735 23508 490 110 1426 510 500 2083 1170 1040 1170 1040 423 367 612 326 1170 1040 2083 1040 1073 2083 7810 8470 1960 1960 7997 500 6006 600 3003 1960 1960 1715 1152 802 802 2011 2011 1018 802 3627 1222 741 23483 509 1018 1018 2000 3813 1696 34179 33920 2875

AVERAGE LENGTH 5.95 10.07 7.51 10.07 10.74 10.07 10.07 10.07 10.07t 12.11 12.11 12.11 12.11 12.11 10.51 10.51 10.51 12.11 12.11 10.07 12.11 12.11 10.07 6.07 6.07 10.07 10.07 6.07 10.07 7.28 10.07 7.28 10.07 10.07 10.07 10.07 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.88 2.85 7.43 2.88 2.88 2.88 10.17 10.17 10.56 7.43 7.48 10.17

DATE STOCKED 11/21/2019 11/20/2019 11/20/2019 11/20/2019 11/20/2019 11/19/2019 11/19/2019 11/19/2019 11/19/2019 11/14/2019 11/14/2019 11/14/2019 11/14/2019 11/14/2019 11/14/2019 11/14/2019 11/14/2019 11/13/2019 11/13/2019 11/13/2019 11/13/2019 11/13/2019 11/13/2019 11/13/2019 11/13/2019 11/12/2019 11/12/2019 11/12/2019 11/12/2019 11/12/2019 11/12/2019 11/12/2019 11/08/2019 11/08/2019 11/08/2019 11/08/2019 11/08/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/07/2019 11/06/2019 11/06/2019 11/06/2019 11/06/2019 11/06/2019 11/06/2019

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Western Wasatch - January 2020 41

HUNTING & FISHING

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 2020 calendar Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 Dark Goose Season Ends (Southern Goose Area) Duck, Merganser, Coot & Wilson’s Snipe Season Ends (Southern Zone) Scaup Season Ends (Southern Zone) Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 Dark Goose Season Ends (Northern Goose Area) Friday, Jan. 31, 2020 Limited-entry Bull Elk Any Legal Weapon (Rifle) Late Hunts End Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020 Dark Goose Season Ends (Wasatch Front Goose Area) Photos supplied, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 Utah Trappers Association Fur Sale

Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020 Turkey Drawing Results Available 9 a.m. - Wildlife Board Meeting Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 Light Goose Season Starts Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 Dark Goose Season Ends (Eastern Box Elder Goose Area) Duck, Merganser, Coot & Wilson’s Snipe Season Ends (Northern Zone) Swan Season Ends 42 Standard-Examiner

Saturday, Feb. 8, 2020 Utah Trappers Association Fur Sale Saturday, Feb.15, 2020 Chukar Season Ends Gray Hungarian Partridge Season Ends Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020 Fall General-season Turkey Hunt (Southern) Ends Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020 Remaining Limited-entry Turkey Permits Available

Spring General-season Turkey Permits Available Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 Cougar-control Permits Available (Split-unit Permit Holders) Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 American Crow Season Ends Cottontail Rabbit Season Ends Fall General-season Turkey Hunts (Northern & Central) End Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 Harvest-objective Cougar Hunting on Split Units Starts

WESTERN FASHION

The “Wild Rag:” The cowboy’s every useful accessory WESTERN FASHION

Becky Hougaard

Last issue we featured outerwear and since its the time of year for warmth and comfort, I wanted to talk about the cowboy “Wild Rag.” Also known as Western Scarf, Glad Rag, Bandana, Kerchief, Mascada, and probably a few more name! During this time of year, I couldn’t imagine being outdoors without one.

The Wild Rag dates back to the mid 1800s. They were an important accessory for the cowboy. Some of the uses were: • protection from the elements

• • • • • • • • • •

keep the sun off your neck soaking up sweat so it didn’t stain your shirt strain drinking water temporary rigging keep your hat on in the wind a potholder by the campfire an arm sling, tourniquet or bandage flagging a race, draping the eyes of a horse to calm them up over the nose and mouth to keep out dust and snow • and, of course, just to look good!

