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Photo by Stan Baker
The importance of aspen If it seems as though Out West focuses on aspens again and again in its effort to present new places for you to turkey hunt, there's a good reason. A stand of aspen trees offers more structural habitat diversity than conifers, and forage in an aspen forest can be up to six times as rich as coniferous forests. Since more sunlight filters through aspen canopies than coniferous forests, a thick, enriched understory — often made of shrubs and herbaceous species — arises and supplements nourishment for hundreds of species of animals, from black bears to small birds. According to NWTF Biologist Stan Baker, "The density and diversity of birds is greater in aspen communities than conifer stands and is important habitat for wild turkeys." |
Third time is really a charm in Utah
Biologists love it when projects they oversee continue into additional funding phases, so Stan Baker, the NWTF's senior regional biologist in the Mountain Region of Colorado and Utah, must be very happy that a project he initiated is now in its third year in south-central Utah.
In 2009, Baker's work led to the first stewardship agreement between the NWTF and the Intermountain Region of the USDA Forest Service on 386 acres in the Box Creek area near Richfield, Utah. The Box Creek Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, in Fishlake National Forest, took place on Monroe Mountain. In 2010, the NWTF completed its second stewardship agreement, or Box Creek Phase 2, that encompassed 264 acres on Monroe Mountain. Both projects mechanically treated, through standard timber sale practices, and harvested encroaching mixed conifer specifies from existing aspen stands.
This year, Baker oversees the third year of a Forest Stewardship Agreement to treat 817 acres for aspen improvement and regeneration on the South Boulder Mountains. Called the Sawmill Point Aspen Stewardship Project, the working area is in the Escalante Ranger District on the Dixie National Forest in southern Utah. The same type of encroachment by conifers is occurring here, in an area typically renowned for its Merriam's turkeys.
Because a stand of aspen also nurtures many other species and plant life, it is important to note that Monroe Mountain is home of the World Record Rocky Mountain elk, "Spider Bull," harvested in 2008. Each year, the Utah State Chapter offers a Monroe Mountain Conservation Permit for a bull elk. In the past, this coveted tag has brought as much as $29,000.
Merriam's aren't the only "draw" in this part of Utah
In the spring 2010, Utah offered its first over-the-counter turkey permits, with limited entry in all regions of the state.
"The limited entry permits are for all five regions of Utah, totaling 2,500 permits, and the season is earlier — April 9 to 28 —this year," Baker said. "These early, limited-entry turkey permits are the only ones that need to be applied for in December of each year. There is also a three-day youth season from April 29 to May 1 and a general season from May 2 to May 31 where permits can be purchased over-the-counter."
To be assured of getting a permit, though, it is best to apply in early December. Check Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources for its Turkey Guidebook for criteria, as well as downloadable guidebooks for hunting other species.
If you choose to hunt near the first two projects, in the Fishlake National Forest, enjoy Fish Lake — the largest natural mountain lake in the state with premium bird watching and trophy fishing. Hunting and off-highway vehicle riding are very popular there.
The Boulder Mountains offer great fishing opportunities for mountain trout and elk and mule deer hunting. After the hunt, visit nearby Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah's newest national monument that spans nearly 1.9 million acres. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, much of this land also is available for public hunting. In recent years, wild turkeys, pronghorn antelope and desert bighorn sheep have been introduced to this area.
Because Utah offers so much for outdoors enthusiasts, take advantage of www.utah.com to aid visitors with travel preparations and destination ideas, along with listings of lodgings, maps, weather and trip packages.
— Barbara Baird