All these can still be used today, but the uses have increased to be used as a practical scarf or a fashion scarf. Now they are used as a shawl, hair band or tie, belt, purse accent, show attire, weddings, and just plain fun to use as a decoration.

Fabrics can vary with some being cotton or polyester, silk or blends. Cotton is great for summer, polyester is easy to care for and there are a ton of pattern choices,and it is priced a little lower, but the silk scarf is still the favorite. Not only does silk feel

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WESTERN FASHION amazing when you wear it but there is a practical reason, too. It is the most absorbent of all natural fibers, giving it excellent wicking properties. It is also warmer than wool in the winter and softens with age. This makes it ideal for those other than the cowboy such as skiers, snowmobilers and anyone that works outdoors.

Since the Wild Rag is something I couldn’t imagine being without, it still surprises me when someone will ask at a show I’m at, “So what’s the deal with the scarves?” After explaining about “Wild Rags,” I tell them that I guarantee that you will love them once you start wearing them. If not, I will take it back.

That has never happened!

And another thing about Wild Rags, they are like potato chips. You can’t

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just have one. There are so many colors, sizes, patterns, and artwork on them to choose from. They are also easy to find. Just look up Wild Rag on the internet and you will find many to choose from. If you are local, there are some great stores here such as Smith and Edwards, IFA, Reams, and Cal Ranch, and small businesses you’ll see at shows such as Silk and Sage, and Rockin’ Double H, that have wonderful selection. If there is one in particular you’re looking for just shoot me an e-mail. I’ll help you find it.

Also this issue’s give away is a Limited Editions Silk Wild Rag. E-mail me at RockinHH@gmail.com to enter.

Let us know how we’re doing and any ideas or questions you may have.

Till then, Happy Trails!

ENTERTAINMENT

by Chris Mo

rtensen

Western Wasatch - January 2020 45

ENTERTAINMENT

Adobe

Utah can still be a winter wonderland in January… if you prepare for it As a kid, I can recall the anticipation that inevitably followed the weather man’s call for snow. The night before a single flake would touch the ground, my gloves, winter boots, snow pants, and coat were all neatly laid out just inside the back door topped with an oversized red knit hat. “Oh, the joys that awaited the following morning!” I remember thinking to myself as I’d lay in bed. It’s a wonder I’d even sleep on those nights, what with all the activities daylight would bring! There were forts and snowmen to be built, ice to be slid upon, and the unforgettable childhood craze, sledding! Yes, to a child, Utah in January was 46 Standard-Examiner

Musings of a cowboy Sam Lively Rodeo Cowboy

nothing short of a “Winter Wonderland”.

Nowadays, it seems the only good that comes from 0° is that all of the mud is frozen in the horse corals, and the days are too short to work outside too long, even if you wanted to. I don’t mean to come off as negative as the

temperature, I’ve just chopped too much ice in it.Welcome to January, the most “solid month of the year!”

I was 14 years old the first time I encountered a frozen diesel motor, ironically enough, this was also when I discovered that my main use for a “weed burner” wasn’t burning weeds.

One tank of propane, two cans of starting fluid, and three hours later, and the back-hoe was ready for use.

Since then, I’ve thawed out a few engines as well as some air lines on a semi truck, and more garden hoses than I care to admit. Through all these experiences, I’ve found preparedness

is the best avenue for success. Much like my boyhood-self that laid out every article of clothing for the next day, I take the time to check the antifreeze in the back-hoe, pour alcohol in the air lines, and keep a full tank of propane for the “weed burner” just in case.

Despite the tribulations that tag along with the negative integers, on a still day with Earth’s sky so clear and blue you swear you could drink it, and all the man-made imperfections blanketed beneath her makeup of snow, Utah’s January can still be a “Winter Wonderland,” you’ve just got to take the time to prepare for it.

LET IT SNOW! SEE OUR SELECTION OF NEW AND USED SNOWMOBILE TRAILERS

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